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Great Places to Live in Sarasota

Finding a Sarasota Beach Home

As Realtors, we often hear, "I am looking for a place on the beach." We used to hear this more frequently years ago when real estate information wasn't as prevalent as it is now. It's easy to jump on the internet and get a sense of what properties on the beach cost. Since living on the water is in such high demand waterfront homes and condos are usually the most expensive real estate.

Sarasota Beach Home Prices - 2020 Sales

I will show you prices of single family homes that are on a walkable beach like the one below (Lido Key beach).

Not a 50 to 100 foot private beach like the one pictured below.

The homes below are not across the street from the beach but directly on it. 

The above sales are beach front single family homes sold in Sarasota and Manatee counties in 2020. They range in price from $1,600,000 to $16,500,000. The average price was $4,124,845 and median price was $3,350,000.

Island      Number of Sales       Average Sales Price 
 Manasota Key   18   $2,433,389
 Venice Island   3 ...

Within 100 Yards of Main Street

Looking to enjoy the downtown lifestyle in Sarasota, Florida. I don't blame you. That is a lifestyle many people seek. Just take a look at the number of construction cranes littered around downtown and that shows the demand for condos in downtown Sarasota. We get inquiries daily from people who want to purchase in the downtown area. 

Today's article is about the downtown condos that are within footsteps of Main Street. We didn't actually measure out 100 yards to each condo community but I am sure we are pretty close. These condos are for those people that simply want to be in the middle of the action. While the Renaissance condo building is a great place to live it is definitely a far walk to Main street on a hot Florida day. 

1. Introduction to Downtown Sarasota
     1.1 Video of Downtown Sarasota
     1.2 Drone Video of Downtown Sarasota
2. Downtown Condos Near Main Street
     2.1 100 Central
     2.2 1350 Main
     2.3 Bay Plaza
     2.4 Cityscape
     2.5 Dolphin Tower
     2.6 Gulfstream Towers
     2.7 Library Mews
     2.8 Marina Tower
     2.9 Orange Blossom Tower...

Redevelopment Opportunity near Downtown Sarasota

Ringling Park Homes Sarasota

Looking for a great place to build a home near downtown Sarasota?

For many, living in a condo is not appealing. Yet, many love the downtown lifestyle. There are a handful of single family home neighborhoods within a 5 minute drive to downtown Sarasota. 

1) Laurel Park

2) West of Trail

3) Ringling Park

4) Gillespie Park

The above neighborhoods are a great place to look if you are seeking a single family home near the city. 

On our sister website DwellingWell.com I wrote about redevelopment opportunities in Ringling Park. You can read about it here - Ringling Park - So Close to Downtown Without the Big Prices.

Ringling Park Redevelopment

If you drive through Ringling Park you are starting to see some changes. People are drawn to this area because of quick and easy access to downtown yet don't have to pay the prices of the West of Trail neighborhoods. Homes in Ringling Park can be as much as half the price of a comparable home West of Trail or in Laurel Park.

The owners of the lot below have started construction of a large home on a 13,900 square foot directly on Ringling Blvd. 

 ...

Most Walkable Downtown Sarasota Condos

Do you love walking to shopping, dining and entertainment? We get many inquiries from people seeking a walkable neighborhood in Sarasota. There are only a handful of neighborhoods in Sarasota where cars are not needed on a daily basis and you can walk to your basic needs and wants. Below are the most walkable areas in Sarasota.

Walkable Condos in Sarasota

Below are some of the most walkable condos in downtown Sarasota. These condos allow residents to walk out your front door and have shopping, restaurants and other fun things to do within footsteps. They rank well according to Walkscore.com.

100 Central

100 Central condos Sarasota

100 Central is the perfect building to call home. This condo building was constructed in 2005, and it features 95 residences. Each resident has their own private parking spaces, valet, a concierge, and use of the meeting and fitness rooms. The pool is large and perfect for entertaining your out-of-town guests. View all condos for sale in 100 Central.

1350 Main

1350 Main condos Sarasota

This is one of the most desirable residences in all of Sarasota. This high-rise building...

Want a Home in Downtown Sarasota?


Laurel Park homes SarasotaSpending the day relaxing under the palms while the breezes blow softly across the way seems impossible, but not for those who choose to make sunny Laurel Park their home. Living in the Laurel Park community provides tons of convenient access to local restaurants, festive events, and plenty of diverse entertainment. The neighborhood is a diverse area that is full of places to peruse with some time off from work. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic places because of the older buildings, but there are many new homes and more recent construction in the area as well. Homes in the community are just as diverse as the residents with a mix of beach homes, duplexes, single family homes, cottages, and more to enjoy. Residents often pay between a quarter of a million to more than a million dollars for their home or condo depending on the style and exact location they choose. 

Whether spending time with a loved one and a bit of fresh seafood is just the thing, or a day out shopping with the girls is a better idea, Laurel Park residents can do it all. Boating, cycling, beach volleyball, surfing, sailing, fishing, and swimming are just a few of the things that people living in the community enjoy doing in their spare time. Residents can grab a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe while catching up with an old friend. A picnic at Island Park is always a fun activity and gives people the chance to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air when they are not at the beach. There are several museums nearby for people who are interested in the fine arts and the local culture. For a bit of downtime, some relaxation at one of the local resorts or spas is an excellent way to...

The Hottest Neighborhood in Sarasota?

West of Trail homes in SarasotaIf you’re looking for luxury with a rich history, established neighborhoods, and an elegant mix of old-world glamour and modern sophistication, living West of the Trail in Sarasota is the perfect option for you. Retirees, young professionals, families, and those who wish to live somewhere the weather is warm all year and an upscale lifestyle is prominent fall in love with the idea of a home West of the Trail. The neighborhoods located here are upscale, elegant, and sophisticated. They are the epitome of high-end living with the casual feel of waterfront living.

The homes West of the Trail are the homes dreams are made of. Many of the neighborhoods in this area of Sarasota are decades old, but that doesn’t detract from the contemporary elegance each one portrays. Older, elegant homes with a Spanish flair have been completely remodeled to bring buyers all of the modern upgrades needed to live the most luxurious lifestyle available. New homes feature spacious terraces and wraparound porches with outdoor kitchens and uninterrupted views of the oceans. Each neighborhood is designed to perfection, with homes large enough to accommodate big families and cozier homes perfect for a retired couple.

What’s so wonderful about living West of the Trail is the lifestyle it provides residents. Here, it is all about chic outdoor living. Many of the homes here are waterfront homes, which means you’ll spend the vast majority of your time on the water. You can decide between taking the boat out into the bay or over to the barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico, where you can dine at waterfront restaurants, play on white sand beaches, and frolic...

Casey Key, Florida - Seeking Waves, Water and Sand?

Casey Key, FloridaHidden away, south of Sarasota, is Casey Key delights the eye with every view. An eight mile long barrier island, gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico can be had from the exclusive homes that line Casey Key Road. Old growth landscaping comprised of palms, oaks and pine gently shade the older beach homes and estates. Privacy and the beach at the door are features included with this island lifestyle. Your neighbor might be a very famous writer or celebrity who has chose this idyllic gem. Waterfront living is at its pinnacle in Casey Key, with only 400 residents amidst this quiet and serene beauty. Whether its walking on the beach hand-in-hand or dining superbly al-fresco on your deck overlooking the Gulf or Bay, Casey Key will enchant.

The history of Casey Key is an interesting one; assigned with the task of removing the Seminole Indians from the area in the middle 1800s, Army Captain John Charles Casey surveyed the area. Originally called Chaise's Key, it was published as Casey Key by mistake in 1856, when Casey produced a map. Building trust with the Seminoles, he forged a peace with Billy Bowlegs, the Seminole Chief. That peace lasted until the Seminole Wars, when the Chief was exiled out to the Western United States. Casey Key began to see its first settlers after the Civil War, and in 1923 the northern end gained a bridge, the Treasure Island Bridge.

Old Florida can still be found in today's Casey Key, with winding roads and gated fronts, giving an air of privacy to the luxury homes and older cottages. Waterfront estates are common here and one can walk the beach to find shark's teeth and seaglass, as well as shells. Wildlife...