Job / Relocation Questions related to the Building Industry!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

I think AMI is also walkable and less crowded than SK

I agree with you. I also prefer the ambiance of AMI to Siesta, probably because it feels a bit more laid back and more like "old Florida." Just a personal preference though.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA2010

Hi Angelfish, that's the impression I'm getting about Longboat. From what I've been reading on this site it sounds like the north end of the key has much more of a community feel to it then the rest of the island (which is great because that is exactly what we're looking for). What is Anna Maria like? Is it much more remote then the other keys?

The north end of Longboat, in my opinion, is still kept "old Florida". At least on the bay side it is. As a kid I lived on the corner of Hughes St and Poinsettia St, in the village. My parents started the Islander Newspaper on Anna Maria Island and they sold that paper and we moved away in the early 1980's. I moved back there in my late teens and lived over on Longboat Dr south. I still have quite a few friends that live in the village and always enjoy going back there.

There are still many of the original homes left there that were built in the 1940's. Up and down most of the other areas on Longboat they have just ripped the older, cottage style homes down to make way for the big condos. I just get a good "vibe" when I go to the village as well. Some of the more wealthy areas when visiting I get a "I'm better than you" kind of vibe. I don't get that there. Anyway, that's the best way I can describe it.

If you wanted a more "happenin'" kind of place I would probably choose Siesta. There's much more going on in the village there-restaurant, bars, the public beach. On Longboat there's not a whole lot going on. Most of the key probably goes to bed around 7pm after the nightly news is over (OK, I'm joking), not really.

Anna Maria, again, is pretty sleepy. Not a whole lot going on. It also has the Old Florida vibe going on. Probably more to do on Bradenton Beach on Bridge St but still not a really jumping area.

Not sure what you're trying to accomplish here. Are you trying to be in an area where it's nice and quiet? If so then Anna Maria and Longboat would probably be your best bet. If you are looking for a little more action then Siesta or Southside Village in the downtown area would be where you need to look.

I wouldn't probably suggest soliciting in any of these areas. Like suggested before, either go to the places where they hang or do an awesome job and get in by word of mouth.

Good luck with it though

[LeavingMA2010]

We are both in our late 20’s but so not into the bar/ nightclub scene (did that in college, don’t need to do it again!). Most of our social activities include outdoor activities- we have a small boat, kayaks, snorkel and scuba gear. To find an area with great beaches and boating areas that are accessible but also more on the quieter side would be fantastic, as well as bike trails, nature preserves, etc. When we do go “out” we like laidback restaurants, shopping areas, cultural activities/ events and if not all are in walking distance to where we live then at least located within driving distance would be ideal.

Before I came to this forum I was told Siesta Key would be perfect for us, but since talking to all of you and reading other posts it just doesn’t seem like it would fit our personality. From my experience traveling I have always associated high-rise buildings with tacky souvenir shops and strip malls. Anna Maria, on the other hand, seems like the ideal environment for us. Although it may be much more quiet and laidback then the other keys it looks like it’s proximity to the mainland (as well as the other keys, even if it is a 40+ minute drive) would allow us to easily drive to more happening areas if we needed to get our “party” fix. I also hear there’s a great farmer’s market in Sarasota…

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA2010

We are both in our late 20’s but so not into the bar/ nightclub scene (did that in college, don’t need to do it again!). Most of our social activities include outdoor activities- we have a small boat, kayaks, snorkel and scuba gear. To find an area with great beaches and boating areas that are accessible but also more on the quieter side would be fantastic, as well as bike trails, nature preserves, etc. When we do go “out” we like laidback restaurants, shopping areas, cultural activities/ events and if not all are in walking distance to where we live then at least located within driving distance would be ideal.

Before I came to this forum I was told Siesta Key would be perfect for us, but since talking to all of you and reading other posts it just doesn't’t seem like it would fit our personality. From my experience traveling I have always associated high-rise buildings with tacky souvenir shops and strip malls. Anna Maria, on the other hand, seems like the ideal environment for us. Although it may be much more quiet and laid back then the other keys it looks like it’s proximity to the mainland (as well as the other keys, even if it is a 40+ minute drive) would allow us to easily drive to more happening areas if we needed to get our “party” fix. I also hear there’s a great farmer’s market in Sarasota…

Wow! This is a though one then. You'd be quite a bit older than most of the residents on LBK. They do have a community dock in the village and a nice bike path/sidewalk up and down most of the key. Whitney Beach is within walking distance to the village area. You'd have to drive to downtown Sarasota for anything you wanted to do. You're looking at about a 30 minute drive depending on traffic.

AMI has the community pier and it's pretty quite. Not a lot going on. The public beach is pretty close by but again you'd have to travel off island down Manatee Ave into Bradenton to find anything going on.

I really think you'd probably be happiest in the Southside Village area. It's closer to all the action but still a very cool area to live in. If I moved back up that way I would highly consider the Southside area. That area just has so much to offer. You could walk to Whole Foods, the Saturday morning Farmer's Market, the Selby Library, Marina Jack's, the festivals, the quaint little restaurants and shops, etc. You'd have to drive to put you're kayak in but I think you'd best fit in there. especially given your age. My second choice for you would probably be Siesta. I just think that LBK or AMI might be a little too laid back. Have you been to these areas? I think you should visit and see what kind of feeling you get.

OK, Gypsy, Lady-help me out here! What do you think?

[LeavingMA2010]

I know, we're kind of bizarre! Seriously, you could drop my boyfriend off on a deserted island covered in palm trees and he would be fine! Me, on the other hand, if that island had a few good restaurants then I would be ok. I've worked in a lot of cosmopolitan cities and had fun and crazy times but I'm so over that now! I still work hard (hotels and resorts are never closed!), and he's a workaholic but the work hard/ played hard lifestyle is so overated at this point in our lives.

[LeavingMA2010]

BTW, we are going down there in a few months to check out the area. I'm doing all of this research right now because he's one of those guys that needs to be "sold" on an area before he visits. For example, if there were some residential parts on Siesta, not totally overrun with commercialism, then I would be fine living there because it looks like there are some pretty unique,beach-vibe areas . But all he'll see is hi-rises and t-shirt shops and won't even consider it.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA2010

I know, we're kind of bizarre! Seriously, you could drop my boyfriend off on a deserted island covered in palm trees and he would be fine! Me, on the other hand, if that island had a few good restaurants then I would be ok. I've worked in a lot of cosmopolitan cities and had fun and crazy times but I'm so over that now! I still work hard (hotels and resorts are never closed!), and he's a workaholic but the work hard/ played hard lifestyle is so overated at this point in our lives.

You really have a lot of great choices here in this area, and you need to come visit and see what feels good to you. We live in Whitfield Estates by the airport, squarely between Sarasota and Bradenton, we are within 15-20 minutes of any of the Sarasota or Bradenton beaches (depending on traffic). We are bayside, and there are a couple access points where you can put in a kayak. There is also a community marina here for boaters. This was Sarasota's first upscale neighborhood and has homes from every decade going back to the 1920's. It is diverse, eclectic, with broad boulevards and sidewalks and lots of green space (owned by the airport). It is 5 minutes drive to either downtown Sarasota or downtown Bradenton. And you get a good bang for your buck, homewise in this neighborhood.

If you do want to live on one of the islands, I still like Anna Maria and the north end of Longboat. There are plenty of restaurants in that area, yes a couple of tacky-cute souvenir shops, but that only adds to it's charm. Don't get me wrong, Siesta is very beautiful, I love it, but it is almost always way to crowded for me - my husband went into a fit of anger just trying to get out of the parking lot one evening! lol

Longboat itself is very manicured, all hi-rises, a bit "snooty" (IMO) and everyone concealed behind heavy walls and gates, except for that north end with the charming "village" mentioned by SoFLGal.

Hope this helps!

[angelfish]

Originally Posted by LeavingMA2010

BTW, we are going down there in a few months to check out the area. I'm doing all of this research right now because he's one of those guys that needs to be "sold" on an area before he visits. For example, if there were some residential parts on Siesta, not totally overrun with commercialism, then I would be fine living there because it looks like there are some pretty unique,beach-vibe areas . But all he'll see is hi-rises and t-shirt shops and won't even consider it.

Yes there are some high rises on Siesta, but for the most part there are 2-5 story smaller community complexes mixed in with one story bungalow complexes that run from the south bridge area to a bit past the public beach. I would not consider Siesta overun with commercialism. There are about about l5 or so mom and pop restaurants, any nightclubs are restaurants converted to nightlife with a bar at night. These are in the "village" area, (which is very small) amongst 2 or 3 small strip mall type plazas. Some of these plaza's have bank branches, realtor offices, stationary/drug, small sandwich shops & cafes, ice cream, and spa/salon services etc.

Honestly I can count on one hand the number of "tourist shops" there are. There is a large one- Beach Bazaar. It has been there as long as I can remember and suits resident needs as well with a great assortment of bathing suits, shades, hats etc. -I still go there. There is a small grocery store, laundry mat, one gas station, one convenience store.

I don't think the south end of the key is going to interest you much. I think soflgal has the best suggestion for you of Southside Village. Small, walkable, close to downtown and the key. Also In IMHO a far better place for your husband to network himself with what he is trying to do. Make it one of your destinations to check out, I don't think you will be disappointed.