Needing to be re-aquainted with Sarasota (Tampa, Orlando: for sale, foreclosure, low crime)

[dwinfield10]

Hello All,
I apologize for the novel I'm about to post, but my intent is to clarify my position/question as much as possible so that I can help you help me as quickly as possible without leaving you floundering around and wondering what I'm asking for. Many thanks ahead of time for all those that take the time to comment.

I was born in Bradenton, graduated high school in Bradenton, moved to Orlando in 94, moved to North Carolina in 2005 and my hope is to move back to the suncoast within the next 5 months (give or take). During the 15 years I've been away from the area I've visited B'ton at least once per year (family still lives in the area -- NW B'ton). So I still have some familiarity of the B'ton area, but things have changed a great deal -- especially out east. I'm a bit lost on Sarasota, and that's where I'm looking for a little help. I'll tell you what I'm looking for in a place to live, and you guys can tell me how achievable it is to find it, or not, in Sarasota.

- 3/2 between 1500 and 1900 sq feet
- good/great schools
- close to many locally-owned restaurants and stores that I could walk to within 15
minutes or bike to within 5
- decently-sized yard between 1/4 and 1/2 acre
- plenty of younger families mixed in with other age demographics
- diverse enthnicities
- between $190k - $250k
- low crime (for Florida)

I work in I.T., and I've seen posts to this forum where many are groaning about the lack of work. I'm willing to drive to Tampa or St.Pete each day if required, and when I check dice.com or monster I see opportunities in IT. So are the complaints about the dire IT opportunities for the immediate Sarasota area or for the entire TB area in general? If the latter, I guess the supply of IT skills is exceeding the demand? I know it'll be tempting for some to suggest northern Sarasota given the potential of travelling to Tampa/St.Pete, but please don't let that sway your thinking. If there is a good neighborhood in the middle or southern part of town with cool places to eat, drink, and shop please let me know. For example, I don't know if this area is still the same, but about 20 years ago I'd go to the Sarasota Brewing Co. in the Gulf Gate mall area, and always kind of liked some of those neighborhoods. Older homes (now) close to some amenities and the beach...but have no clue what its like now. Searches on realtor.com for the 34231 zip show what look to be nice homes in the Riverview highschool district in the Gulf Gate Estates neighborhood. Am I on the right track? If so, other suggestions? Another comparison I could draw is the Whitfield Estates neighborhood -- something like that, but with more eating, dining, shopping options and not so sleepy, and not feeding into what used to be a sub-par middle school -- Harlee (which was "sub-par" when I attended anyway). Again, thanks for your input. I'm only beginning my research now, and intend to visit and evaluate the 2nd week of October so I know I have a lot of digging to do -- just looking for you guys to spring-board me in the best direction.

[angelfish]

I know someone else will be along to answer the neighborhood questions so let's talk employment.

I take it you are not able to transfer, or telecommute? Specifically what area of IT are you in how many years experience do you have? I will just put it out there, it's really tough down here right now.

[SoFLGal]

I was born in Bradenton as well! It has changed quite a bit since I live there as well.

OK, now on to your questions. Initially I'm thinking Southside Village, which is the area west of US 41 and just of Main St and north of Siesta Dr. Just to give you a reference point. It meets all of your criteria except for maybe price. I do think you might be able to possibly snag a foreclosure in that area though in your range. The only problem is that nothing comes up when you search under SouthSide village because it's kind of a locally used term for that area but in the MLS they have that area broken down into a ton of little subdivisions. I'll list some here so you can look through and see what you find. Also, I would ditch Realtor.com for your searching. Often by the time listings hit Realtor.com they are already pending because it takes a while for them to pull from the MLS feed. Use this website and click on Sarasota county: Florida Homes for Sale direct from MLS It's the public side of the MLS and you will have up to the minute updates on that site. I do think you're on the right track with Gulf Gate as well and you could probably find something in your price range there.

The elementary school for the Southside neighborhood is Southside Elementary for the Gulf Gate area it's Gulf Gate Elementary. You can check out the schools here:
School Accountability Report...
http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/FL

Southside neighborhoods:
Poinsettia Park
Burns
Laurel Park
McClellan Park
Laurel Park
Avondale
Bungalow Hill
Floyd & Cameron
Mandarin Park
Morton Terrace
Graham Heights
Bayview
Hartsdale
Cherokee Park
Harbor Acres
Paradise Shores

I know like Angelfish said, the job situation is pretty tough right now. The unemployment rate is at 10%. I'm not too up on the IT field so I'll leave that for someone else to answer.

Good luck with your search

[dwinfield10]

Thanks for the quick response. I can telecommute, but I only intend to do it for the first year or so as I'm one that likes to go into the office. In my current position I wear many hats (dba, enterprise backup admin, san storage admin, enterprise scheduling admin, Oracle APEX developer, PLM administrator and developer), but my main area of responsibility for the last 10 years has been Oracle DBA. Over the last year I've seen equal opportunities for such positions in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas, and there seems to be a bit more work in Jax and S. Florida....but my current approach is to locate on the suncoast and drive into Tampa/St.Pete.

SoFLGal, our posts must have crossed. Thanks for the tips on neighborhood names ... infinitely helpful.

[gypsychic]

We live in Whitfield Estates near the bay and LOVE IT here. Lots are large, and it's a pretty easy commute to downtown Tampa for my hubby's job. While it's not exactly "walkable" we are within walking distance of a few restaurants, a neighborhood 7-11 and a few other things. We have access to the bay, a marina and golf course. All age groups, etc. represented here.

A few of the neighborhoods mentioned by SoFLGal might fill some of your needs but most won't. Many have small lots or are very expensive. The closer in to town or west of the trail the more expensive it will be. There are still a few good deals up here in our neighborhood even though we are so close to the water.

I think you are right on in your thinking about looking in or around Gulf Gate - I think you have the best chance of finding something that meets all your criteria around there, I suggested that area recently to someone else as well who was looking for the same as you.

Anyway, this is a GREAT place to live, wherever you end up. SoFLGal is a great realtor here, and if anyone can fix you up with the right place, she can!

[Scots]

I was looking for something very much as you describe, including ability to walk and/or bike to things, and I spent about 6 months looking at everything in Gulf Gate, which does meet these criteria. You should be aware that most of the houses in Gulf Gate are very dated and need a lot of work to get them up to current standards. Also, a lot of people selling in Gulf Gate are older people who have not come to terms with the current market and so are not realistic in pricing. After going around with several sellers I ended up in Palmer Ranch where I can walk to a Publix, other shops, and strip-mall type restaurants. Anyway, good luck!

[angelfish]

Originally Posted by dwinfield10

Thanks for the quick response. I can telecommute, but I only intend to do it for the first year or so as I'm one that likes to go into the office. In my current position I wear many hats (dba, enterprise backup admin, san storage admin, enterprise scheduling admin, Oracle APEX developer, PLM administrator and developer), but my main area of responsibility for the last 10 years has been Oracle DBA. Over the last year I've seen equal opportunities for such positions in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas, and there seems to be a bit more work in Jax and S. Florida....but my current approach is to locate on the suncoast and drive into Tampa/St.Pete.

SoFLGal, our posts must have crossed. Thanks for the tips on neighborhood names ... infinitely helpful.

Excellent on the telecommuting gig, this will give you ample time to familiarize yourself with the area, and outside of it, especially as far as the employment situation goes. Since you have so much experience in so many areas I think you would be a very attractive candidate for an employer. I think it's exactly what a lot of companies are looking for in this economic climate!