What Does It Take To Live in Sarasota $$$$$$$$? (University, University Park: real estate, condos)

[JIMMY WACK]

On 5/15 I will arrive in Sarasota for the first time. I have been told it is a nice city. I have rented a house for a week and would like to look for a property to retire to in a few years. I would prefer to be close to the downtown area for access to restaurants, bars, music, beaches etc. I dont know if I can afford to live there though. I want to invest about 150k in a nice place. Am I in the ballpark??? If not tell me where I should be looking? I've got a week and a tank full of gas I can cover alot of ground so your suggestions are encouraged.

[Peter the Brit]

South Venice and North Port

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by JIMMY WACK

I dont know if I can afford to live there though. I want to invest about 150k in a nice place. Am I in the ballpark??? If not tell me where I should be looking? I've got a week and a tank full of gas I can cover alot of ground so your suggestions are encouraged.

I know you're not going to find a "nice" single family house, centrally-located, for $150K. I just went through the process recently.

As you begin the self-bargaining process, you will be trading location for amenities and size.

For what it's worth, our ONLY concern with moving to Palmer Ranch was being "too far out," and that hasn't been even the most remote issue, as it turns out. We go downtown and thereabouts quite often (in fact, my fiance works at Memorial), and we never think twice about the distance. For instance, I like to play cards at the track, near the airport, and I can get there in twenty minutes flat.

I guess all I am saying is that for that money, don't assume that living a little further out will be too much of a downside. It really hasn't been for us at all.

[distantarray]

for 150k it's going to be hard to find a really nice place located nicely close to downtown, but luckily Sarasota's not so big that most places in Sarasota doesn't require more than 20minute drive to get to downtown most of the day.

Palmer Ranch area is good, and Lakewood Ranch area isn't bad, even though it's a failed development area for now pretty much imo, (tried to build and expand while the real estate bubble just about bursted) it's a nice place to retire still imo that isn't too far from too much, I'm sure it'll be fine in 5-10 years from now, for now there's not much there, there are still a lot of plans for the future I think though, but since it flopped prices are pretty good at the moment.

Otherwise South Sarasota area around Gulf Gate area isn't too bad, homes are a little older but the nieghborhood is nice. Although the houses run 150-200k so just gotta keep your eyes peeled for a deal. A area I been looking at is close to Clark and Beneva a little nieghborhood behind ABC liqours next to the retirement building, the houses back there is very nice around 150-250k but very nice nieghborhood and looks slightly more upscale than most of the Gulf Gate area a little hidden though.

That's assuming you want a house, condos on the other hand are affordable these days in Sarasota from what I've been seeing, especially around University Parkway / Lakewood Ranch area which are newer buildings.

[gettinoutofjersey]

i would suggest getting a hold of a realtor that posts on here by the name of SoFLGal. met here at a CD get together. in hearing her talk it sounds like whirl wind tours are common with her. being florida born she knows all the areas and can zero in on your needs. just my suggestion.

[angelfish]

I completely disagree, I think you could pick something up east of 41 close to downtown anywhere from School ave to Tuttle, south to Midtown and Southgate. If you jump over Tuttle maybe in the Phillippi Creek area too. Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, Gulf Gate, and south Sarasota are not even factors. They are too far from the location you are looking for when you can find a home right in the above areas that are on the outskirts of where you would like to be.

[Peter the Brit]

The OP only has $150,000 and wants a nice place. Palmer Ranch prices have fallen but not that low!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by angelfish

I completely disagree, I think you could pick something up east of 41 close to downtown anywhere from School ave to Tuttle, south to Midtown and Southgate. If you jump over Tuttle maybe in the Phillippi Creek area too. Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, Gulf Gate, and south Sarasota are not even factors. They are too far from the location you are looking for when you can find a home right in the above areas that are on the outskirts of where you would like to be.

I agree with angelfish, plus you could also look where I live, in Whitfield Estates, this is a great older neighborhood near the airport, takes us 5 minutes to get to downtown, 15 minutes to Lido Beach, close to everything. Lots of deals here now. Forget Lakewood Ranch or Palmer Ranch, too far from downtown. There is also Paver park, just east of downtown.

[=^..^=]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

South Venice and North Port

Looking at my map neither of these are near downtown Sarasota.

[davery5872]

Originally Posted by JIMMY WACK

On 5/15 I will arrive in Sarasota for the first time. I have been told it is a nice city. I have rented a house for a week and would like to look for a property to retire to in a few years. I would prefer to be close to the downtown area for access to restaurants, bars, music, beaches etc. I dont know if I can afford to live there though. I want to invest about 150k in a nice place. Am I in the ballpark??? If not tell me where I should be looking? I've got a week and a tank full of gas I can cover alot of ground so your suggestions are encouraged.

Depends on what you mean by "nice" and "close to downtown". There are dozens of house south of Fruitville, west of Beneva and north of Bee Ridge.