Best neighbourhoods close to downtown Sarasota (Tamiami, Dunedin: apartment, foreclosures, condominiums)

[Wwanderer]

Hi, I've been searching through lots of threads looking for information about a possible purchase of a winter home, a condo specifically.

Since we've only got three days to look on our upcoming trip, I've decided we'll concentrate on Sarasota for the first part, then move up to Dunedin/Tarpon Springs area.

We really would like to find a place that's walkable, with restaurants, cafes, bars, interesting places. I know this is very tough under $100K in Sarasota. Even if it's not right downtown, it should be a walkable neighbourhood in its own right. A quick drive to the ocean would be nice as well.

I've discovered from these boards that we should avoid the area from N Washington Blvd on the East, to N Tamiami on the west, from 3rd Ave south to Universit Pkwy on the north. Are there any other areas that we should avoid? The area north of Fruitville, but east of Washington, for example?

Any favourite neighbourhoods? I know about South Gate and Gulf Gate and Laurel Park. Price point is definitely tough there. Any other neighbourhoods are pleasantly walkable (I know, this is Florida.) Someone suggested Palmer Ranch area, but this seems very suburban to me, and distant from downtown.

[Joanna Benante]

Try "Central Park" condominiums off 41 close to downtown. Amenities include community pool, tennis, fitness center.

Also, if you are considering single family homes, there are some very cute neighborhoods east of downtown that are walking distance to restaurants & shopping. Best wishes! Joanna

[Wwanderer]

Thanks, but they look like they're out of our price range.

[gypsychic]

I'm not sure, but I really don't think you will find a condo in Sarasota for under $100,000 in the "walkable" neighborhoods like downtown. I am not sure what type condos are available around Gulf Gate, but that is an older neighbhorhood with a nice little "village" area with cute shops and cafes, etc. Safe and close to everything. That might be a good area to target.

I believe there are condos around for under $100,000, but they may not be in areas that you call "walkable" but will be convenient to things. Do be careful when looking at "cheap" condos in complexes with a lot of foreclosures, or apartment units that were converted during the boom. A good realtor can help you with this, if you post names of units you are looking at, I'm sure our own SoFLGal here on the board can tell you what's-what.

[Wwanderer]

Yeh, I know, that's what I'm seeing and hearing too. Gulf Gate looks pretty good to me as well, but have to wait and see it to know if it would do for us. Thanks, I have a realtor looking for me as well.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I'm not sure, but I really don't think you will find a condo in Sarasota for under $100,000 in the "walkable" neighborhoods like downtown. I am not sure what type condos are available around Gulf Gate, but that is an older neighbhorhood with a nice little "village" area with cute shops and cafes, etc. Safe and close to everything. That might be a good area to target.

I believe there are condos around for under $100,000, but they may not be in areas that you call "walkable" but will be convenient to things. Do be careful when looking at "cheap" condos in complexes with a lot of foreclosures, or apartment units that were converted during the boom. A good realtor can help you with this, if you post names of units you are looking at, I'm sure our own SoFLGal here on the board can tell you what's-what.

That's pretty accurate Gypsy. Here is a list of the condos within a 3 miles radius of Main St. that are under $100k, There are 23:

Bayou House Apts
Dolphin Tower-- Fix calls for jacking up Sarasota's leaning Dolphin Tower high-rise | HeraldTribune.com
Garden Apts
Hidden Lake Village
Jefferson Club
Park Lane
Sarasota Pines

Most have "issues" like Dolphin Towers or they're built in the early 1970's or before. I think it's going to be very hard to find a place that close to downtown in your price range.

Now if I take Gypsy's idea and go to the Gulf Gate area and do a three mile radius there are 40 condos. Several of these condos were built in the 1980's or newer:

Baywood Colony Garden
Carrington Place
Gulf Gate Gardens
Imperial Place
Phillippi Harbor Club
Pinewood Village
Tregate Manor
Woodside Terrace & Woodside Village

[Wwanderer]

Thanks, that's helpful.

[Coachgns]

Do NOT buy at Dolphin Towers!
Many people "in the know" are of the belief that it will not reopen. The cost to repair will be prohibitive.
On the other hand, I do know someone who recently purchased a penthouse unit there, thinknig that when they do tear it down, the money the owners will receive for the Land value will be more than he paid for the condo. And if in fact it does reopen, he got a real steal.
Of course, you can't even go inside to look at units right now. If ever.

I had quite the scare - the day after I closed on my Condo on the same street, I opened the Herald Tribune site online & the headline read "Gulfstream Aveneue Condo evacuated" - My first reaction was "NOOOOOO _ NOT MY CONDO!!!!!" It wasn't.

[Wwanderer]

Yes thanks, I do know about that situation, but appreciate the warning. Oh boy, I can imagine how you felt!

(This will be a third home for us, for probably 3-4 months a year, so we want something pleasant, but it doesn't have to be perfect. In fact a bit funky is good. We have luxury here in Toronto, I don't expect it in Florida--my mum made out just fine wintering in Florida in a mobile home; I want something more urban than that, but doesn't have to be fancy, just safe and pleasant.)

[Coachgns]

Originally Posted by Wwanderer

Yes thanks, I do know about that situation, but appreciate the warning. Oh boy, I can imagine how you felt!

(This will be a third home for us, for probably 3-4 months a year, so we want something pleasant, but it doesn't have to be perfect. In fact a bit funky is good. We have luxury here in Toronto, I don't expect it in Florida--my mum made out just fine wintering in Florida in a mobile home; I want something more urban than that, but doesn't have to be fancy, just safe and pleasant.)

BTW,

LCT! :-)

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