bent tree neigborhood, sarasota (Country Club, Riverview: wood floors, condos, houses)

[hdzup3]

is bent tree- sarasota a nice area? taxes look high. is it a deed restricted area?
would love info on non deed restricted developments in the 34233, 34240,34241 areas.

[SoFLGal]

Here's something I wrote about the Bent Tree area:

Bent Tree
Bent Tree is one of the older golfing communities in Sarasota since it opened in 1985. However the whole golf course has undergone a re-design but still maintaining the natural beauty of the property. Located just east of I-75 off Bee Ridge Road, Bent Tree is more than a golf course. It’s like a nature preserve with its sparkling lakes and streams, tree-lined fairways and mature oak hammocks. Only two miles away is the busy commercial section at Cattleman and Bee Ridge Roads, where you will find banking, groceries, medical services and restaurants. Either Siesta Key Beach or downtown Sarasota is only seven miles away.
The par 72 golf course also includes such amenities as a driving range, practice green, chipping green and a restaurant with both casual and fine dining. The country club provides a beautiful backdrop for weddings, reunions and banquets since it can accommodate 250 people.
Also at the club are tennis courts, full sized swimming pool and a children’s pool. However, membership in the Bent Tree Golf and Country Club is optional.
Many of the residences that line the winding streets have tranquil golf course views or lake views. You’ll discover large condos in the 1600-2000 sq. ft. range and home in prices from $250,000 to over a million with up to 4,000 sq. ft. Often, owners have updated or remodeled their late 80s or early 90s homes.

The larger estate homes in this master planned community are in the exclusive gated section called The Woodlands. In this area of Bent Tree, spacious homesites border the well stocked lakes.

This is a gated neighborhood with curving streets and elegant homes surrounded by large manicured lawns blending into natural areas with some of the homes edging the Bent Tree golf course. Many of the homes were built in the late 1980's and early 1990's and have been updated / remodeled. Custom, ranch or Mediterranean in styles prevail at Bent Tree with such appealing caged pools, granite counters, tile and wood floors and high ceilings with crown molding as popular upgrades.

[ShepsMom]

There is Old Bent Tree and there is New Bent Tree. Both are nice, but price difference is rediculous!

[sunshine girl]

I can only speak for 34233 where we lived, and 34241 which is where our son lives. The terms non deed restricted and developments kind of don't go together. All the developments I can think of have some degree of restriction. Now, how strict and/or how strictly they are enforced is another matter. But in between the subdivisions of those two zip codes are some pockets and streets of non deed restricted houses.

[hdzup3]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

I can only speak for 34233 where we lived, and 34241 which is where our son lives. The terms non deed restricted and developments kind of don't go together. All the developments I can think of have some degree of restriction. Now, how strict and/or how strictly they are enforced is another matter. But in between the subdivisions of those two zip codes are some pockets and streets of non deed restricted houses.

thankyou... lol... like everyone else, im not from around here. lol.. i dont know the termenology but i know i dont want to be told what to do in my own home and yard but i do like that community feel. i want my children to have a safe enviroment to live. but not so sure being behind gates is the answer. also dont want to pay outrageous fees for these communities. but who knows... when i do get to come look, ( hopefully real soon) ill get a better idea. any info is helpful.
ps... how do you like the area? ive been to visit, and my friend lives in east bradenton 34202, another area im considering. but most important to me are the schools.

[SoFLGal]

I have children in the Sarasota county school system and like it very much. It's one of the top school districts in the state for scores and performance. You can usually pull up the district/school scores on their website. Sarasota county outperforms any district nearby.

[hdzup3]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

I have children in the Sarasota county school system and like it very much. It's one of the top school districts in the state for scores and performance. You can usually pull up the district/school scores on their website. Sarasota county outperforms any district nearby.

thankyou.. i really love sarasota and it is my target area. i really hope i can find work.. if you know of anyone looking for a bubbly energetic person.. lol. i need benefits too. what do you think about state or goverment jobs in the area? im a hairdresser here. 20 yrs.. lol, big changes for me.

[sunshine girl]

Most of the subdivisions in Sarasota are not gated. You might focus more on the school districts and school scores if that is a priority for you. Some of the subdivisions have very minor restrictions, some have major ones. They tend to escalate in restrictions and gated-ness the higher in price range you go. Once you have an idea of the area that interests you, there is no substitute for seeing it for yourself. In some of the non deed restricted areas that you are looking at, you might just want to look at the neighbors houses on the rest of the block, it's deceiving looking just on the internet at the photos of individual houses. Non deed restricted means just that, and some folks take full advantage of that. Parking cars, trucks, etc all over the yard and sometimes right up to the house. Not always in running condition either. That being said, there are also plenty of nice places mixed in, too. That's why it's so important to physically look for yourself.
There are lots of previous postings on the good and bad of area schools by looking via the search option. Personally, I preferred Ashton for the little ones and Riverview for the high schoolers, but you will find discussions on the rest too. Good luck with your search.