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
If your not rich or retierd, don't live in Sarasot - 7/12/2007
I have lived in Sarasota since 2000 and I can't stand it. There are too many old people and everyone my age (I'm 24) is either rich and snobish, or has some kind of drug habit. All of my friends live in North Port or Port Charlotte, because all the "Normal" people can't afford to live in Sarasota. But yet, they all work here, so every one I know commutes to work 45 min - and hour and 30 min every day. The city is tearing down all the beautiful old buildings downtown for more condos, and I think that's all there will be one day... and ocen of condos along Sarasota Bay.
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Weather and Climate - 6/1/2007
The day to day weather and the overall climate in Sarasota is attractive except for the most humid months (June to October). From November through May, Sarasota is a short-sleeve shirt, shorts, and sandals town. Most days you can open up your house, turn off the heat or air-conditioning and just enjoy the place. Summer is hot and sticky and the UV index is very high...so you want to wear as little as possible but you have to wear something to avoid skin cancer.
The most disturbing observation about Sarasota weather is that when it is at its best, the town is swarming with tourists and "Snow Birds" (northerners). The population doubles from the off-season months, so even though the weather is great, getting out and doing things means fighting a LOT of
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Thank God I left - 5/26/2007
After living in Sarasota for 13 years, all I can say is "Thank God I left". I was one of the fortunate people to have purchased waterfront real estate in the "low" and sell in the "high" in 2004. Traffic is horrible, schools are horrible and weather is sweltering and digustingly humid. The only thing I really loved was the white powder sand of Siesta Key Beach, but hardly got to enjoy it because of the frequent "Red Tide" which sent my son to the hospital many times. Put in the zip code for Sarasota and count the Sex Offenders, it's ridiculous. It's truly a "city" and not the small town that some of my friends claimed it was when they grew up there. You can't do anything on your own property without fear of the county, state or homeowners association fining you. It took me 45 minutes to drive my kids to school because of the traffic, and 25 on a "non snowbird day" in July. I cashed out while I could, and moved to paradise - Fredon Township, NJ where my kids now enjoy the life a
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Sarasota - a fabulous city - 5/12/2007
Sarasota to me (a mid-westerner) is a fabulous floridian city. I think downtown has developed into a outstanding urban city. The culture, the people and arts is a breath of fresh air from what was 15 years ago. For those who haven't visited the city, enjoy the wonderful beaches but stay in the city, downtown. Walk to the theater, a club or to diner and enjoy the night without the hassel of driving. I think it is without doubt it is the best overall city in Florida.
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Sarasota - 5/7/2007
I have lived here 25 years. It's beautiful, but very expensive, particularly housing. There is inordinately more culture than would be expected by the size of the city due to part-time residents with lots of disposable income. The six straight months (May-November) of heat and humidity take their toll on some, and the lack of real seasons makes some homesick, particularly in December, but when it's 72 degrees on a brilliantly sunny day in February, you may scratch those move-back-home plans. Gorgeous white sand beaches, wonderful shopping, a lively downtown area, museums, opera, theater, fabulous restaurants and a small-town feel (though Tampa and its' NFL, MLB and NHL teams are only 50 miles away) are some of the reasons to live here IF you can afford
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Sarasota is Changing - 5/1/2007
I have watched Sarasota transform from a more rural atmosphere (28 years ago) to an urban city. Fortunately, until about 2-3 years ago, it was a truly amazing "middle class" city that had so carefully planned that anyone would be proud. Thanks to development approvals by the City of Sarasota, it has fast become a city of high rises, high taxes and traffic. Sarasota has become so overdeveloped that I'm concerned it will turn into the likes of Ft Lauderdale as one writer suggested. I only hope someone stops this freight train before they ruin a beautiful
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Sarasota Native - 4/7/2007
I am laughing my head off! I attended Bay Haven Ele., Sarasota Junior and Senior High (72) and nothing has changed in my hometown. A house my parents bought in 77 for $29,900 is now tax assessed at a whopping $190,000, now you tell me where middle class retirees are supposed to get the tax money to pay that!?! My mom worked her entire life as a nurse and should not have to worry about being taxed out of her home, modest as it is. City commissioners better figure out a way to do like New York and have either rent subsidised housing or something for the working class. There aren't enough illegals to fill all the minimun wage jobs. Oh yea, the person who wrote about the kids making noise, cracked me up, some things NEVER change down there....they built all those condos on the beach, snow birds ruled and then we couldn't build a fire on the beach, walk the dog, or camp overnight, all these things we did as kids growing up there in the 60-70's. SAD, very sad. You could go to Lido Beach
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Great city, but too expensive - 2/3/2007
I moved to Sarasota from Miami, which was a huge improvement. Sarasota is a wonderful place with lots of things going on. The restaurants are fantastic. Great place to raise a family. Unfortunately, the housing prices are outrageous and that is even before you add in property taxes and the cost of insurance. Not to mention Hurricane
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