Sarasota chocie of relocation
 

I have posted relocating questions in the past and just came back from 2 weeks in Florida.

My choice is the Bradenton/Sarasota area with concentration in the Lakewood Ranch area. My one negative is the CDD added taxes.

I would love opinions/suggestions from those who live or know anything further about Lakewood Ranch or any other desirable area to check out. I didn't have a whole lot of time to see all the developments, since I was also in Clearwater and Melbourne area (friends live in Melbourne)

Thanks so much.

Floridabound, Our family is also very interested in relocated to this area. We came back from a visit to friends who live in Sarasota - I hadn't been there in about 15 and I was wowed by the changes. We live in the Boston area and are tried of the cold - We are going back in August to look closely at communities to get more of a feel. We wanted to live in a gated community that has the amenities that a family would like - We are interested in Lakewood Range and Palmer Ranch - as well as any other new/newer communities that have good schools and amentities. Would love to share with you any information. Did you see the New Tampa area - Hillsborough area? What did you think of the South Tampa area? email me:[email protected]

I live in Lakewood Ranch and have worked here since it started almost ten years ago. Regarding the comment about the CDD (community development district) being a negative. I dont see how it is a negative. I know of no other community that has anywhere near the amount of amenities as Lakewood Ranch. You do get what you pay for.
The Sarasota/Manatee area is now one of the fastest growing in the nation. This area is just now being discovered as a great place to live.

Spring1, Please tell what you know about the school in Lakewood Ranch. What about the private schools?

I live in Bradenton and have many friends who live in Lakewood Ranch and love it. It's become a very popular place to live because it's easy to hop on and off the interstate and you have every convenience you need out there.

The public schools there are excellent--some will say Florida public schools are not good, but it depends on where you live and there are excellent schools in that area. If you choose to go private, although there are other private schools closer,there's no question that you should look at Saint Stephens in Bradenton (www.saintstephens.org) and they have transportation. My oldest has been there since kindergarten and graduates next year--FABULOUS school. Our two boys also attended--but the oldest wanted to go to the public high school in town and my youngest is transferring to the middle school in our district--not because they were unhappy; they just wanted bigger schools. I've been happy with both options, but would definitely recommend SS if your kids are younger.

Good luck with your move.

Jayne11159 Thanks for your info - My best friend from College - I went to Ohio State University has lived in Sarasota for a long time- both of her daughters went to St.Stephens and have gone on to great colleges - She also recommended the Pineview but you must live in Sarasota County and Lakewood Ranch is in Manatee - Which are the best schools in Lakewood Ranch? Do you live in one of the gated communities? We are trying to learn them - we are looking forward to our trip in August so we csn go look and get a feel - We want to live in one that is family friendly that has a mix of people. What do you know or think about the Open Door Academy?

Floridabound--
Small world--I'm sure that I probably know your best friend!We do not live in Lakewood Ranch--we live in NW Bradenton. A friend of ours is one of the developers and has told us that it's a younger demographic moving to that area. If we didn't love the river, we'd consider moving there since my husband's office is in St. Pete.

Pine View is 2nd through 12th grade and it's an excellent option; admission is based on test scores. Part of Lakewood Ranch IS in Saraota county. University Parkway is the dividing line; everything south of University is in Sarasota County. Unless you go with Pineview, I would stay in the Manatee public school district if you choose Lakewood.

I think you're talking about Out of Door Academy, which is on the Sarasota side of Lakewood Ranch. At the time our children started school we lived in Sarasota and also interviewed ODA and chose Saint Stephen's. My only experience with ODA has been at athletic events and I have to say that I'm always very proud of the sportsmanship that the Saint Stephen's athletes display when we play ODA. The headmistress at SS is Jan Pullen and you will find that she is very warm and welcoming if you want to call her with questions.

Let me know if you have any other questions and hopefully you will also hear from some Lakewood Ranch residents.

We are in an "A" rated public school district.The elementary school opened last August and the new middle school opens this coming August. Lakewood Ranch also just donated more land for another elementary school to be built. Lakewood Ranch High opened about four years ago.The private school, Out of Door Academy (ODA), is middle and high school grades and has a great reputation.

Thanks for the feedback - I just got information from St.Stephen's and the Out of Door Academy - they both look good. We are eager to come and visit communities. There seems to be so much to consider!

Thanks for all the responses. I'll be going back soon to spend more time.

Jayne. Do I know you? I was glad to hear all the positive responses about Lakewood Ranch.

I didn't look in Hillsborough or New Tampa, just didn't have time. Will plan to rent we down there permanently.

I'm going to down soon to check on rentals and spend the rest of the time checking developments.

Please keep comments coming. I don't have to worry about schools...Children grown.

Thanks all so much.

EMHG - I think I got confused about who I was addressing! Sorry about that. I don't know if we know each other Floridabound!

I did email Jan and told her that if she got an inquiry from an unusual source that it would be you emgh!

Jayne,

What are some of the developments that you think are worth perusing in LWR, up to 300/K. I'm single 50+ but young at heart, I just started golf and looking to meet people since I don't know a soul there.

Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. I'm flexible. Looking either for a single family or villa.

I also found Grayhawk Landing on the web. Do you know anything about this new development.

Thanks.

I don't know the names of the individual developments in LWR--I've never paid attention since I don't live there! However, IMHO it would be hard to go wrong with either type of place you're looking for in that price range. A villa might be a better option for your age range and interests as many of the single family homes in that price range are purchased by young families. Be sure to ask the avg. age of the residents if you buy a villa and then confirm it! You also need to determine if you can live with the deed restrictions and what the monthly or annual maintenance fees are. Try to meet some of the neighbors before you decide where to buy--your realtor can probably arrange that for you. I know that our neighbors asked the realtor to introduce us before they bought--I guess we passed inspection!

If you're going to live here year-round and you choose a villa you should ask how many of the residents are here for the winters only. Some places literally look deserted off season and I imagine it could get lonely in the summer.

LWR has community gatherings every once in a while so that people can meet their neighbors. They started a farmer's market on Sat. mornings but I don't know much about it.

Many of the country clubs here post notices for people looking to form golf foursomes. You might want to check and see if they do that. There is also a very nice YMCA there near the high school. The technical school has a campus there that offers community classes--my son took his boating class there for his Coast Guard license. LWR has also started it's own charitable community foundation that is operated by resident volunteers if you enjoy that type of thing. We went to one of their fundraisers and really enjoyed it--their country club is beautiful.

I've heard of Grayhawk Landings but I don't know anything about it.

So many new developments seem to pop up over night. I don't think I'd be comfortable buying in a brand new one. Personally, I'd wait until it was at least 50% built out.

Good luck!

Jayne,

Your a wealth of information. I can't thank you enough. I never thought of meeting the neighbors first before I buy. Yes, I was considering looking at villas also.

I plan to look for employment but volunteering is also a good way to meet great people, it's also rewarding.

I worked a couple of events at a local hospital her in DC and also worked an event for "Make a Wish Foundation" many years ago.

We are lucky enough to live in Lakewood Ranch (we also sell real estate in LWR). It really is a very special place - You may want to see www.lakewoodranchresidents.com (click on as a visitor) to see clubs, events, etc.