Best areas to live near Sarasota, FL

Sarasota is filled with vibrant areas and new developments making the city one filled with great neighborhoods for people from all walks of life. 

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Sarasota, Florida has in the past few years been described as one of the best places to live, and for good reason. The city manages to capture both rich cultural elements and scenic views at the beach. And while the whole city had things to offer you, deciding which specific neighborhood is the one for you can be tough. 

1. DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

Downtown Sarasota is one of the most vibrant areas as it can be considered the urban center of the city. New constructions have brought a new sense of vibrancy to the area but houses and apartments in the area can be a bit pricey.

2. FRUITVILLE 

If you do not want to miss out on being near the cultural hub of the city, but you also do not want to spend the amounts that Downtown Sarasota requires, then Fruitville is the area for you. Approximately 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota, this family-friendly area is one of the best neighborhoods in the city.

3. LONGBOAT KEY

On the more luxurious end, Longboat Key is an upscale neighborhood that is often reminiscent of resort-style communities. If you want to experience the high life in Sarasota then this is the area to find a home in. From dining to yachting this neighborhood is one of the most luxurious in the city.

4. LAKEWOOD RANCH

Lakewood Ranch is particularly famous for its incredibly planned communities. This area also has many different amenities and the price point for houses is far more reasonable than it’s in other areas. The neighborhood is very family-oriented and less vibrant than Downtown Sarasota, but it still benefits from some of the cultural elements present in the city.

Where should I not live in Sarasota?

While Sarasota has really flourished in the past few years and many areas have experienced massive development plans that have made them ideal for people looking to move to Sarasota, other areas have either lagged or are still not considered to be good areas for those moving to Sarasota. According to recent statistics the most dangerous areas to live in Sarasota are the following:

1. Rosemary District – 298% Crime rate 

2. Central Cocoanut – 157% Crime rate

3. Saint Armand’s – 136% Crime rate

4. 17th Street – 197% Crime rate

5. Original Gillespie Park – 157% Criminality rate

What are the best areas in Sarasota?

Sarasota has many wonderful neighborhoods and communities and depending on the phase of life that you’re in you may find that some of those areas work better for you. Still, it’s fairly safe to say that regardless of which area from this list you choose you’ll get the wonderful opportunity of enjoying a vibrant coastal city in all its glory. 

• Downtown Sarasota
• Fruitville
• Gillespie Park
• Lakewood Ranch
• Laurel Park
• Longboat Key
• Siesta Key

Where should I move to Sarasota?

Choosing the correct neighborhood to move to in Sarasota will be easy once you have determined the type of environment that you would like to have around you. If you want to experience the full vibrancy of the city choosing to live Downtown may be the best option for you, but if you’re looking for a quiet area to retire in then Harbor Acres or Lakewood Ranch may be better options. Laurel Park is particularly popular with young professionals so if that is the type of energy that you would like around you, choosing to move to one of those areas could be incredibly beneficial for you. 

Both Sarasota, Florida, and Bradenton, Florida are cities with lots of potential. Still, deciding whether to live in one of the other can be a tricky thing to do. While the cost of living in both areas is similar, housing is far cheaper in Bradenton. This means that if you’re looking for a bigger home Bradenton may have more affordable options for you. Sarasota on the other hand has a lower unemployment rate so if you’re a young professional looking for a job, Sarasota is truly the place to be. Regarding health care and public schools, Bradenton offers cheaper health care but has worse quality public schools. Depending on whether you have a family and kids or any ongoing health issues both of these factors can be detrimental in the choice of which city to live in. Overall, both cities are fairly similar in the long term and thus, it isn’t finances that will determine which one is best for you, but instead, it will be a matter of personal choice and preference. 

Sarasota is a fairly expensive city to live in, especially when compared to the national average. Housing, utilities, and groceries are all more expensive in Sarasota than they are in other areas in the USA. Health Care costs are also higher in Sarasota, Florida than they are in other nearby cities. Transportation is the only area in which Sarasota appears to be cheaper than the national average, however, that isn’t enough to bring the average cost of living to a lower bracket. 

• Housing expenses are 2% higher than the national average 
• Utility prices are 6% higher than the national average
• Transportation expenses are 8% lower than the national average
• Grocery expenses are 20% higher than the national average
• Overall, the cost of living in Sarasota is 9% higher than the national average

Where is the hood in Sarasota?

While Sarasota has many neighborhoods that are on the rise, there are still many areas in the city that are characterized by the high criminality rates and not by the current real estate productions and vibrant businesses. These areas include: 

1. Rosemary District  

2. Central Cocoanut 

3. Saint Armands 

4. 17th Street 

5. Original Gillespie Park

6. Downtown Sarasota

Are there bad parts of Sarasota?

Like any other city, Sarasota has certain areas that are less than ideal in terms of their criminality rates. Still, those should not be a deterrent from visiting or moving to the city as these areas are easily avoided and there are many safe and friendly neighborhoods that one can move to. Some of the bad parts of Sarasota include the Rosemary District, Central Cocoanut, Downtown, Saint Armands, and the Original Gillespie Park. 

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Sarasota in the past few years has garnered a lot of publicity for the amazing restaurants that have opened in the city. While you can find pretty much everything you could ever hope for as a foodie in the city, where the culinary experience really differentiates itself from other places and cuisines is in its seafood. Sarasota is particularly well known for its extremely fresh seafood that is cooked in a variety of ways. No visit to Sarasota can ever be complete without a full seafood dining experience, and for foodies moving to the city finding all of the local restaurants and variations of popular seafood dishes makes the entire moving process worthwhile. 

South Sarasota isn’t only considered to be a nice place to live, but it’s also currently considered to be one of the nicest places to live in Florida. The reasons for this are many, but it all boils down to the fact that the area manages to combine a vibrant urban scene with nice bars, restaurants, and cafes with an incredibly family-friendly and good school district. The combination of these factors makes South Sarasota the perfect place for people of all ages. The area is mainly filled with people who own homes, which also adds to the family-friendly nature of the residents. 

In recent years with the rise of Sarasota in popularity, there has been a rise in the number of people who have called the city snobby, and yet nothing could be further from the truth. While the city has really evolved in recent years and its urban center has become more vibrant, there are still many areas of the city that haven’t been touched by the rapid developments. The city is also not filled with tourists which means that it remains more affordable than other areas and it maintains its local elements. All of these things have helped the city develop quite the urban character with a mixture of unique cultural elements. For anyone who lives there, the city is the opposite of snobby instead it’s filled with vibrancy and life and some amazing places to visit.  

If you’re considering making the move to Sarasota but haven’t yet made the leap then perhaps this list of some of the things you need to know before moving to Sarasota will be that final push you need to make the final choice. 

Sarasota has been viewed as the number one city to retire to in the whole of the USA and for good reason. Between the country clubs, restaurants and safe neighborhoods retiring in Sarasota can be a dream. 

• Sarasota Real Estate Prices remain affordable

Even though there have been many new developments in the state the housing market remains affordable. While some areas in the city are more expensive than others there are many beautiful neighborhoods with houses at great prices. 

• Florida has no State Income Tax

The lack of income tax in Florida makes Sarasota an even better place to live for the modern-day young professional. If you’re looking to save on those heavy income taxes, moving to Florida can be a great way of not only getting to live near the sea and in an amazing city, but also a way to save money. 

• Sarasota has some of the best beaches in the USA

Sarasota beaches and specifically the Siesta Key Beach are considered some of the best beaches in the whole of the USA. If you want sun, sea, and fun then moving to Sarasota is a great way of guaranteeing all three of those. 

In the past few years, more and more restaurants have opened in Sarasota. These unique places can help you have the culinary experience of a lifetime and they are reason enough to want to move to the city. 

If you’re looking to move to Sarasota, Florida as a young professional then you’ll be pleased to know that the city has a low unemployment rate and many job opportunities are available on the market to those who are looking for them. 

Is Sarasota safe living?

Sarasota is a generally safe city to live in. While there are certain areas that you’re recommended to stay away from overall the city itself is a safe and friendly place to live in. It’s for this reason that many families, young professionals, and retirees choose to move to Sarasota. Because the atmosphere in the city is truly unbeatable and by staying away from some areas, you’re almost guaranteed complete safety. 

Summary

Sarasota, Florida is one of the best cities in Florida for people to move to. The housing market currently has many opportunities available, but it’s also still relatively affordable. Health care, public schools, and public areas in Sarasota are also great making this a great choice for families, retirees, and young professionals who are looking to go somewhere new near the water.

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