What BestPlaces Users Say about Sarasota
Context:
Sarasota, Florida is a popular city situated on the Gulf Coast that boasts beautiful beaches, numerous cultural attractions, and a vibrant downtown area. It is known for its warm climate, friendly community, and diverse population. With a population of over 58,000, Sarasota offers a mix of urban and suburban living. Below are excerpts from four user reviews from BestPlaces.net about living in Sarasota.
User Reviews:
1. "Sarasota is a hidden gem on the Gulf Coast. I have lived here for over 10 years and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The beaches are stunning, the downtown area is lively, and there's always something to do. The people are friendly and welcoming, making it easy to feel at home." - Sarah D.
2. "I moved to Sarasota for retirement and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. The cost of living is reasonable, especially compared to other popular Florida cities. I also love the cultural aspect of Sarasota with its theaters, museums, and art festivals. It's a great place for active seniors." - John R.
3. "I've lived in Sarasota my whole life and have seen it evolve into a bustling city. While I appreciate the growth and development, it has also brought some challenges like increased traffic and higher housing prices. But overall, I still love living here and wouldn't want to live anywhere else." - Maria S.
4. "I relocated to Sarasota for work and it's been nothing but a positive experience. The job market is thriving and the city is constantly growing. The only downside is the high humidity during the summer months, but the beautiful beaches and friendly community make up for it." - David T.
based on 105 ReviewsGet to know Sarasota with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Sarasota
Ok place if you are wealthy - 8/25/2012
If you are not wealthy, be prepared to live in a not so great neighborhood. Most people who move here already have plenty of money. If not, forget about making a decent living unless you are a doctor, lawyer or "developer". Sarasota is full of opinionated, self-entitled, self-centered people who believe what they think is what everyone should think. It is super-conservative, so if you are liberal, be prepared to never air your opinions in public. Employment opportunities are not good, and salaries are really bad--half of what they are in the north, but cost of living is not half. It costs the same amount to dine out, buy groceries, or do anything else. Not that there is a lot to do. The town closes at 10 p.m. There is a faux art crowd here and a faux society crowd who smugly believe Sarasota is just he epitome of "arts" and "sophistication". It isn't--they just have not lived anywhere that has actual cultural activities. Money rules, and if you have it or at least pretend to
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Can't Wait To Leave!!!! - 7/17/2012
If your thinking about moving here, think twice, I wish we did. First of Florida is a Right to Work state. Yes no unions, but also they can fire you at will for whatever they feel like. My wife is a nurse and had a good secure job in CT before we came here. She got a job right away in FL but has seen good co-workers get fired for no reason. If your late twice, no matter what, fired. Traffic, accident, illness, doesn't matter. I also took a cut in pay to come to "paradise",as well as being deceived. Oh, forget to mention, that happens all the time here. I am a HVAC Technician and was offered $25/hr. Not bad, but less than I made in Connecticut. But see it's only $25 if I service an A/C system and sell the customer a bunch of crap they don't kneed. Otherwise it's $15/hr. We bought this house as our dream home and hopefully we can sell it for what we paid. Crime is rampant and unbelievable here. I get nervous when my wife goes to the store alone at night. People get shot,
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Sarasota - 6/14/2012
I am thinking of moving to Sarasota from upstate New York. Job opportunities look promising as does the weather. Any feedback would be
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Medicare discrimination - 5/27/2012
Many doctors in the Sarasota-Bradenton area avoid patients with any type of Medicare insurance. Of course, they don't say anything about it
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Relocation to Sarasota or Tampa area? - 11/14/2011
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,
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Nice but Kind of Expensive - 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
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Beautiful but Sweats-A-Lot - 9/21/2010
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,
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Beautiful! - 7/15/2010
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 :)
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Sarasota-something for everyone - 4/8/2010
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.
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