The BEST area in Lakewood Ranch/University (Country Club, Greenwood: sales, houses) - Sarasota - Bradenton - Venice area - Florida (FL) -Manatee and Sarasota Counties - City-Data Forum

JesseS · 10-11-2009, 01:43 PM

Lets get even more specific, the best street. Were looking for the best street, with the best neighbors, lots of kids and families. Any suggestions?

beerme1 · 10-11-2009, 03:01 PM

I'll go the opposite direction! I'll take the best street with the best neighbors.
But I'll also be looking for no kids or families!

I know I have been told specifically in the past that there was two or three divisions in LWR that were geared specifically towards families and kids but I cant remember the names. I'm sure someone will chime in here with the answers you're looking for.

SoFLGal · 10-11-2009, 03:24 PM

I would say Greenbrook and Summferfield neighborhoods in LWR. I don't live in there so I can't recommend a specific street. Make sure that your home is thoroughly checked for Chinese Drywall. I know there have been a few stories in the paper lately stating that some of the homes in there have had CDW.

Good luck!

beerme1 · 10-11-2009, 03:42 PM

Greenbrook and Summerfield is exactly what I was told when I did the LWR tour.

pinda · 10-12-2009, 08:54 AM

I think the Country Club of LW is for 55+. It is gated. Greenwood I believe is all ages and I read too about Chinese drywall may be in that area too. Like SoFlGal stated, be very careful. I read certain builders used CDW. There are articles on this forum to read.

SoFLGal · 10-12-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinda

I think the Country Club of LW is for 55+. It is gated. Greenwood I believe is all ages and I read too about Chinese drywall may be in that area too. Like SoFlGal stated, be very careful. I read certain builders used CDW. There are articles on this forum to read.

Taylor Morrison was one of the builders that built homes with CDW in LWR. Again, not to say that all the homes built by Morrison have it but I would be very careful checking them out.

ttom01 · 10-30-2009, 06:03 PM

There are all different neighborhoods within the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch and they are not just for 55+. The neighborhoods with larger homes tend to have more kids. I know the Wexford neighborhood has mostly retired couples, so no kids.

ZaraZoteBuccaneer · 10-30-2009, 09:27 PM

Hey Jesse, I've seen you post a number of times about finding some families that are like you guys. This investigation may be another way for you to try and get that in your life. I think you need to hang around the places all over sarasota where the kids actually are a bit more. Do you go to GWIZ? The Mote Marine Aquarium? How about the concerts in the park? I'm just thinking it would be easy to strike up a conversation with another couple at some of these places without having to move entirely.

I do think it will help you to keep looking at Lakewood Ranch. My wife is fired up about seeing it someday herself. But keep in mind that once you get into a place like that, you pay for it and you live around everything that comes with it al lthe time. There might be a cliq that turns you or your wife off and then you're stuck with this big beautiful home and still no real friends. I suggest going to the movies there, maybe a restaraunt out there, and see if the people are comfortable to hang around. Don't just talk to the sales people and look on the internet... go there. Go to a football game if you can sometime at the high school. You need to experience it to decide.

Ultimately I feel you'll find your highest caliber selection at a place of worship, depending on your religion. There's usually so much to do when you're totally immersed in a congregation of other families attending the same place, it just blossoms on it's own. Hope this helps!

FLAGIRLnLWR · 08-30-2010, 11:18 AM

Only ONE builder in ONE neighborhood (low-end) was involved with anything pertaining to using Chinese Drywall. Chinese Drywall is not involved in any of the area of Greenbrook from SR 70 to Lorraine Road (across the street from the elementary and middle school.) The largest lots with the highest prices are in Greenbrook Trails and Greenbrook Vistas. Gorgeous! The whole community is very family-oriented with a wonderful trail system running throughout. The newer section of Greenbrook on the other side of Lorraine Road was built in 2006 (across from the elementary and middle school.) NONE of the builders in the nicer areas of this section, the the Preserve and the Ravines being the most expensive, but with good deals and lots still available. The builder with the chinese drywall is absolutely NOT in these areas. Greenbrook Banks is more affordable and still has no drywall, just smaller floor plans. The builder with the drywall problem built in ONE section of Greenbrook only, I think it is called Greenbrook Terrace (excuse me if I have the name wrong), but it is the ONLY housing subdivision within Greenbrook that this builder built it with Chinese Drywall. Trust me...my husband is VP for a builder in Greenbrook amongst other well know places. If you want more specific answers, ask me a question and I'll get the infomration from my husband.

FLAGIRLnLWR · 08-30-2010, 11:28 AM

Be sure and check a message I left for another reader. I can't speak for Summerfield, but there Greenbrook only had one builder which built in one neighborhood in 2006 with the Chinese Drywall problem. All of the other builders, which are the main builders, had no problems whatsoever. The neighborhood is across Greenbrook Blvd. from Greenbrook Banks and I think it is called Greenbrook Terraces. That is the only one affected and it is the lower end houses. smallest floorplans.