Living in Florida is Paradise

Florida is an absolute paradise, with a long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. In between these two vast bodies is the Intracoastal Waterway, hundreds of lakes, 1,200 miles of sandy beaches and 11,000 miles of rivers...not to mention countless bays, inlets and glades. With so much of the wet stuff around it's no wonder that Florida's residents and visitors are such water sports enthusiasts.~excerpt taken from Coastal Living Magazine; June issue

I agree that living in Florida is paradise. What I truly enjoy the most is our beautiful beaches along the west coast of Pinellas County. Some of our beaches are so beautiful that they have made Dr. Beach's (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) list for America's Best Beaches. Caledesi Island ranked #1 on the list for 2008, and North Beach Ft. Desoto had the #1 ranking for 2005. What's even more intriguing is that two other Florida beaches made it on Dr. Beach's top 10 list for 2008. Siesta Beach in Sarasota ranked #3 and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne ranked #9. To review the complete list, visit Dr Beach's website.

Although I've visited some of the beaches named above, mostly North Beach Ft. DeSoto, most of my beach time is spent along St. Pete Beach & Pass-A-Grille. I've enjoyed many leisurely walks along the shore, as well as some pretty spectacular sunsets. I've also enjoyed many fun times building sandcastles with my children, or boogie boarding in the water with them. I've witnessed some great wildlife along the beach including dolphins; manatees; sting rays leaping out of the water; sea turtle nests; pelicans; and ospreys swooping down to get fresh fish for their dinner.

Another aspect that I've enjoyed about St. Pete Beach & Pass-A-Grille is the increase in attracting water sports enthusiasts. Kiteboarding in particular has become a very popular sport in the area, and recently I've seen quite a few people enjoying Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Kayakers and windsurfers are often seen enjoying the waters out here on the beach, and when weather permits...you can even find local surfers catching some waves.

There is always opportunity for something to do along the beaches...whether you're looking for relaxation, fun, or adventure. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting St Pete Beach or Pass-A-Grille, I encourage you to put it on your list of things to do.

What do you enjoy most about living in Florida?

Where are your favorite spots?

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This post is dedicated to highlighting the positive aspects of living in Florida. Despite whatever market conditions are occurring, it's always a great time to buy in this area!