Downtown Sarasota (Tamiami: to live, price, safe)

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by RidgeCrossing

Sarasota proper? downtown??, frankly 2 to 15 miles past the city limits has absolutely NOTHING in common with the city centre at ALL.

That's the truth and it should be said out loud and clearly....this is not good OR bad....it's just a glaring reality to anyone who is from here, or has moved as a transplant in the last 15-20 years!


There is no sane, successful real estate agent, no smart local banker, attorney, small business owner, physician, educator or even college student would suggest or assert or believe that Sarasota proper is illustrative/representative of the "community", populace, social milieu, style or preferences of "living" or even "culture".


Any cursory examination by a Junior in *highscrewl* can see the glaring bifurcations.....again, not Bad or Good....just the facts.


The "attraction" for finding a location in which to reside, lies far outside Sarasota proper, and certainly not "downtown".....For example, there are tons of residents/buyers, locals and natives who live, say in University Park, The Meadows, Country Club, Tara, Greyhawk, Waterside, and even order locations like Palm Aire, or The Oaks etc. wouldn't want to be caught dead living anywhere close to Sarasota city centre......What I'm asserting is that the city centre is really not much of a draw, in toto. Those who choose city centre are in a tiny minority....and always will be (which is fine). It's a cart of a different colour for people of a "different colour" (

and wealth has nothing to do with it !) lol


Have fun tho

Well, yes, it has already been said before, many times in fact, that the "city centre" of Sarasota is different from the outlying areas. This was discussed right in the beginning with the OP, who uniquely expressed they wanted the downtown experience which is what I recommended. A good trial rental will quickly let them know if this satisfies their requirements. Sarasota is no different from many other cities, large or small, which have a nice downtown, some not-so-nice areas, and some average neighborhoods.

Years ago we did live near downtown (before it was expensive and trendy) and I didn't care for it. I much prefer what I call the "urban-surburban" areas - nearby but a few minutes drive to downtown. But we all want something different at different points in our lives, which is why we actually live in Lakeland now and just visit Sarasota from time to time.

[foodyum]

Originally Posted by RidgeCrossing

Sarasota proper? downtown??, frankly 2 to 15 miles past the city limits has absolutely NOTHING in common with the city centre at ALL.

That's the truth and it should be said out loud and clearly....this is not good OR bad....it's just a glaring reality to anyone who is from here, or has moved as a transplant in the last 15-20 years!


There is no sane, successful real estate agent, no smart local banker, attorney, small business owner, physician, educator or even college student would suggest or assert or believe that Sarasota proper is illustrative/representative of the "community", populace, social milieu, style or preferences of "living" or even "culture".


Any cursory examination by a Junior in *highscrewl* can see the glaring bifurcations.....again, not Bad or Good....just the facts.


The "attraction" for finding a location in which to reside, lies far outside Sarasota proper, and certainly not "downtown".....For example, there are tons of residents/buyers, locals and natives who live, say in University Park, The Meadows, Country Club, Tara, Greyhawk, Waterside, and even order locations like Palm Aire, or The Oaks etc. wouldn't want to be caught dead living anywhere close to Sarasota city centre......What I'm asserting is that the city centre is really not much of a draw, in toto. Those who choose city centre are in a tiny minority....and always will be (which is fine). It's a cart of a different colour for people of a "different colour" (

and wealth has nothing to do with it !) lol


Have fun tho

Honest question.
Why would anyone choose to live in any of the communities you listed above as opposed to the other thousands of similar looking communities all over Florida. What makes these communities better or more attractive than the ones around Orlando or Boca or Fort Lauderdale or Naples?
I just dont see the reason because they are nothing special and they just keep building more and more of the exact same type of places. They are not on the beach. Is it to be near the highway as the big draw?
To me the city center is much more of a draw than a community that looks just like every other community doted all over the state. It offers a different type of lifestyle.
Plus with south side elementary you are getting a good school and a very community oriented neighborhood for families.

[MidModUSA]

After looking for 'our place' in SW FL for 3 years we finally settled into what is called Downtown Edge (near Alta Vista) here in Sarasota. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It's an area that is turning so may not be for everyone but we do not feel unsafe at all. 15" drive to Lido beach, hop on trolley for safe ride downtown, walkable to Laurel Park, walk to Publix, walk to Payne Park, and we can hop on the Legacy Trail with our bikes right outside our house. Yes, the Legacy Trail is completed all the way to Venice. I know the hurricane damaged part of it nearer to Venice so not sure if that has been fully repaired yet.

I would not recommend biking in downtown Sarasota. We were excited when the city started to make biking lanes on Ringling but now find ourselves very disappointed in what they actually did. It's a mess, IMO. People are going both directions on both sides even though there are one-way arrows and now they have added parking spaces between road and bike line. OMG! You have to see it to understand how crazy it is. And yes, cars turn into the bike lane crossings and there is no signal to biker they need to stop or even slow down.

Yes, we can bike on the sidewalks but must give right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing on the left. As a sad note to this conversation... on Thursday morning, there was a bike vs. construction dump truck accident at Ringling/Pineapple circle which resulted in fatality. Sarasota has got to come up with some better solutions!

[beach43ofus]

I've recently cycled the Legacy Trail from the Southern tip of the Venice trail portion near Casperson Beach, all the way North to Clark Road, and its all been cleared.

I have not ridden from Clark Road North to Payne Park yet, but its on my next ride.

[RidgeCrossing]

Gotta have a death wish to ride a bicycle ANYWHERE in/close to DT Sarasota, City of Bradenton, even on the surface streets of LWR. I see mega idiots riding on University near I75 even. You gotta be a big fool....but lots of fools are living here now - it's unlikely you see any native riding a bike in most of these places LOL - squished like a bug !

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by MidModUSA

After looking for 'our place' in SW FL for 3 years we finally settled into what is called Downtown Edge (near Alta Vista) here in Sarasota. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! It's an area that is turning so may not be for everyone but we do not feel unsafe at all. 15" drive to Lido beach, hop on trolley for safe ride downtown, walkable to Laurel Park, walk to Publix, walk to Payne Park, and we can hop on the Legacy Trail with our bikes right outside our house. Yes, the Legacy Trail is completed all the way to Venice. I know the hurricane damaged part of it nearer to Venice so not sure if that has been fully repaired yet.

I would not recommend biking in downtown Sarasota. We were excited when the city started to make biking lanes on Ringling but now find ourselves very disappointed in what they actually did. It's a mess, IMO. People are going both directions on both sides even though there are one-way arrows and now they have added parking spaces between road and bike line. OMG! You have to see it to understand how crazy it is. And yes, cars turn into the bike lane crossings and there is no signal to biker they need to stop or even slow down.

Yes, we can bike on the sidewalks but must give right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing on the left. As a sad note to this conversation... on Thursday morning, there was a bike vs. construction dump truck accident at Ringling/Pineapple circle which resulted in fatality. Sarasota has got to come up with some better solutions!

Which is why I had stated previously no one would want to bike in downtown Sarasota.

It's too dangerous.

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by RidgeCrossing

Gotta have a death wish to ride a bicycle ANYWHERE in/close to DT Sarasota, City of Bradenton, even on the surface streets of LWR. I see mega idiots riding on University near I75 even. You gotta be a big fool....but lots of fools are living here now - it's unlikely you see any native riding a bike in most of these places LOL - squished like a bug !

Yep.

I cannot figure out why there are bike lanes on UTC by 75. Most idiotic area to include them. You'd be killed. No question.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by newtovenice

Yep.

I cannot figure out why there are bike lanes on UTC by 75. Most idiotic area to include them. You'd be killed. No question.

The first time I saw those I thought "WHAT THE HELL???" You'd have to be out of your mind to ride around there. Sarasota has a lot of nice things, but it has to be (along with Tampa) about the MOST unfriendly town for bikes I have ever seen.

Total opposite from here in Lakeland where it is geared towards bicycles - many paths, crossings, etc.

[Above Average Bear]

Originally Posted by newtovenice

Which is why I had stated previously no one would want to bike in downtown Sarasota.

It's too dangerous.

Originally Posted by newtovenice

Yep.

I cannot figure out why there are bike lanes on UTC by 75. Most idiotic area to include them. You'd be killed. No question.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

The first time I saw those I thought "WHAT THE HELL???" You'd have to be out of your mind to ride around there. Sarasota has a lot of nice things, but it has to be (along with Tampa) about the MOST unfriendly town for bikes I have ever seen.

Total opposite from here in Lakeland where it is geared towards bicycles - many paths, crossings, etc.

This is quite depressing. I love riding my bike.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Above Average Bear

This is quite depressing. I love riding my bike.

Then you’ll enjoy riding from downtown to the beach. It’s a great ride and completely safe as the pathway is separate from the main road.