Living a Cultural Center Lifestyle in Sarasota, Florida

With an immense array of cultural resources and restaurants, Sarasota is arguably the culture capital of Florida. Sarasota is a town of 52,000 (the Metro is much bigger) on Florida's Central West coast on the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Part of the legacy began when the Ringling Brothers located the winter quarters of their circus here. Their philanthropic legacy has made Sarasota a cultural powerhouse. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, one of those institutions, is one of the most impressive museums in Florida.

Development began in the 1920’s; the town has dozens of historically significant buildings and institutions. Sarasota has one of Florida's best downtowns with many interesting neighborhoods. One of Sarasota's top attractions comes at the end of a bridge from the downtown harbor - St. Armand's Circle. This delightful circle is surrounded by elegant dining, shopping, and luxury housing.

Where to Retire in Sarasota and Home Prices

Some residents live in apartments right downtown, while others choose from a delightful array of housing options in various neighborhoods in town. Homes on exclusive barrier islands like Longboat Key and Siesta Key are in towering apartment houses or huge mansions overlooking the gulf. An enormous array of gated golf and active adult communities tend to be nearer the Interstate (see link to Sarasota Active Communities at top of page).
According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price of a home in the Sarasota/Bradenton/North Port area was $520,000 in Q4 of 2022, a 19.5% increase from a year earlier.

What Is Special about Sarasota

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; charming ambience with historical background to the 1920; the Cincinnati Reds has spring training here; Bobby Jones laid out the city golf course; many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places; something for every active adult 55+.

What Is Not Special about Sarasota

There are a lot of tourists and traffic in winter, and hot, humid temperatures in the summer.

Climate and Physical Environment

Sarasota is on the coastal plain abutting the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. It is a tropical, flat environment with warm winters and hot, rainy summers. Islands called keys radiate away from the city and out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Sarasota, one of the top cultural centers in Florida, is the home of Florida West Coast Symphony and its famous Sarasota Music Festival. It also hosts the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, The Players, and numerous other musical, dance, artistic, and theatrical venues. John Ringling purchased an entire historic Italian theater, the Asolo;which he had broken down and shipped here. Later, Stuart Barger designed and oversaw the construction of another Asolo - a multi-theater complex. The new complex provides several other venues for students of Florida State University's theatre arts and film program. The beautiful Selby Library downtown (pictured at left) is built to mimic a circus tent and has great resources and programs.

Crime

The crime rate in Sarasota is above the national average. However, that does not report the entire picture, since there are big differences between the unincorporated and the incorporated areas of the city.  It is much lower in the unincorporated areas, and that is where most retirees would choose to live.

Medical Facilities

• Doctors Hospital Of Sarasota • Healthsouth Rehab Hospital Of Sarasota • Sarasota Memorial Hospital •  Sarasota has an enviable supply of doctors and medical resources.

Transportation

Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (SRQ. Amtrak offers a bus service in Sarasota that takes you to the train station in Orlando. There is local bus service. Sarasota is about average in walkability when compared to other communities.

Valuable Links

Sarasota Visitors and Convention Bureau

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