Florida's Anna Maria Island is the Place to Visit!
The author and his wife used to go to various beaches with friends to stay for extended weekends. Once they discovered the unspoiled, tropical paradise of Anna Maria Island, near their home in Tampa, their fascination of this beautiful place grew and grew.
Anna Maria Island many years ago was only reached by boat from rather close places like St. Petersburg, Florida. Then, once the island was accessible by bridges, more and more people had the great opportunity of driving to the island, exploring this wonderful place, and enjoying its gorgeous beaches.
The island of three villages is so different from other places in the United States. It is one of the very few places that have such beautiful beaches and no, or few, "high rise" places to spoil it all.
Thanks to community leaders overseeing the island's welfare, very high buildings and big-time investors from far off lands are not allowed to come and spoil the wonderful, natural landscape that this area has been known for having for many decades. It looks relatively the same as fifty or more years ago.
When the author and his wife discovered the island they learned as much as they could about those three villages that make up the island: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach.
Once they had stayed on the island by renting condos, they decided to look around and see if they could possibly find a single family home to buy as a second home for their children and other family members and friends, and themselves, to enjoy and experience the beauty and health benefits of being in the wonderful sunshine and nature of this special place.
They found a husband and wife realty team in nearby Sarasota, and had ten scheduled visits of viewing homes for sale, and within a few days before seeing them, two had sold already.
Once they found the one they eventually bought on 81st Street in Holmes Beach, they settled in to wondering if they should or shouldn't buy and finally took the plunge. It was a decision they haven't regretted since so many wonderful times have been spent there.
Being so close to Bradenton, Long Boat Key, and Sarasota, Florida, all within short drives, has also been very good since, once you are on the island, it's just a short drive to go to any of those places.
Many wonderful times have been spent swimming, crabbing, fishing, bicycling, and walking all around the island. Seven miles of beaches attest to the advantages of visiting and living on the island.
Hard economic times have hit the residents and people having second homes on the island. Many homes, town homes, and condominiums, are having to be sold and are in foreclosure, just like in thousands of places in the United States and around the globe.
Let's hope and pray that times will change so that people will be able to keep their places of shelter where they have lived and dreamed of experiencing paradise here on earth.
Spending time on Anna Maria Island and experiencing its breathtaking beauty is like living in a dream state. Once you visit, even for a short time, you return to your other endeavors, renewed and healthier.
The author and his family like to think that their problems were left on the Sunshine Skyway, while traveling to Anna Maria Island on that particular scenic route, and once on the island, even for just a few days, upon going back, you know those things that bothered you have decreased and you feel much better!
It is hoped that you will experience the joy of visiting such a peaceful, tranquil place. You will experience life at its best!
Anna Maria Island many years ago was only reached by boat from rather close places like St. Petersburg, Florida. Then, once the island was accessible by bridges, more and more people had the great opportunity of driving to the island, exploring this wonderful place, and enjoying its gorgeous beaches.
The island of three villages is so different from other places in the United States. It is one of the very few places that have such beautiful beaches and no, or few, "high rise" places to spoil it all.
Thanks to community leaders overseeing the island's welfare, very high buildings and big-time investors from far off lands are not allowed to come and spoil the wonderful, natural landscape that this area has been known for having for many decades. It looks relatively the same as fifty or more years ago.
When the author and his wife discovered the island they learned as much as they could about those three villages that make up the island: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach.
Once they had stayed on the island by renting condos, they decided to look around and see if they could possibly find a single family home to buy as a second home for their children and other family members and friends, and themselves, to enjoy and experience the beauty and health benefits of being in the wonderful sunshine and nature of this special place.
They found a husband and wife realty team in nearby Sarasota, and had ten scheduled visits of viewing homes for sale, and within a few days before seeing them, two had sold already.
Once they found the one they eventually bought on 81st Street in Holmes Beach, they settled in to wondering if they should or shouldn't buy and finally took the plunge. It was a decision they haven't regretted since so many wonderful times have been spent there.
Being so close to Bradenton, Long Boat Key, and Sarasota, Florida, all within short drives, has also been very good since, once you are on the island, it's just a short drive to go to any of those places.
Many wonderful times have been spent swimming, crabbing, fishing, bicycling, and walking all around the island. Seven miles of beaches attest to the advantages of visiting and living on the island.
Hard economic times have hit the residents and people having second homes on the island. Many homes, town homes, and condominiums, are having to be sold and are in foreclosure, just like in thousands of places in the United States and around the globe.
Let's hope and pray that times will change so that people will be able to keep their places of shelter where they have lived and dreamed of experiencing paradise here on earth.
Spending time on Anna Maria Island and experiencing its breathtaking beauty is like living in a dream state. Once you visit, even for a short time, you return to your other endeavors, renewed and healthier.
The author and his family like to think that their problems were left on the Sunshine Skyway, while traveling to Anna Maria Island on that particular scenic route, and once on the island, even for just a few days, upon going back, you know those things that bothered you have decreased and you feel much better!
It is hoped that you will experience the joy of visiting such a peaceful, tranquil place. You will experience life at its best!
