Thinking about relocating to the Sarasota area need help (Bradenton: to rent, HOA fees)

[Jkope12]

My husband and our two kids (1&3) are possibly looking to relocate to the sarasota area. We have been looking at nokomis, Bradenton, Lakewood ranch, Venice, and sarasota. Does anyone know what the pay is for a ER Nurse? I am a stay at home mom and we are not sure we will be able to afford it without me working. We are simple people we do not need a huge house. We do not want to spend more than 170,000. Is that reasonable or will we be in a crappy area. Are all areas gated with crazy hoa fees? I want to be in a safe family type neighborhood. What is it that makes it so expensive to live there? Homeowners insurance? Property taxes? All information good and bad will be appreciated in helping us decide what to do. Thank you

[blueherons]

ER nurses make really good money and are always in demand.

I think you can easily find a home in a good location for your budget.

I'd say bring it.

[Jkope12]

I'm just trying to figure out a number because online doesn't seem like a lot. He works. In Chicago now so money is awesome.

[Rugs As Art]

You can find a home in a decent location for that money. Of course, the farther you get away from Sarasota the lesser expensive your options (i.e. Nokomis, Venice, etc.). If you can stretch it to $200K, you increase your options greatly. Even if you can't, there are still homes to be found. Gulf Gate is an area with homes in that range. Very close to famous Siesta Key beach (you can literally ride your bike). Forest Lakes and South Gate are close to downtown and the beaches. All areas are not gated with crazy HOA fees. As a matter of fact, most neighborhoods in Sarasota are not gated... mine included. What makes Sarasota so expensive? Supply and demand. Sarasota has great beaches, arts, restaurants, schools... the list goes on. And most important, we get ocean sunsets without having to live on the west coast of the US.

[Sunshine Rules]

You mentioned the money is awesome in Chicago. You'll find that jobs in FL typically don't pay anywhere near what they pay in Chicago. What type of work does your husband do?

Also, if you need to find jobs here, it's a good idea to have at least 6 to 8 months worth of living expenses saved up before you move as a cushion as it may take awhile to find jobs and they may not pay what you expect (or provide the same benefits as you'd find in Chicago).

As to neighborhoods, if you are willing to look at homes built in the 1960's - 1990's, there are a number of nice neighborhoods in Sarasota that may fit your needs. If you want a home built in the past 10 years in Sarasota, that will be difficult to find as prices for newer homes are typically at or above $200k, unless you are willing to go further south in Sarasota county or north, into Manatee county.

The tradeoff with buying an older home is that insurance will be more expensive. It helps if the older home has a roof that has been replaced in the past 10 years. If the shingle roof is 15 years or older, most insurance companies no longer want to insure the home even if it is newer (so you have to get insurance thru Citizens, the state insurer of last resort) or you will find yourself much paying more for coverage until the roof is replaced. Doesn't matter if the roof still has economic life left and passes a roof inspection, that is what insurance agents all over the area are telling me about the rates.


As to neighborhoods to check out, here are some of the more popular ones within your price range in Sarasota, along with the zip codes for searching:

Alta Vista, Paver Park 34237

South Gate, South Gate area (including Arlington Park area - Hyde Park, Cottages in the Pines, South Side Park, Loma Linda Park, La Linda Terrace, Battle & Turner, Rustic Lodge, Sunnyside Park) 34231 & 34239

Forest Lakes Country Club 34239

Forest Lakes South 34233

South Gate Ridge 34233

Georgetowne 34232

Tamaron 34232

Colonial Oaks 34232

Brentwood, Ridgewood, Colonial Gables 34232

Center Gate Woods 34233

Gulf Gate 34231

Pine Shores 34231

Cedar Hollow 34232


For southern Manatee county:

Wood of Whitfield (in Manatee county but Sarasota mailing address) 34243

Creekwood 34203

The Trails 34243 (also Sarasota mailing address)

Regal Oaks 34203

Lionshead 34203

Sabal Harbour 34203

Barrington Ridge 34203

Palm Aire 34243 (Sarasota mailing address)

River Place 34203


Lakewood Ranch your options probably would be Summerfield Village and Greenbrook Village. 34202


If you're willing to live further out, there are a number of newer home subdivisions in the Parrish and Ellenton areas. That will put you a much further drive from the local hospitals for work.


For those moving here that are not familiar with Sarasota, the best advice I can give you is to rent for awhile first, learn the area better, then buy a home.

[Picshooter]

Why do you want to move here?

Unless your husband is self employed with a high salary, or would keep his current job where the money is awesome, I would seriously doubt he would find the same pay scale here.

Same with you as a ER Nurse....BTW,Thanks for all the people you have helped. It's a tough job. One of my daughter in laws is a nic u, peds nurse in a hospital. She makes good money in part because she is per diem, and has weekend - night differential.
If you both work then you will have childcare concerns until they get to be school age.

So why is it you want to move here? If you are willing to be happy with less, less money, less standard of living, you will be very happy here. I do mean that in the nicest way. The most important things, aren't things.

[Jkope12]

My husband is a nurse. I'm a stay at home mom. We want to move because right now we live in Northwest Indiana and there isn't much to do. The weather is horrible. Overcast about 9 months of the year. We are just wanting something new. We went on vacation and stayed in treasure island last year but didn't really care for the area. We also took a drive to fort Myers and on the way back to treasure island we stopped at caspersan beach and that's when I felll in love. I have never witness such beauty.

[Picshooter]

My advice would be to secure employment first. One of the local hospitals just opened an addition, not to the ER, but it's a sign they are growing.
This is a great area to live. There are plenty of nice places to live that are not high end. Live within your means and enjoy the area.

[Jkope12]

Thank you for the advice

[Harbor Hopper]

My wife is in healthcare and actually makes quite a bit more here than in a medium-size city in Michigan. Supply & demand for her field. She's now making about $12/hr more than up north.