http://www.townshorescommunity.com/the-amenities Town Shores is a large over-55 community located in the the picturesque t...
http://www.townshorescommunity.com/the-amenities
| Town Shores is a large over-55 community located in the the picturesque town of Gulfport. Gulfport borders St. Petersburg's southwest neighborhoods as well as the retirement oriented small town of South Pasadena. Built in the 1970's, Town Shores encompasses 18 separate buildings with about 1300 individual condominiums. It is situated in a beautiful waterfront location within walking (or at least easy bicycling of Gulfport's artsy main street. Town Shores residential buildings are either mid-rise or highrise, and each has its own HOA and separate finances. The entire complex with extensive common grounds and amenities is governed by the Town Shores Master Association. The HOA is quite active and early in 2018 won an award as the outstanding community association of the year in the entire Sun Coast region among many hundreds of such associations. http://thegabber.com/town-shores-2017-community-association-of-the-year/ Town Shores 2017 Community Association of the Year
Town Shores, decked out for the holidays.
“This chapter of the National Community Association Institute represents the over 5,000 condominium and homeowner associations in both Pinellas and Pasco Counties,” said Roger Bell, General Manager of Town Shores since 2014. “So it’s a pretty big deal to be awarded this achievement once. And to get it twice in three years is unheard of.”
Town Shores is a 55 and over community built in the 1970s overlooking Boca Ciega Bay. It is now home to over 2,000 residents on a 51-acre property, governed by a Board of Directors. Aside from the 1,327 homes, the property has places onsite for residents to kayak, swim, fish, work out and play sports like bocce ball, shuffleboard and tennis. These amenities in combination with a “facelift,” as Bell calls it, earned it Association of the Year in 2015.
Cosmetic retouches to the property, including a new landscaping company, fresh coats of paint and the founding of an Activities Committee were just the start of improvements to Town Shores from 2015 to 2017.
The Master Association Officers for Town Shores are President Tom Chillog; Vice President Mary Torrey, Treasurer Terry Libich; and Secretary Irene Gernon.
In 2016, the property underwent a reserve study, a careful examination of all of the things a Homeowners Association is responsible for, everything to pools to roads.
“This led us to a long road of fixing many things we didn’t know [were] broken,” said Bell. After the study, Town Shores fixed two seawalls, two pools, reconstructed a dock, attended to electrical issues and fixed the roof of the clubhouse. Although these repairs contributed to the 2017 win, said Bell, it wasn’t always easy for the board to come to conclusions and progress.
“It wasn’t pleasant, and our patience naturally wore thin and we agreed to disagree quite often, but somehow those folks that served on the Board of Directors ended up working together to make the correct and best decisions for this community,” said Bell. “And it shows.”
In a speech on January 4, 2018 Laura Hagan, the Executive Director for CAI praised the association and its work in 2017 “in spite of Hurricane Irma.” Hagan also spoke of the improved community vibe of Town Shores in 2017.
“The four board members elected in 2017 presented a positive, unified, open approach to the management and staff,” said Hagan. “This example of unity within our community paved the way for some amazing results in 2017!”
Town Shores is nestled on the edge of Boca Ciega Bay which affords superb water views for many its condominiums as well as proximity to Gulfport Beach. Town shores of Gulfport offers all the amenities--and more----of other large over-55 complexes. These include a large central club house with an auditorium, billiard room, library, lounge, poker room, 2 bocce ball courts, 11 shuffleboard courts, 28 boat slips, 1 tennis court, and 4 heated pools.
Considering its location, condominiums in Town Shores are still relatively moderate in price. MLS stats for actual sales prices during the last six months (May-November 2018) range from $97, 500 for a non-updated one bedroom unit with no special view of 810 square ft. $425,000 for a 2210 square foot 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath unit with, to quote the MLS listing, "breathtaking views." The great majority of condominiums are either spacious one bedrooms of about 800-900 square ft or 2/2's of 1100-1200 square feet. You should expect to pay $250-280,000 for a reasonably updated 2 bedroom 2 bath unit of about 1200 square feet with good marine views. Those units that have not been updated or don't have any water views will sell for much less.
GULFPORT-- WHERE OLD FLORIDA MEETS SOMEWHAT HIP & ARTSY. THAT'S JUST FINE IN THIS FRIENDLY, MELLOW TOWN! What makes Town Shores exceptionally appealing to many Baby Boomer retirees is its location near the center of the picturesque, artsy village of Gulfport. Beach Drive is the main drag that offers a wide variety of locally owned dining establishments, galleries, and charming little shops. The unique Gulfport 1930's deco style Casino (now used primarily for dancing) and Pier--is at the foot of Beach Dr. where it ends at the edge of Boca Ciega Bay. The town has a nice pier perfect for walks and viewing the sunset. Outdoor waterfront taverns that face the Bay--with a very diverse clientele-- are almost always busy. During the regular Art Walk held twice a month on Beach Dr. you are likely to spot several Gulfport denizens sporting t-shirts or blouses emblazoned with a favorite local slogan, "Keep Gulfport Weird". What is scarce are big box stores or even national chain stores other than a Walgreen's situated just outside the downtown "Arts District" There is a McDonald's, the only chain fast food eatery in town but it is located on Gulfport Blvd., a major thoroughfare some distance from the Beach Dr. and what is called the Arts District. Keep in mind, however, that the adjacent town of South Pasadena has plenty of large retail stores and the large Tyrone Mall in west St. Petersburg is but a few miles away.  T-Shirt Seen in Various Gulfport Venues Link to Huffington Post article about Gulfport: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/visit-florida/gulfport-is-quirky-quaint_b_4178278.html?slideshow=true#gallery/323441/0 Link to travel site article about Gulfport early 2018: Gulfport was first established as a fishing village on Boca Ciega Bay. Indeed, Gulfport still combines the ambience of a sleepy Old Florida waterfront town with that of a laid back, hip artist's haven that, thankfully, has yet to be fully "discovered."Known to be an LGBT-friendly community, Gulfport is one of the most politically progressive towns of west central Florida. Some have dubbed it "Key West North", but that description is not really fair to Gulfport. Gulfport is less touristy and far less expensive. Another major plus for many is that Gulfport not geographically isolated like Key West. Just a few miles away are the cultural events, shopping major healthcare facilities,and large, international airports of the St. Petersburg and Tampa metropolitan area http://mygulfport.us/--link to city of Gulfport website Gulfport is also notable for the community facilities it offers seniors, all located less than a mile from Town Shores. There is a Multi-Purpose Senior Center that offers many excellent services, a community library, and a theatre that offers locally produced shows and concerts. For those retirees who contemplate a possibly automobile-less future, there is Gulfport Extended Mini-Bus Service (GEMS). After paying a relatively small annual fee of $50, over 55 Gulfport residents are eligible for van (even a wheel chair van) service around town and to shopping and medical appointments in nearby St Petersburg and South Pasadena. Unfortunately, the GEMS service does not run on weekends. The prevalence of local cab service, Uber. and Lyft in Pinellas County adds to the transportation options for those who don't drive. Town Shores is indeed one of a handful of active, over-55 communities in Pinellas County where one can live without a car. Allow me to generalize about who should or should not carefully consider Town Shores and Gulfport for their retirement. Those attracted to a retirement haven like The Villages. the sprawling newly constructed planned over-55 community in the interior of north central Florida, will probably not appreciate Town Shores in Gulfport. Those who enjoy a walking, somewhat quirky village like Gulfport with its beachy environment probably won't enjoy living in the Villages. All Florida retirement communities are definitely not cut from the same cloth! Advantages of Town Shores:
Potential Concerns:
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