Minimalist / island / beach lifestyle ala Jimmy Buffet
 

Are you a minimalist?
Do you live the true "Island Life" in a small beachside town without needing much else?


I have reduced a ton of clutter in my life over the last few years and it feels great! I'm by no means a "True Minimalist" but I do like the idea of living with less. I've found the more I clutter I get rid of (possessions, bills, etc), the happier I am. I don't need much: Good schools for the kids, my laptop and a high speed net connection keeps me happy;-)

Recently my wife and I have started to seriously think about moving closer to the beach. I live in Tampa, a few houses away from a canal that leads directly to the bay. Its a great area, but the beach/island lifestyle is missing.

Have any of you made the move to the beach life? Do you know of any online blogs/resources about making the lifestyle change?

An urban minimalist :)

You have to admit, the island lifestyle is very appealing. I grew up a military brat, and my father was stationed in Guam for a total of 6 years. I graduated high school there. Every weekend we camped out at the beach with friends... Life couldn't get any better.

Sounds pretty sweet. :thumbsup :thumbsup

Here's how it goes..

Up until around 40 most people are in the gathering phase. Then sometime after 40 (or earlier if you are smart) you realize you are trapped by too many possessions. Time becomes more important. Repetitive work becomes a pain.

So begins the sorting phase. Then after all that (and that can take years to do) begins the living phase. :)

And indeed many people then gravitate toward warmer climates. I usually feel that way when I am shoveling off the car again and again and it is -10. hehe

But, I hate heat. And my brother lives in FLA and is always glad when the heat leaves. Not until mid-late October.

So maybe Kentucky or something. :)

But I could prob manage with a beachhouse lifestyle, a maid and not much to do all day. :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup (that deserves a triple :) )

I completely agree with you Sharky! You must be right down the road ... maybe we can go half-sies on a hut by the beach ;)

I will take the heat of Florida over having to shovel snow any day. I would much rather walk inside for A/C than for heat. Shorts and flip flops is a good life in my book!

I'd love to do that, I love island life, warm days, waterskiing, swimming, etc.

I don't think you need to be on an island or a beach to do the minimalist thing. There are some of us that would be happy in a cold winter in a cabin in the mountains too ;)

I love the snow.. not many of us though!

Lived in Newport Beach for a few years. All I cared about was good waves :thumbsup

Cant wait to get back to that lifestyle.

Yeah you can do minimalist anywhere. For myself, I would rather live by the beach and visit the cold. haha

I live in FL all my life and was used to the heat. I moved up to Mass about a year and a half ago, then went down to FL this Sept and it was hot as fuck. I didn't want to do shit out side it was so hot.

TBH we had a lot of snow last year and I didn't think it was really that bad. Overall so far from what I've seen the weather here in New England is far more comfortable. I mean even if it's 40 degrees out it's nothing here but down in FL 40 is cold because of the wetness in the air.

FL is not the same as a island beach as you need those ocean breezes with "trees" still around like you see on an island. The coasts of FL have no trees on the beach so it's just direct sun and fucking hot. You have to go to the keys to get that in FL.

I live in Cancun. Not right next to the beach but the beach is 15 min away either I turn, right or left.

About 50 mins south of here is some great areas to get beach front property but it will cost a few bucks.

High speed is available in almost all areas. Not so cheap but not bad.

Food is cheaper, Building a home is cheaper etc.. Good schools as well ( Private.)

RuthB from Paxum lives closer to the area I am talking about.

But either area is nice.

Where are you located? hit me up on icq: 1242876:-)

I lived in Idaho for a few years as a kid. Honestly I can't stand having to wear jackets, scarves, gloves etc. I know what you mean about the humidity, we didn't have humidity in Guam. Tampa is a lot less humid than Miami area, so I guess I have it a little easier.

aaaaah free at last

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aint nothing but a heartache



aint nothing but a mistake

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I think there is some kind of lesson here :1orglaugh

I so have no life :)

My wife has family that lives in Tampico and they love it there. They don't recommend we move to the area because of the violence that goes on from time to time. Not sure I could move out of the US though... not until my kids grow up.

hahahahahhaha

My wife and I will be moving to the carribean side of panama in a year or two. We love it there!!



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I know you and I discussed that recently. You are currently a little closer to the island/beach life than I am right now being on the water. I'm jealous!

I'd love to semi retire in Boracay, in the Phillipines. Almost perfect, but there's no BJJ or Muay Thai for a hundred miles or more.

:pimp I've had Akiva out on the boat since he was 16 days old, and so far he loves it. I have a feeling that he will fit into the minimalist tropical thing really easily. Actually, if the messiah is elected for another 4 years, I have a few friends that are all talking about Panama.... Maybe you should consider it also!!




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lol Mike.

I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind as Panama is pretty close to where she was born in Colombia! lol

It's not just about living with fewer "things." It's also about slowing down.

If you want to live that lifestyle, you're going to slow down a lot and change a lot about your life. I suggest spending several months in a small beach town before packing up and moving there. Some people love it slower, some don't.

I'm not on the go that much now as it is. I've become a homebody or am outside with my kids. I understand what you are saying... but I'm not living in the middle of NYC with highrises, etc. I'm happy being at home spending time with family. We dont' eat out much, we would rather cookout at home or spend time with friends.

The beauty of the Tampa area, is you are within 30-45 mins of whatever you need. My thoughts are to initially move to a smaller beach town in this area first.. Then eventually retire on an island somewhere.