There's No Place Like Home in Sarasota!

It’s the dog days of summer in my hometown of Sarasota, Florida and Liz and I are heading to the Colorado mountains for a much needed vacation and to cool off! Having said that, we find that we are leaving (albeit for only 2 weeks) one of the best places to live and retire! U.S. News & World Report has released its 2019 Top 125 Cities in the country and Sarasota, Florida ranked #3 in Best Places to Retire and #18 as one of the best places to live. 

Since I’m on vacation this month, rather that my usual Hometown Blog story, I wanted to share this great article with you. Here is the full U. S. News article for you to enjoy and to remind you how lucky we are to live here. Vacations are great but if you live in Sarasota, there’s no place like home! 

What's it like to live in Sarasota, FL?

Warm temperatures year-round, award-winning beaches and a thriving arts and cultural scene have made Sarasota a go-to place for retirees and families, not to mention a handful of celebrities (including Stephen King and Rosie O'Donnell). This southwest Florida region, which is about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, continues to attract new residents with great restaurants and plenty of shopping options. Living in Sarasota has elements of what many consider paradise, mixed with some hints of reality. As the population grows, the area struggles to keep up with infrastructure needs. Traffic congestion is becoming more common. Those who live, work or visit downtown Sarasota will see their share of construction cranes as the region copes with an influx of residents and a record-breaking number of tourists. However, as the Sarasota community flourishes, so does its economy. Sarasota offers a sizeable job market for those working in health care, small business and tourism. 

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 125 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

Sarasota, Florida is ranked:

 #18 in Best Places to Live

 #3 in Best Places to Retire

What's the cost of living in Sarasota, FL?

Sarasota is relatively affordable compared to larger Florida regions like Miami, though young families are finding it increasingly harder to buy a home at a reasonable cost. The continuing influx of wealthy residents has affected the cost of housing, as there has been more of a focus on upscale living.

What's the weather like in Sarasota, FL?

Although heat and humidity are a regular part of life in South Florida, that doesn't stop many people from enjoying the area's outdoor activities, such as golfing, boating and fishing. Still, residents know to keep their umbrellas handy for the fierce rain storms that usually pass through from April to October.

What's the best way to get around Sarasota, FL?

The majority of people in Sarasota get around by car, and traffic is becoming more of an issue as new residents and visitors come to town. Year-round residents will tell you it can take almost twice as long to get places during the winter tourist season. The region has a bus system, the Sarasota County Area Transit, or SCAT, which is seeing an increasing number of users. The bus system is fairly extensive, but heavy traffic can cause schedule delays. Sarasota has some neighborhoods that are particularly pedestrian-friendly, such as downtown, the Rosemary district, St. Armand's Circle and Southside Village. The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport connects residents to destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Residents also have access to intercity bus service provided by Greyhound.

Who lives in Sarasota, FL? 

Sarasota has a significant amount of residents over the age of 65 and that population is predicted to increase; as you make your way around town, a silver boom is pretty evident. A retiree in Sarasota likely has a busier social calendar than someone half his or her age, as the area caters to its older residents by offering lots of activities, such as shopping and golf. This is especially true during the “in season” from October to April when snowbirds from colder climates come to enjoy Florida's more temperate weather. That said, families also feel at home in Sarasota, and there are plenty of good schools, clean parks and local attractions for them to enjoy. Young single people won't have the diversity or nightlife available as they would in a metro area like Miami. This could be advantageous for someone who likes things a little more low-key, and there still are millennials who take over Sarasota's nighttime scene at local bars, clubs, restaurants and craft breweries. People in Sarasota tend to be not as religious as people in more rural parts of the state.

What is there to do in Sarasota, FL? 

Sarasota is a great place for those who enjoy the outdoors. There are a number of parks in downtown Sarasota, not to mention the massive Myakka River State Park. Golf courses also abound. And then, of course, there are the beaches. Siesta Beach has earned acclaim for its white sand and clear water. Lido Beach, just south of St. Armands Circle, is another wide stretch of shoreline that's easy to access. If those get crowded (as they often do), beachgoers opt for Longboat Beach, Venice Beach, Bradenton Beach or the beaches of Anna Maria Island, all of which are a short drive from Sarasota. Meanwhile, locals take advantage of the booming restaurant scene around town, which serves up everything from fresh seafood to farm-to-table specialties. There are also a handful of farmers markets open in the fall, winter and spring, with the Sarasota Farmers Market open all year.

What kind of jobs are there in Sarasota, FL? 

Major industries in Sarasota include education, trade, transportation and, of course, tourism. Unemployment rates in the leisure and hospitality sector are several percentage points lower than the region's overall rate (which is still slightly lower than the national average). Health care is also a prominent sector, with facilities like the Venice Regional Bayfront Health, the Englewood Community Hospital and the Doctors Hospital of Sarasota employing a large number of residents. There is also an enthusiastic small business community. Because of a high volume of low-paying jobs in the service industry, the average annual income in Sarasota is lower than the national average.

How good are the schools in Sarasota, FL?

Sarasota encompasses 27 public elementary, middle and high schools. Sarasota also has 57 private schools. Five high schools are recognized on U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools rankings.

How safe is Sarasota, FL?

The metro area's violent and property crime rates are both lower than the national rates.

Click below for the U. S. News & Report's article with the all of the very informative charts:
 https://realestate.usnews.com/places/florida/sarasota