Do local families tire of the beach? (Tampa, Clearwater: 2014, live in)

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

There are still other beaches which this has not happened. Almost non, if not non, are like Clearwater Beach.

Sand Key was wide open when we went there, yet Clearwater was jam packed. Go figure them being so close.

There is also Sunset Beach, which is beautiful and devoid of any commercialization at all.

And there are more options available.

Sunset Beach was my hang out back in the day. There used to be several small dive bars right on the beach that I spent way too much time in. They're all gone except for Ka'Tiki, which is still a great place. But your right-I should get back and enjoy Sunset again before it gets all touristy.

[bobisinthehouse]

I think most people just get lazy and stay home after a few years of living in Tampa Bay area. The beaches are full of younger people and those with children. We are surrounded by water. Most people who drive into Tampa and back to Pinellas County see it everyday and it's enough.

There is so much to do in Tampa Bay, besides the beaches. Movies, Concerts, Fresh Markets every weekend, Fishing, Casinos, 1000's of great Restaurants, Malls, Golf, 3 Major Sports teams, A Zoo, Ybor City Night Clubs. Water Parks for the kids and if you get really bored, there is Orlando just 1 1/2 hours east. I heard they have some place called Disney World, I wonder what that's all about

Basically Tampa Bay has it all for life style.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

Sunset Beach was my hang out back in the day. There used to be several small dive bars right on the beach that I spent way too much time in. They're all gone except for Ka'Tiki, which is still a great place. But your right-I should get back and enjoy Sunset again before it gets all touristy.

If I remember correctly, which is always a coin toss for me now, I don't think there is anything there now except palm trees and nice sand. However, it is not groomed clean like Clearwater Beach is, so you may have to step over some seaweed if you plan on going in.

We are (were) more of a walk on the beach and enjoy everything type of beach people. Not hang out on the sand and then swim people.

[Irishiis49]

My fair skin and bout with skin cancer tempered my love of the beach to some degree...but I love a water view...

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

If I remember correctly, which is always a coin toss for me now, I don't think there is anything there now except palm trees and nice sand. However, it is not groomed clean like Clearwater Beach is, so you may have to step over some seaweed if you plan on going in.

We are (were) more of a walk on the beach and enjoy everything type of beach people. Not hang out on the sand and then swim people.

I go to Sunset once in a while-just not very often. The best thing about Sunset is that it's nothing like Clearwater Beach.

[JasonAnc]

I loved the beach, until my got skin cancer.

I kinda don't go back so much ever since, and neither do my kids.

[stpeteguy]

Originally Posted by jrh22

Instead of asking the same questions about possibly relocating, I'm more curious about families that live in Tampa and the surrounding areas that may have relocated there.

Specifically, everyone thinks they love the beach because they vacation there. So how quickly after moving there do you no longer get excited about it? Or do you still go? Does the luster of vacationing to Florida quickly wear off once you live in a sub-tropical location, where you can access that stuff any day?

And how many of these relocators, so to speak, actually regret their decision after a humid summer or two, lots of bugs, little change of seasons?

Vacations are very different from moving, and this is what has me in binds as we think about our options.

Thanks for your honest thoughts.

Great question!

In the 10 or so years I've lived here, the best way to describe it, is that it varies from year to year.

The first couple of years, we went all the time, then we got bored with it and probably went 3 years or so without going at all. Then we slowly learned that in order to really enjoy the beach, you need the proper gear, (Chairs, umbrellas, music, beer, etc.)

After learning how to properly enjoy the beach, now we go quite often during the late spring and early summer. Once August hits, I rarely go anymore that year. By that point, the heat is miserable and the water is about as warm as bathwater, so it's not very refreshing.

So my advice to anyone moving here is to get all the creature comforts that make the beach fun and go during the late spring and early summer.

[JasonAnc]

Originally Posted by JasonAnc

I loved the beach, until my got skin cancer.

I kinda don't go back so much ever since, and neither do my kids.

My mother. She's the one who got skin cancer.

Weird typo. lol

[AES328]

Everything in moderation. Words to live by.

That is also one of the numerous reasons why I don't live near the beach.

[Roscoe Conkling]

Not as often as when I first moved to the area but normally once every couple of weeks me and the wife spend a day at St Pete Beach.
Generally stroll down to Passe-a-Grille for a light lunch then mosey on back calling in at a few beach bars then hit happy hour and smoke a nice stogie then catch the trolley home.
www.normansliquors.com has a fabulous walk-in humidor.
It's a fantastic day out which reminds us of why we moved to St Pete in the first place plus I get to look at some babes in bikinis which Mrs Roscoe Conkling understands is my little treat.
Factor 50 sunscreen and regular hydration are the key plus we take it in turns for one of us not to get too sauced !