Looking for upscale, affluent, sophisticated neighborhoods (Sarasota, Bradenton: best neighborhoods, 2013, houses)

[The Dog Ate My Homework]

My wife and I are planning to retire to the Sarasota/Bradenton area. We're coming from an affluent, upper middle class area, and we're looking for a similar demographic.

We don't want to live on a barrier island, and we're not looking to spend seven figures on a home, but neither do we want to be more than about 30 minutes outside of downtown Sarasota.

In what areas should we focus our search?

[Sunshine Rules]

It would be easier to suggest neighborhoods if we knew your general price point.

[The Dog Ate My Homework]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

It would be easier to suggest neighborhoods if we knew your general price point.

Obviously an upscale area is going to be more expensive. I want to know where the best neighborhoods are. I don't want to give a number, and then have the answers limited by that number.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

It would be easier to suggest neighborhoods if we knew your general price point.

Originally Posted by The Dog Ate My Homework

Obviously an upscale area is going to be more expensive. I want to know where the best neighborhoods are. I don't want to give a number, and then have the answers limited by that number.

"The Dog Ate My Homework" said he does not want a 7 figure house but knows upscale will be more expensive. From my research from afar, I would agree that upscale is expensive. This is from the perspective that I live in an affluent CA neighborhood, and things are not exactly cheap here.

"Sunshine Rules" How about if you suggest neighborhoods with the price point of $700,0000 to $999,9999? There are others of us out here interested in that answer. If you think there are affluent neighborhoods priced under $700,000, I am sure there are many people interested in that.

"Dog" you might use zillow to see where houses with your specifics for rooms and square footage are located and how they are priced. You probably have to decide how far away from the bay you are willing to be.

[The Dog Ate My Homework]

Originally Posted by Cardiff by the Sea

"Dog" you might use zillow to see where houses with your specifics for rooms and square footage are located and how they are priced. You probably have to decide how far away from the bay you are willing to be.

I've done that, and as you know, prices don't tell the whole story. For example, $500k will buy a fantastic house in a less upscale area, or it will buy a little cottage in a more upscale area.

I want to know the best areas *before* I start spending time evaluating individual properties.

[sware2cod]

The Oaks. It's in Osprey.

[gypsychic]

Also Lakewood Ranch. Just named a top retirement community by Where to Retire Magazine:

Lakewood Ranch named top retirement community | Business | Bradenton Herald

Some of the wealthiest people in the area live there, but it is huge, with communities at different price points, and it's own "town." Definitely worth looking into. It is also near the brand new upscale mega-mall being built in that area.

[photoman_6]

i dont know, but it sounds like you want everybody else do your homework...

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

i dont know, but it sounds like you want everybody else do your homework...

Yes with no clues to go on. Where is Carnac the Great?

[The Dog Ate My Homework]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

i dont know, but it sounds like you want everybody else do your homework...

Well, Einstein, the reason I came to this forum *was* to do my homework.
Or perhaps you think I'd be better off just flying down there and asking around?

Is it really unreasonable to ask people who are familiar with the area what the upscale areas are?
If someone asked me that question about Northern NJ, I could give a pretty good idea about what towns are upscale, what towns are middle class, and what towns are to be avoided. Is it somehow different for Florida?