Sarasota Area Vs Palm Harbor Area.....Which is better..... (Clearwater: lease, safe neighborhoods)

[ShakyJ]

...for the family that like to be near the beach/ocean, looking for activities, things to do with the elementary school aged kids?

Primary concerns are good schools, safe neighborhoods, access to the beach. Dont mind being 10-15 min drive to a city area ( like gulf to Bay in Clearwater), but looking for more of the rural type like the eastlake Palm harbor/oldsmar region.

We moved to Palm Harbor about 8 months ago from NH and we do like it. We have a lease for about a year left before we have to renew/move. I have not visited the Sarasota area, but I have been to Holiday, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, St Pete, etc. None of these places have what we want. So far we still like Palm Harbor. Great school system for the kids, etc.

But I keep hearing about Sarasota, Venice, etc. Thoughts?

Recently we went to Sanabel/Ft Myers. Loved theft myers beach, wouldnt want to live near there with kids. Love driving through ft myers too, nice area. That is what we want and it is on the list. Sanabel was great, but out of our price range.

Does anyone have any experience with living in Palm Harbor area & Sarasota?

Thanks!
Jason

[davery5872]

Originally Posted by ShakyJ

...for the family that like to be near the beach/ocean, looking for activities, things to do with the elementary school aged kids?

Primary concerns are good schools, safe neighborhoods, access to the beach. Dont mind being 10-15 min drive to a city area ( like gulf to Bay in Clearwater), but looking for more of the rural type like the eastlake Palm harbor/oldsmar region.

We moved to Palm Harbor about 8 months ago from NH and we do like it. We have a lease for about a year left before we have to renew/move. I have not visited the Sarasota area, but I have been to Holiday, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, St Pete, etc. None of these places have what we want. So far we still like Palm Harbor. Great school system for the kids, etc.

But I keep hearing about Sarasota, Venice, etc. Thoughts?

Recently we went to Sanabel/Ft Myers. Loved theft myers beach, wouldnt want to live near there with kids. Love driving through ft myers too, nice area. That is what we want and it is on the list. Sanabel was great, but out of our price range.

Does anyone have any experience with living in Palm Harbor area & Sarasota?

Thanks!
Jason

We had a place in Clearwater for several years before buying in Sarasota. Pinellas County is MUCH more congested than Sarasota County. There is really nothing like US19 in Sarasota. There are really no open spaces left in Pinellas County remaining, as it is a small county and has water on three sides. I would imagine from Eastlake it will take at least 30 minutes to get to the beach, if you can get across the causeway. And you pay for parking at the beach. There were many times we had to drive down to Bellair just to get to the beach. Another thing about Pinellas County, the areas are very inconsistent. One street is OK and the next is not. Although the extreme northern part of the county is pretty nice. MY cousin lives in Palm Harbor. One thing good about that area is the amount of restaurants. There are alot of restaurants and stores in Pinellas County.

[ShakyJ]

Originally Posted by davery5872

We had a place in Clearwater for several years before buying in Sarasota. Pinellas County is MUCH more congested than Sarasota County. There is really nothing like US19 in Sarasota. There are really no open spaces left in Pinellas County remaining, as it is a small county and has water on three sides. I would imagine from Eastlake it will take at least 30 minutes to get to the beach, if you can get across the causeway. And you pay for parking at the beach. There were many times we had to drive down to Bellair just to get to the beach. Another thing about Pinellas County, the areas are very inconsistent. One street is OK and the next is not. Although the extreme northern part of the county is pretty nice. MY cousin lives in Palm Harbor. One thing good about that area is the amount of restaurants. There are alot of restaurants and stores in Pinellas County.

I live close to Trinity, so it is the quiet area of Palm Harbor. Things to do, places to eat are in the hundreds around here. Sarasota is different?

Yes, 20-30 min to the beach. if Clearwater beach and you are running late, forget it. I take it is easier down there?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by ShakyJ

...for the family that like to be near the beach/ocean, looking for activities, things to do with the elementary school aged kids?

Primary concerns are good schools, safe neighborhoods, access to the beach. Dont mind being 10-15 min drive to a city area ( like gulf to Bay in Clearwater), but looking for more of the rural type like the eastlake Palm harbor/oldsmar region.

We moved to Palm Harbor about 8 months ago from NH and we do like it. We have a lease for about a year left before we have to renew/move. I have not visited the Sarasota area, but I have been to Holiday, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, St Pete, etc. None of these places have what we want. So far we still like Palm Harbor. Great school system for the kids, etc.

But I keep hearing about Sarasota, Venice, etc. Thoughts?

Recently we went to Sanabel/Ft Myers. Loved theft myers beach, wouldnt want to live near there with kids. Love driving through ft myers too, nice area. That is what we want and it is on the list. Sanabel was great, but out of our price range.

Does anyone have any experience with living in Palm Harbor area & Sarasota?

Thanks!
Jason

Sarasota has some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Siesta beach was named #1 beach this year. We have hundreds and hundreds of all kinds of places to eat of all kinds in all price ranges. Lots of organic food shopping, Whole Foods, health stores, etc. Beautiful St. Armand's Circle and Lido Beach just over the bridge from downtown. Some of the best schools in the state. Lots of art, culture, artists, festivals, etc.

This is a beautiful place to live. Palm Harbor is nice, pretty and clean, but to
me there is too much sprawl and no defined downtown, unlike Sarasota which has a small but vibrant and very pretty downtown on the waterfront. Also, there is way too much congestion up around Palm Harbor for my taste. It is pretty easy to get around in Sarasota even in the "season."

Hope this helps and be sure to check out the many helpful and informative posts and blogs from SoFLGal here.

[ShakyJ]

Thanks for the details Gypsy

If I take a weekend trip down to the are with my family, any suggestions for areas for us to check out, aside the beach?

[gypsychic]

Are you looking for things to do, or neighborhoods? If neighborhoods, give some details on what you are looking for: price, new vs. historic, size, close to amenities, etc.

[ShakyJ]

Really both. Quiet areas. 20 min to beach or less. $200's, modern looking, 1500sqft + 3 bed, etc.

[SoFLGal]

South Gate or the Gulf Gate areas might be a good place to start. It's less than 10 mins to the beach, close to shopping and in your price range.