Sarasota? (Miami, Tampa, Orlando: appointed, 2009, living)

[Scots]

I'm originally from Massachusetts, spend a lot of time in Florida and particularly Sarasota, and my wife and I comment every single time we're there on how friendly people are. Never ever have experienced any anti-northern feelings. We chalk up the friendliness to the fact that everyone is in such a good mood from the sunshine!

[shelray]

Thanks, I know that I will have a wonderful experience living in Sarasota & Village Walk. I am planning on joining the newcomers club. I think that will be fun. I will also find out where the New York retired teachers branch is in Sarasota. I also have a friend I know from New York that lives in Englewood.
It's just a little scary that I will be there without my husband and son.

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by shelray

Thanks, I know that I will have a wonderful experience living in Sarasota & Village Walk. I am planning on joining the newcomers club. I think that will be fun. I will also find out where the New York retired teachers branch is in Sarasota. I also have a friend I know from New York that lives in Englewood.
It's just a little scary that I will be there without my husband and son.

There are plenty of retired teachers from NY in VW. I see them all the time.

[shelray]

Thanks for letting me know. I am looking forward to coming in December.
You all have been a very big help.
I am now in the process of looking for insurance company. I will get 2 more quotes today
and decide. The closing is next week. Can't believe it's here already !!!!
I won't be at the closing though. I was told I really don't have to.
The real estate agent is getting me the keys, etc.
Anything else I need to get from the HOA at Village Walk ???

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by shelray

Thanks for letting me know. I am looking forward to coming in December.
You all have been a very big help.
I am now in the process of looking for insurance company. I will get 2 more quotes today
and decide. The closing is next week. Can't believe it's here already !!!!
I won't be at the closing though. I was told I really don't have to.
The real estate agent is getting me the keys, etc.
Anything else I need to get from the HOA at Village Walk ???

You don't need to go to the closing. When you are down in December, stop in the office to set up your online account so you can get on the message board. The message board is a great place to get answers to questions. You will also need some sunscreen!!
Mrs. and I will be there next week. Getting cold here in central MA.

[TerriW58]

I have a question for people residing in Sarasota: how is the traffic there? My husband and I are considering Sarasota as one of several possible places to relocate from South Florida. Part of our wanting out of here is due to the ridiculous amount of traffic everywhere you go. Is there anyone on here who has experienced driving on a regular basis in both areas?
Thanks for any help you can give!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by TerriW58

I have a question for people residing in Sarasota: how is the traffic there? My husband and I are considering Sarasota as one of several possible places to relocate from South Florida. Part of our wanting out of here is due to the ridiculous amount of traffic everywhere you go. Is there anyone on here who has experienced driving on a regular basis in both areas?
Thanks for any help you can give!

I don't think it's bad at all. The traffic is usually a bit heavier in the winter time when the snowbirds come down and it gets a little heavy in the mornings trying to get to the beach but general day to day isn't bad.

[gypsychic]

Traffic is not bad here at all, IMO, not even in season. It only backs up going to the keys/beaches in season, the commercial roads are just fine. This is a pretty small area, nothing like Miami or even Tampa.

[TerriW58]

Thank you SoFlaGirl and Gypsychic! Sounds a lot better than trying to get around here in the Ft. Lauderdale area. You spend most of your time sitting in bumper to bumper traffic at badly timed traffic lights here. What used to be a five minute drive somewhere can now take a half hour at least and that isn't an exaggeration, believe me. I'm a SoFla native, so I'm used to seasonal traffic---I don't think it would bother me so much in Sarasota during the season.

Thanks again! These boards can really be a help since it's not always easy to tell much about the day-to-day living in an area by just a short visit.

[kbeejbee]

anyone know how the legal field is in sarasota as far as jobs are concerned? i have 20 years experience as a paralegal and am interested in possibly relocating. i haven't looked too hard because we're going over there in december for a few days and this time of year, legal job postings dwindle anyway (people waiting for their bonuses) so thought late winter, i would start looking. any advice? thanks.