Sarasota Neighborhoods- help! (Siesta Key, Whitfield: for sale, rental, condos)

[Liza54]

Please give me actual names of areas or neighborhoods- searching Craigslists for homes or MLS is useless to me w/out knowing much about the actual neighborhood ( I search "Sarasota" - gives me a ton ).
Looking for more liberal thinking area of Sarasota. We're in our 30's, 2 toddlers, spiritual (NOT religious ), and are looking for the more earthy, hippy vibe if that exists. Safe, good schools, etc. Need to be near hospital or some type of employment for nurse, too...
Please help! I'll take any suggestions!!

[Liza54]

Oh, price range for renting for 6mos or so....$1200 or less??

[sunshine girl]

Sarasota is really not all that big. Anywhere there is close to a hospital. As far as neighborhoods, there way too many to list for you. It might help you to look at a map first and figure out which hospital you will work at, and circle the radius you are willing to drive to work, and then ask again for recommendations. There is lots of information in previous posts regarding schools, just use the search function. The biggest hospital is Sarasota memorial, but there is also Doctors hospital and then Lakewood ranch, which isn't in sarasota proper, but just outside of it. If you would travel just a bit, there are several in manatee county also. No one neighborhood is just "liberal thinking" or conservative, or otherwise labeled. While there are some 55 and older communities, they are usually identified as such, and obviously you would not be interested in those, and there really aren't that many of them. Your rental budget can get you into most any neighborhood, except the expensive extremely gated ones. You might start by figuring out which school district you prefer after researching. Also, there are quite a few earthy folk sprinkled all over the area.

[SoFLGal]

Neighborhoods near the hospital are Aqualane Estates, Bayview, Cherokee Park, Burns Court, Harbor Acres, McClellan Park, Oyster Bay and Towles Court. A little further down but still has that sort of vibe are San Remo Estates to the south and then Sapphire Shores and maybe the Whitfield area.

Most of these neighborhoods are also in Southside school district which many people like. You'd be really close to Mote Marine and GWIZ and within walking distance to the Sarasota Children's Garden which is a cool place to spend the day with little ones. Selby Gardens, Selby Library and Marina Jack's are also neat places to check out. Selby Library has a huge fish tank that my little one loves and Marine Jack's has an outside play ground and a small water park. Bring a picnic and sit out under the banyan trees.

The restaurants downtown are some of my favorites in Sarasota. Here's a link to the downtown farmers market. Whole Foods is a great organic grocery store located in the heart of downtown. Two of my favorite restaurants in the area are 5one6Burns and The Canvas Cafe located in Towles Court artist village. You've got to go see Towles Court which is an artist village with brightly painted homes and shops.

In Burns Court/Square is the Burns Court Cinemas which often plays foreign films. Then up at the end of Main St is a larger, newer movie theater. Also on Main St is Sarasota News & Books where you can hang out on the porch with a coffee or latte and watch the world go by. Here's a link to some of the restaurants that are within walking distance of downtown-most are right on Main St.

I'm sure Ladywithafan could add a lot more since she lives downtown

OK, can you tell I really love the downtown Sarasota area? Maybe I should just move there. Hmmm...anyway I better give it a rest and get the kids to school before they're late.

[dmccauley]

Originally Posted by Liza54

Please give me actual names of areas or neighborhoods- searching Craigslists for homes or MLS is useless to me w/out knowing much about the actual neighborhood ( I search "Sarasota" - gives me a ton ).
Looking for more liberal thinking area of Sarasota. We're in our 30's, 2 toddlers, spiritual (NOT religious ), and are looking for the more earthy, hippy vibe if that exists. Safe, good schools, etc. Need to be near hospital or some type of employment for nurse, too...
Please help! I'll take any suggestions!!

I found the same situation when I was looking to buy a home. I had no idea where to be east or west of the trail. Its so confusing. The area I chose is great. Check out the zip code 34233. You would be located minutes to I-75. The schools are rated a+ (Ashton Elementary, Sarasota Middle School) Doctors Hospital is less then a mile and then there is Sarasota Memorial that is about 5 miles away. Siesta Key is 8 miles. Local shopping Walmart/Home Depot and Publix is around the corner.

[dmccauley]

Also check out Palmer Ranch. They have a variety of homes and condos for sale and rent. zip 34238

[smiledoc1]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

Also check out Palmer Ranch. They have a variety of homes and condos for sale and rent. zip 34238

I'll second that about Palmer Ranch. I can't speak for other developments, but Village Walk is noted for its friendly people.