Williams Family: A Year and a Half Into Our Florida Life

 

Exactly 18 months ago, we landed in our Central Florida home to begin our new life as retired Floridians.  This transition was years in the making--dreaming, planning, deciding, doing!  After a year and a half, how is it going?

We are extremely pleased with our home's location.  We've noted over the last few months that the physical structure of our building is a bit elevated, and we are positioned at the North side of the building which means plenty of light, but no direct sun exposure.  We also enjoy the view from our lanai. We are minutes from Walt Disney World, less than an hour round-trip to Orlando International Airport. Universal and SeaWorld parks are nearby. Our condo community is fiscally sound (important to note given legislative changes in Florida).  We have been granted "Homestead" exemption on our property taxes.  We are also near family, John and Diane, Todd's brother and his wife, live in Lakeland, Florida, about 40 miles away.

Speaking of our condo community, we have made friends and established relationships. Weekly dominoes brings a group together.  I no longer feel like the "new" person and have been able to connect other residents to each other with similar interests or needs.  Yesterday, I met Dona from Myrtle Beach while in the pool but I had already met her via phone when her realtor was showing her the property along with her daughter.  Dona said, "You're that Jody" and went on to tell me that I had made an impression when speaking about the community during that impromptu meeting during the tour.  Also, I am joining the HOA Board.

Sadie, our dog, thankfully is not impacted by fireworks.  She enjoys walks, especially on the paved path around Center Lake, a block from our building. Her favorite pastime is to watch the lizards on the lanai screen--a never ending nature show. It does take her a while to warm up to other people, but she happily visits John and Diane, and their cat, George.

We have established ourselves at local banks, physician offices, pharmacy, dentist, and nail salon.  Our care is registered in Florida along with our Driver's licenses and voter registration. 

Are there any cons? Sure.  Our son is far away, driving can be interesting, and tropical storms are not a favorite, but there are cons anywhere someone lives. 

Our adventure is just getting started!

Williams Family: It's Hard to Be Fake in a Swimsuit

 

On a sandbar in The Bahamas

While attending an HOA Board meeting the other day, a friendly neighbor greeted me with, "We finally see each other in clothes."  I responded with a smile, "Shhh. . . don't tell." The exchange was humorous and telling about when we see each other which is at the pool.  And, it got me thinking about relationships from and formed at pools, lakes, beaches; any location while wearing a swimsuit. 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Wave Pool

I have lived a significant part of my life in a swimsuit. Lake Wapello visits as a young child, YWCA and YMCA swim lessons, summers hanging out at the municipal swimming pool, high school Shark Club (synchronized swimming), college pool and lake days, and summer camp counselor supervisor assigned to the pool. My first apartment had a community pool and when I moved from there, I spent summer days at the local pool.  Our son grew up going to pools, beaches, and waterparks both locally and as a traveler. When the pandemic hit, an inflatable pool in the backyard was my go-to and now we have a beautiful community pool that is "ours" and often, mine, as the only visitor.  And, ocean beaches a short drive away.  

Tubing the Martha Brae River in Jamaica 

I was told once that I look confident in a bathing suit.  Agree.  I have a relationship with myself that allows me to be confident in a swimsuit. I have witnessed others sit on the sidelines viewing the watery fun from a distance for varying reasons: fear of water, uncomfortable in a swimsuit, etc. And while I have been many shapes and sizes over the last half-century and more, there has not been hesitation to put on a swimsuit and enjoy.  I want others to feel the same!

AquaDuck, Disney Fantasy

It has been fun to meet other residents in our community pool.  We obviously have something in common--the enjoyment of our pool--and upon conversation, we typically find more in common.  With a single layer of clothing, typically no make-up, little or no jewelry, and usually a head covering, it is difficult to put on airs or be less than authentic when meeting new people at the pool.  It's hard to be fake in a swimsuit. . . and easy to get to know the real person. 

A lazy river at a Disney waterpark 

Williams Family: We Love Where We Live

 

Do most people choose where they live?  Do most people love where they live?  Our answer is "Yes!" to both!

We purchased our ground floor 3-bedroom/2-bath 1,442 square feet condo in August 2021 as an investment property, knowing that we would eventually want to live here full time.  The condo was inhabited by tenants in the midst of a year-long lease.  With the purchase came a relationship with a management company, which was peace of mind since we lived quite a distance away and had no experience with rental units, leases, etc.  Our decisions were based on need/wants in the future and location.  We chose were we wanted to live!

And, we love where we live, not just for the location and amenities, but for the people.  

In the last week, we have played dominoes with a group of friends and traveled to the beach with a friend.  Yesterday, we were on our way to the car and I forgot my phone.  The husband returned to retrieve the phone and found me hugging with a neighbor in the street.  Jodi, an active grandmother from Michigan and retired physical therapist caught up on her way to walk the lake. Our conversation ended with an embrace.  

At the pool yesterday, great conversations and connections with friends and neighbors.  Fran came to the pool to get a break from packing for her upcoming Alaskan cruise.  Linda, who likes to the pool to be a bit warmer, got in the pool for the first time of the season and had been painting furniture and redecorating her lanai. She was off to EPCOT for dinner. Joanne did her walking/breaststroke laps without a smear in her lipstick.  Jack came to the pool as I was drying off and asked if I was there by myself and I told him Todd had left a few minutes ago.  Jack shared his productive day and I cheered his ending the week with triumph.  Dave and Mary Ann enjoyed the pool and were off to Disney Springs to take in music or a movie. 

Last night, the husband returned from a late night walk with Sadie and said, "I love where we live."  I asked him what made him say that.  His reply was about feeling safe.  Our community does have 24 hour on-site security, but is not "gated" per say.  There are 5 entrances/exits into the community and one is controlled with a gate that requires a car sticker/sensor.  This is more about controlling through traffic.  Security responds to any concerns and monitors parking, clubhouse, pool, etc.  They notice unusual happenings and know many residents and families by name.  Vice Versa is true, too!  Vivian, who was on duty yesterday, was looking forward to bowling after her shift. 

Lakeside at Lakes of Windermere

Our community is occupied by 60% owners of units and 40% tenants.  Some owners live in Lakeside full time and some have other homes--in Norway, Houston, Indiana, New York, Chicago, St. Louis to name a few.  All tenants have to apply and be approved by the HOA Board with leases renewed and reviewed annually.  If a tenant has violations for noise, parking, disturbances, etc., the HOA Board will not renew the lease and the owner will have to find new tenants. 

It has been 13 months since we moved and we love where we live!