Is Sarasota right for us? (University, University Park: fit in, neighborhoods, public schools)

[Ajuli]

Hello,

My husband and I are considering a move to So.FL. We have been looking at Sarasota and wondering if it's the right place for us.
We are a family of physicians, so finding a job shouldn't be a problem--just wanted to throw that out there..
We are in our early 40s and have kids. We would like to live in a neighborhood that has a a mix of downtown and suburban feel.
We were interested in Ft. Lauderdale at one point but it seems like most of the pedestrian friendly areas are not kid friendly and are catered to the much younger crowd.
We are not looking to live in bar/club type of atmosphere, but walking distance to cafes, healthy/vegan restaurants, unique upscale shops...
Is it possible to find this in Sarasota?
Is Sarasota heavily centered towards the retirement community vs. people with kids?
How is the overall vibe of the city? Are there a lot of kids? Are there many things to do, or is it sleepy?
Also, we are an ethnically mixed family (Asian/Latino) if that's a problem..


Thank you in advance!

[beninfl]

You'll fit in just fine. Come down and visit a bit first!

[blueherons]

I think it would be a fantastic area for your family. I would look at Southside Village. Pretty much a perfect neighborhood for you, near the hospital, completely family centric, lots of things to walk to, near the water, close to downtown.

Laurel Park may be a close second.

[blondeFatChick]

If you're looking for a mix of downtown and suburban "feel" that may be a little tough notwithstanding a few neighborhoods fairly near Sarasota Memorial Hospital --south Orange near Hudson Bayou...or around Cherokee park - but that's where you have quite a few idiots doing tear-downs, then building much larger quasi overpriced mansions just to live in the older "west of the trail" BS.


The "next downtown" is being developed on the University Parkway corridor, and in Lakewood Ranch with its own "village". The locus of activity for the nest 20 years is going to be around the University Parkway corridor on the Manatee county side of the street and to a lesser degree on the Sarasota County side of the street ( Univ Pwy used to be called County Line Road separating SRQ county and Manatee county)


For amenities, access to airport, DT, interstate etc this area should be considered first (for future demand and convenience) There are other areas to consider as well. The barrier islands would not be my recommendation if you are still working professionals - i.e. younger...I would avoid the South Trail as well, including Siesta Key and even LongBoat although exceptionally nice.
Moderator cut: snip

Being ethnically "mixed" should not present unusual issues
. There are tons of areas to consider/

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Sarasota will be good for you - St. Armands Circle area next to Lido Beach has funky shops and cute little eateries. There are a lot of old people and snowbirds and they are catered to in this area - the summer is barren and the winter it is very crowded in shops, restaurants and on the roads - but there are young people too if you try hard enough to connect with them.

One of my sons is Asian and he has had no problems in his 5th grade class in North Port which is the more rural area so I assume Sarasota will be much more cosmopolitan. He has a few Ukrainians, Haitians, one Spanish and one Chinese kid in his gifted class and I see no problems. We come from Northern VA which is very diverse so we were a little afraid to move here and if their is racism it is very well hidden.

[LIFL]

Originally Posted by Ajuli

Hello,

My husband and I are considering a move to So.FL. We have been looking at Sarasota and wondering if it's the right place for us.
We are a family of physicians, so finding a job shouldn't be a problem--just wanted to throw that out there..
We are in our early 40s and have kids. We would like to live in a neighborhood that has a a mix of downtown and suburban feel.
We were interested in Ft. Lauderdale at one point but it seems like most of the pedestrian friendly areas are not kid friendly and are catered to the much younger crowd.
We are not looking to live in bar/club type of atmosphere, but walking distance to cafes, healthy/vegan restaurants, unique upscale shops...
Is it possible to find this in Sarasota?
Is Sarasota heavily centered towards the retirement community vs. people with kids?
How is the overall vibe of the city? Are there a lot of kids? Are there many things to do, or is it sleepy?
Also, we are an ethnically mixed family (Asian/Latino) if that's a problem..


Thank you in advance!

Obviously that would done on that magic b word. Sarasota is sleepy, my family jokes its the city that never woke up. Schools in any downtown areas in FL are subpar , although I don't know how they are in the southside.

[Ajuli]

Julie,
You are funny! I sent you a PM.
FairfaxMom, I grew up in Fairfax!! I will PM you also.
Thank you to everyone else who has responded! Very much appreciated!

[Ajuli]

Julie,
Thanks for letting me know about that. That's rather shady

[ess.ess.ess.esq.]

No one seemed to answer your questions....Sarasota is definitely geared to and focused upon retired folks.....there is not much to do for young married couples and children, or to be more accurate, there is not much SPECIFICALLY tailored to them. If you do not mind 7 months of high humidity and high heat with very bright sunlight, you will like Florida.....however, during the 4 nice months, [in winter], Sarasota is packed with "snowbirds," rich yankees who come down and fill the stores, roads, restaurants and beaches, limiting their use by the locals...some folks would characterize the snowbirds as rich, rude, and ill-mannered, besides being bad drivers. Sarasota has perhaps the best public schools in Florida, but that may not be saying much...since you both have medical expertise, why not consider such medical Meccas as New York City and Cleveland, with world-class hospitals?

[beninfl]

Originally Posted by ess.ess.ess.esq.

No one seemed to answer your questions....Sarasota is definitely geared to and focused upon retired folks.....there is not much to do for young married couples and children, or to be more accurate, there is not much SPECIFICALLY tailored to them. If you do not mind 7 months of high humidity and high heat with very bright sunlight, you will like Florida.....however, during the 4 nice months, [in winter], Sarasota is packed with "snowbirds," rich yankees who come down and fill the stores, roads, restaurants and beaches, limiting their use by the locals...some folks would characterize the snowbirds as rich, rude, and ill-mannered, besides being bad drivers. Sarasota has perhaps the best public schools in Florida, but that may not be saying much...since you both have medical expertise, why not consider such medical Meccas as New York City and Cleveland, with world-class hospitals?

Maybe they dont consider New York or Cleveland because:

1.) New York has 8% income taxes and property taxes 300% higher than Florida
2.) Cleveland is a rotten dump
3.) Cleveland has negative population growth, and no cities to visit surrounding it nor even remotely close to it.
4.) New York is much more expensive to live
5.) Snow, Ice, Brrrrrrrr.

I could go on, and on, and on, and on, but your not going to listen nor care, just continue to post negative info about a state you dont even live in and continue to promote where you live in Cleveland.