Living a Beach Lifestyle in Venice, Florida

Venice Florida is a pleasant beach community of 21,000 people located mid-way down the coast on the Gulf of Mexico. Originally developed in 1925 by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as a planned retirement community, Venice is named after the many canals and rivers running through it. Thanks to its central planning. Just a few short blocks from the downtown is one of Florida’s best Gulf Coast beaches, offering the whitest of sand.

Venice is similar to Naples; except with less traffic and far lower prices. The town has wide boulevards lined with palms and banyan trees. Much of the town is in the northern Italian renaissance architectural style. The lively downtown has many interesting shops and restaurants. There are plenty of parks and public tennis courts.  Venice is located in Sarasota County. Here is a mini-guide to Florida retirement

Where to Retire in Venice and Home Prices

One can live in town, near the central shopping district and beach. Cute homes and apartments lead away from the beach. There the need for a car is low and your neighbors will offer some variety. Or, one can choose an active adult community further out of town, such as The Plantation or the Venice Golf & Tennis Club. These gated communities feature golf and/or tennis, along with pools and clubhouses. Some of them are like posh summer camps for adults, with the only possible downside that you have to drive to town to see people who aren’t a lot like yourself. Others, particularly those featuring manufactured homes, are quite affordable. Zillow reported the median home value to be $487,638 in early 2023, an increase of about 21% over the previous year.

What Is Special about Venice

Venice is a great beach in the town with many municipal parks, a central downtown shopping district, and the Venice Community Center. There are many active adult communities here, which is similar to Naples, Florida, but less crowded and expensive. Venice is also convenient to mega-culture in Sarasota.

What Is Not Special about Venice

• Traffic in season • The average age is about 70 (Florida's median age is 42) • Hurricane season • Lack of diversity

Climate and Physical Environment

Venice is well down the west coast of Florida, south of Tampa and Sarasota. Roberts Bay, the Gulf, and several rivers provide an extensive waterfront. Venice sustained some damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The city takes pride in its many parades, art fests, nationally award-winning community theater, and preserved natural environments.The Venice Symphony offers many concerts. The Arts Cultural Alliance is very active. Concerts are held several times weekly in the Centennial Park Gazebo. There is a beautiful library downtown.

Crime

The crime rate is relatively low in Venice.

Medical Facilities

Bon Secours Venice Hospital. Englewood Community Hospital is 1 mile away.

Transportation

Sarasota/Bradenton Airport is 22 miles away. There is also an AMTRAK station in Sarasota.

Valuable Links

City of Venice

Venice on Wikipedia

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