The United States of America are a dream destination for billions of people from all corners of the Earth. Moreover, it is the ideal home for most of them as well. As one of the most popular countries for tourists and immigrants alike, the USA is truly a place everyone should visit at least a few times. The sheer amount of things to do and places to see is astonishing and it would take you a lifetime to tour it all. Most Americans never manage to visit all 50 states within their life and many never actually travel further than their surrounding states.
Out of the 50, not all the states are equally popular and fun to be in. California, Florida, Nevada, Texas, New York, Virginia, and South Carolina are some of the most popular to visit. However, those best suited for a peaceful, happy, and comfortable life appear to be Washington, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Utah, and Vermont. As you can see, these are all different places and parts of the country. The star of our topic today is Florida, a state known for its warm and humid climate, wonderful beaches, sports, and dream retirement life opportunities. Moreover, we will focus on Sarasota, Florida, and determine the best places to live there. To learn more about this city, make sure to check out livingvogue.com.
About Sarasota
Located in the Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of Florida, the city is famous for its environment and culture. There are plenty of beaches, resorts, and other amenities throughout the city and its immediate and distant surroundings. It is a small city population-wise at least by American standards, as just under 60,000 permanent residents call it home. It stretches over 70 square miles, or 180 square meters. The climate is humid subtropical with humid and hot summers and dry, warm winters. As such, it is a great destination year-round. Some of the best places in town to see include the Siesta Key Beach, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Campus, the Lido Key, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
Best Neighborhoods to Live
Out of all the beautiful city of Sarasota, Florida, we picked out four of the best areas where you can experience the best it has to offer.
1. Laurel Park
If you prefer living in the historic parts of town, you have to check out Laurel Park downtown, which became a National Register of Historic Places District. There are plenty of family homes there, as well as small and duplex apartments in a lot of older and newer buildings. The oldest date back to the ‘20s when the initial expansion of area and population began. Building styles include Mission, Colonial, and Mediterranean revival, as well as bungalow. The streets are lined with bricks, trees are all over the place, and you never have to walk to much to reach the restaurants, shops, or entertainment. It is pet friendly everywhere and you will see both the young and old enjoying life in this great neighborhood.
2. Lakewood Ranch
East of the interstate 75 and just on the Sarasota-Manatee county line lies this piece of land, welcoming to everyone no matter what you look for. Million dollar estates and townhouses are both present here, telling a bigger story of how anyone can enjoy it and live a happy and satisfied life no matter their fortunes and riches. Young families and elderly equally cherish this area, consisting of seven villages that are the Lakewood Ranch. Recreation is ever-present due to the open spaces and dedicated areas such as hiking and cycling trails. Some of the villages have their own modern downtown streets and squares with a lot of shops and dining opportunities. The whole ranch is a green-friendly community. Since 2005, all new construction has to follow the Green Building Coalition standards of the State of Florida. If you want a healthy environment where you can live a peaceful and active lifestyle surrounded with nature, look no further.
3. Gillespie Park
This is one of the older parts of town as there are many 1920s buildings throughout. Most of the bungalows have been renovated however, while homes reminiscent of ranches from the 1950s and the 1960s make up the rest of the landscape. It is located north of the downtown Sarasota and it bears the name of the first mayor of town, John Gillespie. The centerpiece of this sprawling and upswing neighborhood is the park, also named in honor of the first mayor. It has a beautiful lake and a neat fountain. The population is diverse here, and the balance of renters and homeowners is great. The Main Street shops are just a quick walk away so you will never lack anything of importance. Those in search of up-and-coming parts of town will find it lovely here as it is looking better and better by the year.
4. Siesta Key
If beach life is what you and your family are all about (and who isn’t?), you should definitely pick the laid back vibe of the Siesta Key, a sparkling sand beach heaven on earth in the south tip of the key. The Turtle Beach area is a surprise tropical destination that will make you forget you are actually in Florida. The north of the key is home to Siesta Village, a great nightlife and party destination at night, and the perfect place for restaurant goers during the day. It is overflowing with fresh seafood, cold beers, cocktails, and beach music. What else do you want form life? Both the summer and winter seasons bring along a ton of tourists here, so if you do not like a lot of visitors where you live this paradise destination may not be 100% to your liking.
Conclusion and Takeaways
Sarasota offers so much no matter what your ideal version of life is, as long as you enjoy hot places, beaches, and a lively community. While it may not be nearly as famous as Miami or Orlando, it is definitely worth your time and money. We highly advise you to visit it first a couple of times and then determine if you truly want to move there. You will have a hard time saying no, and that is a promise!
