How is Sarasota for retirment? Sinkholes? (Clearwater, Largo: real estate, condos, house)

[countrykaren]

Hubbie and I are in our early 60's and want to retire in Florida from upstate NY, due to health issues (chronic pain, otherwise we are very healthy). We were considering Dunedin/ Clearwater but sinkhole alley scares the you know what out of us. How is the sinkhole issue in Sarasota? We know sinkholes can be anywhere in Florida, but at least we can find a place that has fewer.


We'd like a place that has:
*a large variety of shopping in real stores (not just boutiques and gift shops)
*a health food store, also Trader Joes, whole foods, if possible- we are on special diets that are gluten free/ paleo/ anti-inflammatory
*a good place to get fresh fruits and veggies since we don't eat processed or fast food
*good doctors/ medical care
*housing under $200K (the more under the better) It has to be a house- condos don't allow 6 dogs
*a walkable city that's safe to walk in
*a cheaper/ lower COL
*dog friendly (we have 6, but 2 are already on special diets for kidney failure/ disease-1 of which is 16 yrs old, the other 10 but a giant breed)
*things to see and places to go/ things to do
*a variety of great restaurants, including the "cheap local diner" kind
* safe enough where I don't need to live in a bunker (we are use too leaving doors unlocked and keys in cars unless we go to large cities) I know I can't do that in Florida, but still......


We live rural now and traveling miles and miles to get anything is getting old real fast, so we want more of a city life now.



Any and all info would be greatly appreciated- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks.

[Florida or Bust....]

My two cents.


We'd like a place that has:

*a large variety of shopping in real stores (not just boutiques and gift shops) Sarasota

*a health food store, also Trader Joes, whole foods, if possible- we are on special diets that are gluten free/ paleo/ anti-inflammatory
Sarasota

*a good place to get fresh fruits and veggies since we don't eat processed or fast food
*good doctors/ medical care Sarasota

*housing under $200K (the more under the better) It has to be a house- condos don't allow 6 dog Not Sarasota

*a walkable city that's safe to walk in Sarasota

*a cheaper/ lower COL Not Sarasota

*dog friendly (we have 6, but 2 are already on special diets for kidney failure/ disease-1 of which is 16 yrs old, the other 10 but a giant breed) Sarasota

*things to see and places to go/ things to do Sarasota

*a variety of great restaurants, including the "cheap local diner" kind
Sarasota

* safe enough where I don't need to live in a bunker (we are use too leaving doors unlocked and keys in cars unless we go to large cities) I know I can't do that in Florida, but still......Safe is subjective

Sinkholes not an issue in Sarasota.

[countrykaren]

BTW- we are very liberal. I heard that Sarasota isn't. We get along with everyone but that doesn't mean everyone will get along with us. Any thoughts?

[photoman_6]

this liberal vs. conservative idea is such bunk. Just don't discuss it. If it doesn't affect you, you have to let it go. you got enough things to worry about.
Sarasota is not the place to come to if you're looking to spend less than $200,000 (way under), unless you are willing to live in the more outlying areas, unincorporated, non-hoa environment. However, since you say you are used to living in the country, that might work for you. Then again, I think the budget is unreasonable.

[countrykaren]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

this liberal vs. conservative idea is such bunk. Just don't discuss it. If it doesn't affect you, you have to let it go. you got enough things to worry about.
Sarasota is not the place to come to if you're looking to spend less than $200,000 (way under), unless you are willing to live in the more outlying areas, unincorporated, non-hoa environment. However, since you say you are used to living in the country, that might work for you. Then again, I think the budget is unreasonable.

We also think the political stuff is junk unless we see outright racism (or other -isms) Our best friends are very conservative- and we do thing together all the time.


But yes we want cheap in a nice area- nothing fancy or big but area is important.


We are moving out of the country because it is getting too much to travel for everything. 2 hrs for our doctor or vet (180 miles RT), 25 miles (RT) to our only supermarket, 60 miles RT for a retail store, Hubbie's job (for 38 yrs) is 110 miles RT, 5 days a week, etc. Too old for this now.


So if Sarasota is too expensive then we will look elsewhere. Thanks for responding.

[Picshooter]

I feel like we have all of those things. We live in the City of Sarasota. (I feel the city offers some small advantages).
We live in a modest home, fenced back yard for the dog and grand dogs. We can walk to a fruit and veggie stand, and walk safely around the neighborhood. Less than 10 minutes from 2 hospitals,our MD's, Publix, and downtown. Restaurants,beaches, and shopping are close enough.
Now you won't get the fanciest house, but you can find everything on your list

Originally Posted by countrykaren

Hubbie and I are in our early 60's and want to retire in Florida from upstate NY, due to health issues (chronic pain, otherwise we are very healthy). We were considering Dunedin/ Clearwater but sinkhole alley scares the you know what out of us. How is the sinkhole issue in Sarasota? We know sinkholes can be anywhere in Florida, but at least we can find a place that has fewer.


We'd like a place that has:
*a large variety of shopping in real stores (not just boutiques and gift shops)
*a health food store, also Trader Joes, whole foods, if possible- we are on special diets that are gluten free/ paleo/ anti-inflammatory
*a good place to get fresh fruits and veggies since we don't eat processed or fast food
*good doctors/ medical care
*housing under $200K (the more under the better) It has to be a house- condos don't allow 6 dogs
*a walkable city that's safe to walk in
*a cheaper/ lower COL
*dog friendly (we have 6, but 2 are already on special diets for kidney failure/ disease-1 of which is 16 yrs old, the other 10 but a giant breed)
*things to see and places to go/ things to do
*a variety of great restaurants, including the "cheap local diner" kind
* safe enough where I don't need to live in a bunker (we are use too leaving doors unlocked and keys in cars unless we go to large cities) I know I can't do that in Florida, but still......


We live rural now and traveling miles and miles to get anything is getting old real fast, so we want more of a city life now.



Any and all info would be greatly appreciated- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks.

[gypsychic]

Sarasota definitely ticks all your boxes, but real estate is high here. If you are willing to go further out and/or don't mind a smaller older house away from town you might find something in your budget. We have every kind of food store and restaurant option you can imagine. More than cities several times its size.

As for politics, etc., this place is pretty much live-and-let-live for the most part.

[BUFtoSRQ]

I just wanted to mention that Sarasota seems to have a lot to offer those following a paleo/gluten free diet. My mom follows this diet and she is often going to get-togethers with her paleo meetup group. There is also a raw food meetup. There is a newer restaurant called Paleo Connection on Lockwood Ridge. There is the Island gluten-free bakery, there is Fit Fuel, with locations by downtown and in Lakewood Ranch that has to-go gluten free meals. I think Fresh Kitchen by UTC, which is Paleo friendly and uses hormone & antibiotic free grilled meats, and fresh cold-pressed juices. I haven't been, but I'm guessing Fast N Fresh downtown and in Lakewood Ranch is similar. There is CROP raw juice bar, with several locations.

There are 4 raw food restaurants that I can think of (Ionie's, Beauty of Sprouts, Green Zebra Cafe in St. Armands Circle, and one on Siesta Key whose name escapes me. Simon's Cafe also has raw options daily. There is also Indigenous restaurant, which is more upscale and aims to use local foods from sustainable sources. Of course downtown there is Whole Foods, with another being built on University, Morton's Gourmet Market, Trader Joes, Fresh Market, Artisan Cheese Company, and As Good As It Gets for gourmet foods. There is Sarasota Farmer's Market and Phillipi Farmhouse Market. There are farm markets like Detwilers (2 locations), Jessica's Organic Farm Stand, and Fruitville Grove, complete with chickens running around.

Good Luck!

[countrykaren]

Originally Posted by BUFtoSRQ

I just wanted to mention that Sarasota seems to have a lot to offer those following a paleo/gluten free diet. My mom follows this diet and she is often going to get-togethers with her paleo meetup group. There is also a raw food meetup. There is a newer restaurant called Paleo Connection on Lockwood Ridge. There is the Island gluten-free bakery, there is Fit Fuel, with locations by downtown and in Lakewood Ranch that has to-go gluten free meals. I think Fresh Kitchen by UTC, which is Paleo friendly and uses hormone & antibiotic free grilled meats, and fresh cold-pressed juices. I haven't been, but I'm guessing Fast N Fresh downtown and in Lakewood Ranch is similar. There is CROP raw juice bar, with several locations.

There are 4 raw food restaurants that I can think of (Ionie's, Beauty of Sprouts, Green Zebra Cafe in St. Armands Circle, and one on Siesta Key whose name escapes me. Simon's Cafe also has raw options daily. There is also Indigenous restaurant, which is more upscale and aims to use local foods from sustainable sources. Of course downtown there is Whole Foods, with another being built on University, Morton's Gourmet Market, Trader Joes, Fresh Market, Artisan Cheese Company, and As Good As It Gets for gourmet foods. There is Sarasota Farmer's Market and Phillipi Farmhouse Market. There are farm markets like Detwilers (2 locations), Jessica's Organic Farm Stand, and Fruitville Grove, complete with chickens running around.

Good Luck!

WOW!! Sounds like Foodie heaven. LOL. I want to thank everyone for their posts. Please keep them coming.

[techie_g]

Forget Sarasota proper. I'm not trying to sell any city, but for what you describe about yourself and your expectations, there are other, much cheaper alternatives...in Florida and elsewhere.


Old hippie life is not de rigueur here in Sarasota. Housing under 200k ? forget it.


Left-wing leaning? no, not really, but it does exist in very narrow pockets.


Walkable ? no way here in SRQ.


You want 'city life' ? not really given your housing/costs contraints.


Try some bs community in Pinellas County or Pasco County. Maybe Largo, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Kenneth City.


What you seek is not pervasive in Sarasota County, but maybe northern Manatee in a few remote areas like outside Parrish, etc.


I don't think you will be well settled in Sarasota, nor adjust. Too many other cities/towns may be a bit more suitable.