Considering moving to Siesta Key (Tampa, Palm Bay: real estate, apartments, renting)

[bellsandfranks]

Hello All,

My wife and I (who are both in our mid thirties) have decided to relocate to Florida. After an extended visit we have narrowed our search down to Siesta Key. The positive aspects speak for themselves, but being your typical paranoid retired detective from Manhattan, I would like any feedback on the negative. I would not only like info about crime on the island, but anything else that may come to mind. Also my wife and I are an interacial couple with newborn twins; do I have any concerns in that area (perhaps anyone who might not take kindly to our kind!! HAHA). Any feedback on the Island would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[cb at sea]

I haven't lived there, but having visited, it's more like a college town (feeling-wise) than a "home-style" place. I know there are neighborhoods, but the traffic on the main road is killer!

[PixiStix]

Hi, I live on Casey Key just south of Siesta. Siesta has alot to do & the beach is gorgeous but the traffic is awful. Tons of condos- Definitely ALOT of vacationers on Siesta. I have small children & I personally wouldn't live on Siesta. It's a nice place to visit but too busy for me. Siesta does have a wonderful school though- The Out of Door Academy.

Good luck whatever you choose-

[SoFLGal]

Many of the families that go to my children's school, Pine View in Osprey, live on Siesta. The main complaint I hear is about the traffic. If you can get past that it's a pretty laid back kind of lifestyle. I don't think you'd have any problems fitting in on the Key. It's got a pretty cool beachy vibe. Here's something I wrote about Siesta--not all of the homes look like these. I just tried to pick unusual homes or neat looking homes. Most of the crime on Siesta is from people taking things out of vehicles--mostly unlocked cars. Like others have said, it gets a lot of visitors due to is well known beaches, etc.

“Wow” is all you can say when you first see Siesta Key. Voted one of the best beaches in the world, Siesta Beach has very fine white sand. Comprised of ninety-nine percent pure quartz, the sands of Siesta Beach are soft, cool and welcoming. Beach facilities include picnic areas, concession stands, clean restrooms, a beautiful playground, nature trails, and volleyball and tennis courts.
Turtle Beach beckons with soft colored shells and Palmer Point Beach is just down the way with natural vegetation, picnic areas and a boat ramp.
Siesta Key is approximately 55 miles south of Tampa on the Florida Gulf Coast. This eight mile long barrier island is connected to Sarasota by two bridges. It was founded in 1846 and now has approximately 24,000 full-time and part-time residents. Siesta Key was once called Clam Island and Little Sarasota Island and in the 1800s life here was challenging and spare. Today, all conveniences are readily accessible, yet when you drive over the bridge to Siesta Key you will feel as if you have gone back in time. You are surrounded by lush foliage, huge trees and flowering tropical shrubbery. Winding roads take you to the village and to white sand beaches, where you will find protected wild sea oats and mangroves in their natural habitat. Island birds perch in the trees, and dolphins, manatee and schools of fish swim just offshore.
Siesta Key is an upscale, beach community, and charming Siesta Village has fine dining, and boutique shops. On the shore and down the quaint side streets you will find villas, spectacular estates and condominiums and apartments. Neighborhoods include Bay Island, Harmony, Sara Sand, Bay Island, Siesta Cove, Hidden Harbor, Point Crisp, Point of Rocks, Siesta Estates, Riegels Landing, Sanderling, Tortoise Estates, Roberts Point, Siesta Manor, Siesta Isles and Somerset Cove/Hamilton Club. On Siesta Key you will not find many modest or moderately priced homes. There are a few bungalows and condominiums priced in the hundreds of thousands. You can also find luxury hi-rise condominiums with glorious views of sand and surf. But most homes are multi-million dollar estates and palatial mansions, and nearly every home is a feast for the eyes fabulously perched on the most beautiful real estate in Florida. Many of these homes are truly luxury estates. This is really an island paradise.

Siesta Key communities: The Anchorage, Bay Oaks, Bay Tree Club, Boca Siesta, Casa Blanca, Casarina, Crescent Club, El Presidente, Excelsior, Fishermans Cove, Fishermans Haven, Gulf & Bay Bayside, Hamilton Club, Harbor Towers,Harbour Towne, Heron Lagoon, Jamicia Royale, La Siesta, Marina Del Sol, Midnight Cove Bayside, The Moorings, Our House At The Beach, Oyster Cove, Palm Bay Club, Peppertree, The Pointe, Provincial Garden, Sara Sea, Sarasota Surf and Racquet Club, Sea Club II, Sea Village, Sea Winds, Siesta Dunes, Siesta Towers, Siesta Tradewinds, Solymar, Somerset Cove, Summer Cove, Sunset Royale, The Terrace, Victoria Bay, Vista Hermosa, Whispering Sands, White Sands Village, Windward Passage

[paradiddle]

My sister's friend used to live on SK but moved to sarasota because of traffic issues, getting the kids to school, shopping. Only 2 bridges to get on/off.
They had a nice place with boat access etc.

May not be an issue all year as population fluctuates.

I do luv SK.... always envy people who live there...but I like to have some space around me, access to what I need when I need it.
No crime... don't worry

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by bellsandfranks

Hello All,

My wife and I (who are both in our mid thirties) have decided to relocate to Florida. After an extended visit we have narrowed our search down to Siesta Key. The positive aspects speak for themselves, but being your typical paranoid retired detective from Manhattan, I would like any feedback on the negative. I would not only like info about crime on the island, but anything else that may come to mind. Also my wife and I are an interacial couple with newborn twins; do I have any concerns in that area (perhaps anyone who might not take kindly to our kind!! HAHA). Any feedback on the Island would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Renting for a year would give you a better idea of what people deal with when they live on an island....especially one with one main road that you share with tourists. Siesta has a flavor to it's own....being that your babies are newborn, you have more than enough time to find out if you can deal with the traffic...crime, pretty minimal, they do have a couple of 711's for those midnight diaper runs, pleny of restaurants, bars & beach. You just need to be aware that the police on Siesta Key are first cousins to those on Anna Maria Island; they will pull you over at the drop of a hat even when you're on a first name basis....they are known for tight security, so don't drink & drive or have a tail light out, they'll nail you. Otherwise, as far as being interacial, we all are to some degree, don't even worry about it...bridges? It's an island...no big deal...they make the drive interesting....go for it!

[NJDevil]

9 out of 10 cops in FL are going to be AHoles. FL is known for its police brutality. My husband and I were such victims. Shoot first, ask questions later, that is basically FL's law now. Cops stick together, they will lie like a rug to protect each other and create situations that didn't happen. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. It is not like this in every state, so don't be thinking I just hate cops for no reason.

[ILOVEFL]

I live in Osprey near Siesta Key. I am a realtor so I am required by law as to what sort of questions I can and can not answer. So here goes.
Siesta Key does not have any siginificant crime when compared to places like NYC or even Tampa. Crime stats are available online for that sort of information.

The big negative of Siesta Key IMHO is the traffic and associated hustle and bustle from large numbers of vacationers in high rise condos with packed beaches. You will get valid and valuable responses from people who have never lived on an island or are not even on saltwater access via canal etc. (saltwater has it's own unique needs and concerns) My wife and I have always owned waterfront with gulf and or bay access since our arrival.

There are rules and regulations about salt water property that most people (even Realtors) who have not owned Salt waterfront property recently (as the rules change from time to time) are either not aware of, have outdated info on, or are even perpetuating urban legends while believing the information they have is accurate.

Children and beaches were made for each other and we look forward to our grandchildren's visits with great anticipation. Also, from an investment prospective I advise customers to buy the best salt water access and or frontage they can afford today and hold onto it because the army corps of engineers will never allow another canal for residential developement to be dug anywhere in the state. So, what exists today is all that there will ever be. A real and rare commodity (do not let anyone tell you that any kind of real estate in anything other than a commodity) that will have price fluctuations based upon supply and demand. The supply will never increase. They can always bulldoze an orange grove to put in more houses, but, we are approaching the point where the only way to get salt water access, especially waterfront, is to buy existing homes and replace them unless you find one that you want to live in.

If you are looking for a more calm and peaceful setting you may wish to consider Casey Key or better yet Manasota Key. While just a few miles farther south of Sarasota (and the cultural opportunities it affords), they (Manasota Key especially) are close enough to be acceptable with uncrowded beaches and a much more low key attitude. Manasota Key is probably one of the best kept secrets in Florida. You also get more for your money there. Our over heated market has calmed and we are nearing "blood in the streets" so some bargains are even possible on the water. Obviously, whether you want a condo or single family home and your price range are important factors in what is available.

The answers to your other questions can be found via the crime stats.

I am quite familiar with the area and would be happy to answer your questions. (mod edit - advertising) My wife and I are both full time in real estate and it is our sole source of income. Thus we are not "part time" nor is Real Estate the "other job". My wife and I have owned property on and thus spent time on Manasota Key and lived for various lengths of time on other islands. Regardless, best of luck. My wife and I came down in 1999 from Indiana and have NEVER regretted one day. It is a beautiful place to live. I am a firm believer in the old saying that "if you are fortunate enough to live near a beach, you are fortunate enough."

[swaptrex]

not to high-jack the thread, but where could one look at apartments in the areas you listed.

[DeStijl]

Out of the three keys (longboat, lido and siesta) siesta is the most progressive of the three.