What is Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores like? (Sarasota: sale, rentals)

[colourpane]

Hi helpful people. My parents are looking to retire and have found a house they love in the Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores area. However, I'm worried about the crime rate. What is it really like living there? Will they be safe?

[SoFLGal]

My mother in law has lived in Sapphire Shores for nearly 50 years now. They haven't had any issues. When I go walking the dogs with her I see older folks, young people with strollers and everything in between.

My oldest daughter lives right across the street from Sapphire Shores on the New College campus. They do have security but she seems to feel pretty safe.

I think "safe" is a relative term.

[colourpane]

Thanks, SoFlGal. I got a little scared by all the posts on these forums about the crime rate in Sarasota.

The house they like is fairly close to the Ringling Museum and Sarasota Jungle Gardens... is that a good area in general for retirees?

Really, any honest feedback anyone can give me about the area would be much appreciated.

[SoFLGal]

My MIL lives on Edwards Dr, which is roughly 2 miles from Jungle Gardens area. I know many of the college kids try to find rentals in that general area. You have Ringling and New College right close. From what I've been told, they are pretty respectful, for the most part. My MIL is in her 80's and takes the bus every where. She's about 4' 10" and always tells me how adorable the kids are and how they help her with her groceries, etc.

Generally the bigger more palatial homes are found along Bay Shore Rd. There are some really cool areas/homes in that area. Indian Beach literally runs the gamut from quaint cottages to multi-million dollar estates nestled on the bayfront. The area is often referred to as the museum district.

My daughter frequently rides her bike from New College over to Big E's Restaurant on the corner of 41 and MLK Blvd. She plays this game called GO and the Go players meet there on certain nights. To be honest, I'm not to keen on her doing that. I told her that she needs to be with a group and I really didn't want her doing it at night. That stretch of 41 can get questionable at night.

[colourpane]

They are looking at property along that stretch of Bay Shore Dr between Indian Beach Drive and S Shore Drive. My mother has had bad experiences with break ins before and is a bit nervous... so the crime rate in that area is what I was concerned about.

From what you say, it sounds fairly safe though?

[SoFLGal]

Well, that zip code-34234 has some of the poorest and richest neighborhoods in the area. The prices run from a little 1292 sq ft home, built in 1952 in Newtown Park for $14,900 to a 9.9 mil dollar 11,000 sq ft bayfront mansion.

If I take the average listing on Shore Dr-it's $773K and the average sale on Shore Dr in the last 6 months is $458K.

I like the Indian Beach and Sapphire Shores neighborhoods. I'm not gonna tell you your home is not gonna get broken into if you live in this area but I can tell you that my inlaws have lived there since 1956 and haven't had issues. Wow, guess they've been there for over 50 years.