[morganjazmine]

Relocating to Lakewood Ranch. Visited 2 weeks ago, and checked out schools and realstate. LOVE it, anyone from there to tell me more about it? I would love to hear more about shopping, schools, things to do, weather, etc etc Thanks!!!!!!

[New England Yankee]

There is a brand new shopping mall being built right near Lakewood Ranch.It is the largest on the west coast.

[MrTudo]

Looks nice and I was thinking about checking out real estate there as well. I do business from time to time there and it seems quite nice.

[JunoAqua]

It in Sarasota County like a miniature city within itself and is very $$$$$$$$$

[New England Yankee]

I am not sure why it is thought of as $$$$$.It does have million $ homes but also it has homes in the 200's.It is more expensive to live there because of the HOA and CDD.
Yet all this is worth it because the area is so clean and a feeling of community is felt.Much pride is put into their homes.
Perhaps the fact that it is costly to live there,is what keep it so nice.
It is being considered whether LWR should be made a seperate city.
I have a home close by,with the same feeling.I was surprised that East bradenton,is a part of Bradenton because it is so far a way from the town..
I find I wish that it had a library close by but that is it..Everything else hospital,shops is within easy driving
distance.
I am in my NE home right now and I love the North as well as the south,for me the best plan is to have a home in north and South.The best of both worlds.

[New England Yankee]

No I am not rich.I am tightening my belt.

[Ladywithafan]

Lakewood Ranch was a planned community...It really could be it's own city. There's pretty much everything you need within minutes from Doctors to Movies...The Lake Club a little farther down the way, at Lake Wood Ranch has homes price from 2.5 million to over 10 million...I worked a party there last spring in conjunction with the Sarasota Film Festival and we had houses open for walk throughs when Ed Norton was at this event...They had to really build up that area because it is so far from actual Bradenton.

[beerme1]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Lakewood Ranch was a planned community...It really could be it's own city. There's pretty much everything you need within minutes from Doctors to Movies...The Lake Club a little farther down the way, at Lake Wood Ranch has homes price from 2.5 million to over 10 million...I worked a party there last spring in conjunction with the Sarasota Film Festival and we had houses open for walk throughs when Ed Norton was at this event...They had to really build up that area because it is so far from actual Bradenton.

Lady I'm not sure I understand the Bradebton link here? I look at LWR as being with Sarasota. I know you have issues with LWR would you care to discuss them further here for me?
Thanks

p.s. after spending a couple of days in and around Sarasota and Siesta Key I have to believe that I can find work there which goes against my original thought which was based soley on this forum.

Thanks again
Willy

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by beerme1

Lady I'm not sure I understand the Bradebton link here? I look at LWR as being with Sarasota. I know you have issues with LWR would you care to discuss them further here for me?
Thanks

p.s. after spending a couple of days in and around Sarasota and Siesta Key I have to believe that I can find work there which goes against my original thought which was based soley on this forum.

Thanks again
Willy

No problem.

Lakewood Ranch is in Southern Manatee County. It's a wonderful place if you desire to be East of the interstate and in a basically "planned" out community. It is not any safer or more free of crime than either Bradenton or Sarasota. It's just "newer". There are a lot of families who have made Lakewood Ranch their home due to the conveniences of having schools, shopping and hospitals all within minutes of home. If you enjoy going to the beach, just realize that it will take you at least an hour during "season" to get to the beach. I find Lakewood Ranch to be a bit like an Orlando amusement park....built for looks but lacking depth...that's only my opinion....

What's your profession? We have hiring freezes in effect since the "recession" was actually agreed upon...lol

[Bugnubs]

Lakewood Ranch could be a very good buy now. The polo club within the community is a top draw. House prices have dropped enormously. I have a friend who lives in Lakewood Ranch and 2 years ago she purchased a rather spectacular house there listed at $500k, to be built. The real estate market bottomed out during the year it took to construct the house and she was only able to renegotiate the price down to $400k and forced to close. She's now put it back on the market for just under $300k and hoping she'll get a buyer.