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| What Sarasota is like for active adults |
Sarasota, Florida is a town of 52,000 (the Metro is much bigger) on Florida's Central West coast on the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Development began in the 1920’s; the town has dozens of historically significant buildings and institutions. This popular retirement community is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Florida. Sarasota has one of Florida's best downtowns with many interesting neighborhoods. An impressive array of cultural facilities are gathered there, along with high-rise, luxury hotels.
The Ringling Brothers located the winter quarters of their circus here. Their philanthropic legacy has made Sarasota a cultural powerhouse. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, one of those institutions, is one of the most impressive museums in Florida. One of Sarasota's top attractions comes at the end of a bridge from the downtown harbor - St. Armand's Circle. This delightful circle is surrounded by elegant dining, shopping, and luxury housing.
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| Where to Live & Real Estate Values |
Some residents live in apartments right downtown, while others choose from a delightful array of housing options in various neighborhoods in town. Homes on exclusive keys such as Longboat Key and Siesta Key., where towering apartment houses and huge mansions overlook the gulf. An enormous array of gated golf and active adult communities tend to be nearer the Interstate (see link at right).
The median sales price of a home in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice area in late 2011 was $156,000 (NAR). |
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| What is special about this retirement community |
| • John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
• Charming ambience with historical background to the 1920’s
• The Cincinnati Reds has spring training here
• Bobby Jones laid out the city golf course
• Many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Something for every active adult 55+ |
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| What is not special about this retirement community |
| • There are a lot of tourists and traffic in winter
• Hot summers |
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| What kinds of people like retiring here |
| Sarasota is a growing, vital community with all types of people living there. It is an extremely popular retirement location because of its warm weather and access to the gulf. For more information about how to retire in Florida and top communities like Naples |
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| Climate and Physical Environment |
Sarasota is on the coastal plain. It is surrounded on most sides by water and is a tropical, flat environment with warm winters and hot, rainy summers. Islands called keys radiate away from the city and out into the Gulf of Mexico.
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| Restaurants & Cultural Scene |
| Sarasota, arguably Florida's cultural capital, is the home of Florida West Coast Symphony and its famous Sarasota Music Festival. The Sarasota Ballet; Sarasota Opera; The Players; and numerous other musical, dance, artistic, and theatrical venues. John Ringling purchased an entire historic Italian theater, the Asolo—which he had broken down and shipped here. Later, Stuart Barger designed and oversaw the construction of another Asolo - a multi-theater complex. The new complex provides several other venues for students of Florida State University's theatre arts and film program. |
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| Crime |
| The crime rate in Sarasota is about double the national average. |
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| Medical facilities |
| • Doctors Hospital Of Sarasota • Healthsouth Rehab Hospital Of Sarasota • Sarasota Memorial Hospital • Sarasota has an enviable supply of doctors and medical resources |
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| Transportation |
| Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (SRQ). Amtrak. Local bus service. |
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What people are saying about Sarasota | | Crime in Sarasota?? |
| Please help if you know anything about the crime in Sarasota!
My husband and I are down here looking for a place to retire and love everything we've seen here in Sarasota. However, we are concerned about the high crime rate here. Has anyone had a problem? Do you know if these statistics are for the entire metro, certain neighborhoods, etc.?
It seems to be such a terrific place to be: climate, friendly people, the beach, great restaurants, cultural activities, etc. The crime problem bothers me, however. Am I being too paranoid, or is it something that those of you who live here are bothered by also? Thanks for any insights you can give. |
| Posted by Kimbee Jeanq on April 21, 2012 | | A Great time just outside of Sarasota |
| I'm a recent retiree,and moved to Sarasota. The theatre is wonderful. I was looking to find something fun to do,and maybe get a new hobby. I was invited to a concert at Fletcher Music Center in Osprey,my wife and I went,and had a great time. I'm now a member of there club,and am Learning to play music...and its easy. I would definitely recommend Sarasota,and Osprey as a Great place to live!!! There's alot of fun out there!!! |
| Posted by HowardMeyers on February 10, 2012 | |
| I was okay with reading about Sarasota, but not when the Ringling Brothers were mentioned. We love animals, especially elephants.
You can figure out the rest. |
| Posted by BLDION on April 30, 2008 | |
| i have visited Sarasota twice -and had 2 completely different views of it. The first time we came in from the Interstate -all we saw were endless boring golf course communities and 1 big box store after another. The cultural part of the downtown was interesting looking but i didnt know where to go elsewhere- it looked pretty boring.
The second time i visited with a resident, and what a difference. Siesta Key and many other neighborhoods are beautiful. The downtown is vibrant with many different neighborhoods where you can live and walk around. lots of great restaurants and things to do. I loved it - the second time! |
| Posted by honcho2 on April 02, 2008 | | Top 10 retirement town |
| Congratulations to Sarasota on a well-deserved place as one of the top 10 retirement towns. http://www.topretirements.com/blog/active-adult-communities/10-most-popular-retirement-towns-announced.html |
| Posted by readytoplay on August 19, 2007 | |
| Take a look at some [url=http://www.fun-florida-getaways.com/sarasota.cfm]sarasota photos[/url], as seeing how people enjoy and use the area should be a big help to you. It really is a special community.
Hope that helps you.
Good luck. |
| Posted by stuart888 on May 15, 2007 | |
| A great mix, as Sarasota is upscale and festive near the water and rural and quiet inland. The area has been drawing vacation travelers for decades. A great place to live or vacation on the beaches of Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido key. Be sure to see list of [url=http://www.fun-florida-getaways.com/sarasota-10-snapshot.cfm]sarasota fun[/url], and once you move here...life is just a breeze! We love it. The city prides itself on its cultural offerings. There's the opera, symphony, film society, aquarium, classic-car museum and dozens of galleries -- an extraordinary amount of culture for such a small town. There's even a permanent circus, in the memory of the late Sarasotan John Ringling of Ringling Bros. fame. (The Ringling Museum of Art, part of Florida State University, is on his former estate.)
It is great Florida retirement without the old folks feel.
Best Regards, Stuart Cleveland |
| Posted by stuart888 on April 30, 2007 | | Here is what Sarasota is like to live in |
| Sarasota could be the cultural capital of Florida. Blessed with the legacy of the early circus entrepreneurs, the downtown has a cultural center that would be the envy of any city twice its size.
It also has a big downtown with plenty of skyscrapers and traffic. Armand Circle and Longboat Key are about as upscale as you can get. Yet, not far from the downtown you can find lots of middle class neighborhoods with ranch houses that or nice. Further away from the water are tons of golfing and gated communities of every description. If you like big, and you like culture, this is a good place. |
| Posted by youngatheart on March 26, 2007 |
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Facts about SARASOTA
- State: FL
- Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,Coastal,Cultural Center,Singles,Resort Community,
- City Population: 50,001-100,000
- Median age of Population: 25-44
- Avg Jan Temperature: 61 +
- Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
- Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
- Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
- Total Crime Index: 111-120 (high)
- Cost of Living Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
- Culture Index: 121+ (very high)
- State Sales Tax: Yes
- State Income Tax: No
- Name of the Guide: readytoplay
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Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts |
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Vote on the Ratings for Sarasota |
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Update Your Ratings |
1. Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 3.4/5 ( 31 votes cast)
2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 17 votes cast)
3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 14 votes cast)
4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 4.5/5 ( 10 votes cast)
5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 4.8/5 ( 12 votes cast)
6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 11 votes cast)
7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 2.3/5 ( 38 votes cast)
8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 3.9/5 ( 14 votes cast)
9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 17 votes cast)
10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 3.8/5 ( 13 votes cast)
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