NEW FLORIDA RESIDENT BLOG

Welcome to paradise. I once heard a lifetime resident of Florida say he would never live in a home with a flat roof because of the rain in the state.  Truth be told, I have heard that on way more than one occasion and, from people I would consider intelligent.  It is true that the steeper the slope on the roof, the longer it will last but, since 1948 and Paul Rudolph homes with flat roofs have become incredibly strong and by some accounts beautiful works of art. Or maybe I just like the Sarasota School of Architecture..  

Welcome to Paradise. New residents will often say that they came to Sarasota for the beach and stayed for the theater or, culture or, something else I don't understand.  I came here for the weather and boating and somehow am now raising a kid who is enjoying (I hope) a fun and unique childhood. I guess I didn't realize how unique it was until this morning when Sunny, Rocky and I ran into an old friend of Sunny and mine and we spent some time discussing Circus Training for pre-schoolers and the differences between trapeze and slack line walking and which is better. Sure, Sarasota has great theater, culture, restaurants and beaches but, if you are raising a child somewhere else in the country right now, please give me a call so we can find you a home near downtown.  "26 feet in the air and 40 inches tall"

Welcome to Paradise. When I first moved to Florida I remember a story on the news that shocked me:  An alligator was washed by heavy rain from a creek to the beach.  The Beach!  The thought of swimming in the ocean and meeting an alligator face to face has stuck with me.  At home, we always tell our son that alligators can be anywhere, lakes, streams, the woods (we've seen them) and the beach on occasion.  But this morning on our walk we found a new location. The Storm Drain. Now I know it should not surprise me.  Many storm drains have standing water and it's only sensible that an alligator would be lurking.  But I guess in the middle of a neighborhood with no water in sight having a four year old inform you that you are standing over a 'gator is unsettling.  Especially when the 'gator in question is well over 6 feet. But we knew enough to scream and run away, only returning an hour later to recreate the moment we first laid eyes on the b...

Welcome to Paradise. I enjoyed watching The Spranos on HBO when it first came out.  I remember I was shocked during the first episode when Camilla thought there was a hit squad breaking into her house so grabbed  a  Kalashnikov and ran outside to confront them.  Sidebar for non fans: It was actually her daughter so there wasn't any gun play. I'm reminded of that episode every time I tour a home and see a gun safe, which honestly is more often than not.  When I was single, a loaded 9MM in the freezer with a bottle of Russian Standard Vodka seemed sensible but, with a curious four year old that is almost the worst plan on the planet.  Luckily we have a home with a built in safe, live in a neighborhood with a private police force and have two gate guarded check points before you can get near our street.  So we don't need a Kalashnikov but I'm not saying we don't have one. Check Point #1

Welcome to Paradise. If you haven't been here long, you may still be driving a convertible and swimming at the beach.  Good for you.  My guess is that after a few years, you will most likely purchase a boat and only swim off sandbars or remote islands on the Gulf of Mexico.  That's a fun transition.  The only part that's difficult in that transition is the boat type. I have a family so we have a bow-rider with a Yamaha Outboard.  Easy to operate and maintain, but that's not for everyone.  Some folks want to be able to operate in very shallow water and need extra stability so, a catamaran addresses both of those needs in a very practical way.  The only issue tends to be dry storage where a "cradle" is needed for the vessel.  Long story, short: cradles add $2,000 to the price of the boat. In general terms, there are many practical reasons to own a Catamaran, however, the biggest downside is that you have to have a cat related name.   ...

Welcome to Paradise. Sometimes, the best advice we give to new citizens of Florida is about wardrobe.  Yes, we wear dress shirts to work.  And yes, you should throw out every tie you own when you move here.  But today, I had a question about Flip Flops. Flip Flops. Now, I get that it can get warm here in the summer.  I've lived here for nearly 20 summers and my son has only known summers in Florida.  But guess what - neither of us own flip-flops.   And it's not just because we are men; the dignity of wearing flip-flops is a major factor.  I suppose that if you are in the hospital and your nursing staff has given you this footwear than I grant you a three day reprieve but, that's a stretch. Apparently, what I'm saying is that if you are maid of honor and headed to a beach bachelorette party, then flip flops are fine.  Otherwise, please do everyone a favor and select footwear that is appropriate for adults. Not OK.  Not OK at all....