One "minor" issue of staying by Sanibel but on the mainland is that $6 toll every time you cross the causeway to Sanibel/Captiva. Not so bad for a couple days but if staying a month or more. . . And I'd rather be relaxing ON a Sanibel beach rather than at Bunche. But maybe that's just me.

Surprisingly they don't have a website and conduct business by phone Shannon Fore 1-800-917-4701.

Most of this trip will be exploring rentals for 2017 and less about R & R :)

Umm. It's 2015. A rental agency doesn't have a website -- no pictures -- and only deals on the phone? Run. Do not walk.

By the way, one issue with your plan is that you won't really be able to see any actual rentals, as they will be occupied at the time.

I agree with Neo....it's VERY odd that a rental agency doesn't have a website. Find someone else.

OMG you are right never thought about that. I guess we will have to focus on location and hope for the best. It may take us untill 2018 to find the accommodation that meets our needs. Thanks NeoPatrick :)

Yes, JoyT, I'm thinking you were talking about actually looking at specific apartments and seeing if you'd want to rent them the next year, but since you won't actually be able to inspect them if they are already rented, then I think your best option for this trip is to go several places for maybe just two nights each to get a feel for which area you might want to stay at. Then rely on the internet to find an actual apartment in that area.

JoyT-google Heather Zurlo

Interesting places you might look at are Pass-a-Grille, Gulf Port, and Tarpon Springs. We have rented houses for a week at a time in Pass-a-Grille and Gulf Port. I don't remember if they were through vrbo or craigslist, but will try to find them.

Thank you Sassafrass, I checked out Pass-a-Grille, Gulf Port, and Tarpon Springs and thought they were very inviting and should definitely be explored. I also emailed Heather Zurlo and look forward to chatting with her.
I think we need to take NeoPatrick's advise and stay a couple of days in each area to find a community that works for us. Golf is a deal breaker for my husband so finding a rental with affordable golf would be great. Thanks for all your great suggestions.

Have you any interest at all in the coastal Carolinas? It is a little cooler than Florida in winter, but the area is known for golf courses and there are many lovely communities. The beaches are beautiful.

We loved Hilton Head in May but do want warmer weather. Need to escape Canada"s cold winter :)

You know, way up above I put down The Glades in Naples -- bad investment due to recreation and/or land leases. But to be honest, it can be a pretty good rental (I think because some are stuck with ownership and need to rent them out). And it includes golf. And while Naples is the most "upscale" area on your list, The Glades, just a bit east of downtown is a more budget friendly development than many (albeit, a lot older than the hundreds of new gated golfing communities). Worth checking out. I looked at Heather Zurlo's website -- like hundreds of others in Naples -- she's a realtor with a good company, John R. Wood, but not sure how "savvy" she is or how involved she is in rentals, her website seems mainly to suggest she's pretty much in sales -- although her firm has specialists just handling rentals.

I've always liked the Sarasota area myself, seems to have everything you want. Naples is nice enough, also, I have cousins who live there so I've been a few times.

That 800 phone number for "Shannon Fore" is affiliated with Global Travel International in Orlando, it's a shell company where people can say they are travel agents working out of their own home if they pay them a fee. Which is why he or she doesn't have an office nor a company. Look at the owner profile of that phone no. on the right of this page http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/M.../proID-229214/

New Smyrna Beach, it has a small town feel but great beaches, affordable and one of the safer towns to live in. Beach side is my fav but river side is not bad. A lot of affordable rentals.

" it's a shell company where people can say they are travel agents working out of their own home if they pay them a fee."

Wow. Now there's a recommendation that's hard to pass up. Seriously?

What's next? "I'm a stock investor who will take your money because I paid a fee to say I could"?

Yes still checking out the Glades on VRBO. Also connected with Heather and you are correct she isn't really managing rentals more sales end of things. I will definately check out New Smyrna Beach. Thanks everyone, lots of great advise and I am checking out everything!!

I just had to say Hello to Susan Margaret from another Susan Margaret!

Thank you all for your advise! We have booked 2 weeks in Bonita Springs, Wild Pines. From there we will explore all your recommended communities to find what works for us for the future. If you have any recommendations for eating great food at reasonable prices please share :)
We are driving from Ontario and plan to stay at least 1 evening on route. If you have a recommendation for affordable stays please let us know. Don't want to spend more than $80 US.
Thanks again, can't wait to enjoy 2 weeks of sun & fun.

JoyT, interesting. You will like Bonita Bay and Wild Pines. I decorated and furnished a couple units there "turn key" when they were built. It's a nice 'rental' complex.

My first suggestion for inexpensive eats is at Vanderbilt Beach -- Buzz's Lighthouse, right across the street from the Turtle Club. Sit on the back deck over the back bay and eat great fish Ruebens. (The grouper ones get more pricey, but the regular ones are very good).

Roys, very close to your unit is nice, but fairly pricey, but they do happy hour specials and early bird dining (I think they even do that in season -- but check) that are a good deal.