[margretdzn]

I'm moving to FL in couple of months from Mid-Atlantic region, and have chosen these two places to live.....Sarasota or St. Augustine........which one....?
I'm 61, single, want active life, access to lots of things to do, shopping, good medical care, beaches, affordable housing and living, access to the arts........
????

[gypsychic]

I am going to copy my post from your first thread on this when you were also considering some other cities, I also added a bit to it:

I am just a couple years younger than you, live in Sarasota and LOVE it! I think you would really like it here, it is a small but cosmopolitan little city with a whole lot of amenities that other cities this size do not have. There is plenty to do of the thing you like, parks, beaches, gyms, nice YMCA, arts museums, great shopping, dining, etc., etc. Also, it's a quick trip over the bridge to St. Petersburg, and only an hour to Tampa.

Second choice on that list is St. Augustine. A charming little town but very small. It's a great place to visit, but for me, too small for full time living. And no, it is not much cooler there in summer, but yes cooler in winter.

St. Augustine is a small town, population 12,000 or so, Sarasota is a small city, 53,000 or so. Both are touristy towns, I find the traffic in St. Augustine in the old town area unbearable because of the tiny narrow streets and so many cars there. Traffic is only bad in Sarasota during season, and even then only going to and from the beaches. This is all from my own perspective. Both places have a lot of beauty and dining, etc., however it is still my opinion that the Sarasota area has WAY more to do. And the beaches here are far superior to the ones in St. Augustine, if that is a consideration for you.

It would be good to visit the areas and see how you like the "vibe" of each area. I personally love the Gulf Beaches over the Atlantic side. But others may like the east coast. It all boils down to personal preference. Bottom line, I am sure you could find happiness in one of these areas.

Feel free to send me a DM for any specific questions on Sarasota and this region.

[dagator]

good post. this is all very true. i use to work in sarasota - for me it wasnt a perfect fit b/c the city as a whole caters to an older demographic. but it is beautiful and i would love to retire there as there is alot to do. St. Augustine is really beautiful and I love to visit! Honestly, you picked two great spots in Florida.

[margretdzn]

I know they're both good spots......only trouble is which one......
I'm 61, single, active, creative......
St. Augustine seems more "affordable", Sarasota seems more sophisticated.......????

[OysterCatcher]

Originally Posted by margretdzn

I know they're both good spots......only trouble is which one......
I'm 61, single, active, creative......
St. Augustine seems more "affordable", Sarasota seems more sophisticated.......????

This is a question only you can answer. Go visit and spend some time in each place, after a while you will have your answer. Good luck.

[xgemaxmwahx]

St. Augustine is prob alot more quieter and has alot of history there than sarasota. I take my family on weekend vacations down to sarasota, its a relaxing nice place to be for the beach.

[SoFLGal]

My vote is for Sarasota as well although parts of St Augustine are pretty. The vibe is totally different in each place. I prefer the beaches on the west coast to east coast beaches. West coast has powder white sand calm, warm waters. The east coast Atlantic side has much coarser sand, bigger waves and cooler waters. If you were into surfing I would definitely stick on the east coast.

As usual, Gypsychic has pretty much covered the waterfront on the things that Sarasota has to offer.

[cassarina]

Sarasota is more sophisticated and St.Augustine is more affordable. You must visit both for a week and then make up your mind. My father-in-law lived in Sarasota for a few years after Hurricane Katrina and it was a wonderful place. It has a great art scene and culture. You will also be close to some really great beaches and places like Dunedin,FL and Sanibel and Captiva Island.