NEW FLORIDA RESIDENT BLOG

Welcome to Florida. Both my grandfathers were from the "old country", a place I thought was very aptly named when I was younger.  Then I found out the "Old Country" had a name, in fact both my grandfather's hailed from different Old Countries and there was some argument they once had about who had a mule vs. a donkey and which beast was better.  With this as a backdrop, I never had an interest in visiting the "Old Country" especially when it was made clear my family was either thrown out of, or, left under pressure from the local constabulary (both sides).  So yeah, the new country suites me fine. QUICK SIDE NOTE: Occasionally you'll hear that 'my family was told the streets in America were paved in gold, so they came here'.  Let's be honest, even if that were the truth, it only suggests that your ancestors are idiots.  Face facts, your forebears and mine were thrown out of every respectable country in the world and landed here.  Ch...

Welcome to Florida. Whether you are a new resident to our state or, have decided that you'd like to live in a more cultured area of the peninsula, you are undoubtedly researching the city of Sarasota.   Although many folks first look at the large cities in the state, that have over two million residents and professional sports teams, Sarasota nearly always tops the list for a final destination for the following top ten reasons. 1. Beaches.  We have the best beach in America (Siesta Beach) with amenities galore, several lifestyle choices and many smaller nearby beaches with similar features and fewer tourists (think Lido Beach). 2. Boating.  If offshore fishing is your thing, the Gulf of Mexico has incredible sport fishing while the Bay offers safe relaxing boating destinations.  Sandbar cocktails were invented here. 3. Shopping.  I'm told that the the new Neiman Marcus is very exciting, but am also interested in Nordstom since I've heard that they put al...

Welcome to Sarasota. Some nights my wife will ask me about the history of Sarasota, I suspect it is on nights she can't sleep because while many people are interested in the past 100 years, I normally start the story of Sarasota about 12,000 years ago.  It was actually a thriving area with lots of Native Americas and the 'Fierce' or Calusa Tribe, not yet formed.  Like many history geeks I am interested in the Calusa's, a spanish speaking tribe that killed Ponce De Leon.  But honestly, who wouldn't be? Yes, the answer to the question posed above is "just about everyone on Earth".  But rest assured, if you are in my SUV looking for homes I will not bore you by going back much further than Mrs. Palmer and her orange groves.  Especially if you are buying a home on property she used to own, exciting!  And if we are on Siesta I will happily discuss the marriage of Ocean Hansen and Capt. Robert's and what it meant to the Key.  But of course, do yourself a...

Welcome to Florida. There are many misconceptions about Florida living out there.  One of my favorites is that your clothes from your old life won't work here.  That might be true for winter jackets if you lived in Wisconsin, but for the most part, bring your old clothes and see how you feel in them. When I first moved here decades ago I drove to the Tommy Bahama store and purchased a new wardrobe, it was kinda fun but I realized that Hawaiian shirts aren't really my personal, "go to".  But to each his own.  It is more casual here, being from New England I never had been in a Bank where the male employees wore polo shirts.  And our UPS guy wears shorts year 'round so it is a bit confusing for "newbies". Of course, when all else fails you're safe with a bright (or white) suit with tee shirt or a pin strip suit with a pink tie.  At least that's what one man thinks......... ©John Gaudiano My Website  

Welcome to Florida. My wife and I have a bow-rider with an outboard which we have more fun than should be allowed.  We love stopping at sand bars and swimming with friends, especially in the Summer when water temps can be in the high 80s or low 90s.  When it's this warm you will sometimes have manatees swim up to see what all the fuss is about, or maybe they just like country music. At any rate, when I was younger I liked fast boats.  I had a dual engine jet that could go well over 60mph, which is way too fast to actually have fun.  But it's a good way to get to the fun.  Anyhow, I was alone going 65mph and "Scardy Cat" passed me like I was standing still.  (The reports that I screamed like an eight year old girl are greatly exaggerated).  Scardy could go 120mph or so and I hadn't met Miss Geico yet.  Her top speed is over 200mph and it occurs to me that these speeds are legal, just not sensible.  If you're racing for money, sure.  B...