Cresswind DeLand
DeLand, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
What It Is Like to Retire in Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida is a town of 52,000 (the Metro is much bigger) on Florida's Central West coast abutted by the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Development began in the 1920 and a result the town has dozens of historically significant buildings and institutions. This popular retirement community is considered by many to be, after Miami, the cultural capital of Florida. It has one of Florida's most interesting and compact downtowns with many great 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. Want to find out more about Sarasota and see books about it and souvenirs, go to this Sarasota page on Amazon.
Where to Retire in Sarasota and Home Prices
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 barrier islands like Longboat Key and Siesta Key are in towering apartment houses or huge mansions overlooking the gulf. An enormous array of gated golf and active adult communities tend to be nearer the Interstate. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price of a home in the Sarasota/Bradenton/North Port area was $515,000 in Q3 of 2023.
What Is Special about Sarasota
Sarasota is home to John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and the Cincinnati Reds has spring training here. Bobby Jones laid out the city golf course (which has undergone a major renovation and has plans to re-open in late 2023), and many of the city's buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. There is something for here for every active adult 55+ with boating, fishing, the arts, a walkable downtown full of great restaurants, and a nice library.
What Is Not Special about Sarasota
There are a lot of tourists and traffic in winter, and summers are hot.
Who Will Like Retirement in Sarasota
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
Local Economy Is Driven by
Tourism, finance, hospitality, health care, education.
Climate and Physical Environment
Sarasota is on the coastal plain abutting the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. It 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.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Sarasota, one of the top cultural centers in Florida, is the home of Florida West Coast Symphony and its famous Sarasota Music Festival. It also hosts the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, The Players, and numerous other musical, dance, artistic, and theatrical venues. Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning presents music and lectures once a week in downtown Sarasota. 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 complex provides several other venues for students of Florida State University's theatre arts and film program. The beautiful Selby Library is downtown (pictured above) was built to mimic a circus tent, and has great resources and programs.
Crime
The crime rate in Sarasota is about double the national average. However, that does not report the entire picture, since there are big differences between the unincorporated and the incorporated areas of the city. It is much lower in the unincorporated areas, and that is where most retirees would choose to live.
Medical facilities
• Doctors Hospital Of Sarasota • Healthsouth Rehab Hospital Of Sarasota • Sarasota Memorial Hospital • Sarasota has an enviable supply of doctors and medical resources.
Transportation
Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (SRQ) which is rapidly expanding service, is located here and Amtrak offers a bus service in Sarasota that takes you to the train station in Orlando. There is also local bus service. Sarasota is about average in walkability when compared to other communities.
Valuable Links
Visit Sarasota City of Sarasota Sarasota Visitors and Convention Bureau
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