Sarasota

Architecturally diverse and filled with retail and dining options, Southside is an eclectic neighborhood that provides a unique slice of life on Sarasota’s waterfront. The neighborhood is anchored by Southside Village, a walkable commercial district that is home to an array of popular eateries and boutique shops. Additional convenience is provided by the neighborhood’s location – bordered on the west by Sarasota Bay and on the east by the buzzy Tamiami Trail corridor. Residents also enjoy proximity to a highly rated neighborhood elementary school with a rich history and the main campus of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The neighborhood’s single-family housing is a colorful mix of shapes, sizes and styles. Large Spanish Mediterranean homes with easily recognizable terra cotta roofs and ornate facades stand out among the collection of homes that line Southside’s narrow, tree-lined streets. A handful of smaller Spanish Mission-style dwellings also can be found. In contrast, modern-style homes and smaller contemporary homes feature clean lines and muted colors. Additional architectural diversity is represented by Colonial Revival homes and their window-heavy asymmetrical facades, traditional Florida ranch-style homes on spacious lots and cozy, colorful shotgun-style homes. The majority of homes occupy a price range between $700,000 and $4 million, although the largest waterfront homes can list for as much as $12 million. Multi-family options include condominiums starting in the mid-$200,000s. At the southern edge of the neighborhood along Tamiami Trail is a Publix-anchored shopping center. On the northern edge is the commercial heart of the neighborhood, Southside Village. The quaint district is home to Morton’s Market, a family owned community staple since 1969, and a variety of boutique shops that include Marmalade Salon and Beautiful You consignment store. Among the many eateries located at Southside Village are popular spots such as Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, Veronica Fish and Oyster, Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Café and Perq Coffee Bar. Located immediately north and also considered part of Southside Village is the Sarasota campus of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Caddy corner to the hospital complex is the Sarasota Art Museum. Governed by the Ringling Board of Trustees, the world-renowned contemporary art museum advertises itself as a “platform for education, exposure and experimentation.” In addition to the dedicated exhibition space, the 15,000-square-foot facility also features an auditorium for educational and performing arts presentations and a sculpture courtyard. In addition to the myriad fishing and boating opportunities afforded by living along Sarasota Bay in close proximity to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, residents also can access Siesta Key via Siesta Drive on the community’s south side. Just across the Siesta Key North Bridge is Nora Patterson Bay Island Park, a tranquil island green space known for the native birds that populate its shores. Nearby Bonita Park is part of a network of neighborhood green spaces featuring public art, including the nearly 100-year-old Granada Fountain at Bonita Park. The other network parks, all of which feature statuary amid peaceful residential settings, are San Remo Park, McClellan Park and Seminole Linear Park. Southside Elementary School, a historically significant institution, is centrally located within the community. Built in 1926 as part of the Florida Land Boom, the Mediterranean Revival building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Southside today is among three highly rated schools that neighborhood students can attend, along with Brookside Middle and Sarasota High. All three schools are rated A-minus by Niche. The high school is home to the Sailor Circus Academy, which offers a hands-on program for aspiring performers. Residents have quick and easy access to points along the Gulf Coast via the Tamiami Trail, which also serves as one of the region’s most-traveled roadways. Venice to the south and Bradenton to the north are both located about 15 miles away along the trail. Interstate 275 can be accessed in Bradenton for travel to nearby St. Petersburg and Tampa. Closer to home, Tamiami Trail also is dotted with bus stops, providing convenient public transportation for work commutes or travel throughout the city.

Right by the riverfront and next to downtown Sarasota, Hudson Bayou offers an attractive and convenient location to homebuyers looking for a nautical lifestyle. "Sarasota is very location-driven because of the water," says Amber Lynch, a realtor with Compass Real Estate. "So anytime you have a centralized location on the water, that has great appeal. You can get downtown quickly, but you're not in downtown—you're still in a very established neighborhood with a wide range of architectural styles. That adds more character to the neighborhood and attracts a diverse group of homebuyers." Residents live within walking distance of Selby Gardens, Burns Court, Towles Court, the post office, Island Park, downtown, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Southside Village and many restaurants, cultural amenities, shops and services. Hudson Bayou is also only 15 minutes from the white sand beaches of Siesta Key and Lido Key. Much of the community is walkable, with many amenities, eateries and services accessible on foot. Otherwise, Breeze Transit bus stops are scattered along South Tamiami Trail, making it easy to get around the city. South Tamiami Trail is also a major road, providing simple commutes by car. Beautiful foliage and mature trees abound in the area, and neighborhood homes show a great deal of character and individuality. Waterfront Mediterranean mansions, newly constructed modern estates, Spanish Mission villas, Prairie-style houses and midcentury ramblers can be found in the neighborhood at different price points. Mansions sitting right in front of the bayou can sell for up to $28.5 million, though most homes in the area range from $850,000 to $6 million. Home prices represent its desirable location since the entire community is within walking distance from Sarasota Bay. Spanish Mission estates date back to the 1920s, Prairie-style homes date back to the 1930s and midcentury ramblers date back to the 1940s, all representing an Old Florida charm. Multilevel contemporary homes are popping up as part of a "tear down" trend of smaller homes being razed to make way for larger, modern residences. Additionally, the Hudson Landings complex offers two and three-bedroom condominiums with private boat slips on the bayou. The lowest-cost housing in the area would be a 743-square-foot, two-bedroom condo unit in the Hillsprey Villas subdivision, which costs around $350,000. Children in the area attend Alta Vista Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of B-plus. Next, they attend Brookside Middle School, which has an overall Niche grade of A-minus and is ranked the eighth-best public middle school in Sarasota County. Teenagers attend Sarasota High School, which has an overall Niche grade of A-minus and is ranked the fourth-best public high school in Sarasota County. Sarasota High School offers classes in circus performing, which is fitting given that the Sailor Circus began at the school as a halftime tumbling routine in 1949. Today, the Sailor Circus is a well-known performance group for fourth through 12th-grade area students. Hudson Bayou counts the fascinating Marie Selby Botanical Gardens among its attractions. Located on the banks of Sarasota Bay, the internationally recognized research and education facility is a bayfront oasis boasting a collection of more than 20,000 living plants, including more than 4,000 orchids. The facility also features regular exhibitions and classes along with youth summer camps. For regular outdoor recreation, Seminole Linear Park is a pretty, tree-lined paved path perfect for neighborhood strolls and walks with man's best friend. Another highlight is the nearby Sarasota Art Museum, a world-renowned destination for contemporary art. Adjacent to the neighborhood is Southside Village, a compact shopping and dining district. "You can walk or ride your bike to it," says Lynch. "That kind of convenience makes Hudson Bayou unique compared to other communities." The village's most well-known tenant is Morton's Market, a family-owned grocer that's been a part of the community since 1969. Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie is an eclectic restaurant whose popular dishes include Grandma Guli's meatballs, the Krabby Patty sandwich and the kale Caesar salad. Boutiques include Beautiful You, an upscale consignment store. For everything else, there's Tamiami Trail, Sarasota's primary retail and dining corridor, which also provides Hudson Bayou residents easy access to greater Sarasota.

South Gate Ridge is a southern Sarasota neighborhood that offers secluded, suburban living with relatively easy access to downtown Sarasota. “You still have the luxuries of Florida coastal living and are close to downtown’s amenities, but it’s more relaxed and a little bit of a slower pace here,” says Rodney Miles, a Realtor with Private Wealth Realty, who’s been selling homes in the area for nearly five years. Groundbreaking for the community started in 1955, and the South Gate Community Association was formed one year later. The land was once primarily used for growing citrus trees, and some of these original trees are still growing in the yards of some homes. Ranches are the predominant single-family styles in the neighborhood. “Those are classic Florida homes,” says Miles. “Most of the construction was done in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.” Larger-sized craftsman and contemporary-style homes can be found in self-contained subdivisions and deed-restricted communities. Homes here typically sell for $400,000 to $600,000. TreGate East is a 55-and-up community in the north end with condos that sell for $200,000 to $300,000. Kids may start at Wilkinson Elementary, which gets a B grade from Niche, before transitioning to Brookside Middle, which has an A-minus. Students may then attend Riverview High, which earns an A grade and offers a unique Marine Science program. Next door to Wilkinson Elementary is the Triad Alternative School, which offers students in sixth through 12th grades the opportunity to catch up on coursework in a smaller classroom environment. Nearby is the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab, an independent facility with a mission to “bring science to life” and inspire the next generation of innovators through STEAM-focused classes, clubs and camps. The center also provides classrooms across the region with science kits through its Lending Library program. Red Bug Slough Preserve features 2 miles of unpaved trails amid native trees and wildlife on more than 70 acres of protected land. The preserve also offers a playground, picnic area and a fishing dock. Just east of the neighborhood is the Legacy Bike Trail, which stretches over 18 miles from downtown Sarasota to Venice. There’s also Bee Ridge Park with a playground, baseball diamonds and a sand volleyball court. Just north is the Village Green Country Club, an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop and PGA Professionals on staff. The Bee Ridge Road corridor, which forms the northern border of South Gate Ridge, provides easy access to Sarasota Village, a shopping mall that includes a Publix and a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Additional retail and dining options can be found on the southern edge of the neighborhood along Clark Road, like Millie’s, a local brunch spot that’s been serving American comfort foods in Sarasota since 1959. South Gate Ridge is located 35 miles south of St. Petersburg. Because of the neighborhood’s suburban streetscape, the area is mostly car-dependent. Highway 41 is 2 miles west and offers easy access to the rest of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

A mostly residential community just south of Downtown Sarasota, Arlington Park maintains its historic appeal amid change. That change is most noticeable in the contemporary new-builds popping up along its palm-tree-lined streets, often rising between more modest midcentury homes. "While there is great development going on, there is also the charm of Arlington Park," says Kathryn Scott, a seasoned Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty specializing in the Sarasota area. "It reminds me of a small town growing up, where neighbors know neighbors." Another plus is the neighborhood's location: being east of Tamiami Trail – and thus farther from Sarasota Bay – means homebuyers have the benefits of living close to the water without the added cost of living in a waterfront neighborhood. In fact, homes in Arlington Park average half the price of those in adjacent Southside, which sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Florida ranch homes and midcentury modern homes make up much of Arlington Park's single-family housing, and a collection of cozy bungalows, some built as far back as the 1920s, can also be found. Most are in the $500,000 to $800,000 range. Many new and pre-construction homes are built in a modern coastal or contemporary style and tend to be quite large, with around 3,000 square feet of living space. These homes are generally priced from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. There are also a few 55-plus communities, with condo units starting around $125,000. Arlington Park is a large urban green space that functions as the centerpiece of the neighborhood. "One of Arlington Park's great assets is the park itself," says Scott. "It's a wonderful benefit for the community, bringing families together, bringing kids together." There's an aquatics center featuring an Olympic-sized pool and an instructional pool, athletic courts and an outdoor fitness gym. The dog park hosts an annual Hounds on the Hunt Easter event, where dogs dress in costumes and search for the "Prize Egg." Arlington Park is also one of the locations on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. Arlington Park is part of Sarasota County Schools. Students can attend nearby schools including Alta Vista Elementary, with a B-plus rating on Niche; Brookside Middle, with a B-plus Niche rating; and Sarasota High School, ranked the #4 Best Public High School in Sarasota County with an A-minus rating on Niche. Sarasota High boasts a Circus Arts magnet program in partnership with Sarasota's Circus Arts Conservatory. Attractions nearby include The Sarasota Art Museum just to the north, and to the south is Southside Village, home to the family-owned Morton's Gourmet Market and Libby's Brasserie, which serves up French-inspired dishes in an upscale setting. For everyday essentials, the Publix Super Market is just a mile north via Tamiami Trail, dotted with pharmacies, gas stations and fast-food joints. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, one of the area's top employers, is just on the other side of Tamiami Trail. "It's all very, very convenient," says Scott. Arlington Park is about 2 miles from the bayfront beaches of Southside, and 6 miles from the Gulf beaches of Siesta Key. The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is also just 6 miles north via the Tamiami Trail.

Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Southgate offers a variety of amenities while being within reasonable distance of the region’s white sand beaches. The community’s proximity to these places, along with the reputation of the Sarasota County Schools, have been among the chief reasons many have flocked to this side of the Sarasota area. “There’s the school district, the proximity to the beach, the proximity to Southside Village and downtown Sarasota. And it’s close to the hospital,” says Carolyn Barker Collins, a Realtor with Premier Sothesby International Realty and who has lived in Southgate on several different occasions over the years. “It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Sarasota.” The community was years ago known for its orange groves, and it was once common for many homeowners to keep fruit trees in their yards. While the fruit trees are no longer prominent, other decades-old fixtures have maintained a key presence in the community. Among them is the South Gate Community Center, which was dedicated in 1956 and continues to serve as an anchor through its myriad of activities. "It's a great neighborhood," says Lisa Lewis, office manager with the South Gate Community Association, which manages the community center. "It's not overly deed restricted, but it's deed restricted enough to keep it looking nice. The people are super nice, too." There are many ranch-style homes in Southgate located on lots with spacious yards, and several of these typically single-story homes can come with other touches like the tiled roofs often seen in Spanish styles. There are also some two-story homes showing a variety of traditional architectural styles. Price points here can go from around $270,000 for two-bedroom condominiums, to the upper $500,000s and $600,000s for renovated 1960s ranch-style houses and well over $1 million for recently built or upcoming upscale homes. Southgate is served by schools in the Sarasota County Schools district, which received an overall A grade from ratings site Niche and ranks as the top school district in Florida. Among the schools that serve the community and reflect the overall district rating are Southside Elementary School, Brookside Middle School and Sarasota High School, all of which received grades of A-minus or higher from Niche. Sarasota High students can take part in the Cambridge AICE – Advanced International Certificate of Education – diploma program, which allows them to earn up to 45 college credit hours. With the completion of the program and 100 hours of community service, the students can receive a Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholars Scholarship. Dedicated in September 1956 and still operating out of the original building designed by Sarasota schools architect Victor Lundy, the center houses a community pool and hosts activities throughout the year that range from fitness classes to holiday gatherings and community garage sales. The venue also hosts private events like weddings. Just east of Phillippi Creek, which runs through the neighborhood, is the Palms Club at Forest Lakes, one of two 18-hole golf courses here. Daily men and women league competitions, as well as regular clinics, occur there. Southgate also isn’t far from the Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex located just north of the community on Waldemere Street. The parks offers a variety of recreational facilities, including a 50-meter – or roughly 55-yard – lap pool, a 25-yard instructional pool, basketball courts, a dog park and a half-mile walking trail. Southgate residents are close to a number of retail and dining spots. The Crossings at Siesta Key on the west side is home to Connors Steak & Seafood and the upscale movie theater, CineBistro. Groceries can be found at Publix, which anchors the nearby Shops at Siesta Row. Then, there is an eclectic mix of small restaurants and independent food markets on the neighborhood’s east side. While not in Southgate, the Southside Village along South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is about two miles north of the community center. Visitors to the Village will find Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie and gourmet pub fare at Gecko’s Grill & Pub. For entertainment and signature city events, Southgate residents can travel just a few miles north to downtown Sarasota where they’ll find live music at places at Molly’s Restaurant & Pub. They can also go a little farther west to the Marina Jack along the Sarasota Bay to enjoy events like the New Year’s Eve Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular. South Tamiami Trail – or U.S. Highway 41 – provides a direction connection Sarasota Memorial Hospital in the Southside Village. Downtown Sarasota can also be reached by continuing north on the highway.