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We're looking to buy on AMI or Longboat Key for permanent residence.
Kids are mid and late teens. We'll be young retired, so work isn't an issue. But for kids, work, local colleges/trade schools/social things are important. I'm guessing Sarasota area for all those things will suffice.
I see the obvious differences... high-rises on Longboat, AMI more laid back (but further from Sarasota). Both seem equally safe.
We're going to buy a canal front home and have a boat. I really, really, really want to be able to walk or bike to a beach (that's why we're concentrating our search on the islands instead of inland).
I am a bit concerned with living in a place that has tons of rentals. Is one island 'better' than the other in this regard?
AMI is arguably the more beautiful island, and there is more commerce there in terms of touristy stores and restaurants, gas stations etc. More of a functioning small town, where as LBK has a publix, a hardware store, CVS, one gas station, a couple banks, ice cream shop and about 10 restaurants. We looked hard at both LBK and AMI, and chose LBK. We found AMI to be just too rentally, with every other house having a rental sign on the lawn. LBK is very quiet, there is almost no noise or party scene. My recommendation to you would be north LBK, that way you get a quiet residential area, with quick access to all that AMI offers, and 15 minutes to St Armand's and 20 mins to SRQ, barring frequent traffic jams that is. We studied both extensively, as well as Venice, and it became obvious that LBK was for us. *Your results may vary.
AMI is arguably the more beautiful island, and there is more commerce there in terms of touristy stores and restaurants, gas stations etc. More of a functioning small town, where as LBK has a publix, a hardware store, CVS, one gas station, a couple banks, ice cream shop and about 10 restaurants. We looked hard at both LBK and AMI, and chose LBK. We found AMI to be just too rentally, with every other house having a rental sign on the lawn. LBK is very quiet, there is almost no noise or party scene. My recommendation to you would be north LBK, that way you get a quiet residential area, with quick access to all that AMI offers, and 15 minutes to St Armand's and 20 mins to SRQ, barring frequent traffic jams that is. We studied both extensively, as well as Venice, and it became obvious that LBK was for us. *Your results may vary.
wow, great response. thank you so much. We had Venice on the table too, but I feel like it's a bit too far. Never thought of north Longboat to be close to AMI. Thanks for that idea.
With teenagers, I would think the daily social, school stuff would be tough for getting on and off the islands, especially during the "snowbird" winter season. I've heard stories about the time it takes to do the normal living stuff. A house on a canal may work as well. Good luck!
Anna Maria-Anna Maria is a one of the few towns that still has the "Old Florida" feel to it. I used to live out that way when I was a kid and my father started the Islander Newspaper, which was the first newspaper for Anna Maria Island. As a kid I attended Anna Maria Elementary and have fond memories of the school.
The original old city pier the Rod & Reel that's been there since 1910, is still there. There are a few little restaurants and small beachy stores but definitely not touristy. Here's the local chamber website: The Official Guide to Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria has a free trolley that shuttles people up and down the island. It runs from Coquina Beach to the south end of Anna Maria. Anna Maria is actually known as the "wedding capital of Florida". It also has a great arts and theater community.
From May through October in Florida, sea turtles come ashore to nest. Anna Maria Island is one of the many places in Florida that sea turtles nest on the beaches. Protection of the sea turtles is an important aspect of the island culture, and information and training is available for tourists and locals in abundance. Manatees are also frequent summer visitors at Anna Maria Island, and similarly, the Manatee is held in great reverence by islanders. A subspecies of the Indian Manatee, these herbivores call Anna Maria Island their summer vacation home.
The entire island is a bird sanctuary, and pelicans, multiple types of cranes and herons, wild parrots, sand pipers, hawks, vultures, seagulls, and crows share the island with humans.
Anna Maria Island is actually comprised of three cities-Anna Maria in the north, Holmes Beach in the middle and Bradenton Beach in the south.
Longboat Key - This 11 mile long barrier island offers a wealth of different waterfront residential options. I grew up on the northern most end in the village. I lived on LBK from 1972 (when I was born) until around 1980. I'll have to say it was the best time of my life. I lived in the village on the corner of Poinsettia and Hughes St. Many of the same people still live in the village as when I was a kid and I go back often to visit my friends there. The owners of the recently closed Carmen's Shoe store on St. Armand's Circle, The owners of Euphemia Haye Restaurant, the owners of Harry's Kitchen and many others still live in the village. It's a place where people move to and usually never leave.
I used to ride my bike down to the town dock and play in the water with my friends. We had a saltwater fish tank and we'd all take dip nets and scoop the bay for all kinds of critters. Then we'd head over to the Mar Vista Restaurant, next door and grab lunch. Back then it was called "The Pub" and was only a tiny bait shop. These days it's a fancy restaurant.
I spent a lot of time at Conrad Beach as a kid across GMD.
Lido Key – Featuring white sandy beaches that face the Gulf of Mexico, Lido Key is a barrier island with numerous home choices. Lido has a kayak launch at the southern end as well as a jetty.
Bird Key – Situated south of the Ringling Causeway, Bird Key is between St. Armand’s Key and mainland.
Siesta Key-"Wow” is all you can say when you first see Siesta Key. Voted one of the best beaches in the world, Siesta Beach has very fine white sand. Comprised of ninety-nine percent pure quartz, the sands of Siesta Beach are soft, cool and welcoming. Beach facilities include picnic areas, concession stands, clean restrooms, a beautiful playground, nature trails, and volleyball and tennis courts.
Turtle Beach beckons with soft colored shells and Palmer Point Beach is just down the way with natural vegetation, picnic areas and a boat ramp.
Siesta Key, Florida is approximately 55 miles south of Tampa on the Florida Gulf Coast. This eight mile long barrier island is connected to Sarasota by two bridges. It was founded in 1846 and now has approximately 24,000 full-time and part-time residents. Siesta Key, Florida was once called Clam Island and Little Sarasota Island and in the 1800s life here was challenging and spare. Today, all conveniences are readily accessible, yet when you drive over the bridge to Siesta Key you will feel as if you have gone back in time. You are surrounded by lush foliage, huge trees and flowering tropical shrubbery. Winding roads take you to the village and to white sand beaches, where you will find protected wild sea oats and mangroves in their natural habitat. Island birds perch in the trees, and dolphins, manatee and schools of fish swim just offshore.
Siesta Key is an upscale, beach community, and Siesta Key Village charming Siesta Village has fine dining, and boutique shops. On the shore and down the quaint side streets you will find villas, spectacular estates and condominiums and apartments. Neighborhoods include Bay Island, Harmony, Sara Sand, Bay Island, Siesta Cove, Hidden Harbor, Point Crisp, Point of Rocks, Siesta Estates, Riegels Landing, Sanderling, Tortoise Estates, Roberts Point, Siesta Manor, Siesta Isles and Somerset Cove/Hamilton Club.
On Siesta Key you will not find many modest or moderately priced homes. There are a few bungalows and condominiums priced in the hundreds of thousands. You can also find luxury hi-rise condominiums with glorious views of sand and surf. But most homes are multi-million dollar estates and palatial mansions, and nearly every home is a feast for the eyes fabulously perched on the most beautiful real estate in Florida. Many of these homes are truly luxury estates. This is really an island paradise.
Casey Key – Casey Key eight mile barrier island stretching along the mainland from Sarasota to Venice, Florida. Siesta Key would be the next barrier island to the north.
This little known tropical paradise is accessed by an old slow turning pivot bridge at Blackburn Point Road on the north end and by the bridge from Albee Road through Nokomis on the south end.
Casey Key is almost entirely residential with very few commercial enterprises, just a few older motels at the south end. The white, sandy beaches along this ribbon of an island are narrow is many places since the whole island is maybe 300 yards wide in many spots. In fact, homes on the northern end usually have property from Gulf to Bay. About 450 homes dot the island. Casey Key Road winds it way down the entire length of the island.
At the end of the key is Nokomis Beach, a 22-acre free public beach with lifeguards, restrooms, parking, bait, showers, playground, boat ramp, picnic area.
Expect to spend over a million dollars and probably several million to live on Casey Key, Florida. Some of the highest priced homes ever to sell in Sarasota County were on Casey Key, Florida. The north end of the island has a gate which allows residents only to enter. Several well known celebrities maintain homes there.
Casey Key, Florida was named Casey Key Florida Homes for Sale for Captain John Charles Casey, a West Point graduate in the same era as General Robert E. Lee. He was assigned to Florida after the Seminole Wars to help move the Seminole Indians. While in Florida, Captain Casey mapped much of the area for the government, and in his honor, the key was named Casey Key, Florida. Before that it had been named Chaises Key.
Venice Beach-Venice is located in Sarasota County on the Gulf of Mexico. It is aptly named and has numerous canals that meander through the city. South of Sarasota and north of Port Charlotte, Venice is a charming city with a perfectly casual atmosphere, beautiful beaches and many amenities. Venice, Florida was designed by the well-known city planner John Nolen in the 1920s and is known for its Italian architecture and landscaped open spaces. Its charming demeanor is further enhanced by the local art festivals and parades and the intimate nature of its neighborhoods. Venice Avenue is a broad boulevard lined with palms and boutiques, fine restaurants and sidewalk cafes.
Venice has a quaint downtown district, a yacht club, theater, a library, art center, hospitals, schools, restaurants, parks and the most beautiful beaches in Florida. It is close to I-75 and to local airports and features many recreational and picnic areas, swimming, boating and fishing, as well as the all-important Floridian sport of golf. Venice even has it own small airport, primarily for private planes.
Venice beaches are known world-wide for fossil collecting and sharks teeth, and you will often see tourists and residents alike, combing the white sand for treasure. With its Mediterranean style buildings, date palms and languid, deep blue waters Venice will take you back in time to a simpler lifestyle. Hang out at the fishing pier and sample some of the local fare and have a cocktail at the Tiki Bar of the famous Sharky’s Restaurant, or linger by the South Jetty and watch the sunset as the surf rolls in over Venice Beach. In Venice you can hang out on fourteen beaches, spend an evening at the Venice Little Theater and visit the Venice Arts Center.
Manasota Key –Manasota Key is a barrier island off the southern Gulf Coast of Florida near the town of Englewood. Manasota Bridges from Sarasota County and Charlotte County provide easy access to Manasota Key. Here, visitors and residents can forget the cares of their busy world, and leave the crowds behind. A simple two-lane road runs the entire length of the island with beautiful white beaches on the Gulf side.
There are two sections of Manasota Key - the Sarasota County section is residential, and the Charlotte County section is residential with few businesses. Nestled at the far southern end of Manasota Key you will find Stump Pass Beach State Park. Local residents enjoy Manasota Beach, with 24 acres of white sand and dunes, boardwalks and bathhouses. This beautiful beach is equipped with fire pits and picnic tables and is rivaled only by Blind Pass Beach where visitors and residents swim, fish and hike. This is also a favorite nesting area for sea turtles to lay their eggs. Blind Pass provides a boat ramp area with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. Englewood Beach with its signature seashell sculpture is also on Manasota Key. Imagine having snorkeling, water skiing and diving all within your reach. The southern tip of Manasota Key has numerous short canals that provide convenient access to the Gulf of Mexico and Lemon Bay via Stump Pass. This is a boater’s paradise, with plenty of opportunities for sports and deep sea fishing and pleasant weather year round. Nearby Englewood has plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment. On Manasota Key you can dig your toes in the sand, do a little beachcombing and watch the sea turtles, birds, rabbits, and lizards in their natural habitat or wander among the sea grape trees and lose yourself in the gentle breezes.
Manasota Key offers many types of properties and home styles to meet your needs. Only 1,500 people live on Manasota Key.
Palm Island (where I currently live)- Don Pedro Island, Florida – also known as Palm Island because of Palm Island Estates - is a barrier island in southwestern Florida, near Boca Grande, FL. Historic Don Pedro on Charlotte Harbor was once home to the Calusa Indian tribe, a native people who first began the fishing and hunting tradition, and to colorful pirates and explorers. On Don Pedro Island you’ll find Palm Island Estates, Colony Don Pedro, Bocilla Pointe and more. The island is accessible by ferry or private boat. This secluded area is the home and private sanctuary of a few fortunate residents. Residents and visitors enjoy the benefits of state parks and recreation areas. This beautiful gulf front property is neighbor to Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Rotonda West and Cape Haze.
The island has twelve public dock slips, a large picnic shelter, boardwalks, a serene one mile stretch of white sand beach, picnic tables, grills and a restroom with shower. On the bay side is Don Pedro Island State Park is lined with mangrove trees and you can often spot loggerhead sea turtles while walking on the beach in the evening. If you are very observant, you may also see endangered animals like the gopher tortoise, West Indian manatees, eagles, and oystercatchers. Activities on the gulf side include swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and shell collecting, and residents enjoy fine surf fishing, hiking and nature trails. The parks are located off the coast of Cape Haze and boaters will find Intracoastal Waterway directional signs to guide them to the park.
You won’t find any high rises on or around Don Pedro Island, Florida and most roads are unpaved, maintained packed sand thoroughfares. The ferry runs to Don Pedro Island and serves Palm Island on a convenient schedule, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There are no tourists or crowds in this sanctuary – no public restrooms, fast food restaurants or concession stands. Residents and visitors travel by golf cart, offering a hearty wave and smile to passersby. Palm Island is very laid back and "Old Florida" style.
Location: Sarasota/ Bradenton - University Pkwy area
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Anna Maria Island doesn't allow high rise condos or fast food chains, so in that respect it is "old Florida," but there are so many short term and seasonal rentals and bridge traffic so busy all winter long that I would think twice before making it a permanent residence. One of the main issues for local residents living close to the public beaches is parking. Beach goers quickly fill up the beach parking lots and then start parking along the yards of nearby homes. Most locals going on and off the island in the winter months either go very early or very late to avoid the traffic jams. Summers it gets much easier to navigate the bridges. On the plus side: beautiful public beaches, lots of quaint local restaurants & frequent special events throughout the winter months.
Longboat Key is quiet, very quiet for the most part. There are still a number of rentals, especially condos near the beach. Longboat Key does not offer large public beaches with equally large parking lots like those found on the other barrier islands. Instead, there are a number of small beach access points along the island with a handful of parking spots. Some of the beach access points require parking stickers from the town hall to park there, do not make the mistake of thinking you can get away without a sticker when one is required. The beaches themselves are public from the high tide mark down to the water and, because access is more limited, generally less crowded. If looking at homes on LBK, be careful to ask if the community has deeded beach access and, if not, find out how far you are from a public beach access.
One other suggestion when looking at homes on barrier islands: take the time to become familiar with the flood insurance categories, the Base Flood Elevation of homes you are considering and the 50% rule regarding renovation of older homes located in flood zones. If you find and work with an agent that spends most of their time listing and selling on the barrier islands, they should have the up to date knowledge on island neighborhoods, what the local town governments are up to and fill you in on the details of things like remodeling homes that are within the jurisdiction of Coastal Construction Control Lines.
I don't have any area specific info to add to SoFlaGal and Sunshine's excellent posts but I can give you a little insight to living in an area surrounded by vacation homes.
Have lots of patience.
You are going to be living in the middle of where people vacation. Because of them, you have better year round amenities than you would have otherwise. That world class cardiologist you see isn't in Chicago or New York because he or she wants to live at the beach. Your amazing grocery store is supported by tourists. You will not pay state taxes because the tourists fund our state.
You may be kept up late by people being rowdy at midnight on a Wednesday and your kids have to get up at 6am the next day but this may be their one week of vacation a year.
Traffic will drive you insane but remember, you live here, they all have to go home.
You may not get a table at your favorite restaurant on Friday night. Go Sunday or Monday night instead.
Yes, the beach is packed but it is February. Can you really complain about that?
Just know what you are getting into and have a lot of patience.
I moved to AMI in Nov. The island is absolutely beautiful. That wasn't enough to override how small-town, gossipy, and insular everything else felt to me. Socially and professionally, it was a bust.
I just moved back to my landlocked Midwestern city of birth, and I'm so relieved.
My children were born & raised on AMI; yours would be going to King and Manatee unless you send them private to St. Stephens. There's homeless in the finest of places ~ don't let anyone tell you different. Everything pertaining to your research has been said before; unless you work from home you will deal with traffic tie ups on any of the key islands/beach living situations.
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