NEW FLORIDA RESIDENT BLOG

Welcome to Florida. If you personally know me, you know I don't brag.  I don't tolerate braggarts and have never exaggerated since the dawn of time; however, I will talk endlessly about the honeymoon destination my wife and I took to the Caribbean.  The island was perfect, the resort amazing and our favorite activity soon became spending time at the swim up bar. Often, new arrivals to Florida will ask if swim up bars are popular here.  Until now, I have been non committal, but in the spirit of the season I will share something.  I frequent the best swim up bar, not just in Florida but THE ENTIRE WORLD! And most people that have gone to it, don't even realize it is one.  Of course the first thing you need to go to the best swim up bar in the world is a boat. That's right, a boat. In order to get to the best swim up bar in the world, you need to take your boat from Sarasota Bay into the Gulf of Mexico.  From there navigate to the Ritz Carlton on Lido ...

You tell me. ©John Gaudiano

Welcome to Florida. Years ago, when I was on active duty I had the opportunity to work with the French Army.  Nice guys with funny equipment and Renault Cars, painted desert sand.  I always thought they were brave because, who wants to go to war in a Renault?  At any rate, I was on a big mission with some of them and at the conclusion their commander invited me and my team to breakfast to celebrate. Okay, I'm an American and eat like one.  Apparently in France the big breakfast concept hasn't caught on.  Seriously, one croissant and a half cup of whole milk doesn't do it for me.  But it's the trade off you make with the French. There's also a big trade off for waterfront food in Florida.  If there's a tremendous view or a great marina, chances are the food, if edible, will be bland and leave you wishing you were at the Olive Garden.  However, if you know that on the way in, and have the proper expectations you'll be fine.  Or you'l...

Welcome to Florida. Sometimes new arrivals will have a tough time with some terms that are unique to Florida and sometimes the concept of how we live will confuse folks.  On the West Coast of Florida for example, our Ocean is the Gulf of Mexico and the tides can be as infrequent as once a day.  For someone moving here from a fishing village on Cape Cod, that's a nearly impossible concept to comprehend. I was reminded about how things can be difficult for brand new residents when I was showing a midwestern couple and their Realtor around a new listing that we have.  As I gave a tour, I took time to showcase how the Loggia would be an ideal after dinner retreat with it's garden and lake view.  Then the Realtor for these very nice people asked me what a Loggia was. WHA-AAT?!?! Seriously, if you are buying a home in the state of Florida and your representative is unsure of what a Loggia is, find new representation!  I mean most people know what a Lanai is, a...