It appears my Florida post gleaned some interest. Im still there (obviously) I thought for some a city retirement might meet their need/desires.. why not?
Years ago I worked for a great guy who old me he wanted to retire in the city. As a country boy at heart It was always difficult for me to understand. The city to me was crime, congestion and expense and of course no fishing (yeah I am that simple guy). I can see the lure of it now... allow me to explain.
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to a Chalk Art festival in the city of Sarasota. My BIL drove US into the city and were lucky to find parking on coconut street (yes really), a 10 minute walk from the event. I stepped out of the car and saw we had parked next to where a new residential complex “Starting in the mid 4’s” ($450,000) was being built. I then took a look around and the city is humming with new construction. New buildings, and construction cranes are everywhere. There are blocks of low rise stores and restaurants that actually make for a real downtown. It turns out there is also a big farmers market on Saturdays and the place was full of people and booths where ART, Sea Food, Baked Goods and Produce were being sold.
We reluctantly paid the $10 per person entrance fee and were a little disappointed. Slow moving crowds, and much of the art was ‘in progress’ but what was there was amazing. The artist came from around the world I’d rather have come on Sunday to see the finished work. I have attached a decent phone picture ... for some reason the ability to get more than 1 picture on a post eludes me.
I know it was only a brief glimpse of a city but it was vibrant and attractive. Give me a fat tire bike with a basket up front and Id never start the car.
MY BIL then took us on a bit of a drive to find a good restaurant and drove over the bridge onto St Armands (island) and then Long bow key and were transported into another world. It was like driving from NYC Greenwich Village to south Hampton in 5 minutes. We saw blue water and many boats “rafted up” (tied together over sandbars) where crowds were ‘partying’. Mile after mile of diverse beaches and diverse housing.. Not the high towers of Miami but single it two story beach complexes. Funny but there was actually was space between the buildings. The place we ended at was an open air place on a beach with a dock that went out into the bay. Bobbing at the end of the dock was boat Ive only previously seen in magazines. Built in NE (Maine I think) it is a bit retro looking like a cross between a ‘down easter’ lobster boat and a cabin cruiser but a work of art none the less. The woodwork inside was showed amazing craftsmanship. Im thinking easily a million for a boat about 40Ft. This area has a reputation for wealthy people.
Years ago I worked for a great guy who old me he wanted to retire in the city. As a country boy at heart It was always difficult for me to understand. The city to me was crime, congestion and expense and of course no fishing (yeah I am that simple guy). I can see the lure of it now... allow me to explain.
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to a Chalk Art festival in the city of Sarasota. My BIL drove US into the city and were lucky to find parking on coconut street (yes really), a 10 minute walk from the event. I stepped out of the car and saw we had parked next to where a new residential complex “Starting in the mid 4’s” ($450,000) was being built. I then took a look around and the city is humming with new construction. New buildings, and construction cranes are everywhere. There are blocks of low rise stores and restaurants that actually make for a real downtown. It turns out there is also a big farmers market on Saturdays and the place was full of people and booths where ART, Sea Food, Baked Goods and Produce were being sold.
We reluctantly paid the $10 per person entrance fee and were a little disappointed. Slow moving crowds, and much of the art was ‘in progress’ but what was there was amazing. The artist came from around the world I’d rather have come on Sunday to see the finished work. I have attached a decent phone picture ... for some reason the ability to get more than 1 picture on a post eludes me.
I know it was only a brief glimpse of a city but it was vibrant and attractive. Give me a fat tire bike with a basket up front and Id never start the car.
MY BIL then took us on a bit of a drive to find a good restaurant and drove over the bridge onto St Armands (island) and then Long bow key and were transported into another world. It was like driving from NYC Greenwich Village to south Hampton in 5 minutes. We saw blue water and many boats “rafted up” (tied together over sandbars) where crowds were ‘partying’. Mile after mile of diverse beaches and diverse housing.. Not the high towers of Miami but single it two story beach complexes. Funny but there was actually was space between the buildings. The place we ended at was an open air place on a beach with a dock that went out into the bay. Bobbing at the end of the dock was boat Ive only previously seen in magazines. Built in NE (Maine I think) it is a bit retro looking like a cross between a ‘down easter’ lobster boat and a cabin cruiser but a work of art none the less. The woodwork inside was showed amazing craftsmanship. Im thinking easily a million for a boat about 40Ft. This area has a reputation for wealthy people.
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