Your Florida Dream Life- Largo

This Weeks Community:

Largo is centrally located in Pinellas County between Tarpon Springs to the North and St. Pete Beach to the south. It's on the Gulf side of highway 19 and it's just 15 minutes west to Clearwater Beach. You can easily and quickly get to two airports by heading east (about 15 minutes) to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, or east to the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which then takes you into Tampa and the Tampa International Airport. The drive into St. Pete (with it's fabulous restaurants, cultural attractions and more) is right around 30 minutes. Largo is not as well known as Tampa, Clearwater and St. Pete but has become the 4th largest city in the Tampa Bay area with a population over 80,000. In addition to having a central location it has a lot to offer on it's own. The Largo Cultural Center gives you the opportunity to enjoy Broadway Shows, Kids' Shows and Rock Concerts. Largo Central Park has a lot of amenities inside the park and covers over 70 acres. It includes The Largo Central Railroad, a fun attraction for children, as well as a children's playground, located under shady oaks.  The children's park is fun for all ages and features 117 play events. Every year Central Park has a fabulous holiday lights display and the annual Holiday Stroll. During the three day Holiday Stroll (which is a family friendly event) they have entertainment, arts and activities, Santa Claus, and the official lighting of the tree. 

When looking at dining options, a popular restaurant in Largo is Marlin Darlin. It is a Bay Star Restaurant Groups restaurant and their other popular restaurants include include Rumba, Salt Rock, and Island Way Grill. A fabulous upscale restaurant is E and E Stakeout Grill. It is a 3 Best Chef's restaurant (as is Mystic Fish, which I mentioned in my blog post on Palm Harbor is my favorite restaurant in that area). E & E, like Mystic Fish, has a gorgeous modern and sophisticated decor with dinners consisting of the freshest ingredients prepared to perfection. They have a lot of steak dishes as well as lamb, seafood, and fajitas. Maggie Mae's, which started as a popular breakfast destination on Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, has now opened a Belleair Bluffs location right on the border of Largo. Maggie Mae's has a large selection of Southern breakfast and lunch favorites described as "just like Granny use to make".

If you're looking to be active East Bay Golf Club in Largo is described as having one of the most popular public layouts in the area. It is a traditional championship 18 hole par -71 course with well bunkered elevated greens and numerous water challenges. There is also the public Largo Golf Course on Vonn Road. You can join the City League, participate in a monthly scramble, and even take lessons there. The Southwest Recreation Complex in Largo looks to give residents the opportunity for lifelong fitness and contains an Olympic size pool, tennis courts and more. The The Highland Family Aquatic Center is a family friendly place where residents can beat the heat with a waterpark and two multipurpose pools. For special events East Bay Country Club (which also serves lunches and dinners) is a popular place for events, parties, and weddings. To learn more about Largo go to The City of Largo Homepage. To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities

A Favorite Place in Largo:

Barley Mow is a friendly neighborhood brewery. They have a fabulous outdoor beer garden where you can enjoy live music every Friday night. On Thursday they have a food truck stop by so you can enjoy a meal with your beer. On Tuesday nights it's Team Trivia, and Wednesday is a night to be adventurous as it is Wednesday Night Randall. A Randall is a filter used to add flavor and every Wednesday they pack a Randall with fresh fruit, hops, or candy and run one of their beers through it. You've got to check it out. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Ever been to Fat Cat Tavern? It is located at 3665 East Bay Drive in Largo. It's a fun place with fun events scheduled regularly. Events range from Karaoke Nights, Trivia Nights, Giant Jenga Night, DJ Music Nights and a hosted game called Opinionation (based on 100 people surveyed questions). They even host Fat Cat Tavern Fishing Club Meetings. There are always great specials including $1 tacos and $1 margaritas (frequently on Mondays) as well as game day specials. The food is generally bar food but the menu is pretty extensive and even includes a spinach and fruit salad for those looking for healthier options.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Thanks to Tangi for providing these wonderful photos. Tangi's perfect Florida day would have to include time on the water. She teaches sailing through the Dunedin Youth Sailing program and is also a talented permanent makeup artist. You can check out her work at  The Permanent Makeup Artist or visit her at Toes Up Day Spa. 

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of October the average sale price for a condo or townhouse in the zipcodes of Largo (not including Belleair Bluffs) was $106,665, the average days on the market 80, selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $89. The average price of a single family home (not including Belleair Bluffs or Seminole) was $189,486 the average days on the market being 60 and selling at 98% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $124. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)). If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people who are looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life. You have many opportunities here for developing new friendships and business relationships. In Largo a great place to start is by getting involved in any of the numerous activities taking place through the Largo Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs. You could sign up for art classes, join an athletic league, or take adult dance lessons from Hip Hop to Line Dance. You can even be a part of an adult dance troupe. If you have children wanting to get involved in dance, The Tutterow Dance Company has been a part of Largo Recreation, Parks, and Arts for over 30 years and performs numerous times throughout the year and they have even performed overseas. In addition there are numerous opportunities to volunteer. You can volunteer with the nature parks doing anything from animal care to exotic plant removal, or you can get free training in wildlife identification and become an Eagle Volunteer and potentially lead programs and tours. You can also volunteer in the arts through VITAL and assist at the Largo Cultural Center, The primary volunteer organization for Largo Recreation, Parks and Arts is Caring by Sharing. Through Caring by Sharing you could do anything from organizing puppet shows, to teaching classes, to shooting photos at city events. If you enjoy volunteering with teens the Largo Teen Programs at both rec centers could use more volunteers. The purpose of the Teen Programs is for teens to have a place where they can just hang out and socialize and have a good time. You could also volunteer with The Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation (at the Largo Cultural Center) or you could serve on the Recreation, Arts, & Parks Advisory Board. There are numerous ways to get involved and develop new relationships, you just have to choose what is right for you. (See my previous blog post for other ideas on developing relationships in a new community.)

Your Florida Dream Life- Westchase

This Weeks Community: 
Westchase is a master planned deed restricted community in Hillsborough County. The city had a population of 21,747 in the 2010 census. It is one of the wealthiest areas of Hillsborough County. Many residents enjoy the location and proximity to Florida 589 which you can take north, almost to the Crystal River, or South to I-275 (and into Tampa or over to Saint Pete). Or you can take 589 south to Interstate 4 and head into Orlando in under 2 hours. Westchase residents enjoy the feeling of a close knit community inside an urban area. You can learn a great deal about Westchase from the Westchase Community Association website and the World of Westchase (WOW) newsletter. In addition to having a number of parks and recreation areas (with recreational options including golf, tennis, swimming, soccer, basketball) there is a walkable center (Westpark Village Town Center) that includes numerous shops and restaurants, with apartment living above these businesses. The streets are brick to add to the charm of the area. A popular hangout in this area is World of Beer which has over 550 beers from around the world. Many like to sit outside here with friends and enjoy a brew after an active day. Repeal 18 is a fun bar that has been described as a prohibition era handcrafted cocktail bar. Try a modern twist on some of the old favorites. If you love sweets, Bakery Melange is for you. They have the usual yummy desserts, along with breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches (including paninis and wraps). You are even able to build your own sandwich. If you are really adventurous you have to try their CakeShake, yes, just like it sounds, it is a shake with a cupcake inside. You choose a shake flavor and a cupcake, and you end up with a shake with ice cream and giant globs of cake and icing, decadent! If you need a caffeine fix, The Grind Coffee Bar is for you. It's an independant coffee bar and cafe that also serves tea. My first visit to the Grind was in the evening for one of the Wine Wednesdays @ Westchase events, supporting Because of Jason. They were providing tea taste and I casually asked if they had a taste that was low in caffeine because it was later in the evening. The owner Richard was fabulous and took me inside the closed store to make me an Iced White Ambrosia Tea that was lovely. I would highly recommend the Grind for coffee, tea, and breakfast sandwiches. The popular Tampa Bay Brewing Company now has a Westchase Location that includes a restaurant. There is a large patio with lounge seating and a walkup bar where you can enjoy conversation and your favorite craft beer, wine, or spirits. The inside of the restaurant includes a community table which is a nice option for people who enjoy making new friends, want another option besides sitting at the bar, or may otherwise have had to dine alone. If you enjoy shopping, Westchase has a lot of small quaint shops to find wonderful unique gifts. One of which would be Simply Elegant, which carries jewelry, apparel, and gifts, and features a nice selection of merchandise from local designers. If you enjoy designer resale stores check out Couture Resale Designer Boutique. These are just a few of the restaurants and businesses to enjoy in Westchase. If you currently live in Westchase please share with me some of your favorites for another post. If you live in a neighboring community make a visit and discover your own favorites. 

A Favorite Place in Westchase:
A favorite place in Westchase is Catch Twenty Three They have an extensive menu with options ranging from burgers, to their specialty which is Macadamia Nut Encrusted Sea Bass. Their ingredients are always fresh and they put together some wonderful combinations. For Sunday Brunch you can even order Chicken and Waffles. I often enjoy their delicious sushi and a classic or strawberry mojito. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Thank you to Erika for providing the fun photos for this week's post. Erika loves traveling all over Florida but especially enjoys the Tampa Bay area; from Westchase to Clearwater Beach to Tarpon Springs. Erika loves the beach and sunsets at the beach. Erika is an excellent life coach with a fabulous positive energy. You can find her and learn more about her services at youcanpullittogether.com .

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of October the average sale price for a condo in the zipcode of 33626 (Westchase encompases most of this zipcode) was $108,333, the average days on the market 86, selling at 93% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $94. The average price of a single family home was $383,552, the average days on the market being 75 and selling at 99% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $154. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)).If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood of Westchase, you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people who are looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life. You have many opportunities here for developing new friendships and business relationships. In Westchase alone you could join the Westchase Run Club or the Westchase Golf Club to meet new people and potentially make new business connections. There is even a swimming club that includes coaching for adult athletes Tampa Bay Aquatics/Westchase. The Westchase Rotary is an excellent organization for building business relationships while giving back to the community. Another organization where you can meet like minded people while also making a difference in your community is the Westchase Charitable Foundation. If you're a mother with children not yet through school you can find friendship and support with the Moms Club Tampa/Westchase.  There is also a Westchase Dads Club. You can find out about their upcoming events on the World of Westchase Newsletter. (See link above). If you are an artist get involved with the Westchase Artist Society. And for adults over 55 there is the Westchase Seniors Group. These are just some of the opportunities for developing new relationships in the community of Westchase. Westchase is so conveniently located to other communities that there are many other clubs/organizations in the Greater Tampa Area you could easily get involved with. See my previous blog post for other ideas on developing relationships in a new community. 

Your Florida Dream Life- Tarpon Springs

This Weeks Community: 
Tarpon Springs is a wonderfully unique city in Pinellas County. The city had a population of just under 24,000 in the 2010 census. Tarpon Springs has a larger percentage of Greek Americans than any other city in the U.S. and it's Historic Greektown District was recently added to the Register of Historic Places. The Epiphany Celebration (an Orthodox Christian Celebration) has been celebrated in Tarpon Springs since 1903, in the same way as it is in Greece. Nowhere else in the U.S. is it celebrated like it is in Tarpon Springs. Learn more here Epiphany. Tarpon Springs is north of Palm Harbor bordered by the Gulf on the west and extends east past Highway 19 to Lake Tarpon. The Anclote River (which is popular with boaters and kayakers) runs through Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks and flows into the Gulf. The popular Pinellas Trail which welcomes, bikers, walkers, and rollerbladers starts in the southern end of Pinellas County (Saint Petersburg) and ends in Tarpon Springs crossing the Anclote at one point. 

Tarpon Springs has numerous wonderful restaurants and two popular dining options are authentic Greek dishes or  fresh seafood. A popular place for seafood is Rusty Bellies which is at the end of the sponge docks on the water. At one of the local Greek restaurants (Mamas Greek Cuisine), you can even enjoy a belly dancing performance. If you're looking for meals made from the freshest ingredients currently in season check out Currents Restaurant. You will not be disappointed. If you enjoy water views while dining, you can choose between Davidson's Dockside in the Port Tarpon Marina, Captain Jacks, across the Anclote from the Sponge Docks (just off of Alternate 19) or the Tarpon Turtle which is on Lake Tarpon on the East side of Highway 19.  In downtown Tarpon Springs craft beer lovers (and those who enjoy dining with their four legged kids) will appreciate the Tarpon Tavern. They have 30 craft beers to choose from and are located along the Pinellas Trail. If wine is your beverage of choice check out Wine at the Docks of Tarpon-Springs. They serve a fabulous Sangria.

In addition to all of the wonderful restaurant options in Tarpon Springs there is shopping and more. In the Sponge Docks area on Dodecanese Boulevard you can find the Sponge Exchange Shopping Center. You can also still enjoy the  Konger Tarpon Springs Aquarium at the end of Dodecanese, Check it out before they build and move to their new location further north. Other things to enjoy in this area include chartered fishing, dolphin tours and sponge diving exhibits. In the downtown of Tarpon Springs you can find many antique stores and the shopping here is always a fun adventure. Museums include the Leepa Rattner Art Museum as well as the Safford House Museum,  Heritage Museum. and the Cultural Center. Enjoy live performances at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center. Every Spring held on Spring Bayou is the not to be missed Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival which is one of the best in the area. There is also a smaller arts and crafts festival held on Dodacanese Boulevard on a regular basis as well as the popular "Night in the Islands" with music and live entertainment. Like many of the communities in the area Tarpon Springs celebrates an October Festival, and in December you can enjoy a lighted boat parade which takes place in Spring Bayou. On the first Thursday of every month from 7-9 November through February enjoy concerts at Sunset Beach.

When you're ready to relax and enjoy a beach day you have numerous options including Sunset Beach (mentioned above) and Howard Park (described below). If your idea of a relaxing time is sharing beverages with fellow boaters at a sand bar, Three Rooker Island (part of the Anclote Preserve) located between Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, is an Island which can only be reached by boat and is always a fun time. For a small beach away from the crowds, try Anclote River Park. I've had dolphin swim near me in the water here and almost every time I've gone I've at least caught a glimpse of a dolphin. Also, the nearby Anclote River Power Plant is a good place to see Manatee. The Manatee also come into Spring Bayou in the winter months.

To learn of upcoming events in Tarpon Springs go to Happenings, Events, and Sponge Docks. To learn more about Tarpon Springs go to Tarpon Springs. To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area see my previous post or go to Communities.

A Favorite Place in Tarpon Springs:
A favorite place in Tarpon Springs is Howard Park, In fact this is one my favorite places in all of Pinellas County. On vacations prior to moving to Florida I would envision moving here and living within walking distance of this gorgeous park. It is one of the most peaceful places I know and I have frequently seen dolphin here. It includes a sandy beach on the Gulf at the end of the causeway, picnic shelters, two playgrounds, canoe and kayak launching, fishing, and an area for windsurfing. Watching for dolphins and watching the windsurfers are a couple of my favorite things to do at this park. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals:  

Technically it has a Holiday, Florida address but I always associate Miss Vicki's with Tarpon Springs because a fun day of boating in Tarpon Springs always includes a stop by boat at  Miss Vicki's on the River  for a lunch that includes a cold beverage, She-Crab Soup, and a Blackened Shrimp Wrap. There is often live music playing outside and you can't help but to have a great time when you're dining with friends, enjoying cold beverages, listening to live music and gazing out at the water. Go and enjoy a cold one for me. Another for the locals destination is in the city of Tarpon Springs but is only for those in search of a dive bar that is truly a dive bar. It's difficult to find and is hidden behind the Tarpon Springs Animal Hospital on U.S. 19. You can also reach it by boat. The bar is called the Anclote River Boat Club. And you may want to check out the link to the Facebook page for fair warning as to what you're walking into. It was scheduled to be demolished at one point and there is still a boat in a tree from the no name storm. The regulars love the drink prices, the graffiti on the walls, and the option to arrive by boat.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Thank you to Lucy for providing some gorgeous photos for this week's post. Lucy's perfect Florida day usually includes an opportunity to take stunning pictures. Lucy is a portrait photographer originally from Poland who has fallen in love with Florida. As you can tell from these images she takes stunning photos of  natural and man made landscapes as well her beautiful portraits. I would love to share your pictures and your experience of a perfect Florida day. Please mail me at Susan@susandsorensen.com and if you have any portrait photography needs (including headshots, senior, maternity, bridal, and more) you can contact Lucy at  Lucyna Aleksandra Tampa Portrait Photographer. (Look for more of Lucy's fabulous images in upcoming blogs).

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of September the average sale price for a condo in the zipcode of Tarpon Springs was $104.352, the average days on the market 83, selling at 94% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $93. The average price of a single family home was $295,063, the average days on the market being 107 and selling at 97% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $127. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)).If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area, which is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life, has many options for developing new friendships and business relationships. I mentioned in a previous post that there are groups for every interest you may have and there are groups specifically for newcomers to the area. The Tampa Bay area has not only a lot of Northerners and Midwesterners but also a lot of International visitors and residents. There are local Meetup groups specifically for these folks International Friends of Tampa Bay and European and International Meetup are two examples. If you are originally from Germany there is a group specifically for you Fun-Germans-in-Pinellas. For Northerners (including Boston, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maine, etc.) in the age range of 40-59 there is New-York-South-Northern-transplants-in-Florida/. For New Yorkers specifically, there is New Yorkers Living in the Tampa Bay Area. For Millennials there is Tampa New In Town 20s/30s. There is even a Meetup Group specifically for people living in the St. Pete zip code of 33716 (The-Neighborhood-at-33716) to meet their neighbours. For sports lovers who want to cheer for their favorite out of state teams with other fans there are groups such as Pinellas-County-Chicago-Bears-Fans. These are just some examples. Just put some parameters in the Meetup search bar and see what you find. You can always start a group of your own to meet other newcomers.  

Your Florida Dream Life- Oldsmar

This Weeks Community: 
Oldsmar is a fabulous community in Pinellas County named for automobile pioneer R. E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile. It is centrally located on the Northern End of Old Tampa Bay and convenient to many destinations. The 2013 population was 13,796. The residents take a lot of pride in their community and many get involved in promoting as well as attending their numerous festivals. They also support Oldsmar Cares, an organization that meets community needs through a food bank, community closet, employment assistance, and some financial assistance for helping residents in need with utilities and mortgage/rent payments. Oldsmar has numerous festivals including the upcoming Top Of The Bay Oktoberfest. It's residents love it's numerous parks (over 10) including R.E. Olds Park which is the location for numerous events including Oldsmar Days and Nights, a festival that has been a tradition in Oldsmar for over 50 years now and includes live music, carnival rides, a water skiing show and numerous vendors.To learn more about Oldsmar's parks (including the Molbby Bayou Preserve which consist of over 396 acres of land) go to Oldsmar Parks. Oldsmar is also home to the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team. The team entertains the public with free water ski shows on Tower Lake. Shows are Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of the last show of the season, the Holiday show which is performed at 4:00 p.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Learn more at Tampa Water Ski. Oldsmar also has a BMX Supercross track. Learn more and review the schedule at Oldsmar BMX. The The Oldsmar Flea Market has been in existence for over 30 years. There are over 450 vendors on over 20 acres selling items from Antiques to Kayaks. The flea market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 - 5:00 p.m 

 To learn of upcoming events in Oldsmar go to Events To learn more about Oldsmar go to Oldsmar. To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area see my previous post or go to Communities

A Favorite Place in Oldsmar:
A favorite place in Oldsmar is City Fish Grill which was the 2014 Gold Winner for Seafood in the Best of North Tampa. Inside the restaurant the ambience is stylish and warm. You also have the option to eat outside in a fully screened in seating area. There is an outdoor bar in addition to the indoor bar. The menu provides a lot of options made from the freshest and finest ingredients. In addition to a large variety of entrees there is a nice variety of salads and sides that includes Black Truffle Oil Mac N Cheese. The restaurant has a fabulous Sunday Brunch which includes a build your own (with all of the fixings) Bloody Mary Station (unlimited) and all you can drink Mimosas, Margaritas, and Sangrias. The food options include a carving station for salmon, ham, turkey,and roast beef, a waffle station, and a taco station, as well as sushi and crab legs, and numerous other offerings. To top it off is a chocolate fountain for dipping fruit and cake. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

The Oldsmar Tap House is a nice local hangout located in the small downtown area of Oldsmar and has a great relaxed atmosphere. You get to explore a wide variety of craft beers and enjoy a happy hour Mondays through Fridays from 4 - 7 p.m. There is a Ladies Night (Wednesdays) and a Trivia Night on Thursdays. At times they have live entertainment and you can enjoy NFL Ticket on Sunday Nights and Monday Night Football Specials. The wait staff is friendly and they serve up some yummy bar food which includes fries that can be ordered with their famous sassy sauce and blue cheese crumbles and their most popular Mojo Sliders, slow cooked pulled pork with garlic and mojo sauce. Check them out.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Thank you to Patti Webster for providing these fabulous photos for this week's post. Patti's perfect day is a day on the water kiteboarding with friends. She loves to kite at Sunset Beach, Fred Howard Park, the Dunedin Causeway, Anclote, and Three Rookers in North Pinellas. In South Pinellas County kiteboarders enjoy kiteboarding around the Skyway Bridge and Fort DeSoto on windy Days. Patti's favorite instructor is Sean Buell. I would love to share your pictures and your experience of a perfect Florida day. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com (If you have any life insurance needs you can contact Patti at Webster Life Insurance.

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of August the average sale price for a condo in the zipcode of Oldsmar was $111.436, the average days on the market 73, selling at 94% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $86. The average price of a single family home or townhouse was $242,686, the average days on the market being 72 and selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $118. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)).If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area, which is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life, has many options for developing new friendships and business relationships. I mentioned in a previous post, joining clubs that revolve around an interest you have as well as looking for opportunities to volunteer. You can do both if you have an interest in the theatre by becoming a "Gargoyle" (volunteer) at the Tampa Theatre. You can volunteer for Mad Theatre (voted best community theatre by Broadway World Tampa) and become a part of the Tampa Bay Time Bank. (I'll share more about this in another post.) Carrollwood Players Theatre uses volunteers for everything from lights and makeup to ushering in guest as does West Coast Players. Throughout the year you may get an opportunity to greet, take tickets, and usher at The Palladium Theater. To learn more about opportunities with Stageworks go to Stageworks Theatre. You can apply for volunteer opportunities with Free Fall Theatre by following this link Volunteer to fill out a form. In Safety Harbor you may volunteer with Eight O'clock Theatre. And to volunteer for next years Tampa Bay Theatre Festival go to Festival Volunteer.

Your Florida Dream Life- Safety Harbor

This Weeks Community:

Safety Harbor is a great town on the Bay. It was incorporated in 1917 and had a population of just under 17,000 in the 2010 census. It's residents love it's tree lined streets and quaint small town feel. A very popular destination in Safety Harbor is the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa The spa is a full service resort. spa, and fitness center with dining, as well as tennis and golf academies. They also have conference and meeting rooms and are a popular location for weddings. The natural mineral springs at the spa (Espiritu Santo Springs) are believed to have been used by the Tocobaga and Timuquan tribes for fishing and bathing. In 1964 the springs were designated a historical landmark. One of the last remaining examples of the Tocobaga civilization (a Tocobaga Indian Temple Mound) is situated in Philippe Park with an amazing view. You can also walk along a one mile stretch of shoreline to enjoy the view of Old Tampa Bay. As well as enjoying a picnic under large oaks and other hardwood trees, fishing from the shore, or launching a boat..In the summertime you don't want to miss Safety Harbor's Saturday Downtown Farmers Market at John Wilson Park  The gazebo at John Wilson Park is the location for special events such as  the Christmas Tree Lighting and the location where musical acts perform on Third Friday a night to come out and enjoy local vendors and music. The Bowling Ball House (Whimseyland) is a fun home decorated with bowling balls and other whimsical items. The artist that own the home have filled it with art and now have a yard filled with sculptures as well. To learn of upcoming Safety Harbor Events go to Events To learn more about Safety Harbor go to Safety Harbor To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities

A Favorite Place in Safety Harbor:

Tapping The Vine is a favorite place for me. You get to explore a wide variety of wines and the ambience of the place is very easygoing. You can enjoy tapas while relaxing on a couch, a delicious dinner in the restaurant, or a flight of wine outdoors with your canine child. Tapping the Vine won the prestigious Wine Spectator 2015 Award of Excellence. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Have you been to Joey Biscotti Bakery ? If you are a local you have to make this a regular stop and if you are visiting you must make a point of stopping in and trying one of their incredible desserts. Who can resist a dark chocolate cayenne brownie? Or award winning chocolate cake? Everything they serve; cannolis, crumb cake, scones, biscotti (of course) and more, gets rave reviews. Check them out. 

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

"Learning to Stand Up Paddleboard with new girlfriends at the Safety Harbor Marina. We shared lots of laughs and there was even a manatee sighting." I would love to share your pictures and your experience of a perfect Florida day. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of July the average sale price for a condo in the zipcode of Safety Harbor was $104,975, the average days on the market 110, selling at 97% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $84. The average price of a single family home or townhouse was $252,302, the average days on the market being 70 and selling at 97% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $132. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)).If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area, which is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life, has many options for developing new friendships and business relationships. Social Clubs such as the Welcome Newcomer Club Pinnellas  and the GFWC North Pinellas Womens Club are two great Social Clubs. Clubs that revolve around an interest you have are also great. If you are into sailing the Dunedin Boat Club has a lot of sailing, cruising, and social events and is one of Florida's oldest sailing clubs.  

Your Florida Dream Life- Saint Petersburg

This Weeks Community:

St. Pete is a great place to live and play. It has so many fabulous attractions and includes so many neighborhoods that this post will give just a small overview of the city and future post will cover various unique neighborhoods such as the very popular Historic Old North-East Neighborhoods (which include the area around Coffee Pot Bayou and Snell Isle) and the Beach Drive neighborhoods. St. Pete is home to the Dali Museum the Morean Arts Center (which has a Chihuly Collection) Tropicana Field (home of the Tampa Bay Rays), the Mahaffey Theater (home of the Florida Orchestra), the Museum of Fine Arts, the Sunken Gardens, and Jannus Live, the oldest outdoor concert venue in the state. There is a popular Saturday Market, numerous small galleries featuring local artist, world class restaurants, and the area of Second Street and Central Avenue is popular for it's nightlife.  In March St. Pete host the Firestone Grand Prix. It is home to the St. Petersburg Ocean Team, numerous hospitals, the University of South Florida- St, Pete., and so much more!  To learn more about St. Pete go to St. Pete  To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities

A Favorite Place in St Pete:

The whole Beach Drive neighborhood is fabulous with the incredible restaurants, unique shops, wonderful galleries, views of the Bay, and more but a favorite place for me is Sweet Divas Chocolates. If you're in the area on the weekend you can start your day there with Mimosas and muffins. In the afternoon you can choose a refreshing ice cream or a cupcake including the Tortilla-Lime-Chipotle Cupcake winner of St. Pete's 2012 best cupcake competition. And if you've stayed on Beach Drive for dinner come back to Sweet Divas and enjoy wine and chocolate after your meal. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Have you been to the Maximo Seafood Shack? It is located at 4801 37th St. S, at the End of the Main Dock, St. Pete 33711. Truly a hidden gem! The decor is very "Old Florida" in style, the fresh grouper is fabulous and incredibly reasonable, the views are gorgeous, and the staff and the customers who frequent this hidden gem are super friendly. 

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

When asked about her perfect Florida day Stacy responded "I have so many. This was my view most every night for the three years I lived on Sand Key." I would love to share your pictures and your experience of a perfect Florida day. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of July the average sale price for a condo in the zipcodes of St, Pete (not including St. Pete Beach) was $226,462, the average days on the market 68, selling at 95% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $154. The average price of a single family home or townhouse was $232,997, the average days on the market being 63 and selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $136. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS)). St. Pete includes many neighborhoods and zip codes and prices do vary significantly by neighborhood. In future post where I focus on specific neighborhoods I will give the real estate statistics for those specific neighborhoods. If you are interested in seeing what you can get for your money in your favorite neighborhood you can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area, which is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, people looking to reinvent themselves, and people starting their second chapter in life, has many options for developing new friendships and business relationships. Network after Work and Eventbrite are two great sites to check out to find places and events to network at. Eventbrite even has an App you can put right on your phone. There is also a Mobile App for events specific to the Tampa Bay Area, the Ken Walters Mobile App. You can find his events page on Facebook at Ken Walters Promotions and download his mobile app for free. Other Apps not specific to the Tampa Bay Area but with events shown for the area are; My Night Out, Eventful, and Circle-Events, Concerts More. 

Your Florida Dream Life- Clearwater Beach

This Weeks Community:

Clearwater Beach is a great place to live and play. It's won numerous "Best" designations including "Best Florida Beach Town" (USA Today). In addition to enjoying the beautiful beaches, there are many options for residents and visitors to get out on the water. Choices range from dinner cruises and pirate ship cruises, to speed boat tours and ferry rides. You can rent jet skis and most any other type of watercraft. Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding options are also available. There are fishing tours and even Segway tours. It's home to the Clearwater aquarium where Winter and Hope, the stars of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2 live. Visit them on a live webcam here Winter and Hope  For links to the websites for the numerous activities available on Clearwater Beach go to Clearwater Beach Top Things To Do  To learn more about Clearwater Beach in general go to Visit Florida/Clearwater Beach  To learn about other communities in the Tampa Bay area go to Communities  

A Favorite Place in Clearwater Beach:

A favorite beach is Sand Key Beach and Park  which includes a dog park and is far less crowded than Clearwater Beach. A favorite place to enjoy the sunset is Palm Pavilion which has a large deck right on the beach, yummy cocktails with names like "Chunky Monkey" and "Flip Flop" and live music. I would love to share your favorite place in your community. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

For the Locals: 

Have you been to the original Frenchy's  on 41 Baymont Street? It's a fun and relaxed place with a simple menu and happy hour specials away from the crowds at the beach.

Your Perfect Florida Day: 

Kathleen's favorite place to be is "on the water enjoying Stand Up Paddle Boarding! Paddling to The Bait House for fresh fish and a cold one is wonderful, especially if I happen to see dolphin on the way)! Clearwater Beach has so much to offer! Blessed to reside here" I would love to share your pictures and your experience of a perfect Florida day. Email me at Susan@susandsorensen.com

Real Estate Statistics:

For the month of June the average sale price for a condo on Clearwater Beach was $486.643, average days on the market 113, selling at 96% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $323. The average price of a single family home or townhouse was $772, 182, the average days on the market being 158 and selling at 95% of list price with an average price per heated square foot of $286. (This information comes from the Suncoast Multiple Listing Service (MLS). You can search for properties via my free Keller Williams Mobile App My KW App  Or you may go to my website at susandsorensen.com

Creating Relationships:

The Tampa Bay area is ideal for small business owners/entrepreneurs, those wishing to reinvent themselves and people starting there second chapter in life. When looking to develop relationships in your community a good place to start is by volunteering. By becoming a volunteer with organizations such as such as Habitat for Humanity you can meet people and learn new skills. Just go to their site and put in your zip code to get involved. Or meet new people and enjoy gorgeous scenery while volunteering with places such as the Sunken Gardens. Go to Sunken Gardens and select "Volunteer". For other volunteer opportunities go to Eight Ways to Volunteer in Tampa via Tampa Bay Times or Volunteer Match.