Palm Aire vs. The Meadows - Help Us Decide (Sarasota: 2015, rentals)

[NYFL]

Calling all you Sarasota CD'ers out there - hope you can help us make a decision on purchasing our future Sarasota home.
Following an 18 month search for a condo or villa, we came down this week and found a unit in Palm Aire and another in The Meadows that we like equally. They are similar in price and condition, making the decision tougher.
Yes, we've taken the time to drive around both developments, talked to some residents of each, checked out the clubs, etc. We could be totally off-base, but we feel a different vibe in Palm Aire vs. The Meadows.
So we are hoping you will share information, opinions, knowledge of either development - what it's like to actually live there- like friendliness of residents, activities, etc. etc.
Thanks for your help!

[Rushmore]

If all else is essentially equal, and you have played the golf courses, this should be a simple decision: Palm Aire.

I mean SIMPLE.

Don't know anything about the rest.

[Picshooter]

I'll offer a weird one sided perspective. I don't play golf or tennis. I ride my bike....a lot. I pass through the Meadows a lot. I see clean well maintained roads, security patrols, people walking, jogging, pedaling, walking dogs, golfing and tennis. I see well kept landscapes and lately a bunch of new roofs going on. A lot seems to go on at the clubhouse too. It looks like a nice place.

I really don't have anything to say about Palm Aire, other than a co worker lived there and loved it.

Good luck, I hope you post your perspective.

[bbronston]

I like both, too, and I'm not sure that there's an appreciable difference between them. My wife and her mother own a condo in Palm Aire (Eagle Creek) so 've been driving thru there for 20+ years. Before we built our first house, we lived in a rental in the Meadows for 8 months. All other things being equal, I think I'd go with the Meadows. I get a better vibe there, to be honest. Not the people or the architecture, mind you. It just feels a *tiny* bit better. Trust your gut and don't look back because, even if it turns out to be a bad choice, you will never know if the alternative could have been worse! Or, to be more positive, you'll probably be happy with either. Just do your due diligence on the condo and be sure it is both structurally sound and financially sound.

[Sunshine Rules]

I too like both Palm Aire and the Meadows. My husband and I at some point will be looking to downsize to a villa and those 2 communities are on the top of our list for a variety of reasons. Of the two, I probably lean a little more towards the Meadows as they have a lot more condo/villa communities to pick from. As someone else said, the public areas of the Meadows are always immaculate, there are walking trails, lakes and lots of sidewalks throughout the community. And the clubhouse and amenities are great if you decide to become a member.

I like that the condo buildings are solid, mostly concrete block construction, that the communities are solid financially and well run. More of the units are owner occupied or used seasonally vs investment rentals. They also have mature landscaping and tall oak and pine trees, which we love.

It's a tough choice, but either way, you're getting a nice community.

By the way, have you asked for the minutes of the past 3 - 6 months worth of board meetings? Looked at the budgets and Rules & Regs of the 2 communities you are considering? Perhaps that could help you make a final decision between the 2 options.

[NYFL]

Thanks everyone.
Well, we are not huge golfers, but we do like to bike ride and jog, and in the end, we just liked the "feel" of the Meadows better. The nice way the neighborhoods interconnect, the landscaping, just seemed more us. Did check out all the condo docs, budgets, etc. So today it became official- a signed contract. Thought the day would never come. We are excited to be joining you soon!

[joeyddog]

Welcome to the Meadows! We've had a villa there for 4 yrs and have snowbirded for the last 2 yrs. We love it there and really didn't want to return up north this year. We've met really nice, down to earth people there. Most of the people we've met have a real sense of pride about the community. My husband is a big tennis player and loves the program there.I play bridge and mahjong, belong to a film group and the camera club. We love the well maintained trails for walking and biking. It's really nice that so much of the trails are heavily shaded when you want to go out mid-day or on a hot day (I haven't been there in the heat of summer and know any exercise at that time isn't too likely). Each subdivision is independent with their own boards and by-laws and seem well maintained. Which section will you be in? We're in Long Common off of Honore. Good luck with your new place.

[upgrader]

Hi all! I know this is an old thread, but can I get an update on The Meadows?

I'm impressed by the documentation they provide on their website.

But I'm concerned about

Resort, new homes among proposed additions to the Meadows | Business | Bradenton Herald

I have no interest in golf, but I am a tennis buff, so I'd hope the club is solvent and not over subscribed.

[NYFL]

Since starting this post- we've had our villa in The Meadows for 2 years now. We go down several times a year and look forward to spending more time there in the near future. We've been really happy with our purchase- great location, easy ride into town, though being a bit closer to beaches would be nice. Have met some really nice and friendly people. Love the trails and walking paths- makes it so easy to bike around. Yes- the Country Club is facing some challenges, as are the vast majority of clubs nationwide. I guess there are not nearly as many members as used to be years ago, especially among people who live in The Meadows. So they are looking at some options to get a boost of revenue in. Idea is to keep the Club financially sound. I believe you can read more about it on the Meadows Community Assoc website- you may want to read the last several issues of The Meadow Word newsletter posted there as there are some articles detaining the plans. From what I have heard, the tennis membership is good- it's more of the golf and full memberships which have declined, but I would imagine it pretty much impacts the full Country Club. And by the way- membership is not required for purchase of a residence in The Meadows.

[upgrader]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I've been reading the documents and newsletters on the Meadows website. Very professional, compared to my current condo association. The july 15th newsletter had very little info
on the 30 acres in question. I wonder exactly where they are in the overall site plan?

The "HOA" fee seems very low at typically 42 dollars a month, but seems to cover building maintenance as well as grounds upkeep. I think I'm missing something. Is there another fee to fund the building reserves, or do they hit a community with a special assessment for roads, roofs, siding repairs...?

The har-tru tennis courts are a big draw for me. Never got into golf.