SperlingViews - Sarasota, Florida

Many doctors in the Sarasota-Bradenton area avoid patients with any type of Medicare insurance. Of course, they don't say anything about it publicly.[read more...]

Dear All, My family is considering relocating to the Sarasota or Tampa area. Schools are quite important with a PreK student and 3rd grader. Affordable housing, low crime, family oriented communities, limited traffic congestion are also very important. Are the local governments in both areas fiscally responsible, fiscally sound, and not in jeopardy of collapse? I would appreciate any feedback that the locals in Sarasota and Tampa could provide in helping us pick 1 city over the other. Thanks, John[read more...]

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.[read more...]

I'm a 2nd generation Sarasotan and I’ve lived in Sarasota for 32 years. My family has been in Sarasota since the 60s. The town 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 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 unless you are in the hospitality industry, it’s frustrating living here when the entire town becomes congested. As a teen I used to feel that Sarasota was boring but now 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. Its home to Ringling School of Art & Design and several other colleges. 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 I believe 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. My family is relocating for those reasons as well. [read more...]

I've lived here most of my life and I love it here. Sure it's hot, muggy and buggy most of the time but that's why they invented air conditioning and screened-in porches and the beaches are just spectacular. There are excellent youth programs including youth opera, sailing and Sailor Circus and the arts community is a large part of the Sarasota lifestyle with an abundance of museums and performing arts centers. Just six or seven years ago the downtown area was a snooze but today it is being revitalized with tons of trendy boutiques and clubs, beautiful condos and all my old favorite little restaurants along with several great new ones. Just be prepared to deal with some pretty annoying construction right now but hey, it won't last forever and I think it'll be worth it :) [read more...]

This place has great beaches and fun for family vacations. I love that shopping circle, soooo much to do.[read more...]

The city has wide range of activities to choose from. There's opera, symphony, ballet, museums. Outside activities are numerous. The city and county have special events, concerts, art shows, craft shows almost every weekend. [read more...]

i just love downtown sarasota dining and strolling[read more...]

My wife and kids moved to Lakewood Ranch which is a new area outside of Sarasota about 6 months ago. I have always wanted to live in Florida as I got tired of the cold and winters of Wenatchee Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Florida has been a rude awankening for us as it is not at all what we expected. We have found the people a bit cold and distant as most are snow birds who have moved from the Northeast. We have managed to find however a handful of friends who were warm and welcoming. Our travels to Miami and Miami International Airport have been extremely stressful. Driving in the Lakewood Ranch area has been a bit unenjoyable also. Drivers are very agressive and can be extremely inpolite in our area as well as throughout the I75 corridor. There are usually 7 to 10 accidents a day between Tampa and Naples. After our experience here I do miss the warm friendly people of the Pacific Northwest. I wish the Pacific Northwest had the weather that Florida does.[read more...]

I absolutely love the weather here in Sarasota and being able to play golf almost all year and the scenery at places like Siesta Key Beach is just great. That being said, I do not like the utility rates here for electric and even water runs us about $65.00/mo. The sales tax rate is 7% and I find that a bit high, although there is no state tax, that's a plus. My wife and I are getting ready to move to Moore, SC,(Greenville/Spartanburg area), in part because the cost of living there is aprox. 26% lower. Although I don't work anymore, the unemployment here is quite high, around 11%...that's primarily because new construction has dropped to almost nothing. For average retirees like us, without a nest egg, I would not recommend this area because of the relative high cost of living!! I will miss Sarasot, but the high cost of living is just not worth it![read more...]

I have lived on both East and West coasts (born and raised in New Jersey) and the Sarasota/Bradenton area is the best for climate, recreational activities, gorgeous flowers and way of life. Currently living in Arizona and can't wait to make my move. I see a few Florida plates here in Arizona, you people are crazy!![read more...]

Sarasota has many great schools, including public schools, magnet schools, and private schools. Top elementary schools include Southside Elementary and Tara Ridge Elementary.[read more...]

Unemployment is approaching 13%; and housing values have declined as much as 60% in some areas. It is paradise for the climate; the beaches; the arts; and beauty.[read more...]

Sarasota is a clean, attractive, well serviced ciry, essentially middle class and up. It has an aversion to the new, and the challenging. The bulk of what passes for culture is mediocrity. the people have brand of snobbishness that can be downright unwelcoming. Mostly Midwesterners, frugal, and with little curiousity about the world. A Republic run by and for for monied retirees. Oddly, little overt prejudice, and a live and let live atmosphere, though. Schools are reasonably good for Florida, relatively little crime. Few interesting stores or restaurants, but lots of talk of "living in paradise" and "Florida's cultural capital." For the risk-averse who just want to shielded from anything challenging. Yet, on the every flip side, a very easy place to live your daily life. Very poor air service, even to Miami. Live here if you love layovers at airports changing planes.[read more...]

In the 40's and early 50's, Sarasota's nick name was the "Air-conditioned City". This is no longer true. In the hot months, its more like an outdoor sauna with the humidity right up there with the temperature. Insects abound, namely mosquitos and the ever-popular roaches. I couldn't take it any more. I moved to Santa Fe where its cool and dry.[read more...]

want to know how nice sarasota is to live[read more...]

If you have lots of money, this is the place for you where it primarily based on arts and recreation. Restaurants are closing left and right, building has completely stopped and if you are middle class family you will more than likely not make it here and be comfortable. Rent is high, homes are still way overpriced and there is not much state assistance unless you are an illegal alien. From a realistic point of view, I have been here 25 years and hated it. I am looking to relocate. Sarasota is gorgeous, no doubt about it, but if you make less than 100k a year your screwed as far as ever getting ahead. The school system is failing here and even tuition to local colleges is unrealistic to the average person. This place is for rich retirement, not to raise a family and earn your way through life.[read more...]

Sarasota has come a long way from the retirement center it was known as in the past. Today, Sarasota is a balanced community of young adults, families, baby boomers and retirees. In addition, the community offers a wide range of activities and attractions ~ something to appeal to every taste. For example, in addition to active ballet, opera and symphony, Sarasota hosts a world-class blues festival each year that boasts well recognized headliners. Add to this one of the best beaches in the world, great surfing/boogie boarding, fishing and boating, and a wide range of outstanding museums, restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues. I have lived here for 15 years except for four years when I left to area; I returned this past winter and am incredibly pleased to be back.[read more...]

I have lived here in Sarasota since I was 4. The entire state of Florida is built upon tourism (theme parks, beaches, etc.) so there is hardly anything left over for the people who actually LIVE here year round. Sarasota is very seasonal. The summers are extremely hot and humid. Winter is nice but it's hard to enjoy when all the snowbirds come down and mob the place. From October till about April is the heaviest tourist season. All the businesses will begin hiring and the traffic will be horrible (congested with old people who come down for the winter and go back north for the summer). The school system is horrible. Every year there are more and more budget cuts (again this is a TOURIST state. I would never, EVER suggest raising a child here, under any circumstance.) All of the people who I grew up with have moved away or plan on moving away as soon as possible (I'm moving to Seattle this summer.) I've seen teachers drink alcohol in classrooms. With a state so focused on tourism, why would they even bother spending money on the school system. (Note that this state is 49th in the nation for education.) As far as crime goes, my mother is a probation officer and there is a lot that goes on the that media just does not cover. It is NOT as safe as everyone makes it out to be, but Sarasota is supposedly this picturesque community and the city does not want it to be tarnished. At some of the most prestigious high schools in the county are reported rape cases, HUNDREDS of drug offenses. While I was attending riverview (only one year because I could not stand it) there was a physical altercation at LEAST once a day. There are murder cases, rape cases, robberies, etc that are not covered by the media here. If you are 50+ there are plenty things to do in this community. It is tailored to the rich and elderly. For someone my age (early 20s), it is REALLY lacking. I've heard of a lot of high school kids dying of drug overdoses. With nothing else to do you really can't blame them. And drive down MLK and you can get anything you could imagine (as far as the drug market goes.) The people in Sarasota are rude elitists. I've been working in customer service since I was in high school (now in college) and I am continually shocked every day with just how vicious people can be. My parents are now in their mid to late 50's and share the same feelings as I do about the city. The summers are unbearable, and the winters just don't make up for it. The people here are ill tempered maniacs who think that since they live here they own the world. Please heed my warning. If you are elderly and would like to retire here, this place is probably what you're looking for, if you can tolerate the heat and humidity in the summer and the major tourism in the winter. If you are young and/or raising a family DO NOT MOVE HERE. For the sake of yourself and/or child. Move to a state with a better school system and better opportunities. [read more...]

Hi-Unless you are really rich, avoid trying to survive in Sarasota, FL. There is no industry except tourism (Nov-May). It is very difficult to making a living here. Most people work at least 2 jobs each, and the pay is really sad. Even people who are really qualified professionals only earn a fraction of what they would get in any other state. Be careful, or you could be stuck in paradise. People come here with money to get started, use it on survival, and then can't afford to leave. It is beautiful, but very difficult. Rents are very high compared to the incomes here.[read more...]