Sorry that I first posted this on another thread..didn't mean to crowd you. Didja see the front page of today's NY Times, the article about St. Joe Co. creating a neo-"Cracker" community in eastern Bay County? I'm not kidding, folks. It's an opportunity for people who never lived on a farm or at a fish camp, who want the backwater experience of fishing, sitting on a porch with a flappin' screen, and plowing the earth. Prices average $352,900 for the land alone on the first project underway, RiverCamps. I can't wait to tell my brother in DeFuniak that he should throw some millet on the pond at his Euchee Valley farm and wait for the "Cracker" wannabes to follow the new trend and make him a gazillionaire. Will each home be sold with an old pickup truck that features primer coat on one or more of its doors and a Bose sound system inside? And what will happen when the new homeowners discover mosquitos the size of helicopters, critters that take advantage of torn screens (including the two-legged species), and that plow mules kick hard?
Aside from this being mildly condescending (as perceived by this native "Cracker"), it borders on the surreal. Does anyone else think this kind of real estate speculation is in need of a reality check? Quote from the article, a lawyer trading her Rosemary Beach home for a RiverCamps lot:
"I don't want to use the word 'backwater,' as that sounds too negative, but RiverCamps has this whole underpinning of past Florida---a rural history." She wants to emulate the early Florida rural settlers known as "Crackers," because they "...lived among the pines, raised a few hogs and cows, grew a little patch of corn, and just barely survived. Absolutely, I want that privacy and those woods. Yet at the same time, I want to be able to invite a neighbor over for a glass of wine and I want a nice kitchen with a Sub-Zero refrigerator."
Lord love a duck. :laughing1
DBOldfordDBOldfordBeach FanaticNapa Valley, CA990 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
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39DBOldfordDBOldfordBeach FanaticNapa Valley, CA990 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAuthor
The monster house syndrome has been universally resurrected, it seems. We had people building 25,000 to even 40,000-sq. ft. homes in the hills around here and these were second, third, or fourth homes seldom occupied. Some were tastefully done and screened from view; others were garish and a scar on the hillsides. We finally developed a Viewshed Ordinance to control what could be built in scenic areas (practically everywhere here) and we also require a use permit and environmental review on houses that are larger than 5,000 sq. ft. Maybe "too little, too late," but a message was broadcast.
There is a monster house ordinance now in Grayton that controls the size of houses built now by height limitations and parking requirements that are tied to size of the house.
I like some of the so-called "Cracker" architecture. These emulated designs have a tendency to get rather contrived in the translation, however and then it seems ridiculous. "The Truman Show" is a good demonstration of this...good intentions that translate into a somewhat contrived environment. Who would argue that front porches shouldn't see a revival? My concern about RiverCamps is the conversion of all those natural areas to urbanized uses. Where will all the critters live? And I have to wonder if those architects have ever tried to extract palmetto roots? Stay tuned...
There is a monster house ordinance now in Grayton that controls the size of houses built now by height limitations and parking requirements that are tied to size of the house.
I like some of the so-called "Cracker" architecture. These emulated designs have a tendency to get rather contrived in the translation, however and then it seems ridiculous. "The Truman Show" is a good demonstration of this...good intentions that translate into a somewhat contrived environment. Who would argue that front porches shouldn't see a revival? My concern about RiverCamps is the conversion of all those natural areas to urbanized uses. Where will all the critters live? And I have to wonder if those architects have ever tried to extract palmetto roots? Stay tuned...
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowHopefully, the critters will find a way to stay and make the "simple life" HELL for those people!!! I know that's a bit rude, but there you go.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertThe monster house syndrome has been universally resurrected, it seems. We had people building 25,000 to even 40,000-sq. ft. ...Just wait until the majority of the US population is elderly and living in FL. The monster beach homes around here will be converted into 1-level condos with elevators to access your condo. We tend to think short term only when building these days. :( If your 6,000sf home is not converted into condos, you will probably be confined to a few rooms on the ground floor when you are no longer able to get around.
FoXFoXBeach Fanaticoff the beach492 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
FoXBeach Fanaticoff the beach492 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticHopefully, the critters will find a way to stay and make the "simple life" HELL for those people!!! I know that's a bit rude, but there you go.
The critters will do what they were born to do. If that makes someone feel like they are in hell too bad - but why would you wish that on anyone?
FoXFoXBeach Fanaticoff the beach492 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
FoXBeach Fanaticoff the beach492 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticDog had a sign in front of his condo in Grayton -
"Monster Houses Suck". :laughing1
"Monster Houses Suck". :laughing1
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI have a question about these "monster" houses at the beach. Are they rented as many weeks as the "normal" houses? We saw a few empty ones in Grayton, and looking at rental company websites, it seems there are always a few that are vacant any given week. Do that many people have huge family reunions? Or pack that many families into a house? :idontno:
Every year it seems to be harder and harder to find a regular old house to rent, and even harder to get one without a pool- we come to the beach to hang out and swim in the ocean! We ended up with a pool this year (waited too late to book and were stuck), and my 3 year old actually cried when she found out about the pool because she thought she wasn't going to the beach!
:(
Every year it seems to be harder and harder to find a regular old house to rent, and even harder to get one without a pool- we come to the beach to hang out and swim in the ocean! We ended up with a pool this year (waited too late to book and were stuck), and my 3 year old actually cried when she found out about the pool because she thought she wasn't going to the beach!
:(
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,471 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,471 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminI have a question about these "monster" houses at the beach. Are they rented as many weeks as the "normal" houses? We saw a few empty ones in Grayton, and looking at rental company websites, it seems there are always a few that are vacant any given week. Do that many people have huge family reunions? Or pack that many families into a house? :idontno:
Every year it seems to be harder and harder to find a regular old house to rent, and even harder to get one without a pool- we come to the beach to hang out and swim in the ocean! We ended up with a pool this year (waited too late to book and were stuck), and my 3 year old actually cried when she found out about the pool because she thought she wasn't going to the beach!
:(
Some of the big ones are not rentals and some are. They do get filled up pretty good with big groups. For small places without pools -
http://www.sowal.com/rentals.html
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodYou are getting off the theme of this thread. You need to start a new thread regarding your distaste for monster houses. The posts in this thread should only deal with responses to the NY Times article.
Just pulling your chain. :floor:
But while I'm being tangential, what's the problem with a non-monster house with a pool? We intentionally didn't put sofa beds in our living areas to reduce the maximum occupancy of our house. The more people there are, the less accountable each family staying in the home is for damage (by our way of thinking). But why not have a pool so that you can swim in January? Why is that not politically correct? :idontno:
Just pulling your chain. :floor:
But while I'm being tangential, what's the problem with a non-monster house with a pool? We intentionally didn't put sofa beds in our living areas to reduce the maximum occupancy of our house. The more people there are, the less accountable each family staying in the home is for damage (by our way of thinking). But why not have a pool so that you can swim in January? Why is that not politically correct? :idontno:
RitaRitamargarita brocoliaDune Allen Beach5,207 postsJoined View profileMessagemargarita brocolia
Ritamargarita brocoliaDune Allen Beach5,207 postsJoined View profileMessagemargarita brocoliaMy concern about RiverCamps is the conversion of all those natural areas to urbanized uses. Where will all the critters live? And I have to wonder if those architects have ever tried to extract palmetto roots? Stay tuned...
Shoot, they can put the houses on piers so the palmetto doesn't have to be dug and the critters can live underneath the house with their coon dogs. :idontno:
Don't read me wrong, coon dogs are cool - I'm a beagle lover myself!
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertYou are getting off the theme of this thread. You need to start a new thread regarding your distaste for monster houses. The posts in this thread should only deal with responses to the NY Times article.
Just pulling your chain. :floor:
But while I'm being tangential, what's the problem with a non-monster house with a pool? We intentionally didn't put sofa beds in our living areas to reduce the maximum occupancy of our house. The more people there are, the less accountable each family staying in the home is for damage (by our way of thinking). But why not have a pool so that you can swim in January? Why is that not politically correct? :idontno:
Oh Beachrunner, it's just sour grapes since we rent in the summer, and don't like spending money for a feature we could live without. Maybe if we were able to come down in the winter we would want a pool. But in the summer, we swim in pools at home, and don't really care about one at the beach. The other family staying with us this year have a 1 year old, and didn't understand that it was OK for the kid to spend the whole day at the beach (take a nap under an umbrella!). So they used the pool. The rest of the kids dove in to rinse off after riding bikes home from the beach, but that was it. Honestly, the pool water was so hot, it was not refreshing. I will just plan earlier this year...and find a house with the perfect outdoor shower- now that is something we definitely don't do at home!
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert...I am sure that at least one dog in my house would agree with you on that note.
Don't read me wrong, coon dogs are cool
Beach RunnerBeach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hoodHey, jdarg, you're right - the pool is TOO hot in the summer (but awesome October through May). But we do have a few really sexy showers at our beach house. SWEET!
OOPS! Another tangent! :wub:
OOPS! Another tangent! :wub:
SlowMovinSlowMovinBeach Fanatic483 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Pools are popular because so many tourists are scared of the sharks (which fishermen put in the water before they start fishing).
While tongue-in-cheek, I'm actually not kidding. Houses with pools rent WAAAY better than those without...and fear of sharks (even before the recent two attacks) is frequently cited as the reason.
While tongue-in-cheek, I'm actually not kidding. Houses with pools rent WAAAY better than those without...and fear of sharks (even before the recent two attacks) is frequently cited as the reason.
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,471 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,471 postsJoined View profileMessageAdminPools are popular because so many tourists are scared of the sharks (which fishermen put in the water before they start fishing).
While tongue-in-cheek, I'm actually not kidding. Houses with pools rent WAAAY better than those without...and fear of sharks (even before the recent two attacks) is frequently cited as the reason.
You are correct about the demand, and sharks may have been a hot topic lately, but in the past it has been more about rough water, seaweed, red tide, flies, etc.
People like to have something for the kiddos to do if the beach is out for any reason.
I was on the Gulf in Destin today in some high rises for a few hours and didn't see any sharks - imagine that. I guess they decided they don't like our beaches after all. And we were all told they were moving in to feed exclusively on humans. :roll:
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