This is an interesting thread.
My family (me, husband, and now two older teens) have rented here for about 10 years, and years before that at other beaches.
We now fly down here from upstate NY, so bringing very much beyond the necessities is out. Furthermore, if you've read Anthony Bourdin's wonderful book "Kitchen Confidential" (which I read on Seagrove Beach a few years ago)--all any kitchen really needs is several very good knives. We love to cook when we come down here, believe it or not--between Modica's and now Publix, the beach gourmet can find heaven; the fish is so fresh and the wine stores are great (even the Tom Thumb now has very drinkable moderately priced wines.)
But we appreciate things such as the following:
--a good corkscrew
--a toaster oven to heat things like leftover Cafe Spiazzia pizza
--a refrigerator with crushed ice on the door
--a small food processor (we never use a blender)
--good pans that don't burn the garlic and fish
--a working garbage disposal (stinky garbage is gross)
--some starter things like paper towels, dish soap, dishwasher powder, toilet paper, etc. including salt and pepper;
--enough wine glasses and dishware and place mats for a nice meal
--VCRs/DVD players that work;
--a decent radio/CD player
--a notebook with current info re restaurants, things to do, etc.
We've cooked some of the best meals ever down here --you don't need particularly fancy kitchens, and the ingredients and the view of the beach are the most important thing. We have always appreciated nicely done condos, and we try to leave them picked up and relatively clean. Friends of ours in Saratoga rent their house "during the track season" (August)--so I know well that even upscale renters can be obnoxious, and we try to remembe that we are staying in someone's home.
I have told all my renters since Dennis to come here for information and those who have checked it out have LOVED it. They feel part of the community before they even hit 30-A.
