I was talking to a realtor yesterday about potential rental homes for us to take a look at when we head down to FL for our pre-move trip. Of course, she was trying to "sell" Florida to me and "this is a buyer's market - we may want to consider buying instead of renting..." I stopped her in her tracks.
No way, sister - this is a short stop in our life trip. A) we're so not buying in a hurricane zone B) we're only going to be there long enough for Adam to learn how to fly a helicopter, build his hours and then we're gettin' the heck out. Just doesn't make sense to buy anything.
So as she continues trying to sell the Sunshine State to me she says..."Well, the summers can be (pause) rough. But how much do you really need to be outside anyway." I laughed at her. Seriously. And proceeded to tell her that we probably spend more time outside than in. Then she tried to sell me on surfing...Eventually she got the idea that, no really - we just want to rent - and we got to talking about some rentals and what we're looking for.
As I search craigslist to get an idea of rent costs I'm reading ads that include phrases like..."no stairs...one level" and I'm noticing that there are a lot of "Adult Communities". We're not going into this move with rose colored glasses. We know that this is not going to be our dream place to live. But, that's not why we're going. We're going with a purpose.
Adam has a dream and this is the place we need to be temporarily, while he works on fulfilling it. And building a better life for both of us. So. We'll go, and we'll deal - together. And we'll make the best of our time in a place that neither of us ever thought we'd find ourselves. Cause I know - if I had a dream that lead us there, he'd come along for the ride too.
I've started a list of things to do while I'm there. What should I add to it? Of course, "lucky" for you, I'll blog all about em as I start checking them off.
1. Airboat ride through the Everglades.
2. Sit by the river and watch the manatees.
3. Watch a shuttle launch.
4. http://www.orlandowatersports.com/ (how fun does this look??)
5. Visit the Keys.
6. Go to one of those cheesy alligator parks. You know the ones I'm talking about - where they dangle the chicken above the Gators and they snap at it.
7. Take advantage of an Early Bird Special.
You're welcome to join me for any and all of the above! Hint, hint.
7 comments:
when are you headed south?
our plan is to head down when our lease ends at the end of january.
Where are you looking at going in Florida? I might know someone with a 2-3 bedroom house in Clearwater. It is crazy that Adam is going to learn to fly a helicopter. My dad was a helecopter mechanic in Florida when I was a kid and my uncle was a pilot. They had their own helicopter for a while and gave rides around Cody and Meeteetse too. A crazy adventure ahead of you......... pretty cool though. There is nothing like riding in a helicopter over Tampa Bay.
Oh, bummer, Lori...I just mapquested it. we're going to be clear across the state (2.5 hours away) in Titusville. Adam will be going to this school: http://www.heli.com/
Crazy times ahead, no doubt!
1. Winter Park ->Park Ave
2. Einstein Bros. Bagels on Orange and Orlando Ave in Orlando (just say hi for me)
3. St. Petersburg Beach at sunset (or any of the gulf coast - jen and i did st. pete on july 4 - was awesome)
4. Boogie Board - they have real waves - not like the NH/ME junk...i never knew that body surfing could be so much damn fun till i did it on vero beach
5. http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~C_chinese+resturaunt~L_Vero+Beach+FL~CID_493894~LID_uBOyJvoocfV3dVUtBcVReA%3D%3D~lbp_1.htm
6. B-Line from Orlando to Datona (or the other way around since that's the way you'd go)
7. Church St Orlando...
i'll think of more..
5. oops - here's the link..
thanks, dude - i will add those to my list for sure!
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