バケーションホーム/プール付き/運河前/アンナマリア島の湾岸ビーチまで3ブロック

Jim is a Florida native who vacationed on Anna Maria Island as a child. His grandparents built a cottage here in 1941, having originally come over to the island in the early 1920's by steam ship! Margaret and Jim met in the 3rd grade, married after college and have 3 grown children--Graham, Ian and Meg--and 5 grandchildren. All of us love this island. Our main residence is in West Chester, PA, in an 1876 Victorian town house. Jim is a mechanical engineer who taught at a community college, and Margaret worked as a school psychologist in an independent school. We have hosted many international students in our home and been involved in exchange programs around the world and especially in Japan and the UK. We are retired and are enjoying time with family and lots of travel. On our last trip abroad, we visited Germany, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

We bought this property in 1981 because of Jim's family connection here and because it is simply the most beautiful beach spot in the world. We knew we wanted to spend time here in retirement and felt we needed to buy early. In December 2011 we completed a renovation of the property, adding a large salt water pool, a screened porch and extra half bath near the pool--and created a totally new 'old' look with a peaked metal roof and 1930s look furnishings. We also added lots of insulation for summer and winter comfort and Florida native landscaping with palms and wild flowers. The location is ideal --a couple blocks from beach and bay, on a wide canal which is like a lake. Iris Street is a cul de sac --so not much traffic and wonderful neighbors.

We chose this property for location, location and location. The proximity to the gulf beach, the canal with dock and jumping fish, the lack of traffic--and all on the quiet north end of the island and yet close to unique shops and good restaurants--especially the Sand Bar where you can eat--on the beach. (See one of our photos.)