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Ready For a Move? 3 Ways to Connect with the Locals

December 5, 2013 by Sonia Marsh 8 Comments

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Blue Heaven Restaurant in Key West, Florida

If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a vacation in a sunny part of the world, and while sipping a cocktail said, “Duke (insert your loved one’s name) how would you like to live (insert location)?”

Duke and Sonia enjoying a tropical drink in Florida
Duke and Sonia enjoying a tropical drink in Florida

Now granted, these locations change as you mature, and while Cancun may be the place for you when you’re twenty-three,  Naples, Florida, may be the place for you when you’re a boomer trying to escape from Freeways to Flip-Flops.

So if you’re serious about the move, you’ll probably visit a few times, just to make sure you weren’t under the influence of too many tropical cocktails.

At home, you’ll spend hours on the internet looking at realtor.com, and zillow.com,  and then, if you’re like Duke and me:

You’ll hop on a plane to see the short sale that just came on the market.

Why? Because:

  • It’s such a good deal.
  • You will never be able to afford a house on the water canal again.
  • California is just too expensive to own a house on the water.
  • There’s a Home Depot in Naples, (unlike Belize) so you have plywood if a hurricane hits us.
  • You can always rent it out until you move.

If you’re responsible, which boomers are tend to be, you’ve researched other aspects like:

  • Finances
  • How your lifestyle will change
  • Traffic during rush hour
  • Jobs (do they even hire boomers?)
  • Gas prices (cheaper than California)
  • Food prices (supermarkets are the same but restaurants are much cheaper and their fish is so fresh compared to ours in California.)

There’s one important thing missing; something that will give you peace of mind before your final decision to move.

“How can I interview meet locals with similar interests to mine for coffee/lunch/dinner so I can dig down and get the scoop on what it’s really like to live here?”

So here’s what we did to connect with people prior to our 3rd vacation in Naples.

  1. Find MeetUp groups related to your interests prior to visiting, or create your own MeetUp and ask people to join.
  2. Find specific people online with similar interests and e-mail them before you visit. Arrange to meet them for coffee or lunch.
  3. Connect with someone you already know who lives there, or ask your friends if they know someone in that location you can e-mail ahead of time to ask questions.

We looked for Meetups online. You can search for Meetups in different cities in the U.S. You can even create your own. Since Duke is interested in indie films and people with similar interests, he organized a MeetUp at The Pub, in Mercato, Naples, where we had a wonderful evening chatting with other writers, TV and video production people.

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MeetUp Group in Naples, FL.

I looked online for local authors and writing groups, such as The Gulf Coast Writers’ Association, and other MeetUp writers’ groups, and  I found Christine Otis, a local author, and e-mailed her. She had moved from PA, less than a year ago and said she loves Naples. This was so encouraging for me to meet her and learn about all the writing groups in the area. We met for lunch, and she was so helpful and encouraging.

Christine Otis, author, and me at the Mercato for lunch.
Christine Otis, author, and me at the Mercato for lunch.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Ed Robinson and his wife Kim, on their boat “Leap of Faith.” We met online and he submitted a “My Gutsy Story.” Ed and Kim, also made us feel comfortable about living in Florida.

 

Ed and Kim Robinson with Duke and me.
Ed and Kim Robinson with Duke and me.

And finally, we had the privilege of meeting science-fiction, romance writer, Linnea Sinclair, and her husband for dinner one evening in Naples. Duke connected with Linnea a couple of years ago, when he made “The Down Home Alien Blues”(watch trailer) movie, based on one of her novels.

Linnea Sinclair
Linnea Sinclair

As I strolled on the beach in Naples early one morning, I noticed a woman wearing a San Diego sweatshirt. I asked her, “Are you from San Diego?” She said, “No, but we used to live in Huntington Beach, CA.” After chatting for ten-minutes, she said exactly what I was hoping to hear, “The quality of life is so much better here.”

So when are we moving?

Here are 4 short videos I took in Florida:

1). Bonita Springs Beach, FL November-2013

2). Downtown Key West, FL November -2013

3). Butterfly Conservatory, Key West, FL November -2013

4). Blue Heaven Restaurant, Key West, November-2013

 

It’s time to vote for your favorite one of four November “My Gutsy Story®” submissions on the sidebar.
Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” which may be included in our 2nd ANTHOLOGY.

Please view our 1st Published Anthology here.

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You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

 

Filed Under: People, Travel & Adventure

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    December 5, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Seems we are both in the same mode…planning to move. It’s certainly not new for me, but always stressful. We need to sell 2 homes before we can buy in Cape May, but I’m fairly confident it will all happen by spring. *fingers crossed*

    Hope your move east goes smoothly! And, I’m hoping we can get together when we’re on the same coast!!
    All the best,
    b
    Barbara recently posted..Seat of the Pants Cooking…that’s my style!My Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 5, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      Barbara,

      I don’t know when the move will happen. I would love to meet you and Cape May sounds lovely. All the best.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Ready For a Move? 3 Ways to Connect with the LocalsMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Bob Lowry says

    December 5, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    Your first photo grabbed me. Eating at the Blue Heaven in Key West with the roosters running around underneath your table is a unique experience. After hearing the Jimmy Buffett song all about this place we just had to try it our last time in the Keys.

    I had never really checked out the MeetUp site before. There are dozens and dozens of groups in our area for every type of interest and activity. That is a great resource for meeting new people. I am going to spend some serious time there. Thanks, Sonia!
    Bob Lowry recently posted..Healthcare.gov: Betty’s ExperienceMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Yes, MeetUps are a great way to meet others with the same interest.
      Let me know what happens, Bob.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Ready For a Move? 3 Ways to Connect with the LocalsMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Miss Footloose | Life in the Expat Lane says

    December 7, 2013 at 1:56 am

    Hi Sonia! Good post and suggestions. We are now in France and looking for a house and have been trying to connect with people here. We’ve not found it hard at all, but you do have to go out there and make it happen yourself!

    So, when are you moving to Florida?
    Miss Footloose | Life in the Expat Lane recently posted..Life Abroad: Little Kids, Big WorldMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 7, 2013 at 9:25 am

      Miss Footloose,

      Will you be living in France full-time?
      I wonder if they have meetups in France. Somehow I don’t think they do, but I could be wrong.
      As far as FL. it’s all about the “right” timing. I hope we shall know when that moment has arrived.
      Excited for you about France. I shall be in Spain and Paris in May. Would love to connect.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..Ready For a Move? 3 Ways to Connect with the LocalsMy Profile

      Reply
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