english mum and little girl need some help

[val]

hello to everyone, i have been totally enthralled with this site! spent the last couple of hours on here instead of ironing! I hope that someone may be able to help me. I am desperately trying to find a beach front long term rental. while i would adore to have one of the fabulous luxury homes that are provided they are proving to be outside our budget. so i think i might have to settle for a shack?....i am looking for a rental for the whole of august 1-31 or around those dates. there is only two of us, myself and my little girl (7). we are both house trained, i am not a wild and mad young mum, more of the sedate and older (did i really say that)?
i really want to give lucy a taste of bare foot and t shirt life. she deserves so much after having a difficult year with hospital visits etc.

anyway budget is limited, i really do not need luxury, we just would like a small place on the beach, with a bed and somewhere to cook and chill out.

Please can someone help or at least advise me on this, i am getting a bit overwhelmed by it all. i look forward to your replies.

valerie

[Hop]

i am not a wild and mad mum, more of the sedate.

valerie

this is the only thing that must change for you to join us...good luck!

[val]

thank you for the welcome. i am sure i can revert to type if i try hard enough or without trying at all?...
if someone can help get me on the beach for summer i would revert to anything that was required!!!

jeez would love a month of 'not being sensible'.....

[seaside2]

Just know that it is hotter than hail in SoWal in August. Big time sunscreen is a must for skin not used to it (and even those that are. Skin cancer and all that).

Look at the sponsor's web sites, go to VRBO, stuff like that. There are some not horribly expensive places that you and the kiddo can rent. August sees some rate reductions now that schools are starting so early.

IMNSHO, you gotta be at a gulf front place. W/O the water view, the trip is not nearly so good, plus there is a great temperature benefit from being close to the water.

My advice ( and you didn't ask for it): Spend you money on a good rental and eat cheap.

And BTW, we drive on the correct side of the street here in the colonies, so be careful.

[Cheering472]

Valerie! Hope you find the perfect place!

[LeannC]

Val,

You never said what your budget is for the rental. With the strength of the Pound against the Dollar (it's 2 to 1 right now), I would have thought that many of the rentals would seem pretty inexpensive.

Hidden Beach Villas which are just across the street from the beach are pretty inexpensive. Looks like you can rent an efficiency in August for around $2,000 (which would be 1000 pounds). Google "Hidden Beach Villas". Or perhaps take a look at the The Palms at Seagrove (on the gulf side of the road). The cheaper units will be in buildings B and D.

[Miss Critter]

I seem to remember a non-profit with offering a free stay in a house on 30A for kids & families with serious medical issues. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

[SWGB]

I seem to remember a non-profit with offering a free stay in a house on 30A for kids & families with serious medical issues. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

I believe you are talking about the lighthouse program, but the OP didn't mention health issues. They are probably just looking for a reasonable month long holiday. I love some of the English words.

[SHELLY]

hello to everyone, i have been totally enthralled with this site! spent the last couple of hours on here instead of ironing! I hope that someone may be able to help me. I am desperately trying to find a beach front long term rental. while i would adore to have one of the fabulous luxury homes that are provided they are proving to be outside our budget. so i think i might have to settle for a shack?....i am looking for a rental for the whole of august 1-31 or around those dates. there is only two of us, myself and my little girl (7). we are both house trained, i am not a wild and mad young mum, more of the sedate and older (did i really say that)?
i really want to give lucy a taste of bare foot and t shirt life. she deserves so much after having a difficult year with hospital visits etc.

anyway budget is limited, i really do not need luxury, we just would like a small place on the beach, with a bed and somewhere to cook and chill out.

Please can someone help or at least advise me on this, i am getting a bit overwhelmed by it all. i look forward to your replies.

valerie

Have you ever been to the US before?

Have you ever been to Florida (and if so, the Panhandle) before?

If you have not visited the Panhandle, how did you choose it as your destination?

How are you planning on getting around over here....friends? rental car?

Most important...what is your housing budget for the month?

.

[Miss Critter]

i really want to give lucy a taste of bare foot and t shirt life. she deserves so much after having a difficult year with hospital visits etc.

That's what prompted my response SWGB.

[val]

hi
ooops,seems to have caused a bit of contraversy, sorry. Lucy has cp and hp. mild so she can get around. believe me she makes up for tit in many other ways....a very bright spark!!.. she spent a lot of time in and out of hospital last year, more than usual!!

i wouldn't dream of expecting anywhere for nothing, just need somewhere to stay that is within budget. i would be looking at about 220 (£) a wk, so this would translate to about 400 us? for us in the uk this would not be unreasonable but it seems you all holiday very well!! i adore the idea of a month of luxury....but i don't think we can stretch to it. i will be hiring a car (probably for 2 or 3 wks) and i also want to travel around a bit, this may staying the odd night in other places. If i get the chance i want to research some bits and pieces relating to hemi plegia as splinting etc is very different to the uk.

I was travelling around a few years ago and met an american family who when they holidayed within the states went to the sowal beaches. i made a note in my diary from then (working on the fact if they holidayed there it must be good) but didin't note any further details!! hence i am depending on strangers for recommendations.

The time i have is flexible, really the whole of the uk school holidays, which is 22 July to the 4 sept. i wanted the four weeks as the last time i was in the states we had 16 days and it just wasn't enough, normally you get to the point on a holiday where you know it is time to go home.....i found i didn't do that i wanted to stay longer. so hence the month.

i hope that i am not using phrases to different to yours, our biggest discrepancy must be of the phrase 'fanny pack' this caused much hilarity in the family, i am sure some we use have done the same for you.....oh and 'pants'?

hope this clarifies the situation, please feel free to email if i have messed up anywhere, then i can answer queries

regards val

[elgordoboy]

Hehe I assume you mean the "pants" that we use to cover our fannies? Which do Y'ALL (another good one) prefer over there? knickers, trousers, slacks, britches, breeches, dungarees, pantaloons, jeans or something else entirely?

[LeannC]

Val,

Take a look at this rental I just found on VRBO.com. The Emerald Hill complex is on the gulf side/south side of Hwy 30A in Seagrove Beach. You'd be just a few steps from the beach and there's a nice pool in the complex. The rate calendar seems to have a typo. It looks like it should rent for $510 per week starting Aug. 5th (255 Pounds/week).
http://www.vrbo.com/43367

By the way, it looks like there's a 15% discount on the unit above, but you would have to contact the owner (or perhaps let Garrett, the rental agency, know you found it on VRBO first) The discount would take the weekly rate down to 217 Pounds/week.

Actually, it looks like there are several Emerald Hill units on VRBO.com. This one is cute and has a photo of the pool.
http://www.vrbo.com/96261

Here are all of the VRBO's for Seagrove.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...seagrove-beach

Good luck!

[SWGB]

That's what prompted my response SWGB.

Skimming

My apologies to you and the OP.

[Goddessgal]

Val,

Welcome, and hope you find just the perfect place for the summer! Although I'm in Texas currently, I'm originally from the area and come back whenever I can. My family, and husband and I have had good luck with VRBO. We got married in Sowal in 2005, a few days after the hurricane hit, and even then with all the chaos all of my husbands' European guests commented on the hospitality there.

Another option is the cabins at Grayton Beach State Park. They are simple but well situated and have screened-in back porches. They are actually duplexes, but due to all of the vegetation they have a very private feel. We have stayed in many places but love these. The ranger and his wife are lovely people. And you can't ask for a better location. You can cycle to local stores and restaurants. They may be booked, but you might want to check it out, even if it is just for a portion of your trip.

Cheers!

[Miss Critter]

Thanks, SWGB. Your apology is most certainly accepted.

I just wish I could help her out.

[Rita]

.. Gulf Place Caribbean condos, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach towards the west end of 30-A, are directly across the street (30-A) and many have good to excellent views of the gulf. There should be some on VRBO that would rent for the period of time you need.

It is a 4-story complex with small lake in front, business area mixed in with the condos, amphitheatre (lawn) entertainment scheduled throughout the summer. Amore's Pizza, Miss Lucille's Gossip Parlor, Smilin' Fish Cafe, shops, artist kiosks. It's a nice area about 6 miles from Seaside? Quieter than the Seaside area but will be busy in summer. Easy access to beach walkover across the street.

.

[SWGB]

.. Gulf Place Caribbean condos, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach towards the west end of 30-A, are directly across the street (30-A) and many have good to excellent views of the gulf. There should be some on VRBO that would rent for the period of time you need.

It is a 4-story complex with small lake in front, business area mixed in with the condos, amphitheatre (lawn) entertainment scheduled throughout the summer. Amore's Pizza, Miss Lucille's Gossip Parlor, Smilin' Fish Cafe, shops, artist kiosks. It's a nice area about 6 miles from Seaside? Quieter than the Seaside area but will be busy in summer. Easy access to beach walkover across the street.

.

This is a good idea, especially since Lucille's is probably the only place you are going to find good English tea.

[val]

hi, HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL and thanks to you all, i am checking them all out and will let you know if i find something. so don't stop with the suggestions. i didn't make myself clear with regards to lucy so no apology needed. English tea is all well and good but i am a coffee guzzler and it has to be packed with caffeine!! As to the driving bit, i'll let you all know of make of car and colour then you can all avoid me!!! hopefully it won't be to much of a problem as i have driven in europe before. i am off to slovakia on the 27th march so shall get some practice in then. while you are all helping out here, can i ask about swimming with dolphins, where and how much and is it safe?, the other one is turtles and mannatees, is there an opportunity to get to see these gentle creatures?

the social life there seems to be well organised with lots to see and do so that is great, do the kids mix well?

look forward to hearing from you
valerie

[LeannC]

Val,

I've never swam with the dolphins or mannatees and I've never seen it around SoWal, so I was curious and googled it. The closest I found was Homosassa or Orlando. According to MapQuest.com, Homosassa is 325 miles from SoWal. You'd probably want to make that an overnight trip -- maybe combine it with a trip to Disney World and/or SeaWorld. http://www.seaworld.com/orlando/default.aspx

[LightWorker]

hi, HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL and thanks to you all, i am checking them all out and will let you know if i find something. so don't stop with the suggestions. i didn't make myself clear with regards to lucy so no apology needed. English tea is all well and good but i am a coffee guzzler and it has to be packed with caffeine!! As to the driving bit, i'll let you all know of make of car and colour then you can all avoid me!!! hopefully it won't be to much of a problem as i have driven in europe before. i am off to slovakia on the 27th march so shall get some practice in then. while you are all helping out here, can i ask about swimming with dolphins, where and how much and is it safe?, the other one is turtles and mannatees, is there an opportunity to get to see these gentle creatures?

the social life there seems to be well organised with lots to see and do so that is great, do the kids mix well?

look forward to hearing from you
valerie

This is in Panama City Beach.

:::Gulf World Marine Park::: Home

[Miss Critter]

We swam with the dolphins in the Bahamas, and it was a very memorable experience and one I'd highly recommend! And very safe. Manatees are rarely spotted as far north as SoWal, but they do love warm water, so you have a better chance at seeing one in August. Can't remember "turtle season" dates. Your best bet may be at the marine park mentioned above.

[seagrovegirl]

I managed Emerald Hill for 8 years and it is a beautiful well maintained complex. It is also centrally located in Seagrove and an easy walk to just about everything. The rate for a studio is around $800 and drops to $510 after September 4th. However, rates are sometimes more negotiable after August 10 since most American children are back in school. It may be worth a try. Good luck.

[Scooter]

Val - I don't know if steps are an issue, but at Emerald Hill you are high on a bluff and have many steps to reach the beach.

[Scooter]

Val - go to sunshinerivertours.com for swim with the manatees in crystal river, florida. I do believe they are more abundant in the winter months.

[DuneLaker]

English Mum to the 14th British Colony of West Florida. Gulf World in Panama City Beach is only about a 20 minute drive from SoWal, particularly from Blue Mountain east. This weeks local, weekly newspaper, the Walton Sun, had a good map on front page with handicap access points highlighted. You should be able to access online. Tip. If you can find a house on one of the coastal dune lakes or really close to the Gulf, the breezes over the water will even make most of the day pleasant, even in August (IMO). I'd look for a screened porch.

[Susan and William]

Hello Val,

You may consider checking on Condos4Kids they may be able to assist you finding a place.

http://www.condosforkids.com

[ktschris]

Thank you for posting this website. What a wonderful organization.
The tagline "Sharing Paradise" says it all.