sarasota,nokomis,bradenton (Tampa, Plantation, Country Club: rental, HOA fees, home builders)

[sunny60]

We are a couple in our early 50s looking to relocate to the area.Also our 20 year old daughter will be coming with us.We would like to purchase a home cash in the 200 to 300 range.What neighborhoods would you rec.we look at.We would prefer someyhing west of 75.We would like a freindly active neighborhood where people actually do things,we are into biking,fishing,golfing,etc.We have noticed bradenton is somewhat less expensive but dont know about its reputation,We are leanining more toward osprey,nokomis.It seems a little less hectic.We are coming down in april to look things over,We havent been to the area in 7 years,we have family up in the tampa area but feel the weather is a little better down in sarasota,is that true.thanks

[SoFLGal]

If you want less hectic you'll do better looking slightly south of the Sarasota area. You mentioned Osprey and Nokomis and you might want to include the Venice area and possibly Englewood.

Here are a few communities that I think will fit your needs:

IslandWalk at West Villages North Port/Venice line-Spanning 860 acres, this gated community offers residents with a wide array of different activities and amenities. Along with the waterfront Town Center, there are also eight lighted tennis courts, bocce courts, basketball courts, a lap pool, fitness center and a heated lagoon style pool. IslandWalk has a very active social calendar.

Pelican Point Golf & Country Club, Venice-Situated on 1,000 acres, this master-planned, gated community places residents within minutes of trendy shopping areas and the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The community itself was constructed by Sam Rogers, one of the most distinguished Florida home builders. More than half of Pelican Pointe has been dedicated to recreational amenities and natural habitat preservation, thus providing residents with the opportunity to live within a lush, tropical setting and yet enjoy a full array of modern activities.

Perhaps the most striking features of Pelican Pointe is the 27-hole championship golf course. This Ted McAnlis course was voted to be Best of the Best Golf and Country Club courses by magazines in the local area for several years running. In addition, there is also a spacious clubhouse that comprises some 22,000 square feet and features a pool, elegant dining room, lounge and fitness area. Along with a pro shop and two tennis courts, local residents can be assured they will never lack for something to do. Whether you want to dine with friends at the local restaurant, take a golf lesson, practice your swing or stroll through the many nature preserves, there is truly always something to keep you occupied at Pelican Pointe.

Plantation Golf & Country Club, Venice-Plantation Golf & Country Club is one of the best high-end, luxury communities in the local Venice area. Just a few of the amenities residents here are able to enjoy thirteen Har-Tru tennis courts, a fitness center, heated junior Olympic size swimming pool and spacious clubhouse for both private and public dining.

Along with all of these amenities, Plantation Golf & Country Club is also world-renowned for its excellent golfing facilities. The 36-hole championship golf course, designed by Ron Garl, would be enough to recommend it, but the amenities do not stop there. It is actually only one of the two LPGA Annual Tour qualifying golf courses in the entire nation. LPGA and PGA professionals are located on site to help ensure the playing experience is always positive and well-rounded.

Venetian Golf & River Club, Venice-The River Club has Elegant fine dining & lounge, Staffed fitness center, six tennis courts, massage room, two resort style pools, two banquet rooms, a spa, golfing, nature trails, a boardwalk to the Myakka River and canoe launch and a full time activities director.

Venice Golf & Country Club, Venice-Featuring nearly 600 homes on a sprawling 460 acre expanse of deed-restricted, gated property, Venice Golf & Country Club is one of the premier communities in Venice, Florida. A stunning array of 26 lakes, Venice Golf & Country Club is also home to 56 acres of lush tropical gardens and preserves. Nature lovers will feel as though they are right at home in this carefully designed resort style community. Perhaps one of the most distinctive features of the community is the 18-hole challenging championship golf course. The course was designed by well known Ted McAnlis and has been recently renovated to ensure it provides players with entertainment and challenge.

Venice Golf & Country Club also offers an array of luxury amenities, including a lap pool, clubhouse, tennis lounge and even a spacious fitness center that looks out over the golf course and pool.

Southbay Yacht & Racquet Club, Osprey-Southbay is truly ideal for any prospective buyer who is looking for a high-end community right on the Bay where they can enjoy exclusive marina privileges and get away from the hustle and bustle of Sarasota. Homeowners in Southbay are also entitled to the use of the gorgeous clubhouse, which is perfect for holding social events, as well as the heated community swimming pool. There are also several miles of walking trails for those homeowners who enjoy keeping up with a fitness routine or who simply want to soak up the pleasure of the surrounding natural beauty.

Located just across the street is Oscar Scherer State Park. The trails here are perfect for biking and hiking while taking a peak at the surrounding native Florida landscape and wildlife. The park is also home to its own beachfront lake, Osprey Lake. Offering canoe rental services, picnic sites and camp sites, this state park is a haven for nature lovers.

If you wanted to venture into the southern part of Sarasota I would suggest looking at the Palmer Ranch community. Most of these subdivison are located very close to The Legacy Trail: The Legacy Trail or Friends of the Legacy Trail Home Page-

Country Club of Sarasota, Sarasota-The Country Club of Sarasota is situated in the Palmer Ranch development. The homes presented in this community border the manicured fairways of the Prestancia golf course. If you enjoy tennis, you will welcome the fact that the Country Club of Sarasota is also home to the Serendipity Racket Club. Of course, for golf aficionados, residents are able to benefit from members to Prestancia golf course.

Homes in the Country Club of Sarasota are spread out over no less than 565 acres, planted with lush tropical landscaping to provide that much coveted Old Florida setting.

The surrounding Palmer Ranch area is also highly popular due to the amenities available in the nearby area and its location. As a resident here, you will be literally within just blocks of the Sarasota Square Mall. In the same local vicinity you will also have easy access to the Potter Park YMCA and the local water park. Numerous shopping venues are available within just a short driving distance.

Prestancia, Palmer Ranch, Sarasota-Prestancia stands out among the expansive Palmer Ranch development. The two private 18-hole golf courses, The Club Course and the Stadium Course span more than 565 acres of lush and beautiful landscaping.

VillageWalk, Palmer Ranch, Sarasota-VillageWalk is part of the beautiful master-planned community of Palmer Ranch. Residents here are able to enjoy a plethora of amenities, including walking trails as well as lake views and nature preserves. As you might guess from the name, one of the benefits of living here is that you are able to enjoy a village like environment that also includes exclusive resort style amenities. A few of the amenities are the fitness center, two swimming pools and Har-Tru tennis courts. In addition, there is also a town center located in VillageWalk that is available for the use of residents only and includes a deli, gas station, post office, bank and much more.

[Sunshine Rules]

Hi Sunny,

You mentioned some of the activities you like doing, such as golf. Many of the golfing communities, including some already mentioned here, have mandatory club membership with pricey up front membership fees and/or annual dues and other fees. Is that something you are willing to consider to get the amenities you want? Or would you prefer a community with lower HOA fees but access to activities nearby?

You also mentioned you like biking and fishing. There are several neighborhoods in the Palm Aire - Mote Ranch area in south Manatee county (just north of University Parkway) that you may want to consider. And residents of Mote Ranch have access to a small community center with a pool, nature trail, private dock and canoe/kayak launch on the Braden River. The Palm Aire country club http://www.palmaire.net has a golf course open to the public and offers various tiers of membership, including some seasonal options, but residents in Palm Aire are not obligated to join. Mote Ranch neighborhoods include Mote Ranch, Copper Ridge, Chaparral, Longpond at Mote Ranch, Grand Point, Meadowlake, Misty Lake and Riverbend. Palm Aire would be Desoto Lakes Country Club, Country Lakes and Palm Aire. Some of those neighborhoods would definitely have homes in your price range. You'll find HOA fees in much of Palm Aire at $65 to $120 per year and most of Mote Ranch at less than $700 per year.

Have you thought of The Meadows just south of University Parkway in Sarasota? The Meadows is an older but well maintained community with a country club (optional) Meadows Country Club - Home and 3 golf courses. I like the Meadows, the streets are winding and tree shaded. It offers about 12 miles of hiking, biking and fitness trails that wind throughout the 1600 acre community. The Meadows has lots of lakes and ponds and wooded preserve areas. I always see people out riding bikes or walking whenever I am in the Meadows. They also have a small community shopping center where they also hold seasonal events. You'll find many of the homes have HOA fees of around $600 per year.


Both of these options would give you access to the activities you want, yet would be close enough to all of the things that Sarasota offers to keep a 20 year old happy.


In the Nokomis area you may want to check out Sorrento Woods. Although it is not a golf course community, there are golf courses nearby. Sorrento Woods does have a private park with boat docks and ramp so you'd have fishing opportunities. Homes were built in the 1980's. The HOA fees run about $240 per year.

Also in Nokomis is Sorrento East Sorrento East Property Owners' Association. Homes here were built mainly in the 1970's. The community is next door to the Oscar Scherer State Park, so access to lots of outdoor recreational activities. The HOA fees run about $40 per year.


I agree with you about Sarasota weather. In the winter months Tampa is frequently the dividing line for frost or freezes. For some reason, the Tampa Bay area also seems to attract heavier storms in the summer. Perhaps it has something to do with the bay waters?