SARASOTA COUNTY
County Offices
1660 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota
941-861-5111
www.scgov.net
Chamber of Commerce
1945 Fruitville Road
Sarasota
941-955-8187
www.sarasotachamber.org
Sarasota County is situated on Florida’s Gulf Coast, long cherished as a resort destination but evolving into a premier community in which to live and work as well as play. This area is developing a deepening diversity and sophistication, largely driven by incentives for economic growth and development. Newcomers are quick to appreciate the unparalleled quality of life, and communities that were once primarily retirement havens are welcoming an influx of families and young professionals.
Services
Excellent schools, expanding employment opportunities, and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities are some of the key ingredients to Sarasota County’s success. The change in this region’s culture is underlined by the move of the Jackson Hewitt Technology Center from Virginia Beach to Sarasota — only one example of a skyrocketing technology sector. The Sarasota County School District was one of two in Florida that received the “Blue Ribbon” ranking from Expansion Management magazine. Area schools boast excellent teacher-student ratios, technology-driven classrooms, and ongoing campaigns for improvements and upgrades. More than 30 independent schools ensure options for a private education in alternative environments that include religiously affiliated schools.
Noted in Fiske Guide to Colleges as the only public college in Florida named a “best buy,” the New College of Florida was also ranked in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance among the best values in public higher education. Opportunities are available for career and vocational training within the public school system, while several private companies throughout the county provide technology training from simple computer instruction to programming. Other options for higher education close to home include Argosy University, Eckerd College programs, Goshen College, International College, Keiser College, Manatee Community College, Ringling School of Art and Design, the University of South Florida, and Webster University.
New residents will be pleased to discover that Sarasota County is recognized as a leader in healthcare trends and breakthroughs in medical technology. Nearly 70 hospitals are available in the Greater Tampa Bay Region, including 50 general surgical hospitals. Throughout the county, a comprehensive network of supportive clinics and specialty groups meet every need from routine to highly advanced. Well-respected hospitals and medical centers, emergency care centers, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care, and family practice clinics are just a few of the resources that are available close to home. Major hospitals within the county include All Children’s Specialty Care of Sarasota, Bon Secours-Venice Hospital and Healthpark, Englewood Community Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Lifestyle
Award-winning beaches, balmy weather, and a complete range of recreational and cultural attractions make Sarasota County a year-round paradise. In fact, the sheer quantity of cultural offerings has made the county the “the nation’s per capital arts capital” according to Southern Living magazine. Few communities of this size can boast their own symphony, opera, ballet, and state museum. The development of the arts is due in part to the reputation of this region as an artist’s colony. In turn, this impressive pool of talent and an active arts council has supported the proliferation of fine museums and galleries, theaters, and celebrated musical and dance groups. Elegant performance halls like the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center and the Florida State University Center for Performing Arts combine with smaller venues to fill the calendar with exciting events.
Sarasota County’s natural beauty, sugar-white beaches, and vast open space guarantee that the ideal setting is available for every outdoor and recreational activity. The pristine 35-mile waterfront encourages boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and operating personal watercraft. More than 60 public and private golf courses combine with first-rate facilities for tennis, polo, baseball, ice hockey, football, the martial arts, and overall fitness. Baseball fans will want to catch the spring training games, while others may prefer to explore the many options for hiking, biking, camping, and canoeing.
Attractions that are unique to this area include the famous shark-research institute called Mote Marine Laboratory, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary, the Myakka River State Park, Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and Warm Mineral Springs. “Something for everyone” has never been truer than in Sarasota County. Based on decades of tourism and a thriving hospitality industry, this area features exceptional opportunities for shopping and dining. Intimate boutiques, eclectic shops, and fine galleries in lovely districts join contemporary malls filled with easily recognizable and popular retailers and leading department stores.
The housing options in Sarasota County range from bayside mansions to charming bungalows or “Old Florida” homes shaded by ancient greenery. Whether your dream is a waterfront manor or an elegant golf-course condominium, this area is known for the quality and diversity of its home selection. Historic neighborhoods dotted with Spanish-style bungalows contrast with vibrant new construction in upscale developments. Claiming some of Florida’s most gracious homes, the county offers its residents the advantage of being within 15 minutes of the water in most cases. From every perspective, Sarasota County emerges as one of the most desirable homes in the nation.
Englewood-Cape Haze
County Offices
941-861-5111
Chamber of Commerce
941-474-5511
www.englewoodchamber.com
Nestled in the southern end of Sarasota County, the Englewood and the Cape Haze region stretches into the western end of Charlotte County on the Gulf of Mexico. Like many of the residential developments in Sarasota County, this area blends full-time residents with seasonal visitors and vacationers. Four lovely gulf beaches, two state parks, and miles of fishing opportunities along Lemon Bay and the Charlotte Harbor Estuary are included in the recreational highlights. Enjoying water sports or playing golf and tennis on professional facilities are popular pastimes. Nature enthusiasts will discover premier areas for wildlife viewing and bird-watching. While retirees make up a significant segment of the population, many young families are at home in Englewood as well.
Long Boat Key
Town Hall
941-316-1999
www.longboatkey.org
Chamber of Commerce
941-383-2466
www.longboatkeychamber.com
The beautiful town of Long Boat Key stretches narrowly for approximately 11 sun-drenched miles between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Although about 8,000 residents enjoy year-round waterfront living; this area also welcomes throngs of visitors who enjoy the surrounding restaurants, resorts, clubs, recreational facilities, and beaches. With an average temperature of 73 degree, shelling, biking, shopping, fishing, playing tennis, and golfing are all popular activities. Known as a “private island paradise,” the community is just a few minutes drive from Sarasota with its exceptional urban amenities and cultural attractions. Longboat Key offers first-rate shopping, although the upscale shops at St. Armands Circle are only a bridge away.
North Port
City Hall
941-426-8484
www.cityofnorthport.com
Chamber of Commerce
941-423-5040
www.northportareachamber.com
A relatively new community incorporated in 1959, North Port has recently expanded from its original 76 square miles to 103 square miles in area to accommodate new growth. Residential and commercial developments are both on the rise in this well-balanced and attractive community. Once considered a comfortable haven for retirees, the city has been attracting an increasing number of families in recent years. One of the primary factors in this change in demographics is the area’s excellent school system. Newcomers are also drawn to the bright sunshine and comfortable weather conditions that create such a relaxed and leisurely style of living around the four seasons. Many homeowners in North Port — even novice gardeners — showcase lush lawns graced by bright flower beds and artful landscaping. The many canals and lakes make this an ideal location for anglers and boating or water-sport enthusiasts.
Sarasota
City Hall
941-954-4117
www.sarasotagov.com
Chamber of Commerce
Sarasota 941-955-8187
www.sarasotachamber.org
“A city where urban amenities meets small-town living” is the slogan of Sarasota, the leading community in Sarasota County. The city serves as the cultural, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and healthcare hub of the county and is rapidly gaining attention as one of the nation’s premier locations in which to live, work, and raise a family. Sparkling beaches and an enviable year-round climate has made this area internationally famous for the “good life.” Top-rated schools, an affordable cost of living, outstanding healthcare facilities, premier cultural attractions, and a flourishing local economy are just a few of the hallmarks of Sarasota. The city is home to wonderful residential options that range from long-established neighborhoods of well-kept older homes to new construction and upscale developments.
Siesta Key
County Offices
941-955-0991
http://www.visitsarasota.org/beaches-places/siesta-key
Chamber of Commerce
941-349-3800
www.siestakeychamber.com
The community of Siesta Key is situated on an eight-mile barrier island that is connected to Sarasota by two bridges. Founded in 1846, this long-established vacation destination is home to nearly 25,000 residents in high season. The community is 55 miles south of Tampa, providing residents with an ideal location in close proximity to cosmopolitan amenities. While Sarasota provides every urban amenity, Siesta Key is secluded enough to preserve much of the feeling of “Old Florida.” Lush foliage including mature trees and tropical flowering shrubs line the meandering roads that lead to the village and the beaches. Refreshingly natural, the beachfront protects wild sea oats and mangroves that create a protective habitat for scores of native island birds. Dolphins, manatees, and other aquatic wildlife can be seen just offshore.
Venice, Laurel, Nokomis, Osprey, South Venice
City Hall
941-486-2626
www.venicegov.com
Chamber of Commerce
941-488-2366
www.venicechamber.com
The city of Venice and surrounding communities offer a pleasing atmosphere that blends suburbia with rural charm. Thriving businesses, an active arts community, and natural beauty make this area a popular one. Newcomers in all stages of life will find the Venice area to be a comfortable “hometown.” Just beyond the city limits is South Venice, conveniently located along US 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail. The south campus for Manatee Community College complements neighborhoods of lovely homes and upscale golf-course enclaves. The most northern of the Venice communities is Osprey, harmonizing older neighborhoods with an elegant golf-course development. The recreational attractions of Oscar Scherer State Park and Historic Spanish Point enable this area to preserve its natural beauty. Nokomis grew up just north of Venice and once claimed more cows than people. Today, Nokomis stretches east from Casey Key to Interstate 75 and offers a wide selection of homes that include waterfront properties that command breathtaking Gulf views. Taking its names from native trees, Laurel offers a quiet residential community between Osprey and Nokomis that retains its country flavor in spite of rapid growth.
