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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Best Reasons to Retire to Tampa, Florida

By Jony Mozen


Bayshore Boulevard is a waterfront road on Hillsborough Bay in South Tampa. Located south of downtown Tampa, its sidewalk, claimed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world at 4.5 miles long, is 10 feet wide and is mainly used for recreation and exercise. The 3-mile bike lane, a linear park, and the Bayshore Greenway Trail provide scenic views of urban Tampa and the water. One side of the drive is lined with stately historic homes and modern towering condominiums while the other offers a fabulous view of Tampa Bay. On any given day you might see joggers, skaters and bikers out on their daily quest for exercise while others come just to soak up the sunshine and the view.

Well, you might want to look into these in your spare time. Not all of these are in your backyard, but driving is comfortable and parking is plentiful. Besides if you're looking for fun adventures you have to seek them out. Since shopping is a full time occupation in Florida you'll find many garage and yard sales every weekend and loads of fleas markets, but many big game hunters and gatherers love to stalk the malls. You might want to try these. Westfield Citrus Park at Citrus Park Town Center in Tampa features anchor stores Dillard's, JCPenny, Macy's and Sears. There are several clothing stores, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, as well as stores specializing in home furnishings and design, jewelry, shoes, toys, sporting goods and more. In addition to the food court, restaurants include Johnny Rockets and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. WestShore Plaza in Tampa includes Sears, JCPennys, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue and is home to several high-end retail chains including Ann Taylor and Lindt & Sprngli. Aside from the many eateries located in the mall's food court, WestShore boasts upscale restaurants including Mitchell's Fish Market and Palm Restaurant. Largo Mall in Largo boasts anchor stores Target, PetSmart, Staples and Michaels in an open-air setting. Clothing stores include Bealls and Marshalls. For the hungry shopper, Largo Mall boasts an outstanding selection of eateries, including Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Sweet Tomatoes.

Westfield Sarasota Square in Sarasota is home to more than 140 unique stores, eateries and businesses. Anchor stores include Dillard's, JCPenny, Macy's and Sears. The mall features a wide selection of fashions for men and women, including stores such as Jos. A. Bank, Wall Street For Men, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Anchor Blue, Buckle, Gap, Hollister Co., Hot Topic, Lids, Pacific Sunwear, Steve & Barry's and Victoria's Secret. In addition to the food court, Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar and Ruby Tuesday can be found at the mall. Westfield Countryside Mall in Clearwater is home to several department stores such as Sears, Dillard's, JCPenny and Macy's. Also found in the mall are Bond Jewelers, Country Cabin, FYE, Gap, Gordon Jewelers, Spencer Gifts, Things Remembered, Yankee Candle and many others. In addition to the food court, shoppers can enjoy a snack or a meal at Ruby Tuesday Restaurant, Schnickel Fritz or TooJay's Gourmet Deli.

Gonzalez & Martinez Corona Cigar Factory. Specializing in fine, hand rolled, and premium handmade cigars, this cigar shop is rated one of the ten best cigar shops in the world and their Cigar Factory is open Monday through Saturday where visitors can see first hand the tradition of cigar rolling.

BayWalk in downtown St. Petersburg is home to a variety of trendy shops and pleasing restaurants including Ann Taylor, Shapiro's Gallery, Being, Hurricane Pass Outfitters, Johnny Rockets, TooJay's and Gratzzi's Ristorante anchored by the 20-screen Muvico movie theater complex. John's Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach is a turn-of-the-century fishing village turned shopping district that boasts more than 100 merchants. The village has a variety of restaurants and unique retail stores as well as boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing. St. Armands Circle on St. Armands Key is an island shopping center with more than 130 businesses with a European flavor and features palm lined medians, a park-like setting, tropical plantings and Italian statuary. Shops include Chico's, Foxy Lady West, Krystal Korner, Wyland Galleries, Cafe L'Europe, Columbia Restaurant, Crab and Fin, Hemingway's Restaurant and Bar and Lynches Pub and Grub. University Mall is Tampa's largest family shopping destination with five major department stores, 150 specialty stores, a food court, and 16-screen theatre complex. St. Petersburg Pier is a fun experience with several casual clothing shops, specialty shops and several casual dining options.

Speed Boat Adventures. Take the wheel and become the captain of your very own speedboat with this one of a kind adventure tour. You are able to navigate and captain your own speed boat for the entirety of the tour while following our trained and knowledgeable captains to experience the best of both worlds - the THRILL of driving your own speedboat, and the safety of having a skilled guide introduce you to the beauty of Tampa Bay. The witty yet historical narration is done through radio communication systems mounted in each boat. This 2-hour event will take you by beautiful National Wildlife Refuges and pass by the historic Fort De Soto Park. You may see pods of bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and numerous varieties of local birds. Visit Tampa now and discover how historic Old Florida blends well with the modern, upscale style of some of the most beautiful, master-planned communities for families and retirees. Climate, dining and shopping, cultural attractions, educational and business opportunities, and beautiful beaches help make Tampa home to a wonderful lifestyle. It should be your home, too.




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