small town feel (Sarasota, Venice, Nokomis: condos, homes, neighborhoods)

[photoman_6]

a while back i posted here asking generally to compare sarasota and venice. Since then I've visited Sarasota for a week and drove down to Venice for a look-see. Loved Sarasota, Venice not so much. Intrigued by Nokomis, although not a boat person, just seems to be closer to beaches.
My wife and I are hoping to retire down there next year and we're open to most any location in SWF, but here's the thing- I was hoping to find a home (not condo) somewhere I could roll out of bed and be near some sort of business district with coffee, bakery, bookstore, etc.(sort of a small town main street.) Something like St. Armands but not so touristy.
We both loved Sarasota because of the cultural/restaurant/events/sights/sand and beach, but could handle driving 1/2 hour for the opera/theatre and maybe 20 min. to the beach.
I'm not crazy about the developments between 41 and 75, would prefer something a little more private with some more privacy from my neighbors. My wife is fine with developments.
My hobbies (woodworking and automobiles) require more than the simple 2 car garage, so i need space for that too.

Oh, of course, this fabulous place should be available for around 250k.

I realize i'm daydreaming, but would like to identify neighborhoods that come closest to the ideal and work from there. I know there are a few r.e. agents out there that have been very helpful and could use some guidance.

thanks

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

a while back i posted here asking generally to compare sarasota and venice. Since then I've visited Sarasota for a week and drove down to Venice for a look-see. Loved Sarasota, Venice not so much. Intrigued by Nokomis, although not a boat person, just seems to be closer to beaches.
My wife and I are hoping to retire down there next year and we're open to most any location in SWF, but here's the thing- I was hoping to find a home (not condo) somewhere I could roll out of bed and be near some sort of business district with coffee, bakery, bookstore, etc.(sort of a small town main street.) Something like St. Armands but not so touristy.
We both loved Sarasota because of the cultural/restaurant/events/sights/sand and beach, but could handle driving 1/2 hour for the opera/theatre and maybe 20 min. to the beach.
I'm not crazy about the developments between 41 and 75, would prefer something a little more private with some more privacy from my neighbors. My wife is fine with developments.
My hobbies (woodworking and automobiles) require more than the simple 2 car garage, so i need space for that too.

Oh, of course, this fabulous place should be available for around 250k.

I realize i'm daydreaming, but would like to identify neighborhoods that come closest to the ideal and work from there. I know there are a few r.e. agents out there that have been very helpful and could use some guidance.

thanks

I'm sure when SoFLGal sees your post she will have some ideas. Of course the tough part will be reconciling getting all that space and work space, not only for $250,000 but near the business district with everything. But I can make a suggestion, look to the south part of Sarasota, maybe near Gulf Gate. There may be some bargains to be had and Gulf Gate Village is a mini business district with most of the stuff you want.

Good luck to you!

[photoman_6]

thanks for the input- i had heard about gulf gate and actually saw some homes west of there, around Three Oaks and such. Hopefully in our next trip down there I'll be able to zero in on specific neighborhoods.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

a while back i posted here asking generally to compare sarasota and venice. Since then I've visited Sarasota for a week and drove down to Venice for a look-see. Loved Sarasota, Venice not so much. Intrigued by Nokomis, although not a boat person, just seems to be closer to beaches.
My wife and I are hoping to retire down there next year and we're open to most any location in SWF, but here's the thing- I was hoping to find a home (not condo) somewhere I could roll out of bed and be near some sort of business district with coffee, bakery, bookstore, etc.(sort of a small town main street.) Something like St. Armands but not so touristy.
We both loved Sarasota because of the cultural/restaurant/events/sights/sand and beach, but could handle driving 1/2 hour for the opera/theatre and maybe 20 min. to the beach.
I'm not crazy about the developments between 41 and 75, would prefer something a little more private with some more privacy from my neighbors. My wife is fine with developments.
My hobbies (woodworking and automobiles) require more than the simple 2 car garage, so i need space for that too.

Oh, of course, this fabulous place should be available for around 250k.

I realize i'm daydreaming, but would like to identify neighborhoods that come closest to the ideal and work from there. I know there are a few r.e. agents out there that have been very helpful and could use some guidance.

thanks

Hmmm...well what you are describing as far as the neighborhood being close to the business district would be Southside Village. Usually the lots aren't real big there so that may be a problem for your hobbies. Also the price is normally a bit higher but once in a while you find something in that range in that area.

Most subdivisions have smaller lots, except maybe a few like Three Oaks. Like Gypsy said, it might be hard to fit everything in one package at that price. South Gate and Gulf Gate are pretty good suggestions.

The only places you are going to find property under $250K with a double lot or more are: Desoto Pines, Desoto Lakes, Desoto Acres, Payne Acres, and Pleasant Acres. But these areas are not real close into town. So, I think you might have to bend a little

[Peter the Brit]

Bend a lot Sorry it must be said you are not getting what you want for 250k and may be better looking in Nokomis and or venice

[photoman_6]

thanks for the input. I am open to Nokomis, although I didn't see a cozy "downtown" type area. It is close to water.
Like I said, I know I'm asking a lot-sometimes you just get lucky.

[Peter the Brit]

The downtown area for Nokomis is venice

[SoFLGal]

The problem is that you wouldn't find anything (a house) within walking distance in Venice to the downtown area for $250K. I've spent all evening doing research on this cause I have someone else looking for something pretty similar to what you're looking for but they will look at condos and villas as well. I might be able to pull it off with that modification. We'll see this afternoon.