We did look at several condos in this exact complex with Debra, but, we did not see the one we wanted to call home. All the units are mostly the same 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath layout, however this particular one had been purchased and refurbished. Professionally painted, new hardwood flooring, new appliances and refaced cabinets throughout. The  on-line photos looked very promising, but, you know, I really did not even feel like going to look at it. I was sick of looking at condos that we really didn’t even plan to buy in the immediate future and really just wanted to find an internet coffee shop and kill time until we had to head to the airport. Tod was insistent and unhappily I conceded, but, only because (believe it or not) the only Starbucks we found was inside a Target store and did not open until 10:00 am. Who in the bloody hell EVER heard of a Starbucks (or any coffee shop for that matter) not opening until 10:00 am? That is just a ludicrously tasteless joke I tell you!

So that morning instead of a coffee shop we ended up back at Charlotte Harbor looking at a condo on Melbourne Street.

As it turned out, I was very happy that Starbucks was closed that Valentine’s Day and also that Tod insisted on going to see yet one more dang condo before we left Florida.

We ended up spending the drive to the airport and the flight home discussing the last two condos we had toured. Believe it or not we were deep in thought and seriously contemplating the purchase of a retirement home in Florida. It was crazy to both of us because at the beginning of this trip we were really planning just to check out Punta Gorda and see if this was even an area we would like to someday retire in. Now here we were seriously considering purchasing a home. Of the last two places we toured, each had great although different things to offer.

Burnt Store Marina had the boat slips almost right outside your door. I had lived in a marina before and it is a fun and relaxing lifestyle. Burnt Store also had a golf course, the whole boating community atmosphere and some fun little stores and restaurants. The idea of having a boat-slip practically right outside your door almost made this a done deal, but, then we had to come to reality with the smaller, older condo. Even if we gutted the entire inside, it would not change the low ceilings and the limited living and closet space. Also, Burnt Store was at the top of our budget, therefore left little room for the much desired remodeling project. One other thing about Burnt Store was the location being over 12 miles away from all the cool downtown attractions. 12-miles doesn’t sound like much to most people, but, it was 12 miles on an old 2-lane country road and really, we both wanted to be able to walk and / or bike to shops, restaurants, music in the park, the used book store and just the entertainment district in general.

Charlotte Harbor had the location location location! And, it was even bigger than we needed with 3 bedrooms,  2 ½ baths. Add in that it had a great little gym, an awesome pool area and the best part is that it had been completely remodeled and other than a few kitchen supplies, was move in ready. We both really liked the idea of walking 1 1/2 miles across the Peace River bridge for lunch or dinner, the farmers market, live music the city marina, or even just to get an ice cream cone. Did I mention that this place was under budget?

Yes, we had much to think about after this Valentine’s Day excursion.