Another question:...Is anyone familiar with: Island's End Resort (little cottage style resort) on Pass A Grille in St. Petersbugh. I was looking up some place to stay while down there this month looking at real estate and job market. I just want a nice clean place (not too pricey) in a good area.

Help!!!!!

Hi all who responded with your great advice.

I just sold my TH in Northern Va and bought in Tarpon Springs in a gated Community not far from Keystone RD. Traffic is not the greatest but I'm used to it here in DC area.

It's been an uphill swing trying to get Home insurance, et al. It's done and I move down mid June.

Any advice on nice furniture stores, interior designers. The place is 10 years old but I'm starting from scratch with updating floors, kitchen and buying all new furniture.

Not crazy about all the critters but I'll get used to them. I've already seen the biggest snapping turtle going across the side of my villa to get to the pond behind me. I almost died...hee hee. I love Florida and lookig forward to a new life and beginning.

Now it's job hunting. Exec. Asst. I know salaries are low but it's the medical benefits that more important now.

Any suggestions, would love to hear comments on my questions above.

nll, a big welcome to Florida, congratulations on your move =D>

Gosh, I know some good furniture places but I don't think you'd want to haul everything from Tampa to Tarpon Springs. But let me give you some advice. Think bright and light. Dont' be afraid to buy white furniture, or anything in pastels. And buy outdoor furniture to take advantage of the great outdoors (although you might want to wait until next year as it's already a bit warm). Do buy some pink flamingos for the yard. Use lime-away or Soft Scrub to clean the bathroom (we have lots of lime in our water all over Florida because of the Floridan Aquifer). Use bleach from time to time where water collects.

Doesn't Tarpon have lots of antique shops? That would be a good place to start. Also, I know Macy's (Burdine's) has a furniture gallery in Clearwater, if that's a help.

Enjoy!!! I think Tarpon is really lovely.

nll,
Congratulations and Welcome to Florida!
You sorta get used to the 'critters' :)
or at least know which ones are worth ignoring and which ones you should run from LOL
Summer might be tough as a newbie Floridian but keep in mind the marvelous winter !
Happy Moving! Scarlett ((F))

Glad the postings helped! Hopefully, Mr. GoTravel and I are about six months behind you. Not the West Coast but the southeast coast of Florida.

Hmmn. I'm moving down and MizScarlett and OO are moving out. I wonder if someone is trying to tell me something?:-D

Gotravel I am here in FLL, where are you moving too? Judy

Judy, personally, I think Hollywood Beach is one of the better deals in South Florida but we really love the Palm Beach/Jupiter/Hobe Sound area!

nll, i just remembered this place:
http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr...51998045587297

In case that didn't help, it's called Annabelle's and it's in Odessa not too far from you. It used to be just antiques but I've heard they have new furniture now too.

GoTravel, I didn't know you were Florida bound. Jupiter is beautiful. Be sure to check it out when the traffic is bad. I got stuck there once because there's so few places to get on and off the one road that traverses that island highway. But, you have a boat, right? Teehee.

I'm patching my ballasts on my lounge chair today. A little AC duct tape is a cheap way to fix it. A new one is $80 -- but they are soooo comfortable.

Tandoorie Girl, et al.

Thanks so much for writing back and also forwarding the website on the furniture. I haven't perused it yet but will do tonight.Do you mind if I pass on the Flamingo's...smile

I'm excited about tile shopping for the floors...and hardwood in the small den. Haven't really remodelled in 17 year, so I'm in for a shock, I'm sure.

Next up once I get settled is joining the clubs and polishing up on my golf (a real newbie at the sport). It's also a good way to meet new friends and get exercise.

People I have met already are very warm and so helpful.

I've seen Jupiter...gorgeous. I choose Tarpon because I have friends in Safety Harbor & Palm Harbor. Folks buried in Curlew Hills. It's a comfort zone to move there (Tarpon not Curlew Hills)...

Do any of your "fodorites" ever get together for a reunion. If so, let me know.

I'll put in a plug for my company who just opened a furniture store in the International Mall in Tampa. Robb & Stucky. Not everything is ultra expensive in our store and much is discounted to the maximum similar to North Carolina outlets. We also stock $8k sofas if you are so inclined.

Design services are complementary with purchases. It is at least worth a look. We opened there as there is not much in the Tampa area. LMF

Ditto Robb and Stuckey. I was thrilled to find them. They are on US 19 as well International Plaza, north of Clearwater, although I'm not sure what town I'm in when I get there. Nice "stuff". LMF...I just asked my husband, because I couldn't remember the name of our preferred store..."what was our favorite furniture store in Tampa?" His response..."what was it...Russell Stover or something?" LOL (Translates to Robb and Stuckey).

But that wasn't really our favorite. Over that I liked PJ Newman on Kennedy in Tampa. $50 delivery charge even to other areas of Tampa but "good goods".

As nice, Livingston's Furniture on Westshore. We've bought a fair amount from both stores, but came close to buying in Robb and Stuckey as well. their selection is huge, compared to PJ Newman.

Annabelles that TG mentioned is a fave of many. You have to hit it just right though, and I never did. It's primarily overstocked items..or that's the impression I got. Last year's things or the last several years things, but <i>great</i> prices. It's in the middle of nowhere, but closer to Tarpon Springs than the others I've mention except perhaps the US 19 R&amp;S.

Hope you love your new place. It's a great area to live in most of the year...the other 4 or 5 months you just grit your teeth and bear it--things could be much much worse!

LisMsFoodie,,,et al..

Thanks for the name of your store. I like how it is discounted as North Carolina prices. It's where I got most of my furniture for my TH in DC..

8K is not in my price range....I'm doing over the whole place, so I need to cut costs on some things. Everyone has been a great help.

IilMsFoodie: I've seen your responses before, are you the decorator down in the Ft. Myers area?

Yes, you are in &quot;God's country.&quot; We lived in Palm Harbor and loved it, still visit several times a year, including in January for the Greek Orthodox celebration of Epiphany and diving for the cross. The weather this year was fantastic and our friends' boys dove for the first time at age 16. You are very, very lucky to be living there!

OO Robb &amp; Stucky closed the Clearwater store, way too small and has opened in the International Mall in the space that was Lord and Taylor. Huge store now.

Yes NL I'm an interior designer in Fort Myers.

Thanks for the update LMF! I knew they were going into International Plaza, but didn't realize that meant closing the other store. The old L&amp;T is huge, but then I thought their US19 store was big too! Isn't there one in Sarasota too? They were good and unique enough to make us put aside our hate of US19 to go, and I'm sure they'll do exceptionally well at International Plaza.

Coincidentally, the day after writing what I did about the various Tampa stores, I got a card in the mail from PJ Newman regarding their annual 60% off floor clearance sale. We got a beautiful inlaid occasional table in that sale last year, and how I would love to go back, now especially with a new house that has areas of &quot;need&quot;!