is Venice young family friendly (Sarasota, Bradenton: renters, insurance, home)

[Chet S.]

The wife really fell in love with the area on a visit and we are considering relocating. Anyone with a young family please give me some feedback on rasing young kids in the area Other than the beaches what is there to do for the kids? I have looked and the elementary schools seem good Is there a lot of crowding in the schools there? Is the area business friendly? I would be interested in opening a business in the area at some point Feel free to post or email me any relevant info comicartfiend@yahoo.com Thanks, Chet

[KSwan]

I have lived in Venice for the past 28 years and have 4 children. Venice is a wonderful place to visit. If is was not for my job I would have left long ago. We are currently having a problem with feces in the water at the venice beach and fishing pier, for the past 4 weeks. The schools are horrible and we have decided that our youngest will NOT attend High school in FL after having 3 go to the High School 1 graduated this year and I have no idea how! The average age in Venice is about 86ish and in South Venice the ave is 60 with a large age mix. We have had it with the home insurance and taxes and are looking toward Ga.

[d4g4m]

Venice, South Venice, Port Charlotte have the highest percentage of older Americans in the U.S. These areas also have the highest amount of snowbirds in Florida. Be cautious of being behind a car with the blinking turn signal for 2 miles doing 30 mph in a 45 zone. 'Wind' insurance for a pre 1994 home is VERY expensive. Have a well paying job promised before moving here.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Chet S.

The wife really fell in love with the area on a visit and we are considering relocating. Anyone with a young family please give me some feedback on rasing young kids in the area Other than the beaches what is there to do for the kids? I have looked and the elementary schools seem good Is there a lot of crowding in the schools there? Is the area business friendly? I would be interested in opening a business in the area at some point Feel free to post or email me any relevant info comicartfiend@yahoo.com Thanks, Chet

There is nothing for kids in Venice - most of the population is extremely elderly - just about the oldest population in Florida. They tend not to be thrilled with kids around. I'd pick another area - maybe Sarasota or Bradenton suburbs. Better yet go even further up to St. Pete.

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

There is nothing for kids in Venice - most of the population is extremely elderly - just about the oldest population in Florida. They tend not to be thrilled with kids around. I'd pick another area - maybe Sarasota or Bradenton suburbs. Better yet go even further up to St. Pete.

Venice- No, mostly older residents. Sarasota would be good, I wouldn't suggest Bradenton, nor St. Pete, but Dunedin (Pinellas County) would be OK, Maybe North Port?

[SoFLGal]

If you are looking for a kid friendly area I would suggest North Port or Sarasota. North Port's average age is 38. I live in North Port and have three kids and we really like it here. My kids attend Pine View in Osprey. It is a public school that has grades 2nd-12th. It was ranked one of the top schools in the Nation by US News.

It really depends on what you are looking for but Venice is not the greatest for kids. Like everyone previously said, there are many elderly and snowbirds living in Venice. IMO, the schools are pretty good there. I attended Venice Elementary and my daughter was in the Venice Elementary gifted program. We were pleased with the school.

I do have lots of friends that live in the Osprey area, which is just north of Venice. Many of my kids friends live there- In the Rivendell & Woodlands developments. It's close to Pineview so many of the families live there due to its close proximity to Pineview.

[loves2read]

PineView is a magnet school for G/T students in Sarasota co--not open-enrollment or school of choice--so you can't count on children getting in there
it is also a long drive from North Port to Osprey/Pine View--my daughter teaches there and her best friend who also teaches there lives in North Port--it is expensive, time-consuming daily commute and the hours are different from other schools

[Carbondated]

Venice is not a place to consider if you have children and want to start a business. Lots of old people who like "their" town just the way it is. My neice and nephew born and raised in Venice cannot wait to get out. As small children they had no other children nearby and spent most of their time with adults. Older people (who "own" Venice) have an absolute distrust and almost hatred for the young. South Venice has a few families, but most are renters and transient in nature. Not a stable area at all, lots of drugs (meth labs/sellers/addicts), and crime.
As far as business, unless you gear your business to something the elderly want or need, then you have a very small chance of running a successful business. There is an extremely tiny business community in Venice, which is getting smaller by the minute.

Osprey is a great place to raise a family. Close proximity to Sarasota and all it has to offer. Average cost of a home is higher than surrounding areas though.
Parrish is a great family community north of Bradenton.
Hope that helps.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by loves2read

PineView is a magnet school for G/T students in Sarasota co--not open-enrollment or school of choice--so you can't count on children getting in there
it is also a long drive from North Port to Osprey/Pine View--my daughter teaches there and her best friend who also teaches there lives in North Port--it is expensive, time-consuming daily commute and the hours are different from other schools

I was just listing Pineview as another option. My children live in North Port and ride the bus to Pineview, so there is no charge. It is about a 30 minute bus ride and my kids enjoy the bus ride to relax on.

[Chet S.]

Thanks for all the insights! Thoughts on Nokomis? We like Sarasota as well.