Need Help from Florida Tiki Central Members - Beyond Tiki

M mahalomo Tiki Centralite SD, CA / Kona, HI Joined: Feb 10, 2005 Posts: 72	M mahalomo Posted posted on Tue, Aug 2, 2005 6:16 PM Curt - I have your answer... My wife and I recently moved from Seattle (Wallingford/Fremont area) to Florida about a year ago. We're pretty darn liberal - and especially for Florida. I was surprised, however, how much I'm enjoying life down in the sunshine state. I guess a pool, tiki bar, nearby state park beach and sunshine go a long way to happiness. Anyway, my wife and I did a lot of research and decided Pinellas County was right for us. We didn't want to do Miami, and wanted the more relaxed attitude of the Gulf Coast. Good choice, I might add. We settled in a town called "Dunedin", north of St. Pete, west of Tampa, and very much a "western city". To get to the point: The town is quaint, has one of the few microbreweries in Florida that I've found worthwhile ("The Dunedin Brewery"), has a bar for every taste in it's little downtown area (great Martini bar that the Vodkanauts play at fairly regularly), and is gay friendly to boot (just thought I'd mention that because from experience I know Seattle is as well). It really is a great place, and lies right along the shorelines - we're just 2 miles from the Gulf. And the beaches closest by are state parks, so no nasty developments - check out "Honeymoon Island State Park" and "Caladesi Island State Park" online. We bought kayaks and enjoy the little islands off the coast. Nothing compared to the Orcas Islands, but still pretty sweet. Manatees, dolphins and turtles are common sight on our weekend excursions. I'd even open up our house to you and your wife for a few days to get a sense of the place if you want. But really, the area around Tampa/St. Pete sounds like it'll do you okay. More conservative than Seattle - but other than San Fran, what place isn't more conservative, really? St. Pete isn't far and is a cool place as well. For Florida, it's tolerant and open-minded. Our community radio station here (88.5) is online and you might want to check it out to see what's going on in the minds of Florida folks with open minds. http://www.wmnf.org/ I miss Seattle much, but I don't miss the rain. And palm trees in the front yard make the tiki life just that much easier. Get in touch if you have any more questions. From one Seattle-to-Florida transplant to another - best of luck to you. And our place is open if you need a spot to explore from. p.s - just saw Tiki Garnder's post about Tarpon and Dunedin. I'd agree. Those places aren't what you normally expect from Florida. Mahalomo. [ Edited by: mahalomo 2005-08-02 18:23 ] [ Edited by: mahalomo 2005-08-02 18:25 ]

Curt - I have your answer...

My wife and I recently moved from Seattle (Wallingford/Fremont area) to Florida about a year ago. We're pretty darn liberal - and especially for Florida. I was surprised, however, how much I'm enjoying life down in the sunshine state. I guess a pool, tiki bar, nearby state park beach and sunshine go a long way to happiness.

Anyway, my wife and I did a lot of research and decided Pinellas County was right for us. We didn't want to do Miami, and wanted the more relaxed attitude of the Gulf Coast. Good choice, I might add. We settled in a town called "Dunedin", north of St. Pete, west of Tampa, and very much a "western city". To get to the point: The town is quaint, has one of the few microbreweries in Florida that I've found worthwhile ("The Dunedin Brewery"), has a bar for every taste in it's little downtown area (great Martini bar that the Vodkanauts play at fairly regularly), and is gay friendly to boot (just thought I'd mention that because from experience I know Seattle is as well). It really is a great place, and lies right along the shorelines - we're just 2 miles from the Gulf. And the beaches closest by are state parks, so no nasty developments - check out "Honeymoon Island State Park" and "Caladesi Island State Park" online. We bought kayaks and enjoy the little islands off the coast. Nothing compared to the Orcas Islands, but still pretty sweet. Manatees, dolphins and turtles are common sight on our weekend excursions.

I'd even open up our house to you and your wife for a few days to get a sense of the place if you want. But really, the area around Tampa/St. Pete sounds like it'll do you okay. More conservative than Seattle - but other than San Fran, what place isn't more conservative, really? St. Pete isn't far and is a cool place as well. For Florida, it's tolerant and open-minded. Our community radio station here (88.5) is online and you might want to check it out to see what's going on in the minds of Florida folks with open minds. http://www.wmnf.org/
I miss Seattle much, but I don't miss the rain. And palm trees in the front yard make the tiki life just that much easier.
Get in touch if you have any more questions. From one Seattle-to-Florida transplant to another - best of luck to you. And our place is open if you need a spot to explore from.

p.s - just saw Tiki Garnder's post about Tarpon and Dunedin. I'd agree. Those places aren't what you normally expect from Florida.

Mahalomo.

[ Edited by: mahalomo 2005-08-02 18:23 ]

[ Edited by: mahalomo 2005-08-02 18:25 ]

Post #176717 by mahalomo on Tue, Aug 2, 2005 6:16 PM