The Florida Lifestyle

Florida has felt the sting of these tough economic times, with foreclosure rates and unemployment numbers at their highest. One would think that maybe the “sunshine state” has lost some of it’s luster, especially for the financially weary American generation, to even consider relocating. However, a new national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project finds that nearly half (46%) of the public would rather live in a different type of community from the one they’re living in now-and two of the ten most popular cities, Tampa and Orlando, are right here in this great state of Florida. Also, Florida is no longer labeled as simply a retirement haven, it’s also growing in popularity with the younger generation as well. In fact, according to this survey, more people between the ages of 18-34 want to make several cities in Florida their new postal address.

We were one of these young up and coming families frustrated with the fast pace and cramped space of our New York life. During one of our vacations to Orlando, I convinced my husband that we venture into one of the newly constructed communities. I wanted to look at a model home, maybe get a few decorating ideas, and a few free cookies for the kiddies from the Welcome Center, with no further expectations. Once we drove through the gates and passed the lake and the fountain, continued on through perfectly manicured lawns and the community park and pool, my thoughts drifted to “one day, I will live in a place like this.” We met one of the new home consultants who offered to take us to one of the homes by way of a golf cart. The kids were excited to take a ride, my husband less enthusiastic, and my curiosity took the better of me, so we agreed. Once we walked through the double glass doors into a foyer with columns and ceramic tile, I thought to myself ” so this is how the other half lives?” Our overly talkative home consultant handed us the flyer. I didn’t even want to look at the asking price, but again, that nagging curious nature of mind, I had to just take a peek. It was then that I gasped at the price, I looked again in disbelief, it was…..AFFORDABLE. But my New York cynicism kicked in. What’s the catch? Was it a typo? Did this model have 1 million dollars worth of upgrades? Were the closing costs actually worth a year’s wages? But I had, in fact, discovered the beauty of home buying in Florida. Florida is full of beautiful subdivisions, which are like small tight knit communities. Neighbors can gather together at the pool for a community barbecue, and friends can work out together without membership fees at a community fitness center, and kids can ride their bikes around the lake, where you meet your neighbors at the community’s park for weekly play dates.

If the gated suburban lifestyle isn’t what you had in mind, there are communities in Florida still located on acres, yes acres, of land. One of my dear friends, owns a home in an equestrian community. Her home sits on 5 acres and she has the most incredible view of a lake from her back porch . My personal preference is to walk across a paved street to my neighbors home to borrow sugar, not by way of horseback, over the river and through the woods. But the great thing is whatever your lifestyle preference, you can enjoy it.

Now let’s mix in sunny days in winter, golf courses, new malls, outlets, a Starbucks, and you have the Florida lifestyle.

If you’ve been thinking about relocating or purchasing a second/vacation home, but thought it might be nearly impossible, why not talk to one of Global Real Estate’s expert team members? You can contact them at 1-800-280-9516. Let them send you some information and links with current listings, just take a look, you’ll be glad you did!!!

The Origins of Halloween

October signifies to me the beginning of the official “Holiday” season.   Halloween has become synonymous with everything autumn, such as pumpkins, red and orange colors and harvest time.  But it is sometimes viewed as a controversial holiday.  A holiday that glorifies evil and darkness.  I used to be one such proponent of boycotting this holiday.  In fact, as a sophomore in college, I decided to write an entire thesis paper on the origins of the Halloween traditions, it’s associations with Druid worship and witchcraft.  My paper was well written, thoroughly researched and extremely biased, and so was I.

I carried my biased opinion throughout my early adulthood.  I refused to participate in the office Halloween party, would not eat any Halloween candy, and on Halloween nights I turned off my lights and hung a big sign on my front door that read “WE DON’T CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.  Not surprisingly, my home and car were targeted on more than one occasion for an occasional egg washing with a toilet paper accent.

I was adamant in my “anti-Halloween” sentiment, until I had children.  For the first five years of child rearing, it was easy, until that one fall afternoon when my 5 year old daughter returned home from school, with a wild look of excitement in her eyes as she declared she was going to be a “Princess Angel” for Halloween.  Her three year old younger sister piped in that she too was going to be an angel.  Then they looked at me with innocent, thought provoked eyes and asked the question I feared would be asked, “What’s Halloween?”

Suddenly, my thesis on the evils of Halloween seemed so inappropriate and totally irrelevant.  Certainly, my children weren’t evil, nor their classmates, nor teachers, nor MOST of my neighbors.  We weren’t going to draw a circle of fire in the backyard, recite ancient incantations, and sacrifice our puppy. 

“What’s Halloween?”  I realized it’s a time of imagination, pure fun, and an excuse to eat an unbelievable amount of candy in one day.  It’s also an American tradition, as American as apple pie, baseball, and Thanksgiving.

My personal convictions, still keep me opposed to the ideas of blood and gore, I won’t purchase the “hatchet in the back” costume, nor do I enjoy an “Angel of Death” wielding a bloody knife chasing me down a corridor.  For me, life is full of things to be afraid of, natural disasters, diseases, Wall Street needing government assistance, and my bank going bankrupt?!!!…. So to willingly make myself afraid isn’t my idea of a good time.  But that’s my personal choice and I understand now that other people have the right and freedom to think and feel otherwise.

I’ve also discovered that there are local churches that offer alternative options for celebrating Halloween minus the fright.  One such church is Real Life in Clermont FL.  This Halloween, the church will have a “Fall Festival” where children can dress up like Biblical or Historical characters, enjoy hay rides, roast marshmallows, listen to live music, and yes partake in eating immeasurable amounts of sweets.  This church is one of many in the Central Florida region that offer fright-free Halloween fun.  Next week, I’m taking my family to “SeaWorld’s Spooktacular” which is a month-long celebration of Halloween, and another fun and safe alternative.  I will be sure to write about that experience, from a child and adult’s perspective.  Happy Halloween!

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