Researching Sarasota & the surrounding areas (University, University Park: appointed, real estate, renting)

[jennkarma]

Hello All!

I'm from NJ and planning on moving down to FL in a couple of years. I've heard only wonderful things about Sarasota and looking forward to coming to see it myself.

Does anyone here recommend any towns in the area to move to? Here is what I'm looking for:

- 3 or 4 br house in the 300's-400's
- great schools (elementary on up)
- good shopping (including organic supermarket)
- fitness facilities nearby
- a cool town (shopping & restaurants)
- no more than 30 min from the beach

I'm sure there are more things, but this is what I came up with quickly.

Any help would be much appreciated. I'm also going to put up a separate post about Sarasota vacation ideas as well.

[SoFLGal]

Your criteria describes Sarasota. I can't really think of any surrounding areas that would fit the criteria as well as Sarasota. You might want to look at Palmer Ranch or Southside Village when you come to town.

I have written blogs about the Downtown (Southside Village area) as well as the schools in the area. Ashton, Southside and Pine View Schools are worth checking into. Sarasota county has a very good school system.

You wouldn't be more than 10 minutes from the beach in most areas of Sarasota. Whole Foods is right downtown and the Granary is off of Stickney Point, on the way to Siesta Beach. There are plenty of restaurants that serve organic/vegan/vegetarian food.

Good luck with it!

[jennkarma]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Your criteria describes Sarasota. I can't really think of any surrounding areas that would fit the criteria as well as Sarasota. You might want to look at Palmer Ranch or Southside Village when you come to town.

I have written blogs about the Downtown (Southside Village area) as well as the schools in the area. Ashton, Southside and Pine View Schools are worth checking into. Sarasota county has a very good school system.

You wouldn't be more than 10 minutes from the beach in most areas of Sarasota. Whole Foods is right downtown and the Granary is off of Stickney Point, on the way to Siesta Beach. There are plenty of restaurants that serve organic/vegan/vegetarian food.

Good luck with it!

Thank you so much! What about Lakewood Ranch? I just came across it on my internet search. If possible, could you DM me your contact info as I see you are a real estate agent? Not sure if you've given it to me before as I had asked questions about the area before and some agents have contacted me, but it was a few months ago. Someone else on the boards recommended you as very knowledgeable. I'd also love to check out your blogs!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by jennkarma

Thank you so much! What about Lakewood Ranch? I just came across it on my internet search. If possible, could you DM me your contact info as I see you are a real estate agent? Not sure if you've given it to me before as I had asked questions about the area before and some agents have contacted me, but it was a few months ago. Someone else on the boards recommended you as very knowledgeable. I'd also love to check out your blogs!

Thanks! It wouldn't have been me that contacted you because I never contact people unless they specifically ask me to or they DM me. I'll shoot you over a DM now

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by jennkarma

Thank you so much! What about Lakewood Ranch? I just came across it on my internet search. If possible, could you DM me your contact info as I see you are a real estate agent? Not sure if you've given it to me before as I had asked questions about the area before and some agents have contacted me, but it was a few months ago. Someone else on the boards recommended you as very knowledgeable. I'd also love to check out your blogs!

Oh, I forgot to answer the LWR question. LWR is a very pretty community with nice amenities and is great for commuters due to it's proximity to the interstate.

The down side to the community is the length of time it takes to get to the beach, the CDD fees (that they don't have in some other communities) and there were several homes in LWR that were found to have Chinese Drywall. So, if you ended up there you would need a good inspector to check the home out.

[gypsychic]

If you like planned developments, Lakewood Ranch is probably as nice as it comes. They have their own shopping, and also there is absolutely WONDERFUL shopping nearby on University Parkway.

It would only take you a while to get to beaches during about 3-4 months of the year, it's not that terribly far. Check out a variety of areas and see what feels right to you.

Really, you cannot go wrong with Sarasota, this area is great!

[joeyddog]

Our condo is off University, near Target. We were able to hop on I-75, get off on Clark to Siesta and be on the beach w/i 25 mins in March (still considered busy season). Also drove locally to Lido- it took just about the same amount of time.

[Obrero]

You should thoroughly research schools if excellent schools are on your wish list. I think you will be very disappointed when comparing to NJ schools.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Obrero

You should thoroughly research schools if excellent schools are on your wish list. I think you will be very disappointed when comparing to NJ schools.

Actually, I think that Sarasota schools would be pretty stiff competition for most any districts around the county. It also has Pine View School, which is consistently ranked one of the top schools in the Nation.

If you do some research I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

[Obrero]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Actually, I think that Sarasota schools would be pretty stiff competition for most any districts around the county. It also has Pine View School, which is consistently ranked one of the top schools in the Nation.

If you do some research I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

I spent over a year researching a move from NJ to FL. I'm sorry but Pine View school aside (and it's not like everyone can go there) Sarasota schools are lousy compared to NJ schools. They are not even in the same ballpark. Just a quick look at the 10th grade proficiency rates should tell you everything you need to know. Which is the best high school there - Riverside maybe? 10th grade reading proficiency rates were 53% in 2009. As another example North Port has a 32% proficiency rate in reading in 10th grade. 32%! I am not pleasantly surprised by this at all.

I am not trying to bash Sarasota as I LOVE it there. Schooling in FL is what it is - I'm sure good parenting makes all the difference. However I was just pointing out to the OP that moving from NJ to FL she should do her due diligence if she is looking for excellent schools.