Best Places to Live in Sarasota

Are you considering moving to Sarasota, FL, and need to figure out the best neighborhoods in the city? Here is a guide to help you navigate some of the highly-rated areas to live in Sarasota!

If Sarasota is one of the top places you would like to live, you are not alone! People are constantly flocking to this Florida city every day, whether to settle down and call it home or to visit for a weekend vacation; Sarasota is the perfect destination for both. Moving to a new place can be exciting yet intimidating. You might need to learn the area better, but finding a neighborhood or subdivision that best suits your lifestyle is essential when relocating to any city!

Not only is Sarasota a great place to live for families and retirees, but its beautiful natural surroundings and proximity to white-sand beaches and clear waters attract plenty of college students and young professionals to the area. As one of the best places to live in Florida, Sarasota is constantly sought after for its warm weather, sprawling scenic parks, and world-class amenities. 

Home to Myakka Canopy Walkway and the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum, there is always something fun to do, no matter your age or interests. Located on the Gulf Coast and just south of Tampa, Sarasota is recognized as an affluent area in Florida that is home to a population of nearly 55,000.

Offering its residents a peaceful and relaxed way of life that is often uncommon for a city of its size, it is no wonder that so many people are deciding to call Sarasota home. Whether you are searching for a beautiful place to retire, an affordable suburb, or the safest area to live, there is no right or wrong when searching for homes for sale in Sarasota. 

Since finding a neighborhood you will be happy in is crucial, you must consider all your options! Luckily, since this Southwestern Florida city has so many beautiful areas to choose from, you will be able to find your dream home in Sarasota in no time.

Whether you want to live near downtown or closer to the beach, keep reading to learn more about the best neighborhoods in Sarasota that you can call home one day! 

Here are seven of the top-rated neighborhoods in Sarasota! 

Indian Beach Sapphire Shores

The Indian Beach Sapphire Shores neighborhood features the most beautiful homes! All the houses are uniquely designed, from historic architecture to modern. It is located on the bayside near the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. This museum plays a significant role in what Sarasota is today.

This neighborhood has residents who contain both families and young professionals! Regarding home prices, this neighborhood is considered on the higher end of the spectrum. It will all be worth it when you see the parks and sunsets from the Indian Beach Sapphire Shores bayfront! 

Local Favorites:

• Ringling College of Art: This college is unique to Florida because it is the only institution in Florida that teaches art and design. It has about 1,700 undergraduate students and offers thirteen degree programs!
• New College of Florida: This college was founded in 1960 and is a public honors college in Sarasota. They specialize in general arts and science education. It is ranked #5 National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report for the 2022-2023 school year.
• Sarasota Jungle Gardens: This tourist attraction in Sarasota has been thriving since 1939. It has over 10 acres of botanical plants. Visit the Jungle Gardens and enjoy the scenery and bird and animal shows!

Arlington Park

If you are moving to Sarasota and looking for a family-based neighborhood, you should check out Arlington Park! This subdivision is complete of families and younger children and even has attractions to help entertain them. Located inside the neighborhood is Arlington Park. This park is perfect for children to play and socialize, just a couple-minute walk from your home.

Arlington Park has your average modern bungalow Florida home architecture throughout the neighborhood and is only the more affordable side based on the average family income in Sarasota. These homes are stunning and are only located near the prettiest beaches like Lido Beach and Siesta Key!

Local Favorites:

• Arlington Park & Aquatics Center: This park is home to the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. It also has a 50-meter lap pool, a 25-yard outdoor fitness gym, a half-mile walking trail, and a dog park! 
• Siesta Key: TripAdvisor ranked This beach the number one in America in 2020. Here, you can relax on the beautiful powder sand and crystal clear waters! 
• Bayfront Park: This is precisely what it is called! It's a beautiful park on the coast that is perfect for walking your pets and enjoying the sunset. It also has a fun playground and splash pad for children to enjoy!

Southside Village

The Southside Village neighborhood is unique and full of character because of the mixture of modern and historic homes located here. This neighborhood is located near downtown Sarasota, allowing for quick access to various establishments, businesses, and the best restaurants in Sarasota. Even though it is near the downtown area, it is still considered a family-friendly neighborhood. 

Southside Village is so large that it has sub-neighborhoods within it. Here, you can choose between ranch-style homes, bungalows, or modern-style homes. Not only does it have a variety of home styles to choose from, but it also has sidewalks throughout the neighborhood, perfect for walks at any time! 

Local Favorites:

• Southside Elementary School: Southside has been ranked number five best public elementary school in Sarasota County! It has around 670 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15-1! 
• Morton's Gourmet Market: This market has been Sarasota's epicenter of great food for over 50 years! Here, you will find a bakery, fresh produce, flower arrangements, and more!

Palmer Ranch

This neighborhood played a massive role in Sarasota's history. One of the very first settlers in Sarasota bought this land to build their summer home. Over the years, it had turned into a large community! In Palmer Ranch, you will find a wide range of housing, from condominiums to million-dollar homes! 

Palmer Ranch is one of the first planned neighborhoods and ranked the best neighborhood in Sarasota! Living in Palmer Ranch gives you easy access to many restaurants, bike trails, an aquatics center, and beaches! This neighborhood also has smaller communities within it that you can check out! 

Local Favorites:

• Legacy Bike Trail: This bike trail goes from the heart of Sarasota to South Venice. It is still growing as we speak! There are many plans for this trail to expand and improve! Enjoy biking or walking along this trail to see the beautiful scenery! 
• Coresrq: This center is full of fun activities for your family and friends. You can join at any age you would like, as there is something for everyone to enjoy! They have gyms, lap pools, classes you can take, and much more! They have 2 locations depending on which side of Sarasota you live in. They have the North Branch and the South Branch!

Rosemary District

Another neighborhood that is located near downtown Sarasota is the Rosemary District. This subdivision is energetic and lively and is full of apartment buildings and condos. This neighborhood has been a part of Sarasota for a long time and is now being built up with new construction. However, it still holds some older-built homes if that is what you want in your new Florida home.

This neighborhood has mainly young professionals and singles who reside here. Living in the Rosemary District allows you to have something to do at all times of the day and even at night. It is surrounded by shopping centers, bars, gyms, and even some of the best local restaurants!

Local Favorites:

• The Sarasota Modern: This hotel is located right in the middle of the Rosemary district and is the newest chic hotel in the area!
• The Yoga Shack: This yoga studio is only minutes from the neighborhood. It offers daily scheduled classes and a variety of yoga classes. Some of those are heated, reduced heat, and non-heated yoga classes. 
• Sarasota Architectural Salvage: This salvage center has some of the most incredible vintage souvenirs! They have refurbished furniture, books, memorabilia from Sarasota's history, iron swings, and much more! 

Laurel Park

Laurel Park is located in downtown Sarasota and has the most vibrant homes! Choosing this neighborhood will allow you to have the "downtown city still" feel while still being able to have privacy at the same time. It is perfect for anyone, whether you have a family, are retiring, or are a young professional.

Living in this neighborhood allows you to enjoy all of the perks of living in a downtown area since it is located just blocks from the best local cafes, restaurants, and shops! There are so many entertaining attractions in downtown Sarasota, and you can easily access it all. 

There is also a large grassy park and playground inside the neighborhood for your children to enjoy. Laurel Park also has trails and benches if you like taking walks or going for a jog. 

Local Favorites:

• Laurel Park: This park is perfect for a relaxing walk around the trails with your furry friends, a jog after work in the evening sun, or even a place to take your kids to release some energy and socialize!
• Mote Marine Laboratory: This is a nonprofit organization for marine research. This aquarium aims to advance marine science and education, supporting the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources! This is a public aquarium where you can visit it and learn more about marine life!

McClellan Park

Sarasota prides itself on its architecture throughout the city. This neighborhood consists of just that! In McClellan Park, you will see how it has a unique range of vintage homes and is also near downtown Sarasota. Here, you will find cottages designed in the 1920s and newer modern homes. 

The cool thing about this neighborhood is that it still holds onto Sarasota's history. The street names you will see throughout this subdivision are named after the Calusa Indians who initially settled here in Sarasota. 

This neighborhood is considered one of the pricier subdivisions. The average price range of this neighborhood is $500,000 up to $3 million! McClellan Park is so different from all the other favored neighborhoods in Sarasota. 

Local Favorites:

• McClellan Park: This shaded grassy area is perfect for a picnic or to relax under the trees. It is also dog-friendly, so you can take your furry friend to run around and play fetch! 
• Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie: This is Libby's second location and casual hangout place locals love! The menu consists of primarily French cuisines, but they also have salads, steaks, and more for an affordable price! 
• Veronica Fish and Oyster: This is a modern oyster bar with a nod to the classic supper clubs of the past! This restaurant is full of unique art that is deep and tells a story but is exceptionally excellent! 

FAQS

Is Sarasota an excellent place to live?

Sarasota has been ranked high on the best of lists for many years. With beautiful beaches, warm weather, and a beautiful environment, this area is a great place to relocate. 

What is the vibe in Sarasota, FL?

Sarasota has a unique vibe compared to other places. With the vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere, and fantastic food culture, this area has a unique charm that the residents love. 

What is unique about Sarasota, FL?

Saratota is different because it offers big city life and close access to beautiful natural areas and islands. This city also provides a diverse and unique culture compared to surrounding cities. 

Best Neighborhoods in Sarasota - Our Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect neighborhood to settle down in when moving to a new city is essential to some. No matter which area you move into in Sarasota, you will be amazed by how beautiful and friendly the community is. Almost every neighborhood in Sarasota is near family-friendly attractions, beaches, restaurants, shopping, and more!

If you would like assistance in relocating to Florida, reach out to us to be connected with a trusted Real Estate agent who can help answer any questions you may have. Florida has many beautiful places to live, like Miami, Tampa, Sarasota, and Palm Coast.

Choosing a Realtor is essential when thinking of selling or buying a home. Our team is here to support your decisions while giving you the best advice! Contact us today!