Venice : Florida

What Venice is like for active adults
Venice Florida is an extremely pleasant community of 21,000 people located south of Sarasota on the Gulf of Mexico. Originally developed in 1925 by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as a planned retirement community, Venice is named after the many canals and rivers running through it. Thanks to its central planning, Venice is a top rated community for adults over 55.

In many ways Venice is similar to Naples; except with less traffic and far lower prices. The town has wide boulevards lined with palms and banyan trees. Much of the town is in the northern Italian renaissance architectural style. The lively downtown has many interesting shops and restaurants. There are plenty of parks and public tennis courts. Just a few short blocks from the downtown is one of Florida’s best Gulf Coast beaches.

The choice of where to live in Venice is difficult. One can live in town, near the central shopping district and beach. Cute homes and apartments lead away from the beach. There the need for a car is low and your neighbors will offer some variety. Or, one can choose an active adult community further out of town, such as The Plantation or the Venice Golf & Tennis Club. These gated communities feature golf and/or tennis, along with pools and clubhouses. They are like an unusually posh summer camp for adults, with the only possible downside that you have to drive to town to see people who aren’t a lot like yourself.

Real estate in 2009 was very soft, as the market attempts to recover from speculation, over building, plus the hurricanes of 2005. Prices are historically  lower than in  Naples. After soaring to an average selling price of $300,000 in 2006, the Zillow Home Value Index dipped to $179,000 in late 2009, City-Data says the price is more like $170,000. Venice is located in Sarasota County. Here is a mini-guide to Florida retirement
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What is special about this retirement community
• Great beach in the town • 31 municipal parks in a town of 17,000 people • Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World • A planned community • Central downtown shopping district • Plenty of parks • New Community Center • Convenient to mega-culture in Sarasota • Many active adult communities • Similar to Naples Florida, but less crowded and expensive
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What is not special about this retirement community
• Traffic in season • The average age is about 70 – if you are younger than that you might feel odd • Hurricane season •
Lack of diversity
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What kinds of people like retiring here
Venice attracts a community of slightly older retirees who want to live in a planned community. Many come here for the beach or the laid back downtown. Others have a strong interest in golf or tennis.
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Local economy is driven by
Retirees, tourism, retail, services, and real estate are important to the economy.
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Climate and Physical Environment
Venice is well down the west coast of Florida, south of Tampa and Sarasota. Roberts Bay, the Gulf, and several rivers provide an extensive waterfront.
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Cultural environment
The city takes pride in its many parades, art fests, nationally award-winning community theater, and preserved natural environments.The Venice Symphony offers many concerts. The Arts Cultural Alliance is very active. Concerts are held several times weekly in the Centennial Park Gazebo. There is a beautiful new library downtown.
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Medical facilities
Bon Secours Venice Hospital. Englewood Community Hospital is 1 mile away
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Transportation
Sarasota/Bradenton Airport is 22 miles away. There is also an AMTRAK station in Sarasota.
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Facts about VENICE
  • State: FL
  • Environment: Coastal,Small Town,
  • City Population: 10,000-25,000
  • Median age of Population: 65+
  • 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: 2000-4000
  • Total Crime Index: <80 (Very low)
  • Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
  • Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: No
  • Name of the Guide: jack

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Venice retirement communities
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1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 7 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 2.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 4.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 3 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 2 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 2.7/5 ( 7 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 2.3/5 ( 3 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 1.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 4 votes cast)