Many people often wonder what it’s like to live in downtown Sarasota. While we are only scratching the surface, we wanted to provide a small list of pros and cons that should be reviewed before determining whether or not downtown living is right for you.
There are positive elements to living downtown.
- Restaurants. From longtime staples like Patrick’s and Mattison’s to recent additions like Lila and the OfKors Bakery, there are so many amazing restaurants to choose from. While some places require reservations, there are plenty of options to choose from.
- Farmer’s Market. The Sarasota Farmer’s Market is a true staple of the downtown culture. Whether you want to see Drew and buy your Dank & Fruity candles, have a fresh shot of wheatgrass, or visit the infamous Java Dawg red double-decker coffee bus, there’s a little something for everyone.
- Arts. Sarasota is all about the arts. We have the Van Wezel, Golden Apple, Players Theatre, The Ringling, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Florida Studio Theatre, The Sarasota Opera, The Sarasota Ballet of Florida, and The Asolo Theatre, to name a few.
- Entertainment. There is always something going on in Sarasota County. We have boat shows, art shows, boat races, car shows, the Harvey Milk Festival, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, seafood festivals, the Sarasota Film Festival, and many other events that run across town (sometimes literally).
As any situation has a positive and a negative, Sarasota is no different. Living downtown has a few drawbacks as well.
- Housing is more expensive in downtown Sarasota. According to The New York Times, “It is difficult to find a new downtown condominium priced below $600,000, but some units, needing to be rehabbed, in older buildings along Gulf Stream Avenue can be had for about $400,000.”
- Sarasota Growth. Lots and lots of growth. Cranes are decorating the skyline along with more than 4,000 new apartments, condominiums, and hotel rooms. In fact, the Herald-Tribune stated developers and the lenders that back the new projects are risking hundreds of millions of dollars that Sarasota can handle this explosion of growth, which also includes nearly 500,000 square feet of new office, retail, and restaurant space.
- Traffic. With all the growth, it’s no surprise traffic has also increased. According to Dan Lobeck, the President of Control Growth Now, “Coming soon is another push by staff to get Commission approval for the insane Fruitville Road Diet, to reduce that major arterial and hurricane evacuation road from four lanes to two, in order to more closely connect development north of Fruitville to the attractions downtown while grid-locking traffic (which staff denies based on rigged roundabout studies).”
We love Sarasota, but there are many factors that must be taken into consideration before purchasing or renovating a home in the area. For more information and advice on how to build your own sustainable house, or for your FREE initial consultation, email jason@stfdd.com or call 941.342.9401.
