Staying Happy, Healthy, and Home on Longboat Key
With the pandemic and the restrictions associated with it in flux, and as public places slowly reopen, I wanted to reflect on the benefits of staying home. As a resident of Bay Isles on Longboat Key - the island - we have always been a bit more isolated and the social restrictions seem to have made less of an impact in our lives. We are fortunate to enjoy the climate and beauty of living at water's edge on the suncoast.
As I walk the beach in the mornings I notice that people are playing golf and getting out to walk, run, and bike like I have never seen before. It appears that for many, staying home also means staying healthy. On Longboat Key there are no major congregation areas like a "downtown" or large shopping centers to miss, and that is by design. At the same time the planned communities offer the best of beach-side living and world-class golf courses, tennis, spas, boating and dining, and indeed, the social interaction associated with these offerings has been missed. The good news - Zoom. This online video sharing program has opened up a world of isolation activities like the fitness classes offered to members of the Longboat Key Club. Though social gatherings have been disrupted, many seasonal residents extended their stays this year, not anxious to get on a plane or go back to more congested populations. I can't imagine a better place stay during these times than right here along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
Many of our neighbors miss dining out. Fortunately, local restaurants are adapting to the major changes of late, so whether looking for pick-up, delivery, or dining, it is best to reach out and see what's "on the menu." Below is contact information for Longboat Key restaurants so you can check with them before making plans.
Chart House (201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-5593)
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (412 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-0102)
Euphemia Haye (5540 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-3633)
Harry's Restaurant (525 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-0777)
La Norma Italian Restaurant (5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive #104, Longboat Key, 941-383-6262)
Lazy Lobster (5350 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-0440)
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant (760 Broadway St., Longboat Key, 941-383-2391)
Maison Blanche (2605 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, 941-383-8088) Shore (800 Broadway St., Longboat Key, 941-259-4600)
Solorzanos (5610 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Unit 4, Longboat Key, 941-484-4599)
Hopefully, we will get back to handshakes and hugs sooner than later but for now, I am grateful to call Longboat Key home. For my real estate customers, I have been providing excellent remote service for years and know that keeping a home-buying or selling experience low-stress is key. Stay safe and stay healthy at home!