patbastrop
Well-known member
where to look? Other communities where value can be found for down-sizers? hmmmmm?????
We are thinking about moving to Florida -- any comments on the Sarasota area --
- Thread starter patbastrop
- Start date
Well - we hope to join you there in a few years
Actually - my parents retired to the area, fulltime, about 14 years ago. Prior to that they had purchased, and rented, a condo since the 1970s. And they LOVE it there (so do we). So much to do: great beaches, symphony, lecture series, several theatres/playhouses, botanical gardens, Ringling Bros. Museum, etc. Also great shopping and restaurants. We are heading there in a week for a quick visit.
Any particular questions I can answer for you?
Deb
Actually - my parents retired to the area, fulltime, about 14 years ago. Prior to that they had purchased, and rented, a condo since the 1970s. And they LOVE it there (so do we). So much to do: great beaches, symphony, lecture series, several theatres/playhouses, botanical gardens, Ringling Bros. Museum, etc. Also great shopping and restaurants. We are heading there in a week for a quick visit.
Any particular questions I can answer for you?
Deb
marsha-tbay
Well-known member
Just to comment, I've lived here since I was 5 years old. My husband and I won a trip to
Jamaica; I've been to the Bahamas, nothing is as nice there as it is here. I'd much rather stay here than go back there.
We've had a cold winter, but today I had on shorts, flip flops and walked 1-1/2 miles. It was wonderful!
Jamaica; I've been to the Bahamas, nothing is as nice there as it is here. I'd much rather stay here than go back there.
We've had a cold winter, but today I had on shorts, flip flops and walked 1-1/2 miles. It was wonderful!
florisandy
Well-known member
I live in Bradenton but work in Sarasota. As the Sarasotans like to say, "Living in Paradise."
St. Armand's Circle on Lido Key, Main St. in Sarasota is so tres chic (see Image link). Longboat Key nearby from the Ringling Causeway Bridge, etc., etc. Simply beautiful.
On the outskirts of Sarasota is Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County not far away (see link) with their own unique quiet and beautiful setting. A few country clubs and the Sarasota Polo Club are there too and free for the public on Sunday and you can bring a picnic basket and pooch (see link below this one). I want to go!
Bradenton is about a half hour's drive away from Sarasota and has some nice developments, but don't ask me about real estate as I live in an apartment. I like it here and am close to the beach in a remote area.
You should take a sample trip here and explore the Bradenton/Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch area. I'd be more than happy to be your tour guide!
Pat, as much as I sometimes pine (miss friends mostly) for Philly/S. Jersey, I absolutely love it here. My girlfriend Ang from Philly came to visit me Christmas Eve for two days (had to fly back prematurely due to snowstorm) and really loved Sarasota when I gave her the grand tour.
Geez, I could talk for hours! Let me know if you have any more specific questions.
Would love to have you as a neighbor!
http://www.lakewoodranch.com/
http://visitstarmandscircle.com/
St. Armand's Circle on Lido Key, Main St. in Sarasota is so tres chic (see Image link). Longboat Key nearby from the Ringling Causeway Bridge, etc., etc. Simply beautiful.
On the outskirts of Sarasota is Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County not far away (see link) with their own unique quiet and beautiful setting. A few country clubs and the Sarasota Polo Club are there too and free for the public on Sunday and you can bring a picnic basket and pooch (see link below this one). I want to go!
Bradenton is about a half hour's drive away from Sarasota and has some nice developments, but don't ask me about real estate as I live in an apartment. I like it here and am close to the beach in a remote area.
You should take a sample trip here and explore the Bradenton/Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch area. I'd be more than happy to be your tour guide!
Pat, as much as I sometimes pine (miss friends mostly) for Philly/S. Jersey, I absolutely love it here. My girlfriend Ang from Philly came to visit me Christmas Eve for two days (had to fly back prematurely due to snowstorm) and really loved Sarasota when I gave her the grand tour.
Geez, I could talk for hours! Let me know if you have any more specific questions.
Would love to have you as a neighbor!
http://www.lakewoodranch.com/
http://visitstarmandscircle.com/
florisandy
Well-known member
florisandy
Well-known member
Michael Saunders & Company is a major real estate broker down here. Here's their
website link. Click on Neighborhoods at top to explore the communities and see map.
Good luck!
http://www.michaelsaunders.com/
website link. Click on Neighborhoods at top to explore the communities and see map.
Good luck!
http://www.michaelsaunders.com/
I also live in Bradenton and work in Sarasota for the Sarasota Orchestra.
When you say "downsize" are you talking condo, townhome or a smaller single family with some property? There are a lot of older homes in Sarasota City. Keep in mind that houses built after wither 2000 or 2001 have requirements for hurricane resistant roofs which means lower insurance.
We started looking for condos, then small maintenance free homes where the association took care of the lawns and plantings. We ended up in a new builder's model on over 1/4 acre. In East Bradenton passing cattle ranches on the way home. So much for our "downsizing". Our home was built by an excellent builder who sold his vacant lots to a not so excellent builder. (Ed used to be a saleman for a major builder in the Orlando area.)
Like Sandy said, Lakewood Ranch is a new deed-restricted community. There are also a lot of newer communities in Venice, south of Sarasota.
If you have time and can make a few trips out here you may want to look at foreclosures and bank short sales.
Let me know if I can answer any questions or if you want tickets to a concert.
When you say "downsize" are you talking condo, townhome or a smaller single family with some property? There are a lot of older homes in Sarasota City. Keep in mind that houses built after wither 2000 or 2001 have requirements for hurricane resistant roofs which means lower insurance.
We started looking for condos, then small maintenance free homes where the association took care of the lawns and plantings. We ended up in a new builder's model on over 1/4 acre. In East Bradenton passing cattle ranches on the way home. So much for our "downsizing". Our home was built by an excellent builder who sold his vacant lots to a not so excellent builder. (Ed used to be a saleman for a major builder in the Orlando area.)
Like Sandy said, Lakewood Ranch is a new deed-restricted community. There are also a lot of newer communities in Venice, south of Sarasota.
If you have time and can make a few trips out here you may want to look at foreclosures and bank short sales.
Let me know if I can answer any questions or if you want tickets to a concert.
patbastrop
Well-known member
I appreciate all your coments! We are scouring the internet, and planning a trip soon.