[Mr_GTO]

I know Don Keefe is but anyone else? Wife just accepted a job there so we're moving. I can't wait to get out of the cold and snow of MA. It will be nice to go to the beach in the winter while MA is getting 2 feet of snow.

[TAKerry]

Congrats to your wife and lucky you to be tagging along. Not from there but have spent my share of time in FLA, Sarasota is a nice place to be. My cousin just bought a house a shy bit north of there.

[RocktimusPryme]

I don't live in the area anymore but I grew up around Tampa. Brandon/Riverview area.

There is a nice drag strip next door to Sarasota in Bradenton. I spent a lot of test and tune nights there running crap passes with my 3rd gen on an 18 year olds budget.

[Mr_GTO]

Sweet. I haven't been to a strip in probably 19yrs. Closest one to me is New England Dragway and that's almost an hour and a half drive at least.

[ssj71]

My brother and I live about 40 miles north of Sarasota in a Tampa suburb (Riverview).

Sarasota is very nice (in most parts), but it can get VERY crowded there, especially during snowbird season! I worked just off Fruitville Road there for about 3 years.

St. Armands Circle is great, but crowded as well.

Lots to do and see along the central Florida Gulf coast, and Florida in general. You won't be bored or cold down here!

Contact me once you arrive.

Harvey

[Frank R]

Sarasota is a beautiful place, we almost moved there. Like most places some areas are better than others. Stay out of North Sarasota and you’ll be fine.
Siesta Key is rated as the most beautiful beach in the country. As SSJ71 said very crowded and plenty of traffic from January to April.

[Mr_GTO]

We need to be close to Ringling College of Art and Design as that is where my wife will be working. She can't see great and she'll have to drive to work so I don't want her driving over 10-15 miles to work so we need to be in that vicinity. We also need a 4bd home and with a pool. Easy right? lol

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by Frank R

Sarasota is a beautiful place, we almost moved there. Like most places some areas are better than others. Stay out of North Sarasota and you’ll be fine.
Siesta Key is rated as the most beautiful beach in the country. As SSJ71 said very crowded and plenty of traffic from January to April.

What's wrong with North Sarasota?

[ssj71]

Nothing really wrong with North Sarasota other than it borders Bradenton, a city which has a fair amount of crime and thuggery. Some of it spills over.

Bradenton is more industrial and impoverished, but it's not a terrible city. It has its problems and really bad areas. Much more wealth in Sarasota, and the city really does a great job of upkeep and tourism.

I spent the 3 years working in Sarasota and 6 months in Bradenton working at the huge Tropicana plant. Despite all of the free orange juice, I definitely like Sarasota better.

However, both Bradenton and Sarasota have amazing beaches.

Harvey

[Frank R]

Some parts of North Sarasota have a high crime rate. Drive around and get a feel for the area.

[hojs69]

Lived in St Pete / Tampa years also.

Venice can be nice......fossilized shark's teeth on the beach galore. Sleepy town somewhat, older crowd.

[ssj71]

Housing around the Ringling area won't be cheap. That's effectively the Sarasota Bay area and close to the beaches (Longboat Key is directly west of there), so property values might kick you where you don't want to be kicked...

Bradenton drag strip (popular around here): http://www.bradentonmotorsports.com/

Harvey

[ssj71]

Got some loose change in a jar?

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-08478?view=qv

Harvey

[Mr_GTO]

Yea, it won't be cheap but is what it is. This is a house we've been targeting. Hope it's still there when we get down there.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...97_rect/12_zm/

[Mr_GTO]

Gotcha. I get what you're saying about the are now. I can always call the local PD and ask how many times they've been called down to the area's where we're looking. As a realtor I know we can't steer people to or from area's. It's illegal.

[67GTONUT]

Wife's Aunt and Uncle live on Siesta Key..... We love it there....

Our plans are to retire either on the Key($$$), or just a few miles inland...... I am counting the days.....

[Sirrotica]

I know maybe only 1 or 2 people on PY pay any attention to other forms of racing, but there's also a great dirt track in the area too. East Bay Raceway. My wife and I have been there once while visiting FL, on our way to go the other huge oval paved track on the opposite coast, Daytona Speedway. Lots of dirt tracks in the Daytona area too.

[Mr_GTO]

There all kinds of things to do down there. The only family my wife has lives down in Bonita Springs. I have friends in Ft.Myers, Marco and Miami, New Smyerna and family in Orlando. So we'll have people to go see and things to do. Just want to be in a good area, decent schools, and somewhat close to her work.

[johnta1]

This is a house we've been targeting. Hope it's still there when we get down there.

Looks like a nice house!
Might try getting it before snowbirds come down?
They tend to buy anything around sometimes.


Also, this is in a place with HOA's or CCD's or whatever they call the dues?
Some can be killers I think.
(not that I could afford the house let alone the fee's )

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Looks like a nice house!
Might try getting it before snowbirds come down?
They tend to buy anything around sometimes.


Also, this is in a place with HOA's or CCD's or whatever they call the dues?
Some can be killers I think.
(not that I could afford the house let alone the fee's )

I'll find out soon enough. The CCD is a tax on new communities as I was told. HOA fees in Sarasota are less than Naples that's for sure.