To the Sunshine State Please

Happy Friday! It feels SO good to escape from everything going on in the world outside, and bring back in sense of normalcy - and for me that means sitting down to blog.

How are you all holding up? I'm extremely thankful for a fulfilling job that is flexible enough to allow me to work from home until it's safe to go back into the office. And with that, I am even more thankful that we made the best decision ever about ten years ago to relocate from Connecticut to Florida. While we are all practicing social distancing, and staying home as to not spread the "virus that shall not be named" any further, it's refreshing to have beautiful weather outside for walks around the neighborhood, lots of playtime in the backyard for Lil' Miss, and the pool water is almost ready for us to jump back in. Well - who are we kidding!? A certain three year old braved the chilly water last weekend, and of course came out shivering. Ha!

I have talked to a lot of friends from back up north and a lot of you here in our blogging community who have expressed a desire to relocate down south to the sunshine state for year round outdoor living, and if you are moving away from the northeast like I did - much lower cost of living. Let's also remember that Florida does not have a state income tax. Hello only filing one tax return, and more money in your paycheck! I truly mean it when I say it was hands down the BEST decision we ever made. I love attending outdoor events all year round, having a short drive to the beach, and taking Lil' Miss to the theme parks which are practically in our backyard. And did I mention how easy it is to drive to the many cruise ports without stepping foot on an airplane. Gateway to the Caribbean!

When we first started discussing a big move, we didn't even know where to start. So many questions swirled around in our heads - what area should we focus in on? Do we want to be by the beach or in Central Florida for the job market and all the fun theme parks? Do we rent an apartment for a little while before committing to purchasing a home? How will we know if we even like the area or if the school districts are good for down the road when we want to have children? We ultimately decided to move into an apartment first so we could get to know the area more before making the big commitment of buying a house. Looking back, I know that it would have been a total game changer to work with a local real estate agent who already knows the area and could have helped us answer any and all questions. It truly would have made a difference, and set our minds more at ease.

I like to think of having an expert helping you every step of the way during a big move like having your own personal cheerleader. They are there for you, and are rooting for you to WIN! They will get to know you, figure out what your must haves and your deal breakers are which will then help you narrow down your search. That makes it easier for them to present you with options like homes for sale in San Marco. Excuse me while I swoon over all those beautiful homes, especially ones with those water views. I don't think I need to twist your arm, especially if you are getting out of the tail end of a long winter up north to consider living in the sunshine state. Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty will be here to help you live out your dreams. Living where others vacation, while working with a real estate professional who will make sure all i's are dotted and all t's are crossed before you even make an offer on the perfect home. I'll take mine with a water view - please and thank you!

*This post is a sponsored article that I'm excited to share you with you, as it came at the perfect time with us wanting to enjoy all the extra sunshine. Enjoy!