Finding Your Southwest Florida Home
Maybe your boat is already bobbing in Sarasota Bay and you've discovered your favorite place for Sunday brunch, as well as some darling shops where you're stocking up on sandals and straw hats. Arriving on these sandy shores means wiggling your toes in a grand new lifestyle. Come on in; the water is fine. The Sarasota-Manatee area is one of the prettiest, friendliest and most culturally lively and socially active regions in the whole state.
Whether you're settling in as year-round residents or you plan to make Southwest Florida your seasonal retreat, successfully fitting into this lifestyle starts with selecting the perfect home in the right neighborhood. Your new home, be it a majestic manse in a gated community, a glamorous sky-box with a water view or a cozy bungalow in an older part of town, should reflect the way you live and play. Fortunately, the Southwest Florida "dream home" has many definitions.
But only one is precisely perfect for you. We know; we've been through it ourselves, and that's why this issue of Homebuyer offers you a comprehensive and easy-to-use almanac of communities, schools, recreational activities, builders, prices and locator maps. We've done the research and the homework so you'll have everything you need to know right at your fingertips. Studying our pages and making notes in the margin will simplify your search for the community, builder and home that will make you and your family happily at home in Southwest Florida. The Almanac also features some quick tips for newcomers, from what grows well in local gardens (just about everything, including fruits and vegetables you may never have heard of) to weather patterns and cultural activities.
You'll also find stories that inform you about the best new home features and trends, from spacious and fully appointed outdoor living areas complete with kitchens, swimming pools, and even fireplaces to indoor "bonus" rooms and stunning new architectural details. We also asked area design professionals for advice on giving your new home "that Florida feeling," with comfortable and attractive rooms with a tropical, resort flair. One trick you'll want to quickly master is how to tame the power of the sun while still maximizing natural light and our astonishingly beautiful views.
One parting word about that powerful sun. Physicians say everyone in the Sunshine State needs to stock up on a sunscreen that's rated "30" or more. Most on the market today are lightweight and offer moisturizing properties as well. And many creams and lotions come in tinted formulas, which means you can use your sunscreen as concealer or makeup base or as a head start on a healthy bronze glow. Be sure to apply sunscreen to your ear lobes and behind your ears. It's the sure sign of someone who has enjoyed the Southwest Florida lifestyle for more than just one season. Apply the sunscreen liberally and blend until you can't see the cream. There you go-now you're a native.