Stranded mermaid needs opinions--Sarasota or Sanibel (Naples, Venice: foreclosures, insurance, condos)

[EndCruelty]

Hi everyone. Just found your boards and you are all very helpful. My husband and I and our dogs are moving to Florida and were definitely going for Sanibel. We lived many years ago on FL's east coast and vacationed in Sanibel. We spent 3 months in Sanibel this year.
We don't need to consider where to work since we are retired/disabled but we are avid swimmers.
We want a place where we can walk preferably to the beach and swim definitely every day, which we did from Jan/09 thru March 09 in Sanibel.
But, don't think we can afford Sanibel and we are kinda picky about our house and a few other things. For instance, we need a Whole Foods nearby, yes I know it sounds silly but it's true. Also, we prefer to build if we can and there are almost no lots left in Sanibel. We love Sanibel since there are no high rises, but the building codes are ridiculous, even for us who respect the environment. Even remodelling there is difficult.
Where could we live in Sarasota where we could have a new house, fence for our dogs, could walk to the beach, or could remodel something without a pool that is single family and not in an association and at least 2000 sq ft? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SoFLGal]

Well, there are lots of things that are available close to the beach. I think the biggest hurdle might be price range. Things that are within walking distance to the beach and that size are gonna run you $500K and up unless you are looking at condos. And that probably would not work with a dog that needs a fenced in area.
You might be able to keep an eye out for any foreclosures that come on the market and snag a good deal like that.

If you throw out a price range I can probably make some suggestions.

[gypsychic]

I have noticed a lot of building/remodeling going on on Lido Key. This is a great location because it is walking distance to beach, and just over the bridge to downtown (Whole Foods) and of course right by St. Armand's Circle. You won't find vacant lots here, but maybe a house to remodel. I don't know what your price range is, but this area won't be cheap. As SoFLGal says, anywhere within walking distance to beach is going to be pretty high, and the $$$ will be in the location, not the house. You could also check on the mainland in or around downtown - still convenient to beaches, but not walking distance.

Good luck to you, if you find what you like, you will love living here. Sarasota has it all.

[FLBob]

Just south of Sarasota is the small town of Venice, unlike Sanibel and the barrier Islands of Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Long Boat Key of Sarasota, Venice is part of the mainland. Venice Island was separated from the mainland when the Army Corp of Engineers cut a canal in order to create today's intra-coastal waterway.

Venice is a walkable town, while no Whole Foods, there is a Richards Whole Foods on the Island. And Whole Food is just 30 minutes away in down town Sarasota. Homes with in an easy walking distance to the beach are more affordable here than just about anywhere on the west coast of Florida.

The elevations on Venice Island are also attractive when you factor in your insurance costs. Much of the Island is in "B" zone. This can make it much easier to remodel/build.

Homes that are with in walking distance to the beach have sold recently in the mid-300k range. One recently went under contract under $200k. There are still a few building lots near the beach.

While not the hoping tourist area of the barrier Islands like Sanibel, Siesta Key etc, Venice Island has a charm of it's own.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by FLBob

Just south of Sarasota is the small town of Venice, unlike Sanibel and the barrier Islands of Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Long Boat Key of Sarasota, Venice is part of the mainland. Venice Island was separated from the mainland when the Army Corp of Engineers cut a canal in order to create today's intra-coastal waterway.

Venice is a walkable town, while no Whole Foods, there is a Richards Whole Foods on the Island. And Whole Food is just 30 minutes away in down town Sarasota. Homes with in an easy walking distance to the beach are more affordable here than just about anywhere on the west coast of Florida.

The elevations on Venice Island are also attractive when you factor in your insurance costs. Much of the Island is in "B" zone. This can make it much easier to remodel/build.

Homes that are with in walking distance to the beach have sold recently in the mid-300k range. One recently went under contract under $200k. There are still a few building lots near the beach.

While not the hoping tourist area of the barrier Islands like Sanibel, Siesta Key etc, Venice Island has a charm of it's own.

FLBob - you have to quit telling people how homes within walking distance to the beach are more affordable than anywhere on the west coast! Too many people find out they won't stay that way! lol j/k

Yes, Venice is a cute little town - less touristy than the beaches of Sarasota for sure. Definitely worth it for the OP to look into, if the Whole Foods thing isn't too big an issue.

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

FLBob - you have to quit telling people how homes within walking distance to the beach are more affordable than anywhere on the west coast! Too many people find out they won't stay that way! lol j/k

Yes, Venice is a cute little town - less touristy than the beaches of Sarasota for sure. Definitely worth it for the OP to look into, if the Whole Foods thing isn't too big an issue.

Gypsychic - your probably right, when I first moved to Florida I picked the city of Naples. At that time it was an affordable coastal town, where you could find an older home within walking distance to the beach and shopping. Today; not so much.

As long as people believe that only old retired people live in Venice, I don't expect much change in the culture and lifestyle of Venice.

[SoFLGal]

I think you might be able to find something in Venice within walking distance to the beach for that price but I wouldn't be anywhere near 2000 sq ft and it would probably be built around 1960 and need work. Although I think the prices have come down tremendously I don't think you're gonna find a home with a large yard, 2000 sq ft or more within walking distance to the beach under $500K. Like I said before, you might spot a foreclosure that comes up under that price. Just trying to be realistic.

[angelfish]

It sounds like having a natural foods store very close to you is important, so I think the Pineshores/Aqualane Estates neighborhood would be a great fit. It is a relatively short walk to Crescent Beach, as well as the Granary- www.naturalretail.com (your store would be the Stickney Point Store in Sarasota). It is a large whole foods store that has been here in SRQ at least 20+ years. The only actual "Whole Foods" store is located in downtown SRQ and would be about a 10 to fifteen minute car ride downtown depending on season. Also less than five minutes north of this neighborhood is a smaller natural grocer called Richards Whole Foods- www.richardswholefoods.com
Sweet Bay Supermarket and Publix less than 5 minutes away, and each both have a nice staple section. There are a few gems of restaurants in close proximity that serve organic whole foods as well. This is a great area to live in if this is your lifestyle and you will run into lot's of other people who frequent these places as well so would be easy to network and make friends. Oh yes, almost forgot, there is yoga on Siesta Beach, and on Sundays there is a drum circle, not my thing but maybe yours?

The area is scattered with multi million dollar homes that sit to the west on the bay, and more affordable older homes around them. Some are renovated, others waiting to be. The lot sizes are large for Florida standards because it is an older neighborhood. You will find homes in this neighborhood well under 500k.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by angelfish

It sounds like having a natural foods store very close to you is important, so I think the Pineshores/Aqualane Estates neighborhood would be a great fit. It is a relatively short walk to Crescent Beach, as well as the Granary- www.naturalretail.com (your store would be the Stickney Point Store in Sarasota). It is a large whole foods store that has been here in SRQ at least 20+ years. The only actual "Whole Foods" store is located in downtown SRQ and would be about a 10 to fifteen minute car ride downtown depending on season. Also less than five minutes north of this neighborhood is a smaller natural grocer called Richards Whole Foods- www.richardswholefoods.com
Sweet Bay Supermarket and Publix less than 5 minutes away, and each both have a nice staple section. There are a few gems of restaurants in close proximity that serve organic whole foods as well. This is a great area to live in if this is your lifestyle and you will run into lot's of other people who frequent these places as well so would be easy to network and make friends. Oh yes, almost forgot, there is yoga on Siesta Beach, and on Sundays there is a drum circle, not my thing but maybe yours?

The area is scattered with multi million dollar homes that sit to the west on the bay, and more affordable older homes around them. Some are renovated, others waiting to be. The lot sizes are large for Florida standards because it is an older neighborhood. You will find homes in this neighborhood well under 500k.

Morton's Market is right in that area as well- http://www.mortonsmarket.com/

[angelfish]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Morton's Market is right in that area as well- Morton's Gourmet Market, Southside Village, Sarasota, Florida

Mortons Market is in the Southgate neighborhood, so not walkable, but a very short car drive away. Good thought SFG, for the OP, it is a gourmet market carrying some organic items, but is not a natural foods store.