Considering a move to Lakewood Ranch... a few questions (Tampa: HOA fees, insurance)

[NextExit40Miles]

We're considering a move to LWR, looking for a 3/2 around 1800-2k sf, 2 car, 60 lot on waterfront if possible.

What are the boundaries of LWR, Google has it as University to SR70 N/S and I75 to Lorraine E/W. Is this correct ?

How are the hospitals, medical centers, urgent care facilities, doctors ? We looked in other areas, but the hospitals were not the best.
Is the area becoming overcrowded in that doctors are not taking new patients ?

Roadways sufficient ? Traffic, congestion ? Home prices seem rather high, any opinions on this tapering off some ?

Hurricane/flood concerns ? Is the whole of LWR relatively safe ? Are there sections more prone to flooding ? What is the evacuation zoning for LWR ?

Property taxes, HOA fees, CDD fees ? Home insurance ? Are they more or less inline with other areas in Florida ?

Are you generally satisfied with the area ? What would be your top 3 likes and/or dislikes ?

Are there other areas adjacent to LWR we should look at ?

Thanks...

[joshan]

34211 & 34202

[StraightTalker2022]

Firstly, Lakewood Ranch is an area, not a town. Sections of the ranch's south of University are in SRQ County and the Ranch area north of University are in Manatee County. One is basically Bradenton, the other Sarasota. Many do not like the stigma attached to Bradenton. It's an address "thing". Basically comes down to the builder and the type of home you prefer. The price points, although dropping from pandemic high's, are still somewhat overvalued considering that existing homes are competing with new construction. I know a lot of people who lasted 4-5 years up in LWR , then found themselves moving closer to either Tampa or downtown SRQ. The overcrowded questions re: Doctors, traffic etc.. definitely exist, like in any rapidly growing community. These days. I'm driving around in circles to get a parking space. I'd look 5 -10 years out, because you may be enduring an entirely different landscape. Many of the protected wetland areas are being compromised for new development. Basically, we are losing charm and appeal. Some of the newer eastern sections of Lakewood Ranch are "out there" near 675 and are becoming uncommuntable for areas, close to and south of the City of Sarasota. If you're beach person, you will be using the Manatee Co beaches; forget Siesta Key. The travel time is ever increasing with road construction and sheer volume from the influx of new residents, especially now during tourist season. I have a feeling it will feel more like tourist season 'all year long" very soon. Some areas between SRQ and Naples are less crowded.

[beach43ofus]

If you have kids, I think Lakewood Ranch is the only way to go in this forum area...or the close by surrounding areas...I like the Sarasota County part of LR down by Clark Rd...Skye Ranch area.

If you don't have kids, then proximity to beach, & healthcare, could become key.

LR has UTC Mall, and all the retail & restaurants you'll need. Driving into Sarasota will become a pain, & you'll stop doing it, or do it less.

If you are beach people, look futher South. Wellen Park, or the new Beach Walk community near Manasota Key beach is much closer to the beach...or Boca Royale. These areas are not as busy as LR is...yet.

If you are not beach people, & hospitals's & specialists are not key, I like Estero south of this forum area.

If healthcare is key, stay as close to Sarasota Memorial Hospital as possible. That is most of all the specialists are, & you could still find yourself driving to Tampa for some specialists.

Your needs and wants is what drives this decision...& the future forecast for any area you are considering.

The traffic in the heart of LR might drive you nutty if you have to venture out during rush hour daily.

If you are not avid golfers, avoid golf communities.

[joshan]

Great advice from Beach..

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by joshan

Great advice from Beach..

Yes, I agree.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by NextExit40Miles

...
How are the hospitals, medical centers, urgent care facilities....

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the best around. Main hospital in Sarasota and new hospital in Venice. Sarasota Memorial also has free standing Urgent Care centers in various metro locations, plus some free standing ERs. The Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care locations sometimes have outpatient Imaging centers and labs in same building.

Doctors Hospital in Sarasota also rates pretty good, but Sarasota Memorial is the best rated in the area and is one of the best rated hospitals in the state.

[Sunshine Rules]

We're considering a move to LWR, looking for a 3/2 around 1800-2k sf, 2 car, 60 lot on waterfront if possible.

What are the boundaries of LWR, Google has it as University to SR70 N/S and I75 to Lorraine E/W. Is this correct ?

This link is to the current map of Lakewood Ranch -- keep in mind that LWR is continually expanding eastward (past Lorraine Rd) and also now southward (into Sarasota county). The northern border is fixed at State Rd 64 (not 70) and to the west by I-75.
https://lakewoodranch.com/around-the...ommunity-maps/


How are the hospitals, medical centers, urgent care facilities, doctors ? We looked in other areas, but the hospitals were not the best.
Is the area becoming overcrowded in that doctors are not taking new patients ?

Lakewood Ranch has a hospital but, as others have said, Sarasota Memorial is the largest hospital in our area with Doctors Hospital coming in 2nd. Bradenton has 2 hospitals as well, but they are not ranked as highly as the 3 mentioned here.

Roadways sufficient ? Traffic, congestion ?

Traffic bottlenecks during the AM and PM commuting times at University Pkwy, State Rd 70 & 64. Mostly between I-75 and Lakewood Ranch Blvd.


Home prices seem rather high, any opinions on this tapering off some ?

Since it first opened, Lakewood Ranch has been popular with buyers. It consistently ranks #2 in the nation for planned communities. House prices reflect the popularity. They have leveled off to some degree over the past few months but LWR is always quick to rebound when housing takes off.


Hurricane/flood concerns ? Is the whole of LWR relatively safe ? Are there sections more prone to flooding ? What is the evacuation zoning for LWR ?

Most of Lakewood Ranch is within flood zone x, meaning not a flood zone. However, some homes in specific locations are located within designated flood zone AE. FEMA has flood maps of the area, as do both Manatee and Sarasota counties - for the portions located within their jurisdiction.

Info on evacuation zones for Manatee county at: https://www.mymanatee.org/department...cuation_levels

for Sarasota: https://www.scgov.net/government/eme...uation-centers

I personally live about 5 miles west of Lakewood Ranch, have been here for 19 years and have never had to evacuate during a hurricane.


Property taxes, HOA fees, CDD fees ? Home insurance ? Are they more or less inline with other areas in Florida ?

HOA fees are going to vary according to amenities each neighborhood offers. More amenities, higher HOA fees. Many of the newer ones include lawn mowing as part of the monthly fees.

Property taxes are based on assessed value and millage rates. The property appraiser's website has great info regarding that. Along with an entire section devoted to Homestead Exemption for those residents who owner occupy the property as their main residence.

With just a couple of exceptions, all of LWR homes are located in Community Development Districts (CDD) south of State Rd 70 or Stewardship Districts (same as CDD) north of State Rd 70. The CDD fees are included in the annual property tax bill. The biggest portion, the bond portion, will get paid off after a specific time period - usually 20 or 30 years. The maintenance portion, the smaller part, does not go away.

Home insurance in general in FL has gotten more expensive over the past few years but many experienced larger rate hikes in 2023 for number of reasons. There are threads here and on the FL forum regarding that will go into detail.

The newer the home, the better the insurance rates because the hurricane building codes are better. To get the best rates look for homes build 2004 or later. Age of roof is also very important as insurance companies here don't like roofs 15 years or age or older. Again, that's another forum topic with lots of info that I won't go into here.


Are there other areas adjacent to LWR we should look at ?

Yes, there are lots of other options. The southern end of Palmer Ranch is very popular with those wanting newer construction. Keep in mind though that although Palmer Ranch is a master planned community it is nothing like Lakewood Ranch with it's shopping centers, Rec centers, commercial areas, parks, etc.

Lots of buyers have been moving into the Nokomis / north Venice area (just south of Palmer Ranch), they are also going east of I-75 between the south end of Lakewood Ranch and the north end of Venice. Wellen Park (actually located within the boundaries of North Port), which most call south Venice, is another newer and popular planned community that is sort of a smaller version of Lakewood Ranch but growing.

And just north of Lakewood Ranch's boundary of State Rd 64 are lots of new and newer communities in the Parrish area that trend to somewhat lower prices than Lakewood Ranch.

To name a few..........

[Ron61]

I hope you like traffic congestion

[joshan]

Originally Posted by Ron61

I hope you like traffic congestion

The people who say this obviously never lived up north. Traffic here is a breeze comparatively. This scare tactic will not work to chase away northern buyers

Going to a Bulls game at the United Center and live 35 miles away? Better leave 4 hours pregame