Nice but Kind of Expensive
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9/21/2010
Sarasota is my hometown and it’s been my home for 32 years. My family has been in Sarasota since the 60s. Sarasota used to have that desirable small town feel, but now it’s a melting pot that is filling up fast. We used to joke that you can get anywhere in Sarasota in 15 minutes flat, but not anymore and especially not during tourist season. I have experienced some of what the previous people have reported and for the most part, their reviews are accurate. Sarasota is very tourist based and it’s frustrating living here during season when the entire town becomes congested. As a teen I used to feel that Sarasota was boring but now I find that something is always going on! The downtown area, Siesta Key, and St. Armand’s Circle are quite busy with shops, restaurants, and bars; however, everything closes early compared to Tampa and Orlando. It is home to the prestigious Ringling School of Art & Design and a few other colleges have branches here, but I wouldn’t classify it as a college town. There are a lot of creative venues to enjoy; art museums, theaters, etc., but, the beautiful beaches are what keep tourists and snow birds coming back year after year. There are lots of young families living here, but, there are also lots of retirees. The cost of living is high and if you are a blue collar family it will be difficult to make ends meet and challenging to afford any decent sized home. Unemployment exceeds the national average. The locals are somewhat nice but they like to keep to themselves. You would too if your town was regularly bombarded by tourists. Yes, there are snobs here, but what do you expect? If you encounter rudeness and crime it’s because it has been brought here by the people who have moved here. Approximately half of the community is Democratic and half is Republican, which is refreshing. The climate is extremely hot and muggy for most of the year and it feels like there are only two seasons; summer and a brief fall. All in all, it’s a nice place to live (and no doubt beautiful) if you can afford it and if you don’t mind sweating from April until October! Most locals I know who have moved from Sarasota do so to get out of the muggy climate and to live in a more affordable market for working class families. I have enjoyed living here, but my family is relocating for those reasons as well.
Kara | Gulf Gate Estates, FL