Why live in Sarasota

Coastal Living Magazine Names Venice in Top 10 List

Venice, Florida has been named a top place for living on the Coast by Tracy Minkin of Coastal Living Magazine for 2020. 

GULF STAR
Talk about a place ready for its moment in the sun (all 252 days a year of it).

This resort-forward little city of 23,376—a low-key beauty on the Gulf with Mediterranean architecture and 14 miles of bone-white beaches—has just emerged from a yearlong beautification project in its historic downtown.

New rows of tall palms shade upgraded sidewalks (with ADA-compliant curbs), while median strips lush with hibiscus, jatropha, and jasmine add tropical verve to Venice's lively center for food, drink, shopping, and arts. (It's home to one of the largest community

The 10 Best Restaurants in Sarasota by Food Category According to TripAdvisor®

Sarasota is known for her large variety of Restaurants by Foodies from around the world! Sarasota has grown over the years to become a dinners delight with over 1,400 restaurants. I have been told there are more restaurants per capita than any other city in Florida.

From Seafood to Mexican to Italian to Barbecue to Thai, to Chinese, TripAdvisor® has collected a list with reviews of the top Sarasota Restaurants arranged by categories featuring Community Picks, Moderately Priced, Fine Dinning, Local Cuisine, Lunch and Cheap Eats.     

To See the Complete List Visit:       The 10 BEST Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida by TripAdvisor®

The Sarasota/Manatee counties have been ranked as the 10th fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States according to the most recent US Census Data Report from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2016 with an increase of over 20,400 new residents. 

Here is the recent article that appeared on our local newspaper the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on March 23, 2017 as written by Staff Writer Dale White.

By Dale White
Staff Writer at The Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The Sarasota-Manatee area saw its overall population expand from 768,013 to 788,457 a boost of 20,444 residents, more than enough to populate a small city. 

Sarasota and Manatee counties rank as the 10th fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States, new census data shows.

Punta

Once again Sarasota is nationally recognized, this time by Vogue.com contributing editor Christina Perez in her April 2017 article.  Sarasota continues to stand out as a desirable destination to visit and live with articles like this one along with continued praises such as “Sarasota surpassed every other major Florida market on U.S. News’ list of top places to live in the nation” and “Siesta Key Beach being named the No. 1 Beach in the United States in 2015”.

Perfect Beaches, Mid-Century Charm: Is This Florida's Best Kept Secret?

April 13, 2017 by Christina Perez

Little known fact: Sarasota, Florida is home to some of the country’s finest examples of mid-century modern architecture. You might not notice it at first—it’s not well-publicized,

The following article was written by Maggie Menderski of the Sarasota Herald Tribune on April 6, 2016

Sarasota Ranks Among Top US Food Cities

By Maggie Menderski
Published: Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Sarasota has a habit of filling its trophy case, and its latest accolade comes from its ability to fill stomachs.

Conde Nast Traveler this week named Sarasota among the best food cities in the United States. The list of 15 dining hotspots originated from Conde Nast’s annual readers’ choice survey.

Sarasota came in as the top city in Florida, ranking at No. 14. Palm Beach, at No. 15, was the only other Sunshine State city listed. Charleston, South Carolina, ranked No. 1 followed by New Orleans at No. 2 and New York City at No. 3.

Top US Food

Florida Trend's September 2015  issue featured an article about Sarasota by Amy Martinez. 

Amy writes, " Sarasota's size, good schools and arts infrastructure are attracting a young 'creative class' of workers and entrepreneurs for whom quality-of-life considerations are paramount in deciding where to live and work "

EVOLUTION
by Amy Martinez

Traditionally, Sarasota and its economy have been defined by a large population of affluent retirees, highly rated beaches and a vibrant arts, scene - the legacy of, among others, circus legend John Ringling and his wife, Mable.  Ringling settled in Sarasota full time after years of visiting on vacation and left his mansion with its large art collection to the state of Florida when he died in 1936. 

The

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has expanded over the years to now include a large number of daily non-stop flights to 10 major cities.  5 Airlines are now offering non-stop daily flights, some for just the winter snow-bird season while others are offering year round daily service.    

Atlanta (ATL)    
Delta Airlines now has between 5-7 daily year round flights to Atlanta.

Boston (BOS) 
Jet Blue offers a daily flight during the winter and spring season.

Charlotte, NC (CLT)   
American/US Airways averages 5 daily year round flights to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Chicago (ORD)   
United Airlines offers a daily year round flight, and are adding a second daily flight from December 18 - April 6, with a third daily flight added on Fridays and

The Mall at University Town Center Opening in Sarasota, FL with over 100 Stores

Opening on October 16, 2014 The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota will be the premier shopping experience with over 100 upscale fashion and lifestyle retailers with about half being unique to the Sarasota area.  This new mall is over 880,000 sq. ft. on 73 Acres of an overall mix of 276 acres for the entire site that sits next to the new Nathan Benderson Rowing Park, home to the 2017 World Rowing Championships.  And YES the Apple Store that we have all been waiting for is coming to Sarasota!

Located at the southwest corner of I-75 and University Parkway at exit 213 this opening has been eagerly anticipated for years.

The Mall at University Town Center will be

Sarasota, Florida has been recently chosen as the "The #1 Best City for Retirement" by financial education website Credit Donkey.com  Citing cultural activities, the number of health care facilities, and a strong and growing economy Sarasota was chosen the best city for retirees.

1. Sarasota, Florida
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Bridgeport, Connecticut
4. Tucson, Arizona
5. Springfield, Massachusetts
6. Albany, New York
7. Charleston, South Carolina
8. Cape Coral, Florida
9. Allentown, Pennsylvania
10. New Haven, Connecticut

1. SARASOTA, FL  

• Population 60 years and older: 35.9%
• Multi-unit houses: 24.7%
• Healthcare practices per 1,000 people: 3.34
• Cultural attractions: 15
• Population growth: 1.6%

Ranking first for both its 60+

Michael Braga of the Sarasota Herald Tribune recently published a great article about the Top Ten Luxury Home Sales for Sarasota in 2013 and who bought those homes.  The complete article is below with pictures from Michael Braga and the Herald Tribune.  Sarasota is such a great place to live and attacts people from all over.  Enjoy the Article!

Top Ten Luxury Home Sale in 2013
By Michael Braga of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

A well-known comedienne, the founders of a military technology company, the chief executive of Sherwin Williams and two real estate developers were among the top 10 luxury home buyers in Manatee and Sarasota counties during 2013.  There also was a conveyor belt company owner and software developer.  But the largest contingent of