Where in Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice Area? (Plantation, Lakeside: for rent, condos, townhouses)

[dabobo]

Hi,

I am a US citizen living abroad. My wife is a not a US citizen and we have two kids, 3 and 5. Both of my kids were born outside of the US, while they understand some English, they don't speak English.

My family does not plan to relocate back to the US in the near future. However I would like to live the US for a few months a year in the next few years and, while my family is in the US, send my kids to the local kindergarten/school so they learn English.

I am thinking about buying a 3/2 or 2/2 condo in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice area to be used as the temporary home base when I am in the US. I am looking for a place where there are good neighborhood schools (I am mostly concerned about elementary school at this time). By good school, I mean the greatschool rating must be 8 or above. Obviously the area must be safe and family friendly. It does not have to be near beach, within 30-40 mins driving distance is fine. My budget is around $120k and can go a little higher if necessary. I own an internet business and work from home so commute is not important.

Where should I look in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice area?

[Sunshine Rules]

I can respond to your request for information regarding Sarasota & Bradenton condos as I track both of those markets closely.

The inventory of 2 and 3 bedroom condos priced under $120,000 and meeting your requirements for good school districts is very low at the moment. Many of the more popular communities do not have any active listings at this time. When something does come on the market, showing activity is very brisk and multiple offers are common, with prices sometimes going above the list price.

3 bedroom condos are going to be difficult to find in your price range as most will start at or above $150,000 in communities within school districts meeting your other criteria.


While most of the following communities do not have active listings at this time, you may wish to check out the general information, amenities and monthly maintenance fees of them so that when listings do come on the market you are familiar with them:

Bradenton -- Palms of Cortez (NW Bradenton), Sabal Bay (SR70 & Lockwood Ridge Rd area)

In the Lakewood Ranch area -- Village at Town Park, Summerfield Hollow (owner occupied only,cannot rent your unit out there), Greenbrook Walk (they have both 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes)

University Parkway area -- Carolina Landings, Eagle Creek, The Gardens at Palm Aire

Sarasota area -- Stonehaven (2/2 possibly the 3/2's will be above your price point), Admirals Walk, Park Ridge, Gulf Gate Gardens, Carrington Place, Stoneridge (no clubhouse or community pool), Casa del Sol (cannot rent out your unit for 2 years after purchase)

Palmer Ranch -- Serenade, Bella Villino, Vintage Grand (although I am not a fan of VG for a variety of reasons that I have mentioned previously)

[dabobo]

Thank you Sunshine for the information!

I read a few posts on this board about North Port where the schools are good and homes are newer and cheaper. Is North Port a good place for me? Are there condos/townhomes in North Port in my price range?

[StepHome941]

North Port is part of the Sarasota County school district. You can find a nice and newer condo in North Port for 120K or less however as with the rest of Sarasota County, inventory is low. Sabal Trace is a gated, golf course community with pool/clubhouse and has a few in your price range. Lakeside Plantation has townhouses in your price range. It is not gated or a golf community but does have a community pool and clubhouse.

[Sunshine Rules]

Originally Posted by dabobo

Thank you Sunshine for the information!

I read a few posts on this board about North Port where the schools are good and homes are newer and cheaper. Is North Port a good place for me? Are there condos/townhomes in North Port in my price range?

North Port is located about 30 miles south of Sarasota, it's about a 45 minutes drive (or longer in the winter months) from downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key. There have been a number of threads over the past year or two debating the pros and cons of North Port. If you type in the city's name in "forum search" box at the top of the page, the various threads should come up. Then you can read them and decide for yourself if North Port should be on your short list.

[dabobo]

I have a follow-up question. What do people do with their part time homes in Florida when they are not there? I know there are a lot of snow birds who live in their Florida houses/townhomes/condos only a few months a year. Do they hire someone to look after their homes when they don't live in them? Is break-in of un-occupied homes a problem in the Sarasota county? I have not owned a part time home in another state/country before so I am a bit nervous about it.

[StepHome941]

For a single family home, you can either hire someone (or a company) or make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to look after the home. Many condo communities have a management company in place, you just inform them that you will be away for X amount of time. A condo is more of a lock-and-leave type of home, you wouldn't be taking care of the outside of your home anyway, even while you are there. My Mom and Dad owned a 2nd home (single family home) that they would just use a few months out of the year. They sold it and then said if they were ever to do it again they would choose a condo over a home, unless they moved full-time.

[Ohiorunaways]

We are looking for a pet friendly 1 or 2 bedroom condo, villa or house for January and February. We have 2 shih tzus and a yorkie that are well mannered and attended to. They also have bark collars and a dog crate for when they are alone. Please let me know if you have anything for $1600 or less a month. 419 234-2247

[macrodome2]

Originally Posted by Ohiorunaways

We are looking for a pet friendly 1 or 2 bedroom condo, villa or house for January and February. We have 2 shih tzus and a yorkie that are well mannered and attended to. They also have bark collars and a dog crate for when they are alone. Please let me know if you have anything for $1600 or less a month. 419 234-2247

Have you tried VRBO.com or HomeAway.com? It won't be easy with 3 dogs because many communities limit owners to 2 dogs, and none for renters.

[dpbarr2000]

People live in North Port because they have to, not because they want to. Very few homes are on public water or sewer, meaning you will be dealing with well water and septic. Far from beaches.