Sarasota is one of Florida’s most desired places to live on the Gulf Coast! Downtown Sarasota has a lively nightlife with upscale clubs and restaurants. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, like Siesta, Lido, and Venice Beach. This makes it a perfect fit for beach goers, nature lovers, fishing enthusiasts, and boaters. If you’re looking for an active lifestyle Sarasota offers golfing, tennis, pickleball, and more. Nature lovers can explore the Legacy Trail that runs through Sarasota County as well. Well-known as Florida’s cultural destination, it has various artist galleries, and performing arts centers, like the Van Wezel, and Ringling Museum. Downtown is home to many fine dining establishments, casual eateries, and chic boutiques. There are many great communities located in Greater Sarasota, where you can have the lifestyle you desire.
Lido Key is a barrier island just north of St. Armand’s Circle, whose sides touch the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and New Pass. Home to one of the most pristine beaches, scenic Lido Key is known for its eco-tourism and sunset cruises. It’s a great place to go deep sea fishing, dolphin watching, and sailing. Many homes and condominiums that lace Lido Key are known for the architecture that displays its beauty and enhances the serenity found here in this hidden gem. Real Estate is pricey, but worth it for the opportunity to live on Lido Key.
These two towns are among some of the best places to live in all of Florida! Located just south of Palmer Ranch and north of the city of Venice, they offer buyers a sparse suburban feel with a touch of “Old Florida.” Osprey and Nokomis offer visitors and residents parks, family-owned shops, and plenty of restaurants conveniently located for all to enjoy, especially waterfront dining. The barrier island of exclusive Casey Key is on the opposite side of the Intracoastal Waterway from Osprey and Nokomis. Single family homes are the main form of housing, but there are some condominiums and villas as well. Prices are reasonable, compared to other Sarasota areas.
This area is known for homes having wide open spaces, some with room enough for several horses and a barn. There is plenty of buildable land and many new communities are developing East of I-75 as well as older established neighborhoods and country clubs. Access to the interstate is a huge attraction, not to mention the many golf courses and country clubs found among many estate sized homes in gated communities.
Siesta Key is a barrier island just off the coast of the central mainland of Sarasota. Known for its world-famous powdery sand at Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach is also located in the center of the Key and Turtle Beach is found at the south end. The heartbeat of Siesta Key is the charming Siesta Village, which bustles year-round with various family-owned shops, restaurants and cafes. Siesta Key has become known as a tropical paradise full of lush, green plants, and its residents embrace a much slower pace of living. Real Estate here is mostly condominiums, with canal, Intracoastal Waterway, and Gulf front estate homes. Many duplexes and single family homes are tucked in the back of Siesta village, and the north end has exquisite homes that lace Sarasota Bay with canal front living as well.
Bird Key is a barrier island located in Sarasota Bay, south of the John Ringling Causeway, between mainland Sarasota and St. Armand's Key. It is a community of 510 luxury single family homes, many with direct access to the water, boasting its own yacht club. Known for being one of the most prestigious areas on Florida’s West Coast, it is a paradise for any homebuyer looking for a premiere property in a thriving waterfront community.
Longboat Key, located south of Anna Maria Island and north of St. Armand’s Key, Is an 11 mile stretch of island with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Sarasota Bay on the other. This is resort-style living at its best, with private single family residences and condominiums against a backdrop of lush landscaping, manicured and pristine. The famous Longboat Key Club, on the south end of the Key, is a very popular resort destination to vacation or to own a residence, also known for its golf course that was just renovated. For the buyer who wants a world class address, Longboat Key is where you want to be.
This planned community is located in southeastern Manatee County and northeastern Sarasota County, just east of I-75, consisting of 31,000 acres. Lakewood Ranch has 3 town centers, top-rated schools, 9 community parks, and a competitive polo ground. It boasts an award-winning golf & country club, Farmers’ Market, 150 miles of trails, and 60 clubs and activities. Having plenty of shopping and dining, it is 20 miles to the nearest beach which is Bradenton Beach. With more than 35 distinctive villages, Lakewood Ranch blends diverse home choice with a community designed to support wellness in all aspects of life. The home buyer has a multitude of choices and price points to choose from and with all that it has to offer, you needn’t leave, because nearly everything is located within the borders of Lakewood Ranch, including premier healthcare.
Downtown Sarasota is a lively area with art galleries and theatres, including McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, host to national stand-up acts, and Florida Studio Theatre, with plays and cabaret. Plenty of boutique shops and culture abound this top notch area. Diverse dining option include farm-to-table bistros, refined seafood spots and modern sushi joints, plus plush cocktail bars and low-key pubs with live music. Downtown Sarasota is a major metropolitan city, living in a relaxed atmosphere and casual west-coast style that Sarasota has become known and admired for. The ample real estate opportunities consist of high-rise towers, low rise townhomes, and a few homes mixed in the outskirts around and back of Fruitville Rd.
Central Sarasota is located south of the Downtown area from the bay to I-75 between Bahia Vista Street and Bee Ridge Rd. East of Beneva Rd., it runs from the 17th Street/Fruitville Rd. area to Clark Rd. Central Sarasota puts you right in the middle of everything this town has to offer. You are only minutes away from Downtown Sarasota, the interstate and your choice of world-class beaches, including Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key. As you move east of Sarasota Bay, the affordability index rises without losing any of the conveniences. Real Estate in this area is varied, with mostly with single family houses and few condominiums.
Palmer Ranch is Sarasota’s largest master-planned community, just a short 10 – 15 minute drive to the white sand beaches, water activities such as fishing or boating, the beautiful theatres and cozy downtown area with many fantastic restaurants to choose from. Located south of Clark Rd., and covering 60 square miles between I-75 and Tamiami Trail, Palmer Ranch is called home by over 20,000 residents. This beautifully maintained community is very popular due to its centralized location. Several options exist to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes, fitness facilities, bike paths and hiking trails, plus the famous Legacy Trail. Palmer Ranch real estate includes single family residential communities, townhomes, maintenance-free villas and condominiums all located closing to great shopping, varied dining experiences, and private golf courses.
Venice is located just south of Nokomis and north of Englewood, on both sides of I-75. It’s a diverse area, sprinkled with lots of restaurants and shopping opportunities, still close to downtown Sarasota and very close to downtown Venice Island. Along Florida’s white-sanded Gulf Coast, Venice offers 14 miles of beaches from Casey Key to Manasota Key, and plenty of recreational opportunities including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, boating and scuba diving. Shelling is also a favorite pastime on Caspersen Beach and fossilized sharks’ teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. There are many communities that feature golfing, so there are plenty of opportunities for golfers to try out many of the courses in the vicinity. Recently, Sarasota Memorial Hospital opened a full-service medical facility here. Real Estate is very mixed, from fixer-uppers to luxury estate homes in one of the many country clubs. Venice has many gated and non-gated communities with single family homes, villas, townhouses, condominiums, and duplexes.
Venice Island is a portion of the mainland, only accessed via 2 bridges over the artificially created Intracoastal Waterway, just west of the Tamiami Trail, and south of Nokomis. It has a vibrant downtown area, graced by northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards. Family-owned stores for shopping and dining are in abundance, in this area, great for just strolling around. The housing market is hot, and renovations are going on everywhere on the Island. Most are single family homes, except for the Gulf front, which is lined with high rise condominiums and wonderful restaurants.
The Meadows is a private master-planned community located between Honore Avenue and 17th Street, just west of I-75, comprised of single family homes, condominiums, and villas. Its’ popularity is also due to the close location to University Town Center Mall, Benderson Park, and downtown Sarasota. With 1,650 acres of open space, The Meadows is home to an abundance of canopied Oaks, over 85 lakes and waterways, and 14 miles of walking and bike trails. There are engaging activities and a variety of amenities that reflect the residents’ diverse interests, including 3 picturesque golf courses. The Meadows various neighborhoods have something for everyone at a wide range of home prices.
Gulf Gate is a very popular Sarasota neighborhood due to its centralized location, just east of the famous Tamiami Trail, with close proximity to local shopping, malls, great restaurants and world-class beaches, all providing a great attraction for home buyers. The neighborhood is minutes from the Stickney Point Bridge, which connects the Sarasota mainland to Siesta Key. If you plan to be a frequent beach-goer, and you are seeking reasonably priced homes in a desirable neighborhood, then you might want to check out Gulf Gate.
St. Armand’s Key is an island in Sarasota Bay, connected to the mainland by the John Ringling Causeway. It is part of the city of Sarasota, but definitely has its own distinctiveness and flair, known as an island shopping center, removed from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. St. Armand’s is a one-of-a-kind place to shop and dine with more than 130 boutiques, specialty shops, galleries, and restaurants. The “Circle” hosts a variety of special events throughout the year including arts & crafts festivals, sidewalk sales, exotic car shows, and special holiday-themed events. Real estate in the neighborhood of St. Armand’s offers an amazing selection of upscale homes situated around the circular shopping district.
Casey Key is an 8 mile long, very narrow barrier island opposite Osprey and Nokomis, separated by the Intracoastal Waterway. Located just 15 miles south of downtown Sarasota, and just a few miles north of Venice, it has become known for the canopied narrow winding roads lined with trees, framing the beauty of many of the waterfront homes. The south end features a few small boutique hotels, Nokomis Beach and the Venice Inlet. As one of Sarasota’s hidden gems, Casey Key is an isolated and exclusive enclave, with some of the most expensive real estate in all of Sarasota.
Anna Maria is a small city on the 7 mile barrier island of Anna Maria, located in the Gulf of Mexico, north of Longboat Key. It’s known for its broad beaches, like Manatee Beach Park and Coquina Beach, and is a vacation favorite among local, national and international visitors. In the small resort city of Anna Maria, located in the northern part of the Island, Pine Avenue is lined with shops, galleries and eateries. Anna Maria Island is the perfect getaway if you are craving a taste of “Old Florida,” with its beautiful tropical foliage embracing you as you relax, watch the dolphins play and the manatees glide through the water. Real estate includes single family homes, condominiums, villas, and duplexes.
Located in the southernmost part of Sarasota County, south of Venice, backing up to Lemon Bay, part of Englewood is in the adjoining Charlotte County. For outdoor activities, there is Stump Pass Beach and Blind Pass Beach, where you can enjoy watching dolphins swimming and manatees gliding past in the water. The atmosphere in Englewood is very laid back, reminding visitors of “Old Florida.” The crowds are lighter which allows you to just enjoy nature and the local restaurants, featuring great seafood, without standing in really long lines. Just a short drive down the road is Manasota Key Beach, with plenty of hiking trails, great fishing and boating and a wonderful beach. The communities in Englewood are of mixed styles, with many neighborhoods consisting of homes from the fifties through the seventies, up to the current building styles. There is a historic district, along west Dearborn Street that was recently undergoing an expansive restoration and renovation, filled with shops, small galleries and eateries. Real estate includes a prestigious gated golf & country club, single family homes, villas, duplexes and condominiums.
Golden Gate Point is a 22 acre peninsula that juts into Sarasota Bay at the foot of John Ringling Causeway. It has some of the city’s most impressive addresses, with luxury condominiums that hug the shoreline offering breathtaking bay, gulf and sunset views. A short walk or drive will bring you to St. Armand’s Circle or Downtown Sarasota, both with 5-star restaurants, upscale shopping, beaches and cultural offerings. Golden Gate Point real estate is primarily condominiums, many that have dockage for large boats.
Located only 4 miles from downtown Sarasota with its urban vibe, spirited arts community, museums, shopping, dining and first-class healthcare, University Park is an oasis from the city but close enough to enjoy all that it has to offer. It is only a short 15-minute drive to some of America’s finest beaches, superb outdoor recreation areas, and various boating options. University Park is a master-planned community offering mature landscape with sprawling natural beauty, 22 holes of golf, and miles of tree-lined streets for walking or biking and first-class dining. Real estate in the University Park area includes well-priced villas, single family homes, estate homes, and condominiums.
Holmes Beach is a city on Anna Maria Island, occupying the central part of the island. Anna Maria Island is just north of Longboat Key, and attracts tourists from all over the world, who want to experience its “Old Florida” charm and island lifestyle. Real Estate includes a wide array of single family homes, villas, duplexes, and condominiums. Known for its friendly residents, Holmes Beach has a slower pace besides having beautiful beaches and lots of family-owned shops and restaurants. Bradenton Beach is just south of Holmes Beach, which is the third city on Anna Maria Island – Holmes Beach, Anna Maria, and Bradenton Beach.
West of the Trail was one of the earliest developed areas in Sarasota, therefore, most homes tend to be built in the fifties through the 1970’s. It is considered to be any area west of route 41(also called Tamiami Trail), however, due to its outstanding location, now these older homes are slowly being torn down and replaced by modern new construction homes of all styles. Many buyers like the fact that they are free to make their own design choices, as there are fewer communities with HOA deed restrictions in this area, which adds to its popularity. It is difficult to find a “deal” West of the Trail, and even homes that need renovation are selling for top prices. Real Estate is all about location, so don’t expect cheaper priced homes to be found in this area.
Bradenton Beach is a city on the southern end of Anna Maria Island, located off the Gulf of Mexico and a brief drive from Bradenton and Sarasota. It’s a small resort town known for its fishing pier, sugar-sand beaches and a quaint strip of shops, restaurants, and other family-owned businesses. Here, you will find the charming atmosphere of old historic Florida, with friendly locals in every establishment, and a rich culture all around you. The vide of Bradenton Beach is relaxed and welcoming. Coquina Beach is the longest stretch of beach on the island, with plenty of sand dunes and waving grasses that make for a very picturesque scene. Real Estate here is mostly small bungalows, single family homes, and duplexes. Prices recently have been elevated, due to the national attention that Anna Maria Island as a whole has been given as one of Florida’s hidden gems.
East of the Trail is located north from Downtown Sarasota to Clark Rd. in the south, east to I-75. This up and coming area Is the alternative to the pricey West of the Trail homes. Buyers are finding this is competitively priced and offers a superb location close to lots of life and leisure activities, not to mention the world-famous healthcare facilities of Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the surrounding area doctors. East of the Trail homes, like their counterparts west of the Tamiami Highway, have a unique character and are convenient to various amenities, such as well-established restaurants, clubs and shops. A short drive north leads to even more lifestyle delights in Downtown Sarasota, and a similar short trip southwest leads to the fabulous white sands of Siesta Key.
Manasota Key is a barrier island tucked between Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with only 2 roads to access this charming vacation spot, consisting mainly of the community of Englewood Beach in Charlotte County. It’s a beautiful beach and hailed as an eco destination south of Sarasota and Venice, where you can explore the rarely beautiful and tucked away section of beach and eco-habitat without the hassle of a well-hyped beach; no overcrowding, no difficulty parking, and not even the occasionally long waits typical of busier beaches, restaurants, and bars. Manasota Key displays is slower-tempered beauty, its share of native wildlife you can see up close, and the overall vibe of taking your time to enjoy everything around you. This area is best known for its secluded beaches, such as Manasota Beach, Blind Pass Beach, Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach. Real Estate on Manasota Key can be pricey, but not nearly as much as its northern neighbor of Siesta Key. You will be able to select from single family homes, duplexes, condominiums, and villas.
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