Siesta Key & Longboat Key vs. living on the mainland (Tampa: fit in, spring break)

[Terryberry]

Good morning. We just got back from a trip up the gulf coast from Naples to Tampa and decided we like Sarasota. We plan to purchase a single family home with a dock for a sailboat.

Saw some nice places on Siesta Key & Longboat Key and also on the mainland. We liked a house we saw in what our realtor called "the wood area" (Beechwood, Redwood, Ridgewood etc.) off Stickney Point Road (rte 72).

We like watersports (sailing, kayaking etc), biking, hiking etc. Loved the Siesta Key Beach, would like to do some volunteer work. My husband is an engineer and must have access to Home Depot or Lowes in order to breathe. I need a supermarket and someplace to workout, do yoga, teach yoga.

We're young retirees.

What are pros & cons of living on one of the keys vs. living on the mainland?

Anything else you can tell us about the area that would be helpful would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Oobie119]

Given your lifestyle, and your financial status ; ) Id say you'd probably fit in well on one of the keys. However, it depends on some other things too? Do you have kids? Will you be working at all, traveling? Sarasota inland offers a few more things to do for the kids and more of the things you mentioned (Lowes, health clubs). When moving to the keys or any island be prepared to fight heavy traffic, pretty much all year long since they are popular vacation spots, especially for spring breakers. The snowbird traffic will also be heavier than inland (it's bad there too though at that time, you'll just be dealing with more). You'll also have limited access to the places you want to be near. From my experience, we've found that most of the "keys" or Islands have one main road that allows access to the amenities nearby. I live in Bradenton, near Anna Maria. Not that its a common thing, but living where hurricanes brew means you may have to evacuate at any time. Personally, Id like to know I have more than one way out of town if needed! For your lifestyle it sounds like a good choice, but it depends how well you deal with crowds and traffic. Moving to Sarasota inland will probably give you more of a community, small town feel. The keys or islands are a bit more touristy.. depends what you like.. hope that helped!

[jtmalone]

rereading your post, I think you would be better on the mainland where access to the items you loisted are much more accessable. Lido and south Long Boat have access to a permanent bridge, while the other "keys" are accessed by draw bridges that can have problems and cause delays

[Terryberry]

Thanks for your input. The more i read, the more i think we'd be happier on the mainland. The next question is where? As i said we liked the "Wood Area" (Beechwood, Redwood, Ridgewood etc.) off Stickney Point Road (rte 72). We do get that we are amazingly fortunate to be able to afford a second home. We'd like to buy it before the market starts to move in the other direction!

No kids but grandkids will be visiting. We won't be working but we will be traveling.

I grew up in NYC suburbs and moved the Albany area to escape the traffic and crowds and the 'hurry up and wait mentality" (hurry up to get to the movies so you can wait in line) So traffic to me is when it takes a half an hour to go 5 miles and it takes you two or three cycles to get through a traffic light. Traffic in Albany is when it takes you 20 minutes to drive what usually takes 15 and that only happens from 5:15 pm to 5:45. What is traffic there?

One of the reasons i like the wood area is that it's about 2 miles to Siesta Key beach which to me is a 10 minute bike ride. Are there bike lanes going over the bridges?

Thanks,
Terry

[SoFLGal]

Some areas that come to mind are San Remo Estates, the Bayview Dr area, Cherokee Park and McClellan Park. They are located just over the north bridge, by Bee Ridge Rd and Siesta Dr. The Landings is another pretty cool area. I really like all of the trees in that area. I also love Aqua Lane Estates, it's right by the Stickney Point bridge.

Good luck with your search!

[dishing the 9411]

Right-on! There are some great yoga studios in town... let me know if you need the 411. It is hard to give advice if I do not know your price range, or if you prefer a condo to a house, so work with an agent and they should be able to direct you. The Keys have a different vibe than the mainland. The Downtown Sota is fun, hip and just the right size. Siesta is laid back with a great energy... I think it has something to do with 99% pure mineral quartz sand. Longboat is very nice and quiet. I lived in Rhinebeck NY and still go back to visit most years. I think you made a great decision; you will love sarasota. Best Wishes!

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by Terryberry

Good morning. We just got back from a trip up the gulf coast from Naples to Tampa and decided we like Sarasota. We plan to purchase a single family home with a dock for a sailboat.

Saw some nice places on Siesta Key & Longboat Key and also on the mainland. We liked a house we saw in what our realtor called "the wood area" (Beechwood, Redwood, Ridgewood etc.) off Stickney Point Road (rte 72).

We like watersports (sailing, kayaking etc), biking, hiking etc. Loved the Siesta Key Beach, would like to do some volunteer work. My husband is an engineer and must have access to Home Depot or Lowes in order to breathe. I need a supermarket and someplace to workout, do yoga, teach yoga.

We're young retirees.

What are pros & cons of living on one of the keys vs. living on the mainland?

Anything else you can tell us about the area that would be helpful would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Terryberry,
Read my post "Just bought in Sarasota. Helpful hints." I think you might find it of help.

Best,
smiledoc1

[Terryberry]

Thanks, I'll check those areas out. We need a place with a deep water dock for a sailboat. Do you know we could get that in those areas?