The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Kite boarding and fishing are among the things beachgoers and residents of Dunedin can enjoy. CNNMoney.com has named Dunedin as one of “6 terrific towns on the water’’ to retire. Among the pros: less crowded and expensive than similar towns on the East Coast. The con: hurricanes.
Dunedin has hit the big time.
The city was featured on CNNMoney.com on Tuesday as one of the six best waterfront communities for retirees hoping to stretch their budgets.
"We couldn't be happier. I always tell people that Dunedin is a really cool place, and people are starting to figure it out," said Mayor Bob Hackworth.
Dunedin was selected for being "less crowded and less expensive than many towns on the Atlantic (Ocean) side of the state."
The article, which also will be featured in a forthcoming edition of Money magazine, touts the accessibility of the Pinellas Trail and Caladesi and Honeymoon islands.
It's the second time this year the city of 38,000 residents has been recognized by national media.
In May, Caladesi, a barrier island off Dunedin's coastline, was named America's best beach by Stephen P. Leatherman, director of the Florida International University Laboratory for Coastal Research.
Lynn Wargo, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, said the city's unobstructed waterfront and natural barrier islands offer a modern-day version of the "old Florida" dream.
"It's that feel of being on a secluded getaway right in your back yard," she said.
The Money article lists just one negative for Dunedin: the possibility of hurricanes.
Despite a major hurricane poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico today, Wargo said her staff was fielding calls Tuesday from people across the country who read the article and were asking for information on relocating.
"Our staff is a little tired out there today," she quipped.
The other five waterfront communities highlighted are Beaufort, S.C.; Sequim, Wash.; Durango, Colo.; St. Joseph, Mich.; and Marble Falls, Texas.
Rita Farlow can be reached at farlow@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4162.
[Last modified: Sep 15, 2008 10:23 AM]
Comments on this article
by Dale
Sep 15, 2008 10:23 AM
Grew up here... left a couple times, always came back. Never leaving again. Glad to be one of Dunedin's "weirdos."
by Wolf
Sep 12, 2008 5:43 PM
"...they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot"
by popcorns
Sep 12, 2008 1:26 PM
would not live any other place in florida! close to everything in tampa bay, the arts, the beaches, the nightlife,rock on dunedin we are the best!
by Bill
Sep 12, 2008 1:26 PM
Instead of a bottle of Redhead Red at Skips, I'll take a bottle with a redhead at Skips...or anywhere for that matter.
by Mary
Sep 12, 2008 1:26 PM
Dunedin is on the "Atlantic (Ocean)" side of the state?? Did I miss something there?
by Anne
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
Years ago Nashua,NH received similar praise. The stampede of new residents and increased building took care of that
by JPD
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
Dunedin is horrible! Do Not Move there! The people all are very strange! (but come visit often)
signed,
Dunedin resident
by Sam
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
Just where is this "waterfront" in Durango, Colo? I was there and the only water I saw was "Box Canyon" in Yuray where there is a waterfall.
by Sam
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
AND, what about the TAXES in Dunedin? Are they not the same as TAXES in the rest of Pinellas county? Why not mention TAXES in the article instead of just waterfront..Be honest about cost of living in Dunedin, cost of insurance, not just the beauty.
by Tom
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
I came from Ohio in 85. First, to Tampa(ugh), then to Dunedin in 92, and never left. Nice mix of retirees and working folks. Have always lived in/around the causeway area. Everything i need is within 5 miles(except work). I love it.
by PTK
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
THEY WANT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THERE HOUSES AND YARDS AND WILL BE ALWAYS HIT BY THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT EVERYTHING IN AND AROUND THERE HOUSES
by Carol
Sep 12, 2008 1:25 PM
I bought a house in Dunedin in 1986 and there were only about 35,000 people. The library was just a storefront with a Publix Market next to it. The stadium was small with no more than just bleacher seats.Not so little and quaint anymore.
by Dan
Sep 11, 2008 2:23 PM
Dunedin; rated a best place to retire. Clearwater; rated THE worst. Dunedin's city manager; Rob Dispirito- smart, skilled, mature & fair. Cleawater's CM; Bill Horne...Dunedin gov't; wise logical planners. Clearwater gov't; clueless wishful thinkers.
by Sally
Sep 11, 2008 12:04 PM
Won't be now that the story has hit CNN and everyone tries to move in. Never mind--they won't be able to get insurance!
by jim
Sep 11, 2008 11:30 AM
Best city in the downtown in the bay area. Love the winter weekend nights there. Dinner at Kelly's, bottle of Redhead Red on the patio at Skips - just cool. I am more than a little bit jealous.
by Maggie
Sep 11, 2008 11:30 AM
My thought exactly James.
by Eric
Sep 11, 2008 11:25 AM
If that's the case for Dune-din, then why have I heard so much about the "Dunedin Weirdos?" As to waterfront? You need a map to get around the rocks. Fishing was always okay; but it scares me when a town w/good offerings goes on TV. Fast way/kill it.
by jim
Sep 11, 2008 11:24 AM
Best city in the downtown in the bay area. Love the winter weekend nights there. Dinner at Kelly's, bottle of Redhead Red on the patio at Skips - just cool. I am more than a little bit jealous.
by bill
Sep 11, 2008 11:14 AM
I have lived in several cities in Pinellas county and find Dunedin the best. But they have to work hard to keep that old Florida charm or they will loose it to developers that want everything to be big and grand like Miami. Not good!
by James
Sep 10, 2008 4:34 PM
Great! Now everyone's gonna know and crowd Dunedin!
by Bob
Sep 10, 2008 4:23 PM
'Retires' or 'Retirees'???
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.