Live Like a Native...Floridian That Is!

When one has lived in Sarasota or anywhere in Florida most (or all) of their lives as we have, we are sometimes surprised (or amused) at some of the questions we are asked by those who are vacationing or here looking to buy a home. So I thought I would answer some questions and put to rest some assumptions visitors have!

• Do you go to the beach every day? No, we do not go to the beach every day or even every week! In
  
  fact, other than to drive to Siesta Key to watch an occasional sunset or to eat at Turtles on Turtle Beach, we prefer the quiet of our own lanai. However, we do not take for granted that we live in paradise and can drive to the beach any time we want to. And no, we do not live in flip-flops and bathing suits either.
• Do sharks bite you when you go swimming in the Gulf of Mexico?  The odds that the average Floridian you come across will have been bitten by a shark are statistically slim. In 2018, there were only 16 unprovoked shark attacks in Florida, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Actually, they are beautiful creatures and we regularly go visit them at Mote Marine. 
• Do you miss having ‘Seasons’? Yes, just a little. But from November to April, our friends up north would rather be here than there shoveling snow and so would we! We occasionally rent a cabin in the Georgia mountains around New Year’s just to get a taste of cold air (and sometimes a little snow) but for the most part, we love having the fresh ‘winter’ air blowing through the house and are grateful for the A/C in the summer. (By-the-way, my wife and I did not grow up with air conditioning here -there wasn't any.)
• Do you go to Disney World and all the other theme parks all the time? Um, no. Not everyone is a fan of the “Most Magical Place on Earth” or that very large mouse. Sometimes even the people who live right next door to these parks are less than enamored with the flocks of tourists who crowd into the Orlando theme park every day. Of course we have been there over the years. I was one of the first visitors at Disney World back in the 1970’s and have a slight desire to go see The World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
• Is there a gator in your backyard? In our case, yes, we have an alligator who hangs out in our backyard
  lake. His name is Al. And the same goes for snakes. My wife names our black snakes and garden snakes and is grateful that we have them to control rodents! (Yes, rodents live here too!) Sure, Floridians have acquired a bit of a reputation for their swamp-lurking alligators. With at least 1.3 million gators roaming around the state, it’s inevitable that some Floridians have encountered a sunbathing reptile on their property. Still, that doesn’t mean that you should assume that every person in Florida has an alligator residing in their backyard and that they will attack you. And if you are wondering what gators taste like, it’s like the dark meat of chicken but slightly fishy. You can check it out at one of our favorite ‘locals’ places to eat, The Sea Hut, formerly known as The Crab Shack, in Palmetto.
• If you’re from Florida, where do you go on vacation? Though the blue water and white sugar sand beaches might seem irresistible to visitors, the fact of the matter is, when you’re looking for a vacation, you’re often in search of someplace that does not look like Florida. We just returned from Pike’s Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park, and yes...we saw snow!
• Do you worry all the time about storms and sinkholes? We feel very fortunate in Sarasota to NOT have to worry too much about natural disasters. Our area does not have the geology of the limestone layer which can contribute to sink holes in other area of Florida and thankfully, we have not had a serious storm directly hit Sarasota in many years. All we had from Irma last year was a few downed tree branches. I am just thankful that we don't have to worry about earthquakes, serious droughts, freezing in the winter, dust storms, industrial pollution, and volcanic eruptions. Almost every place has some issues but for the most part, what we have experienced in the past has been easily handled.
• Is Florida only for retirees? Florida is known for its high population of retirees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20 percent of the state is made up of people 65 and older. And the Sarasota area was recently voted one of the best places to retire. But…I am not retired, nor is my wife nor are the many young professionals who live here and are moving here in high numbers. And when I do retire, I will be staying right here. Not because it is a great place for retirees, but because Sarasota is my hometown and…it’s a great place for everyone! 

So if you are looking to buy (or sell), give me a call and I will help you find the perfect home in Sarasota paradise. And remember...it's only a short drive to the beach from anywhere in Sarasota!