Looking for the right area (Sarasota, Wellington: appointed, for sale, rent)

[lg3410]

We are retiring this fall and we have made up our minds on the Sarasota/Venice area for year round living. We are trying to find the right communities that fit our criteria to really focus on. Our last trip to the area we really liked the Pelican Pointe community but it may be a little more expensive than we can afford. The Waterford Community so far looks like area that fits our bill via the internet. Below is what we are looking for, our wish list. Do you know of any communities that fit our bill and we should be looking at? Thanks

1. Price 250-300k maybe a stretch to 350, 2+bed/2+bath with den or 3 bed greater than 1800 sq ft. homes
2. It's own Pool and Lanai.
3. Good community with social activity - to be able to meet and make local friends, socialize.
4. Low-Normal HOA fees - we are currently non-golfers - but do like to watch on TV - so mandatory a Golf membership is out.
5. Nice distant view out the back of the home - whether is a golf course, pond, field. Would like an open view and a breeze.
6. High ceilings, open floor plan, with a nice kitchen.
7. No leaks, no Chinese dry-wall.

We do love the beach, water and boating, we have owned a boat for 36 yrs. And are now thinking about, once moved into SW Florida, a membership at Freedom Boat Club or Waves Boat Club maybe something to look at. So if you know anything about that type boat rental/club- please pass on your knowledge to us.

Thanks.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by lg3410

We are retiring this fall and we have made up our minds on the Sarasota/Venice area for year round living. We are trying to find the right communities that fit our criteria to really focus on. Our last trip to the area we really liked the Pelican Pointe community but it may be a little more expensive than we can afford. The Waterford Community so far looks like area that fits our bill via the internet. Below is what we are looking for, our wish list. Do you know of any communities that fit our bill and we should be looking at? Thanks

1. Price 250-300k maybe a stretch to 350, 2+bed/2+bath with den or 3 bed greater than 1800 sq ft. homes
2. It's own Pool and Lanai.
3. Good community with social activity - to be able to meet and make local friends, socialize.
4. Low-Normal HOA fees - we are currently non-golfers - but do like to watch on TV - so mandatory a Golf membership is out.
5. Nice distant view out the back of the home - whether is a golf course, pond, field. Would like an open view and a breeze.
6. High ceilings, open floor plan, with a nice kitchen.
7. No leaks, no Chinese dry-wall.

We do love the beach, water and boating, we have owned a boat for 36 yrs. And are now thinking about, once moved into SW Florida, a membership at Freedom Boat Club or Waves Boat Club maybe something to look at. So if you know anything about that type boat rental/club- please pass on your knowledge to us.

Thanks.

Hi there!

I live by the water and have also considered a membership to the Freedom Bat Club. My dentist has a membership and he raves about it. He likes the idea of being able to take out whatever boat he needs for the day, whether he's just going out fishing for the day or taking a bunch of friends out. He said he also likes that he doesn't have to worry about cleaning the boat up when he returns or maintaining the boat. I'm going to check into it further.

Here are a few communities that you might want to consider. I'm sure there are other communities that I've missed but this should get you started.

Lake of the Woods, Venice. Low HOA. Lake in the Woods has sidewalks and paved walking/biking paths around the 7 lakes within the community. Conveniently located to restaurants, shopping, interstate and the beach.

Venice Palms. Low HOA. Venice Palms is less than 4 miles to the beach and Historic District and offers a paved walk/bike path through 6 preserves and past a natural lake. Small, friendly community, walking distances to shopping and restaurants.

Sabal Trace, North Port. Low HOA. Gated, Security, water views. The golf and country club is open to the public and features a classic 180-hole regulation Florida course. The course has 5,580 yards of golf and a par 72. It was designed by Charles Androm and Gordon Lewis and has been open since 1972. The course rating is 70.9 and it has a slope rating of 122. The club has a driving range, a putting and chipping green, and a practice bunker, as well as a convenient, well-appointed club with food and beverage service. Local golfers consider Sabal Trace one of the most enjoyable courses in the area with spacious landing areas and unique water hazards. The clubhouse also has a fitness center and a community pool.

The elegant gated community of Sabal Trace is attractive to active seniors and families alike and has been designed to co-exist in harmony with nature. Native trees, ponds and canals grace the neighborhood and there are many home choices to appeal to every individual and family.

Stoneybrook at Palmer Ranch. Low HOA, This subdivision includes a gated community with a neighborhood pool, picnic area and incorporates six lakes, preserve area and a restaurant open to the public. Located near major highways, close enough to catch the sunsets at Siesta or Casey Key beach. Sarasota shopping, including the nearby mall, and dining are always available as well as the nearby YMCA. Also nearby is a 12 mile Trail Bike path, basketball and tennis courts.

Stoneybrook of Venice, Moderate HOA fees, resort-style pool, tennis courts, basketball court, baseball diamond, sand volleyball, state-of-the art fitness center, in-line skating and play area.

Wellington Chase, Sarasota.

Villages at Pinetree Spruce, Sarasota. Low HOA. All Enclave lots are located on dead end streets making for a quiet and secluded neighborhood. Located within easy reach of I-75, shopping, restaurants, downtown & Gulf Beaches.

Turtle Rock, Sarasota. Moderate HOA. Turtle Rock offers many amenities to it's owners with it's lush, green landscape, numerous lakes, community pool and tennis courts.

[mr&mrssunshine]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Hi there!

I live by the water and have also considered a membership to the Freedom Bat Club. .

is that a Baseball bat like you rent one out to play ball

or a vampire bat, so you can have a weird pet on odd occasions

how about a cat club ??

[SoFLGal]

That's what I get for typing from my phone. The Freedom Boat Club. Lol

Is there a bat club? That sounds interesting. Hahaha

[loves2read]

We bought in Sorrento East a couple of years ago because that was where our daughter and her family lived...
not as new neighborhood as most on that list and from what we saw most homes for sale when we bought were not updated (ours had new kitchen and other stuff luckily)
but best location we could have gotten...
HOA is responsible and dues are reasonable--activities planned for special interests like bird-watching trips at OS park and other get togethers in the neighborhood--
the HOA board is very open about its business and responsive from what we have seen...
a welcome change from our TX HOA board's actions--

no sidewalks but many residents walking or bike-riding -- not lot of through traffic on our street but SE is built with "wandering" streets so the main ones can see density in AM/PM when people are going in/out for work and school...

My main quibble would be there is no protected access--not a light to cross 41 to enter going south or pull over lane when we going north--
traffic in season can be very busy on 41 all day long and too many drivers will pull into the cut through and block the view of a driver that was already there and waiting for space...