How locals use freshwater springs to get through the summer

People who move to Florida are usually surprised by one thing: how fast the first summer changes what they do on weekends. You stop fighting the heat and start working around it. You figure out which parks are worth the drive. You learn the rhythm of the afternoon thunderstorm. And somewhere along the way, you … Read more

Is owning a pool in Florida worth it?

Florida pool home backyard residential

If you’re planning a move to Florida, the Florida pool home question comes up fast. You tour a house with a pool, then one without, and you start wondering: is a Florida pool home worth the premium? Or is it just more to maintain? The honest answer is: it depends on who you are and … Read more

Where do Tampa Bay locals go to beat the summer heat?

The honest reality of Florida summer Florida summer is not the beach vacation version of summer. It is hot in a specific, subtropical way that takes some adjustment, especially coming from somewhere with four distinct seasons. The humidity makes the temperature feel different than it does anywhere else you’ve lived. What it actually looks and … Read more

What is Florida summer really like when you live here full time?

People are typing it into Google this week: “what is Florida summer like?” Not because they want the tourism brochure answer. Because they’re thinking about moving here and they want to know what they’re actually signing up for. Right now, with a heat wave pushing feels-like temperatures to 110°F across the area, it is a … Read more

What is hurricane season really like when you own a home in Tampa Bay?

During hurricane season, before most people sign a contract to buy here, they ask about hurricanes. It’s usually right after property taxes and homeowners insurance, and those three topics are more connected than most people realize. Hurricane season in Tampa Bay runs June 1 through November 30. Six months of the year, you track tropical … Read more