Northwest Holiday - Holiday, FL

Holiday hasn't always been named Holiday. It wasn't until the 1960s that a boardroom of bank officials for the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Tarpon Springs came up with the name. The bank wanted a new branch in the populated area that didn't have a name. The bank president, Bill Boyd, researched a map of the area and looked at street names for inspiration. Holiday Drive caught his eye and the bankers thought that "Holiday Branch" sounded ideal. Later on, the US Post Office began using the name Holiday, too, and the name took off and became official.

Residents of Holiday can travel a short distance south to Tarpon Springs for history and culture, and even further south to Tampa and St. Petersburg for additional events and activities.

Northwest Holiday residents don't have far to drive to find a large variety of restaurants, as many sit along U.S. Route 19 just east of the neighborhood.

Dino's Subs and Pizza, a local favorite, ranks highly for its impressive subs and sandwiches. Many customers recommend the gyros as their favorite. The pizza wins high marks as well, and Dino's boasts an extensive selection of toppings. Dino himself typically works behind the counter, handing out friendly conversation and small samples from the menu.

The German Restaurant serves up authentic German fare in a comfortable environment. Your first glance at the menu yields an extensive selection of starters and soups, followed by Bavarian specialties, schnitzel favorites and fish. Check out the sampler platter if you have a hard time making up your mind, but prepare yourself for a portion large enough to take home leftovers. Authentic beers on tap serve as a frosty accompaniment to your meal. Early bird specials allow you to get more bang for your buck, but many diners prefer the full dinner menu.

When you want authentic Italian and New York-style pizza, stop in at Angelo's Italian Restaurant to satiate your appetite. The menu features Italian staples such as eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana and pastas, and the chicken francese wins the love of die-hard Italian-food lovers. The pizza section includes a handful of specialty pizzas, including a few with no sauce. The broccoli or spinach pizza comes with your choice of sautéed broccoli or spinach, mozzarella, romano cheese and optional ricotta.

For a night out with friends or to unwind after a long day, the Holiday area has a few hot spots to check out and grab a beer. Miss Vicki's on the River, located southwest of the neighborhood, presents live music and has nice views.

Northwest Holiday's residential nature allows for ample sidewalks, and quiet streets make it easy for cyclists to use the roads. However, Holiday doesn't have truly bike-friendly roads or dedicated lanes for cyclists.

When running errands or getting out of the house, parking in the large lots attached to retailers and restaurants provides convenience. Public transportation comes in the form of the Pasco County Public Transportation, which has a few stops throughout the Holiday area and connects with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority south of Holiday. You can call a cab company in Holiday to take you to and fro if you need more personalized transport.

U.S. Route 19 serves as the major thoroughfare through Holiday and lies just east of the neighborhood. This north-south highway connects residents to New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Although Holiday doesn't support many parks, the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex sits on the northwest side of the neighborhood, giving residents a large area in which to play. This 38-acre park has numerous sports fields and courts, fishing access, picnic areas and a playground. This large park makes it easy to enjoy fitness-related activities or the outdoors. Children's activities take place throughout the week, as well as youth and adult sports leagues and teams. This otherwise free park charges a small fee for certain activities.

Many other parks lie within a 15-minute drive of northwest Holiday, including a couple of dog parks, family parks and large preserves.

The cost of living for Holiday comes in approximately 2 percent less than that of Tampa, and both places stay below the national average. Housing, which plays a pivotal role in your cost of living expenses, stays fairly affordable throughout Holiday with the average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment running about $650 per month.

Smaller, everyday expenses also take a light toll on your wallet. In Holiday, expect to pay $2 for a domestic beer at the local pub. Transportation costs vary, but you can ride the Pasco County Public Transportation system for $3.75 per day for unlimited rides or $1.50 for a one-way ride. Gas prices in Holiday stay about 5 percent below the national average.

Holiday's selection of shops include your standard everyday markets, services and a few one-off, locally owned shops that specialize in various items. Northwest Holiday doesn't house many shops, but residents have plenty of options throughout the rest of the city.

Residents rave about the friendliness, creativity and attentiveness of the staff at Skip's Florist and Christmas House. The shop doesn't just do flowers, either. A stroll through the seven different rooms reveals all kinds of goodies and gifts, from kitchen accessories to decor. The Christmas village display includes pieces for many different village collections, allowing you to customize your holiday decor throughout the years.

The Music Center of Holiday stocks new and used instruments, accessories and a wide selection of guitars. This locally owned gem also boasts expert service, instrument care and professional music teachers.

Holiday residents can choose from several major grocery stores in the area, plus a handful of small specialty markets such as Holiday's Produce. This small, local grocery carries an assortment of fresh foods. Nearby areas, such as New Port Richey, feature locally owned grocers as well. New Port Richey also has a weekly farmers market.