Planning for Long Times Away

   


  I'm in the real countdown mode as I leave in just two weeks for the UK! My time in Florida went so fast and next week will be wrapping up any loose ends for my contract job, with just a few hours and a few days the following week. I've just banked earnings to date as it's all above my budget and I truly don't know how it will impact my bizarre 2025 taxes. Having time to slow down last week also gave me thinking time.

     I've come to sort of a decision. I do want to have regular longer stays in warm areas annually. I don't know if the Florida Gulf coast will work for me though, but I don't know what mid-January-early March, my likely get away times would be like. My friend says that's the slow time and traffic would be nothing like it's been. It was far better on the weekdays, but that weekend traffic was bad. Yet, I love that gulf view and getting my feet in the sand. Are there places that are less touristy, but same weather? I'm quite ignorant about the south. While I'd love to stay right on the beach with water views to have morning coffee, I guess it's not a requirement. However, a pool would be.

     I have years to research and plan. I won't go anywhere while pup is with me. I'd also like to see what my son decides on putting down more permanent roots. His work has been nomadic, I guess is the term. My house has more been a home base (and storage and laundry facilities) than home. My youngest is in flux too with work, school, housing. Wherever I go, likely I won't buy anything until I truly know it's where I'd want to go for twenty years and others would want to visit. 

      Using a management company could keep the space cared for and potentially rented offsetting ownership costs. I'd have never imagined that June-September is the peak season in the horrid heat and humidity of Florida,but my friend assures me it is. I think it's just too hot, so I'd never be there those months. I could just be a rental snowbird too, never locking myself into one location. My friends BIL rents his unit every February to his friends until about the second week of March. That'll change I suppose once they want to retire themselves. I don't know. This is all post vacation wondering. Next month I'll have a new batch of thoughts. I miss my husband and having to think these things alone.

I'd never tire of this each evening. 


Comments

  1. CelieOctober 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM

    I can understand wanting to go somewhere warm in winter. I really wouldn't know where, tho. My few experiences with Florida were too crowded for me. I'm sorry you have to think it through alone. It'll take time to figure it out. Now the UK trip is coming on fast! I so hope you and Siobhan have a wonderful time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anne in the kitchenOctober 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM

    I am assuming you were in Panama City since the sun is setting directly over the water. Destin's best sunsets over the water are in the spring.
    Your friend is right and the tourists and traffic are much less during the late fall through the first of May, except for spring break and then it is horrendous.
    There are beach communities that are much less developed on the Gulf coast, but they are a bit south eastern. Cape San Blas, for example.
    Glad you had a great trip.

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