What is wrong with Sarasota? (Tampa, Tamiami: best neighborhoods, rent, insurance)

[Obrero]

Hi all. We are looking to relocate from NJ and are currently visiting Sarasota. I've been here many times before but always just as a tourist, never with an eye to living here. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do since I had heard so much negative stuff about Fl and Sarasota. We have been downtown to eat a few times, out to the beach, around St Armands and haven't seen any problems. People have been friendly although not overly so (which is fine with me). We would look in the West of the Trail area for a house and have wandered around there a few times. Houses are well kept, plenty of people out walking dogs and kids playing in the street. It seems like a fine area. Aside from general Florida issues - weather, home insurance, property tax, what am I missing? Even the public schools that West of the Trail goes to get great reviews. Why is there so much negativity around living in Sarasota - I don't get it.

[dagator]

Sarasota is a really nice place. Don't listen to all the haters on this forum. I live in St. Pete, just north of Sarasota but I just got a job there so I will be in the area on a daily basis. Downtown is beautiful, there are lots of great neighborhoods, great beaches, great restaurants and very good schools. Its true that just north of downtown it gets very seedy and there is alot of money in the area so of course there are some snobs, but overall, its a really great place to call home. good luck!

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by UKOK

Hi all. We are looking to relocate from NJ and are currently visiting Sarasota. I've been here many times before but always just as a tourist, never with an eye to living here. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do since I had heard so much negative stuff about Fl and Sarasota. We have been downtown to eat a few times, out to the beach, around St Armands and haven't seen any problems. People have been friendly although not overly so (which is fine with me). We would look in the West of the Trail area for a house and have wandered around there a few times. Houses are well kept, plenty of people out walking dogs and kids playing in the street. It seems like a fine area. Aside from general Florida issues - weather, home insurance, property tax, what am I missing? Even the public schools that West of the Trail goes to get great reviews. Why is there so much negativity around living in Sarasota - I don't get it.

People are jealous...Sarasota has something for everyone...it's a perfect size city on the edge of the beach....what could be better?

[sunshine girl]

There is lots to love about Sarasota, which you have already seen. North side a bit less attractive, but not terrible. West of trail more expensive. East of 75 turns to country pretty fast, south is booming. All good things. Several different price points in the different areas of the city. From fixer uppers to multi million dollar mansions. On the water to inland to golf communities, it's all there in the same city. It's spectacular to have so many different lifestyles in one place. It's more pricey than the surrounding towns, but worth it. Conservatives, liberals, caucasions, blacks, hispanics, newyorkers, midwesterners, old, young, straights, gays, white collar, blue collar, and even a few sarasota natives mixed in, all live in this same place. Only negative I have is that I don't live there anymore. Homesick family overruled me, and now I wait to find a way to move back to the good friends and city I miss in Sarasota. Rent before you buy is a good option no matter where you choose to live. Living in a city for a bit gives you a better idea of the nuances of the different aspects and neighborhoods of any city. Good luck to you in your search.....

[gypsychic]

Sarasota is no different from anywhere in that some people love it, some hate it and some in between.

If you have an income or a good job you will probably love the place. Definitely stay west of the trail and south of downtown for the best neighborhoods.

[Obrero]

Thanks all. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why people are so anti Sarasota. The only issue I can see is that it isn't cheap. We are off to see some houses west of the trail later today even though we will probably end up renting a condo in the area before we buy (even though that is a total pain with kids).

Does anybody know how far down the area called West of the Trail goes? Is as far down as the Oaks still considered West of the Trail (I know you are actually west of it but is the area still called that?) or are you just south of town then? Slightly confused.

Sunshine girl - hope you make it back here soon!

[killaloe]

We are moving to Sarasota also, we love it there! Such a great lifestyle for families with kids. Don't rule out east of the trail and west of 75 - lots of great family oriented communities, but still close to the ocean.

Godd luck to you....

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by UKOK

Thanks all. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why people are so anti Sarasota. The only issue I can see is that it isn't cheap. We are off to see some houses west of the trail later today even though we will probably end up renting a condo in the area before we buy (even though that is a total pain with kids).

Does anybody know how far down the area called West of the Trail goes? Is as far down as the Oaks still considered West of the Trail (I know you are actually west of it but is the area still called that?) or are you just south of town then? Slightly confused.

Sunshine girl - hope you make it back here soon!

I have known "west of trail" to typically describe the neighborhoods around the museum area...there is a big difference from the east side of Tamiami to the west side in that area...I don't know if it extends past the Van Wezel...

There is no where that is "cheap" in Florida unless you live next to a crackhouse or a dealer......or you have about 400 square feet....

There are deals available if you look hard...and they make you jump with joy!

[Derek1]

Originally Posted by UKOK

Hi all. We are looking to relocate from NJ and are currently visiting Sarasota. I've been here many times before but always just as a tourist, never with an eye to living here. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do since I had heard so much negative stuff about Fl and Sarasota. We have been downtown to eat a few times, out to the beach, around St Armands and haven't seen any problems. People have been friendly although not overly so (which is fine with me). We would look in the West of the Trail area for a house and have wandered around there a few times. Houses are well kept, plenty of people out walking dogs and kids playing in the street. It seems like a fine area. Aside from general Florida issues - weather, home insurance, property tax, what am I missing? Even the public schools that West of the Trail goes to get great reviews. Why is there so much negativity around living in Sarasota - I don't get it.

I love Sarasota .... do not know why anyone would have issues with it . I much prefer the west coast of Florida to living in South Florida at least you feel like you are in the U.S. and people are not as rude , besides the beaches are beautiful and you have Tampa about an hour away if you want to hit the city on the weekends .

[kort677]

Originally Posted by nicki conway

Hi
I've lived here since 1987 and I'm a Realtor. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Sarasota. I wouldn't consider living anywhere else. It has everything you could possibly want and is a little jewel of a city that yet largely undiscovered.

in my searching around, sarasota reminded me of being on LI in NY and that isn't a good thing, living on one of the islands (keys?) would be nice but that trip to the supermarket would be hellish.
Sarasota has some really good things going for it, it is fairly sophisticated and as cosmopolitan as a small FLA town could be but the congestion, that kills it!