Your EZ Home Search Moving Guide- Get to Know Sarasota

Sarasota astounds and charms residents and visitors daily, from the sunset views to the friendly people. Its beaches have been Dr. Beach’s best in America twice, but that’s not its only accolade. Sarasota has topped lists for the best places to live and retire, including US News and World Report. Why Sarasota? Not only is its waterfront, but it’s jam-packed with award-winning restaurants, has a pervasive arts culture, and robust outdoor recreation options from golf to cycling.

If you’re considering buying a vacation home or relocating permanently to the Suncoast, prepare to live abundantly in a beautiful slice of paradise. Here’s what to expect when you live in Sarasota.

Award-winning Beaches

You can’t say “Sarasota” without mentioning Siesta Key. Two-time America’s No. 1 Beach is the crown jewel of the Sarasota beachfront. The unique quartz sand stays cool even on the hottest of August days. It draws tourists worldwide and keeps the island in high demand.

But Siesta Key isn’t the only top-notch beach in the area. Sarasota is blessed with miles of beach shoreline to suit every taste. The sands of Lido Beach on the south end of Longboat Key are similar to Siesta and popular with residents because it’s less packed with tourists. Offshore Crescent Beach has a good snorkeling point with tropical fish. Turtle Beach in the far south is open for beachfront camping, while Casey Key and its Nokomis Beach are an oasis from the crowds. And if you’re willing to drive to Venice, dogs can swim at Caspersen Beach, or you can join the fossil hunters scouring Venice Beach for shark teeth.

Incredible Waterfront Access

There’s nearly as much water in Sarasota County as there is land. Numerous lakes, rivers, canals, and inlets comprise the inland area. Most residents are within minutes of a water access point, even if it’s not the beach.

What can you do from the waterfront? Enjoy freshwater, saltwater, or deepwater fishing all year round. Paddle the mangrove tunnels of Lido Key or join the yachters navigating the Intracoastal from Venice to Anna Maria Island. Several clubs offer sailing lessons, boat rentals, and host regattas.

Sarasota Celebrates The Arts

Artists have long been drawn to the Suncoast, home to the Ringling College of Art and Design, plus the world-famous Ringling Museum. The walkable downtown is packed with art galleries, has an artist colony at Towles Court, and multiple parks with public art displays.

Like performance art? The Asolo Repertory Theater is home to aspiring dancers, performers, and the Sarasota Ballet. Musicians will love the Sarasota Opera House and Sarasota Orchestra. Burns Court Cinema is the center of the annual Sarasota Film Festival. The former Van Wezel and its iconic purple walls on the bayfront were recently torn down but will become part of a new waterfront district that will further highlight the Sarasota arts and entertainment scene.

Delicious Food Culture

Like to eat? Good news! Sarasota has one of the highest concentrations of Zagat-rated restaurants in Florida. The food scene continues to attract young chefs and entrepreneurs looking to make their mark.

For the first two weeks of June, Savor Sarasota is a can’t-miss event where original local restaurants offer affordable tasting menus. And tickets for Forks and Corks, an annual wine and food tasting event each January, sell out within hours of release.

Distinctive Architecture

Not all communities can claim to have their own School of Architecture, but Sarasota can. It’s a post-war design heritage notable for its use of geometry, white stucco, and natural features. This makes local real estate unique from other beach communities. Sprinkled around Sarasota are public and private buildings of all ages designed by leaders in the modern architecture movement. Today the Sarasota Architectural Foundation offers tours of the area’s iconic buildings.

Shop Till You Drop

Love a good day of retail therapy? St. Armand’s Circle on Longboat Key has a range of eclectic beach wear, interior design, and clothing boutiques sprinkled between famous restaurants and cafes. At the University Town Center (UTC), shoppers stroll under the glass ceiling amongst luxury national retailers. The Westfield Southgate is an upscale destination just off Siesta Key, while Westfield Sarasota Square is a busy southern shopping hub.

Besides malls, find local retailers and high-end boutiques along Main Street in downtown Sarasota and Venice.

A Hub for Sports Tourism

Sports tourism is a significant part of the county’s development plan. Some places say they promote active living, but Sarasota means it. Nathan Benderson Park has hosted national and world championships in several sports, like rowing, dragon boat racing, and triathlon. The Pan-Am Swimming Games have centered around the Suncoast several times.

Soccer is a huge draw, as is the annual stand-up Paddleboarding series. If you like running or triathlons, don’t miss the Ringling Bridge Run, ASLO Turkey Trot, and Bill’s Beer Run, three huge Sarasota athletic traditions.

Sarasota is also a golfer’s paradise, with numerous golf courses offering picturesque settings and challenging play. A few notable courses are The Concession Golf Club, TPC Prestancia, University Park Country Club, and Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

A Circus of A History

Sarasota will forever be tied to circus culture thanks to the Ringling Bros. The Ca d’Zan mansion and Ringling Museum attest to this era of Sarasota history. The Ringlings made Sarasota and nearby Venice the Circus’ winter home.

Today the circus tradition continues with circus arts training through Sailor Circus and the Sarasota Circus. Local high-wire legend Nik Wallenda is based in Sarasota, and he occasionally uses the local parks to practice for long walks.

Easy Navigating

Sarasota’s relatively easy to get around thanks to the major highways that run east-west up and down the Suncoast.

I-75 is the main north-south artery. Locals either live “east” or “west” of I-75, with those “east of 75” being more rural and likely having homes on larger lots. Tamiami Trail, or US19/Hwy 301, also runs north-south and through the heart of downtown Sarasota but is busier with stop-and-go traffic and lots of red lights.

Then, moving from North to South, the major roads navigating people east-west and dividing up Sarasota are:

• University Parkway (north of downtown, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Lakewood Ranch
• Fruitville Road (Downtown to Fruitville, I-75)
• Bee Ridge Road (South Sarasota to I-75)
• Clark Road (Siesta Key south access to I-75)

In between these major arteries are more roads, usually in a grid-like pattern, that helps getting around be easier.

Regarding traffic, there is a noticeable change in flow during the winter and spring months of the year when vacationers and part-timers flood into the area. It’s not unreasonable to see your drive times increase by 5-15 minutes, depending on where you are. And having a car is almost a must for getting around, as public transportation exists but doesn’t have the most reliable timing.

And how about getting to the airport? Sarasota-Bradenton Airport connects to destinations across the US. It is a convenient in-town airport when you have to fly. And even if you don’t use SRQ, St. Petersburg and Tampa International Airports are less than 90 minutes away, increasing your flight options.

That Tropical Climate

If you’re moving to Sarasota, it should go without saying it’s warm. Or it’s warm in the winter and downright sweltering in the summer. That’s the tradeoff for living in south Florida: mild winters, hot summers. That’s why the festival season coincides with the winter and spring months–it’s just nicer to be outside during those times of the year.

Be prepared for occasional thunderstorms and possible hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November). Sarasota hasn’t had a direct hit in a long time, but it’s been extremely close several times in the last decade. Even these near brushes have caused coastal flooding, inland flooding, and wind damage. That’s why you’ll see and hear many real estate listings discuss their hurricane safety features.

Snowbird season

Snowbird season typically occurs from late fall to early spring, with the peak months being December to April. During this time, the region experiences an influx of visitors, primarily from northern states or Canada, seeking respite from the cold weather. Perhaps you’re planning to be one of them!

This influx impacts various aspects of daily life, including traffic, downtown and beachfront parking, restaurant wait times, and the availability of rental properties. Golf courses are more booked, and the trails are busier.

An Increasing Cost of Living

Sarasota’s living expenses have increased, with housing seeing the most gains as people continue to seek the paradise lifestyle. With an inventory shortage as of 2023, housing costs were 14% above the national average.

However, it’s important to note these averages cover the whole area. Prices go up as you move closer to the bayfront and barrier islands.

Groceries, healthcare, and miscellaneous costs are above average, but utilities and transportation are more affordable.

Exceptional Education

Sarasota isn’t just popular with retirees, but professionals are deliberately choosing SRQ because of the quality education afforded to their families without paying for a private school.

The Sarasota School District has a reputation for educational excellence. It consistently ranks among the top districts in Florida thanks to its high academic achievement and graduation rates. Many local schools have received national recognition for their high-quality education, most notably the Pine View School for the Gifted. This charter school for grades 2-12 has ranked in the nation’s top 20 for its education program. But the district’s other public schools are equally rigorous, with many offering specialized arts, STEM, engineering, IB, and more programs.

And it’s not just the public school district that excels. Sarasota’s Ringling College of Art & Design is training future filmmakers and artists, whose alums include Oscar and Tony award winners. New College of Florida is a unique honors college where students work hands-on with faculty, run independent studies, and don’t earn grades. More public options and degree programs are offered through the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus and the State College of Florida.

More About Sarasota

There’s so much to touch on as you dive into Sarasota, as you’ll learn as you keep exploring. The county welcomes new residents and offers a relocation packet that details even more of the area’s attractions and how to get familiar with your new home. Your local real estate agent can also be a resource for uncovering all that awaits in SRQ and finding the right mix of amenities to call home. And if living here sounds appealing to you, keep your research going with the ten top neighborhoods in Sarasota.