Sarasota? (Tampa, Bradenton, Siesta Key: condos, crime, Home Depot)

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by sylence2k2

I'm in a similar situation to yourself. My girlfriend and I, (21 and 27) are looking to relocate. We have decided to move, for other reasons (weather being heaviest). I personally have been all over Florida and am looking to move somewhere outside of Tampa. We plan on traveling down to Florida to survey some of the surrounding cities recommended to us by friends and people on this board (St. pete, Bradenton, Sarasota, ect). Based on the information you provided, the only thing that really stood out to me is the lowball rent prices you are trying to pay. I live in Boston, where prices in real estate are absurd. So I understand what it is like to try and think of buy property, but when you have a combine total income of $75,000, general rule of thumb is you pay about 25-30% of your income towards living expenses. 30% of your combined income, divided over 12 months would be $1875 a month. Now, Im not saying you need to spend that, but stretching your rent a little bit, might opened up some great options for yourself. Good luck and let me know how everything goes for you, and your suggestions for my situation will be well appreciated.

Brenden

Just want to jump in here. That rent will get you a great place but make it 33% of income for income qualification in most rental places. The 30% which is optimistic these days is for a house payment incl taxes and ins. so it's not too bad since those are absorbed by the landlord. A complex probably won't take a huge deposit but a private landlord will want 1 full mo. security plus the first mo. If you have pets be prepared ot pay a big FEE. That means no refund when you move out. If you have cats, it may include both of them but dogs will be each. You'll most likely be limited to 2 and a house will be less likely to accept them.

[bustok13]

I'm in Sarasota - grew up in Tampa, came to college here and haven't left. I'll try to give your questions a shot.

Sarasota does have an older population, but we also have plenty of young folks. I'm 24, and my boyfriend is 28, and we have plenty of friends who are in their 20s-early 30s. We do live downtown, though - and I'd recommend you live here or out on Siesta, where things are a little younger. Look up Laurel Park (downtown neighborhood) as far as renting a house on your first shot. It's close to the hospital (assuming girlfriend will be working around there) and walking distance to downtown. It's also got a lot of rentals to start out, and a lot of young people, and it's a really friendly neighborhood. That way, you can ease into checking out any of the many, many, many vacant condos in the downtown area and probably meet some people too.

Another area you might want to try is Gulfgate. That area is more houses, fewer apartments, a 10 minute commute to hospital (20-30 min. in season), and also really close to a great strip of bars/restaurants/clubs.

The nightlife is alright. I probably wouldn't like it so much if I was single or into clubs, but there are plenty of bars that attract a younger crowd. And if you live downtown (and at Siesta/Gulfgate) you can walk home, which is not overrated. One of the bonuses of Sarasota is that even though it's not such a big city, the wealth of many residents means that we have a lot of great food and events. (and a really good thrift store market...)

Economy's kind of tanking, but that's true everywhere. Jobs are getting tighter, but it seems like you have a skill, so it might not be so bad for you.

We don't hate northerners up here - you really can't, since they're everywhere Some of what you're hearing might be because Sarasota has a really big seasonal population, and it's a little irritating for locals to be flooded with a bunch of folks who don't know where they're going and treat this place like their own personal vacationland. If you want to live here, though, we'll welcome you!

Also, you really don't want to commute to Tampa every day. It's 50 miles away, and that means 1 hour, 2 if traffic is bad (and it usually is, since you will have to go over a bridge). My boyfriend did it for a year, and he's a much better person now that he's stopped.

Well, I feel like I've written a book. We do need more young folks though, so I figured I'd do my part to encourage it. Hopefully I helped.

[heat362127]

Well I can say that I'm 26 and my fiance is 30 and we live outside the Sarasota area. There is alot of old people but there is young people too. The good thing about having older people is that you have less crime rate and more of a classy taste. Sarasota is very beautiful with alot of upscale homes. I don't know if you would be able to afford living on Siesta Key with that little of an income. Though, real estate prices are going down. You shouldn't have too many problems finding a nice home. There are some clubs downtown and hollywood 20 which is a movie theatre and some really nice restaurants. I think you will be just fine if you move here...you would probably like to be here more than the cities you listed( I have been to them all and nothing has beat florida) Besides, if theres a time when you get bored with Sarasota you can always go to Tampa, Miami, Orlando... all those places are really developed where there is anything and everything to do. I don't if I helped at all but good luck to you and your girlfriend

[roaring-rox]

Hi,

Just responding to some questions...

About whether or not Sarasota is progressive---

I hear people say Sarasota is conservative, but it does not seem overtly so to me. A friend of mine is a librarian at their New College here and it is known for being very liberal. There also is the Ringling School of Art which adds a young element to the city. There is a lot of art and culture in Sarasota.

One of the Smothers brothers fell in love with Sarasota and moved there (their show was dropped in the late 1960s because they were too thought provoking for CBS or whatever station they were on). This can be taken as an indication that Sarasota may not be too conservative. Of course, in eye of beholder.

[jenandjoe]

New to the board. My husband and I are making the move down from Cincy as well. We are still in the process of finding just the right area. What have you heard so far?

(hate this cold, cloudy crap)

[ShepsMom]

I've been here for the last 16 years, i guess i used to the local environment, so i don't really notice much of "political" controversies.
Sarasota is way overpopulated, it's growing and growing and city can't keep up with it, it's becoming congested, especially when tourists season is here. Sarasota (as all FL) is constantly under construction, road blocks, etc is really annoying while traveling to work.
I think we have quiet large population of young people. If you go bar hoping, you will find young crowd everywhere.
I haven't experienced any crime. Eduacation isn't the best and needs some major improvements. Housing is on the downsize, you can get a decent place in a decent area for half what it was 5-6 years ago. HO Insurance is still very pricey.
Beach is lovely, but i'm not a beach goer, the only time i visit beach is to do a photo session with a client.
Job market isn't the greatest, pay is low, but medical field is always demanding.
St. Pete beach is really nice, Siesta is really nice as well. Boating, jet-skiing is one of the things most people love FL. I can care less for palms, they collect bugs!
If you love 90+ weather plus high humidity over 7 month out of the year, this might be a place for you. Warning about all the bugs (fire ants and mosquitos) year round. Red tie on the beach could be very hard to handle, especially you have any type of allergies.

For night live, check out Sarasota Nightlife Nightclubs, Sarasota Bars Bands and Live Entertainment: WELCOME TO SARASOTA 2 NIGHT,Sarasota2Night, Sarasotatonight.com, sarasota2nite.com, sarasotanightlife,sarasota Nightlife, Sarasota Bars, Siesta Key Clubs, blu1266, Sarasota Li

Best of luck!

[jessiesma]

they recently rejected a transgendered person for city mgr. don't know if that was because of conservative values, too much publicity around the case or a better qualified candidate. but that they did consider her would point ot some liberalism, no?
Didn't know about Smothers. I used to love them. My thing with Sarasota is clowns ewwwh! hate them

Originally Posted by roaring-rox

Hi,

Just responding to some questions...

About whether or not Sarasota is progressive---

I hear people say Sarasota is conservative, but it does not seem overtly so to me. A friend of mine is a librarian at their New College here and it is known for being very liberal. There also is the Ringling School of Art which adds a young element to the city. There is a lot of art and culture in Sarasota.

One of the Smothers brothers fell in love with Sarasota and moved there (their show was dropped in the late 1960s because they were too thought provoking for CBS or whatever station they were on). This can be taken as an indication that Sarasota may not be too conservative. Of course, in eye of beholder.

[jessiesma]

didn't the OP want to know about work for her hubby? no one has come up with a solution for that. What do you young'uns think he should do? That commute is a problem for sure. Can he find work closer?

[returningtonepa???]

Originally Posted by jad2000

We spent everyday in Siesta Key - my g/f had to drag me away when the sun was starting to set. I was looking at condos in SK but they seem pretty expensive.

The more I talk about it, the more I miss the FL weather. It's 28 here and snowing!

lived in sarasota for 20+ yrs---be leery of homes/condos in the 500 to 800 range as they are usually in unsafe neighborhoods(even if the area looks nice)

your best bets are the gulf gate,sarasota square,nokomis,osprey areas----avoid bradenton--except for the university parkway area----other places to consider are---usf area,east sarasota county,the meadows

yes,there are clubs and activities with people your age---con--they are full of married baby boomer men trying to regain their youth by snagging a younger woman(SIGH),it's an artistic town---so 30% of the folk are gay and friendly,the rich old folks tend to be snotty and crabby----pro--ybor city is 1 hr away,great clubs,but high drug problems,occ.rape or two,
pleasure island at downtown disney is 95 minutes away--great clubs,and safe----has inexpensive hotels nearby for overnite partying

good luck with your decision---i'm leaving cause it's too hot for me---hope you like a constant 80 to 90 degree temp(except for 2 weeks a year!

[adellecave]

What do you think about coming a little more down south? Have you checked out the Fort Myers Cape Coral area? This is where I live it is about an hour drive to Sarasota, we have lots of water surrounding us. Also this area has grown so much and still is and the prices on homes have come down alot just like most places. I'am 25 from The Bronx New York and my finance is 25 from New Jersey, although we meet here and have both lived here for a long time now I would never go back up north and neither would he. Most of the people in this area are from up north so you and girlfriend would not have a problem fitting right in. Also I think there is a younger population over here then in Sarasota, night life isn't to bad, don't get me wrong it's not the city but there still alot of things to do. I had went to ybor once a few years ago when I was about 21 and I had a good time, but from what I heard it has gotten worst and now that I'm older I won't go back b/c just from the experince I had it to me seems more for the age group of 18 -early 20's. Now that I'm a little older I just rather stay in my age group.