Florence in transition

We really like Florence, especially Old Town. But there are signs everywhere that this is a community in transition, growing fast. Condos for sale everywhere, for example. With no employment hub here, this likely will become a retirement community. Some things are already here: many very, very fine restaurants, for example, amazingly at about half price of similar meals in Portland. This is extraordinary -- at the moment. H last night paid $15 for a steak and oyster dish that would be been $25 or $30 in Portland. I had an incredible Portuguese fish stew for $12. The low prices really have gotten our attention. However, already there is a restaurant in town with twice these prices, and I suspect this will be the trend.

The moral is, visit Florence now while it's unique and before it becomes another condo retirement spendy tourist town.