Palm Aire/University Park (Tampa, Sarasota: renting, HOA fees, townhouse)

[lrodptl]

Can anyone offer me an opinion of the Palm Aire development or University Park in general? Thanks.

[Oobie119]

University park is very nice. It's Sarasota, so it is a little more pricey than some other areas. They offer some very nice townhouse areas that my husband and I looked at. Palm Aire and Sabal Bay are both very nice. Check their HOA fees though, from what I remember they were a bit high. There is a Super Target in the area as well as Publix and Kohls. Its built up, but it's not as congested as Sarasota itself. It's considered "a city within a city". It's technically Sarasota. My cousin lives there alone. She isn't a party animal but a working professional who has her fun on the weekends. She finds it to be a very quiet, very safe area. The population is mixed with mostly middle aged people, but with a fair share of older also. It's not too far from the beaches or the Sarasota Mall (about 20 minutes). It's also an easy commute to Bradenton and Venice. It's also home to the best Mexican restaurant around: Mi Pueblo. Yummy! We aren't looking in that area simply because a residential home in the area is out of our budget. We don't want to move into a townhome. If you have any other questions let me know and I may be able to help!

[lrodptl]

Originally Posted by Oobie119

University park is very nice. It's Sarasota, so it is a little more pricey than some other areas. They offer some very nice townhouse areas that my husband and I looked at. Palm Aire and Sabal Bay are both very nice. Check their HOA fees though, from what I remember they were a bit high. There is a Super Target in the area as well as Publix and Kohls. Its built up, but it's not as congested as Sarasota itself. It's considered "a city within a city". It's technically Sarasota. My cousin lives there alone. She isn't a party animal but a working professional who has her fun on the weekends. She finds it to be a very quiet, very safe area. The population is mixed with mostly middle aged people, but with a fair share of older also. It's not too far from the beaches or the Sarasota Mall (about 20 minutes). It's also an easy commute to Bradenton and Venice. It's also home to the best Mexican restaurant around: Mi Pueblo. Yummy! We aren't looking in that area simply because a residential home in the area is out of our budget. We don't want to move into a townhome. If you have any other questions let me know and I may be able to help!

Great help,thank you.

[NJDevil]

University Pkwy is a great area of SRQ. I'm in total agreement about Mi Pueblo. Traffic can get bad, but you can always take other roads. You're close to Lakewood Ranch, which started growing big just when we left. I am looking forward to checking it out someday.

[aquabluesrq]

I have to say that the University area is one of the best areas in Sarasota. Everything is super convenient and will be even more so once University Towncenter comes to fruition. If you are looking to buy, look into the Pulte development San Michele. It is located right off University and Tuttle. The prices have really come down and the townhomes are really nice (a little over 1600 sqft, 1 car garage) with a well thought out and usable plan for singles, couples and possibly a family of three. I think you could get one for around 170,000 (maybe less). I'm actually renting there now and wish I hadn't have made a bad investment in a house north of Tampa. I feel very safe in this area and would highly recommend this area to any newcomers. I'm originally from Raleigh, NC where most everthing is bright, shiney and new, so this is definitely what my husband and I are accustomed to. Traffic can get a bit heavy at times, but you'll be hardpressed to find a nicer more convenient area imho.

[helojafo]

Originally Posted by lrodptl

Can anyone offer me an opinion of the Palm Aire development or University Park in general? Thanks.

(Opinions are easy, it's finding one that matches yours that hard.)

For me, Palm Aire has an older more established feel to it. University Park is also well established, great trees and landscaping and it's quite elegant with somewhat of a more, "upper end" feel to it. They are both quite and beautiful places to live with lots of great shopping and ammenities nearby. Hope that helps.

[helojafo]

If you haven't already done it, try going to the corner of SR 64 and Lakewood ranch and check out, Acapulco at the far end of the Publix plaza in the corner. GREAT Mexican food.

[lrodptl]

Originally Posted by helojafo

If you haven't already done it, try going to the corner of SR 64 and Lakewood ranch and check out, Acapulco at the far end of the Publix plaza in the corner. GREAT Mexican food.

Thanks,but I'll leave Mexican food to the Mexicans.

[mariadbd]

The Mexican restaurant at 64/Lakewood Ranch had to be THE worst food I have ever eaten in my life. How anyone can think it resembles in any way, Mexican food, has obviously been deprived of actual Mexican food. Please avoid the place, it was lousy. Anywhere that claims it "cooks to order" and brings dinner WITHIN 90 seconds of it being ordered (seriously)...and out of a packet...needs to be driven past!