Walkable cities: Sarasota? Naples? Vero Beach? (Miami, Gainesville: sale, apartments, city hall)
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I have visited Saint Augustine, Sarasota and Vero Beach in search of a future home as well as a place to escape to in the winter. Each has its own uniqueness but I am very confused. Saint Augustine is a cute city but is very touristy. It can also get quite cold in the winter. Sarasota is beautiful, especially the keys. It has so much to do and everything is in downtown. However, it gets very crowded, especially if you have to cross the bridge to Long Boat Key. Vero is also beautiful but I am concerned about whether there will be enough to keep me busy. Can someone give me advice
Confused
I would add to your list as I don't think the are the best representatives collectively of small walkable Florida towns. I'd also recommend checking out towns like Delray Beach, Jensen Beach, Winter Park and Coconut Grove (actually a neighborhood in Miami, formerly a town).
I would add to your list as I don't think the are the best representatives collectively of small walkable Florida towns. I'd also recommend checking out towns like Delray Beach, Jensen Beach, Winter Park and Coconut Grove (actually a neighborhood in Miami, formerly a town).
I moved here from Coconut Grove (where I lived from 1971-1972 and 1985-1995). Very nice area IMO. But walkable? No way. To anything. In terms of most of the "neighborhood". Unless you're just talking about taking a walk for exercise outside your front door. At least when it comes to "the white Coconut Grove". There's a "black Grove as well". The area is very segregated and and there are 2 very different demographic areas. Anyway - I don't think either Coconut Grove is what people have in mind when they use the phrase "walkable".
BTW - as long as I've been in Florida - Coconut Grove has always been a part of the City of Miami (it was never an incorporated anything on its own). Robyn
I have visited Saint Augustine, Sarasota and Vero Beach in search of a future home as well as a place to escape to in the winter. Each has its own uniqueness but I am very confused. Saint Augustine is a cute city but is very touristy. It can also get quite cold in the winter. Sarasota is beautiful, especially the keys. It has so much to do and everything is in downtown. However, it gets very crowded, especially if you have to cross the bridge to Long Boat Key. Vero is also beautiful but I am concerned about whether there will be enough to keep me busy. Can someone give me advice
Confused
I don't have a lot at add on Vero Beach and St Augustine, since I have never lived there. I am, however, a Sarasota native so I can give a pretty good perspective on that area.
You didn't mention if you will be seeking employment, if schools are important to you, what kind of things do you like to do, etc. It would help to get a little more details on what you're looking for.
Siesta Key Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with it's power white sand, which is nearly 100% quartz. I know some people would disagree but I'd much rather have powder white sand in the winter than powder white snow. No matter where you are in Florida you're never more than 2 hours or so from the beach. Siesta was just rated the #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach.
I love all the sunshine, warmth and bright sunny days. You know that the local paper used to give out free papers if the sun didn't shine. They didn't have to give out too many.
Check out Brohard Beach in Venice. It's a great beach to let your pooch romp in the sand and water.
Florida is full of tropical foliage and is a great place for gardeners, year round. People can also enjoy outdoor sports all year long-hiking, biking, walking, kayaking, golfing, etc We have the huge Legacy Trail for walking and biking.
In southern Sarasota county there's Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring. Warm Mineral Springs is one of the oldest tourist attractions in FL and people come from all over the world to visit.
This area has a wonderful art community with Towles Court Artist Colony, the many art galleries around, every town has a local art center, there are art festivals going on almost weekly, Ringling School of Art & Design and many resources for artists.
There are many other festivals and fairs just a short drive away.
Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey has canoing, camping, hiking, birding, swimming. Myakkahatchee State Park in North Port has trails where you can bring your horses, you can hike along the trails. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota has tons of great FL wildlife, the Myakka Canopy Walk, which is a bridge that is suspended 25 feet off the ground. It extends 85 feet through the canopy and Myakka also has 38 miles of hiking trails. Manatee County has Little Manatee River State Park which runs right along the river. It has camping, hiking, canoing, etc. Don Pedro State Park you can only get to by boat and is like a private beach. I happened to have the great pleasure of living right beside it as a kid. Venice has Brohard Park, one of the only dog friendly beaches around. Venice is also home to Woodmere Park a 36 acre park where you can let your pooch run and play under the big oak trees. These areas are a haven for photographers, bird watching and outdoor enthusiasts. Sarasota county has more than 200 parks, 109 athletic fields and 16 recreation and community centers.
Also for all the photographers and gardens, Selby Gardens is a must see. It has over 20,000 plants and displays and was named one of America's Top Ten Botanical Gardens.
The Sarasota area is also very kid friendly. We have GWIZ a science museum that caters to kids. The Children's Garden, a whimsical outdoor play area for children. Then there's Jungle Gardens, which is one of the oldest attractions in FL and has flamingo feeding, bird shows, alligators and many other various animals. Spanish Point is a historical site where they have Indian mounds, early pioneer homes and a lots of summer activities for kids. There are YMCA's in every city from Bradenton to Port Charlotte. Sarasota has Mote Marine Aquarium, which gives a wonderful look at the native sea life. They also to a great job with rehabilitating injured animals and returning them back to the gulf. Bradenton has the South FL Museum, Bishop Planetarium and the Parker Aquarium. Stop by and say "hi" to SW FL's very own manatee, Snooty. The Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota is a wonderful place to visit and see the amazing job Rosaire's do with the animals.
Many restaurants offer waterfront dining all the way down the coast. Speaking of restaurants, this area has lots and lots of wonderful, restaurants for any taste. Many mom and pop restaurants. You could spend a whole day out on St Armand's Circle shopping, browsing and stopping in at Kilwin's for some great ice cream. St Armand's has more than 130 shops, restaurants and galleries.
Sarasota and Charlotte counties have some of the best schools in the state and also have Pine View School for the gifted, which is one of the top in the nation.
So, folks as you can see there's A LOT to like about the SW FL area.
SoFlGal - We can all put together laundry lists of things to do where we live. But - are any places where we live "walkable" in the sense most people use that phrase? Before I moved to Florida - I lived in center city Philadelphia. That was walkable. Although I have been in most parts of Florida over the decades - and like many - I don't think any part is walkable. What do you think?
In terms of Sarasota - you certainly can't walk from downtown to the beach areas. Robyn
OK, Vero Beach--I've lived here for 2 years, after working in downtown Sarasota and living south of there. Vero is really nice too, but Sarasota is more upscale and less crime. If you're interested in the beach, there's pros and cons for both areas. Vero is on the Atlantic, lots of waves, stays cooler; Sarasota--beautiful sunsets, the water is turquoise and a lot of times very placid but can have the red tide which you never hear about in vacation brochures. In Vero, red tide happens but doesn't last as long. Sarasota, it can last over a month. But I guess I'm getting off topic re: the beach. Vero's downtown is cute, lots of little shops too. I'm still pro-Sarasota as far as downtown goes. The beach, I guess you'll make up you're own mind.
Even though this particular post is from 2009...Vero Beach's crime rate is half that of Sarasota and has always been so. Even in 2009.
There is nothing "interesting" on the order of "walkable" downtown. The shopping is either at Miracle Mile off of Indian River Blvd or by the mall area or further out at the outlet mall. The Mall area has a mall and many strip centers with your standard stores you see everywhere. Walmart is a block south. You CAN live by Miracle Mile or the mall and walk to everything you "need" but it's not this quaint charming thing. You could actually live there with no car if necessary. There is shopping on the barrier island and they are specialty shops. Plus a couple things like a hardware store. Plenty of restaurants. We also have free public transit.
You can also live off of Rt 1 and find "enough" walkable shopping but it's not as "full service" as by the mall where there are actually good housing options right there, too.
SoFlGal - We can all put together laundry lists of things to do where we live. But - are any places where we live "walkable" in the sense most people use that phrase? Before I moved to Florida - I lived in center city Philadelphia. That was walkable. Although I have been in most parts of Florida over the decades - and like many - I don't think any part is walkable. What do you think?
In terms of Sarasota - you certainly can't walk from downtown to the beach areas. Robyn
Actually, downtown Sarasota is almost 3 miles from Lido Beach. For me, that's walkable and certainly bikeable. For a smaller sized city I think it is fairly walkable. My mother-in-law has lived here for over 50 years and does not drive. She walks everywhere-to the store/ Whole Foods, to her jobs, Dr's appts, etc or takes public transportation. She's 80 years old and lives close to downtown. If she can do it, I think most people can as well. I suppose walkability is relative.
I'm sure it's not nearly as walkable as, say, New York City or some very large cities. You can go here and view different cities and communities and check out their "walk scores" Find Apartments for Rent and Rentals - Get Your Walk Score
The original person was asking about walkability but this thread was dead until it was recently brought up by "stuck in New York" who did not ask about walkability. In fact, they didn't seem to have any real "specific" questions. They just made comments about different areas and said they were confused. That is why I gave an overview of Sarasota since that was one of the cities that he/she mentioned.
Actually, downtown Sarasota is almost 3 miles from Lido Beach. For me, that's walkable and certainly bikeable. For a smaller sized city I think it is fairly walkable. My mother-in-law has lived here for over 50 years and does not drive. She walks everywhere-to the store/ Whole Foods, to her jobs, Dr's appts, etc or takes public transportation. She's 80 years old and lives close to downtown. If she can do it, I think most people can as well. I suppose walkability is relative.
I'm sure it's not nearly as walkable as, say, New York City or some very large cities. You can go here and view different cities and communities and check out their "walk scores" Find Apartments for Rent and Rentals - Get Your Walk Score
The original person was asking about walkability but this thread was dead until it was recently brought up by "stuck in New York" who did not ask about walkability. In fact, they didn't seem to have any real "specific" questions. They just made comments about different areas and said they were confused. That is why I gave an overview of Sarasota since that was one of the cities that he/she mentioned.
Well - I guess by your standards and some of the things mentioned by runswithscissors - we're walkable out here at the JAX Beaches . Or bikeable - or "golf cartable" (a lot of people here are starting to use "street legal" golf carts for local trips). To all the "basics" for some people (which includes the ocean - about 0-3 miles away depending on where you are - it's a "basic" for some people - although I'm not in that camp). OTOH - we get most of our medical care at the Mayo Clinic - which is a 10 minute drive. Our major mall/shopping area - the Town Center (dozens of stores/restaurants including Costco) - is a 15 minute drive. And my favorite restaurants/garden centers/etc. are scattered all around town. Those are some of *my* basics .
I guess I really don't care about "walkable" except for exercise. Because my husband has MS/a torn ACL - wears a big leg brace - and can't walk long distances comfortably or ride a bike. Plus - it's frigging hot here a lot of the year. If I buy ice cream at Publix - it would be "soup" if I walked/biked it home. Plus - although I could easily carry a tennis racket on my bike - a golf bag would be a lot trickier to handle .
Note that my father is 95 - and can't walk very well (there's a big difference between 80 and 95 - scarey thought - I am closer to your mother's age than my father is to your mother's age!). But he still drives - and everything he needs is about a 5 minute drive from his place. Our public transportation is pretty much bad in Duval County - where my father lives - non-existent in St. Johns County where we live. Even if public transportation were better - once you need to depend on a sturdy walker or more to get around - it's difficult/impossible to use standard buses and the like - ones that don't have special equipment like lifts for people with disabilities (my father's senior facility has transportation but it's not sufficiently sophisticated for people like him - Jacksonville has a "disabled transport service" - but it's "by appointment only" and not 100% reliable).
Overall - I guess an important difference is whether someone wants to avoid using a car - or can't use a car. Not having a car can be problematic for safety reasons (e.g., when you have to evacuate for hurricanes). I'd hate having to depend on public transportation if I were ordered to evacuate (we'd take care of my father in that event - and I assume you'd take care of your mother). Robyn
I moved here from Coconut Grove (where I lived from 1971-1972 and 1985-1995). Very nice area IMO. But walkable? No way. To anything. In terms of most of the "neighborhood". Unless you're just talking about taking a walk for exercise outside your front door. At least when it comes to "the white Coconut Grove". There's a "black Grove as well". The area is very segregated and and there are 2 very different demographic areas. Anyway - I don't think either Coconut Grove is what people have in mind when they use the phrase "walkable".
BTW - as long as I've been in Florida - Coconut Grove has always been a part of the City of Miami (it was never an incorporated anything on its own). Robyn
Coconut Grove has obviously changed a bit since you lived there 19 years ago as have many cities in Florida. One can now easily walk to shops/restaurants/grocery stores and what not in it's current format. Furthermore it was in fact an independent town and was annexed by the City of Miami in 1925, hence the differing street grid from surrounding areas.
Coconut Grove has obviously changed a bit since you lived there 19 years ago as have many cities in Florida. One can now easily walk to shops/restaurants/grocery stores and what not in it's current format. Furthermore it was in fact an independent town and was annexed by the City of Miami in 1925, hence the differing street grid from surrounding areas.
I go back to that area a fair amount (our accountant has his office in the Grove). And - in all honesty - Coconut Grove has changed a lot (for the worse) since its heyday in the 1980's (a victim of its own success - landlords just kept jacking up retail rents in the center of the Grove to the point where businesses couldn't afford them and shut down). The halcyon days - long gone - were when restaurants like Brassiere Le Coze were there:
Where would you go grocery shopping if you lived in Coconut Grove? The nearest Publix to our old place was and still is an old one (now renovated) north of US 1 3 miles from where we lived. Nothing really new there. Also - unless you speak Spanish (I do) - you'll be in for a bit of culture shock at the 27th Avenue Publix. Because not only isn't English spoken as a first language - many people can't/don't care to speak it at all. We used to frequent the Publix at SW 136th Street pre-Andrew - because we liked to shop for groceries in English.
BTW - have you lived in Miami - ever? Do you live there now? What shops/restaurants and grocery stores would *you* walk to if you lived in Coconut Grove? Where would your doctors be? Talk is cheap IMO. I lived in Miami for 20+ years - and on my visits back now - the main thing that has changed is the congestion (it's a lot worse).
Now there's a lot to like about a lot of the Grove. It's very pretty (especially when it's loaded with winter bougainvillea). And our condo had a magnificent water view (soon to be spoiled):
(Note that pretty real estate with great views doesn't come cheap - before this new development proposal/threat where I used to live - our 1800 sf condo would have cost you about $700k). There was a really nice bike/running path that ran both north and especially south for miles. But walkable for everyday things - don't make me laugh.
As for whatever happened in 1925 - I wasn't around then - were you? Robyn
P.S. Where the heck do you live in Florida (guess I could read 1000 of your messages and guess for myself - but it would be easier if you just told us). I can understand people not giving names/ranks/serial numbers on a chat board - but telling people where you live/have lived isn't exactly divulging major private info IMO - especially when you're talking about where people should/shouldn't move.
I go back to that area a fair amount (our accountant has his office in the Grove). And - in all honesty - Coconut Grove has changed a lot (for the worse) since its heyday in the 1980's (a victim of its own success - landlords just kept jacking up retail rents in the center of the Grove to the point where businesses couldn't afford them and shut down). The halcyon days - long gone - were when restaurants like Brassiere Le Coze were there:
Where would you go grocery shopping if you lived in Coconut Grove? The nearest Publix to our old place was and still is an old one (now renovated) north of US 1 3 miles from where we lived. Nothing really new there. Also - unless you speak Spanish (I do) - you'll be in for a bit of culture shock at the 27th Avenue Publix. Because not only isn't English spoken as a first language - many people can't/don't care to speak it at all. We used to frequent the Publix at SW 136th Street pre-Andrew - because we liked to shop for groceries in English.
BTW - have you lived in Miami - ever? Do you live there now? What shops/restaurants and grocery stores would *you* walk to if you lived in Coconut Grove? Where would your doctors be? Talk is cheap IMO. I lived in Miami for 20+ years - and on my visits back now - the main thing that has changed is the congestion (it's a lot worse).
Now there's a lot to like about a lot of the Grove. It's very pretty (especially when it's loaded with winter bougainvillea). And our condo had a magnificent water view (soon to be spoiled):
(Note that pretty real estate with great views doesn't come cheap - before this new development proposal/threat where I used to live - our 1800 sf condo would have cost you about $700k). There was a really nice bike/running path that ran both north and especially south for miles. But walkable for everyday things - don't make me laugh.
As for whatever happened in 1925 - I wasn't around then - were you? Robyn
P.S. Where the heck do you live in Florida (guess I could read 1000 of your messages and guess for myself - but it would be easier if you just told us). I can understand people not giving names/ranks/serial numbers on a chat board - but telling people where you live/have lived isn't exactly divulging major private info IMO - especially when you're talking about where people should/shouldn't move.
I guess it depends where in Coconut Grove you live. There is a hotel/condo building in the Northeast grove with a Walkability score of 91/100. 2951 South Bayshore Drive, Miami FL - Walk Score
So, either things have really changed a lot since you've lived there or the Walkability website is complete B.S. The Mutiny Hotel/ condo building at 2951 S Bayshore Dr (built 1998) has a few 1/1 condos for sale for ~ 185,000. Of course, these are not 1800 sq ft condos and there's a hefty HOA fee but it includes pool, gym, hotel concierge, valet parking, restaurant/bar in lobby, and a bay view. 2951 South Bayshore Drive #915, Miami FL - Trulia
In terms of grocery shopping, the Walkability site lists at least 11 that are 1 mile or less from The Mutiny. Once you expand to 1.5 miles, there are 24 listed, including the 27th Avenue Publix. (Of course this includes bodegas and corner stores, but still). As far as restaurants, there are at least fifty (5-0) that are 1 mile or less, including a Johnny Rockets (0.1miles) and a Cheesecake Factory (0.2 miles).
Online, this area certainly seems walkable...What do you think?
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. Or bikeable - or "golf cartable" (a lot of people here are starting to use "street legal" golf carts for local trips). To all the "basics" for some people (which includes the ocean - about 0-3 miles away depending on where you are - it's a "basic" for some people - although I'm not in that camp). OTOH - we get most of our medical care at the Mayo Clinic - which is a 10 minute drive. Our major mall/shopping area - the Town Center (dozens of stores/restaurants including Costco) - is a 15 minute drive. And my favorite restaurants/garden centers/etc. are scattered all around town. Those are some of *my* basics 
.
