Downtown Sarasota is at the heart of Florida’s Cultural Coast. There is a vibrant food scene, with dozens of restaurants and bars, several art galleries and boutiques and plenty of performing arts spaces. “The number one thing we hear when people come here is, ‘I had no idea all of this was here,’ ” says Kelly Harb, vice president of marketing and communications with Visit Sarasota. “They think they’re going to get here and it’s a sleepy little town. You see some beaches and water and, you know, that’s kind of it. They’re so surprised there’s something going on around every corner.” During Season, an increased number of tourists come to the area. However, the city makes sure that residents can enjoy the city’s amenities all year round.
Independent businesses foster small-town feel
Downtown Sarasota is at the heart of the city’s food scene, with over 60 restaurants and bars. “If you are not going to be a successful restaurant, you are not going to make it,” says Julia Montei, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, R.R.E. “So, the people that are here, they know what they are doing.” Restaurants range from Vino Bistro, a tapas place in the Rosemary District, to Duval’s, a Sarasota staple and seafood restaurant. Besides offering countless eateries, Downtown Sarasota features shops, boutiques and art galleries, most of which are independently owned. “We like the niche that we have as a small-town, charming shopping area,” says Chris Voelker, president of the Downtown Improvement District and owner of BESO and State Street Eating House + Cocktails, the latter having been voted the place to find the Best Cocktail by Sarasota Magazine readers for 12 years in a row. Bookstore1 Sarasota offers an extensive collection of books, clubs and a local author fair. Clothesline 529 exhibits contemporary art, while Helmuth Stone Gallery specializes in fine art. Publix is one of the grocery stores in the area, and people can find fresh produce at the Sarasota Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning. Lowe’s, Walmart and Target are all within 8 miles.
Fresh Fridays bring community together
Downtown Sarasota hosts several annual events, one of the most notable being the New Year’s Pineapple Drop. The celebration starts in the afternoon, with live music and food vendors, and goes on until midnight. Fresh Fridays are on the first Friday of the month. Local businesses participate in giveaways, and residents flood the streets to enjoy music and food with friends. Every month is something new. “Sometimes, people bring their toddlers dancing,” Voelker says. “Grandpa and Grandma are dancing. I look out at them, and it’s just joy.”
Walkability and public transit downtown
U.S. Route 41, known as Tamiami Trail, runs through Downtown Sarasota. Colorful statues or gardens decorate the center of roundabouts. Street parking is available in most parts of the city. Sidewalks line the streets, and crosswalks and traffic lights are at most major intersections. There are several options for public transportation, including the Breeze buses and the Bay Runner, an open-air trolley. There are also rentable scooters and bicycles. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is about 4 miles away. The airport is expanding, with a new terminal opening in early 2025. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is less than 1 mile outside of Downtown Sarasota.
Vibrant art scene on the Cultural Coast
Sarasota is also called Florida’s Cultural Coast because of its performing arts scene. “Within 1 mile of the downtown core, there are 13 stages,” Robinson says. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre is well known for attracting big-name comedians; the Sarasota Opera has been running for over 60 years. Nearly 4,400 living orchids are at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which also hosts exhibitions and events. The Green Orchid by Michael’s on East is a restaurant in the gardens that operates entirely on solar power, with most of the produce grown in a rooftop garden. The Ringling Museum, founded by circus icons and art collectors John and Mable Ringling, is about 4 miles away. The Bay is the newest addition to Downtown Sarasota’s selection of parks. Ten acres of this accessible park are already open. The final park will span 53 acres. There are walking trails, a playground and a paddle launch. “They do have a certain number of free kayaks, but reserving them is like trying to get concert tickets,” says Kathryn Plosica, Realtor and broker associate with Coldwell Banker Realty. “My husband and I rented a double kayak and went on a tour through the mangroves and then through downtown, behind the hotels. It took about 2 hours, and it was awesome.” The Bay also hosts events and activities such as movie nights, concerts and yoga classes. “One of my favorites was a sound bath with guided meditation,” Plosica says. At Bayfront Park, people can walk past sculptures and wildlife or run through the splash pad. Boaters can dock at Marina Jack, which also offers boat rentals. The Breeze trolley connects Downtown Sarasota to Siesta Key, making it easy to get to the beach.
Bayfront condos over $1 million
Condos built in the last 20 years make up most of the residences in Downtown Sarasota, including bayfront properties. Older units are on the outskirts of the city. Single-family properties include cottages and ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and early 2000s. Single-family homes on the outskirts of downtown can cost $250,000 to $600,000. Closer to the downtown core, prices range from $650,000 to $1 million; prices closest to the water can exceed $1.5 million. Condos on the outskirts of town can range from $150,000 to $300,000. Prices fall between $350,000 and well over $2 million as condos get closer to the water, depending on location and amenities.
Sarasota resilience following major storms
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Sarasota is at a very high risk of hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. In 2024, the city was impacted by three major storms – hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton – between August and October. By early December of that year, much of the debris had been collected and parks began reopening. “The city and the county have been amazing in their restoration efforts, picking up the debris and just trying to get people back into pre-storm mode,” Plosica says.
Circus Arts Magnet at local high school
Downtown Sarasota is part of Sarasota County Schools, which offers school choice. Alta Vista Elementary School receives a B-plus from Niche. Brookside Middle School and Sarasota High School are both rated A-minus. Sarasota High has several special programs, including the Circus Arts Magnet. Enrolled students work with the Sarasota Circus Arts Conservatory to learn about the city’s rich history in the circus, physics and performing arts. Pine View School is a public charter that earns an A from Niche and teaches gifted students from second through 12th grade.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Gillespie Park
Whitaker Gateway Park
Bayfront Park Sarasota
Causeway Park
Five Points Park
Island Park
Pioneer Park
Charles Ringling Park
Myakka State Park
Transit
Airport
Sarasota/Bradenton International
10 min drive
Bus
Bahia Vista St & S Euclid Ave
Bus
Us 41 N & 10th St Sb
Bus
N Orange Ave & Carver St
Bus
Fruitville Rd & N Jefferson Ave
Bus
Bahia Vista St & S Shade Ave
Bus
Cocoanut Ave & 9th St
Bus
N Tamiami Trl & 11th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Sarasota
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Sarasota, Sarasota sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Sarasota, Sarasota over the last 12 months is $1,167,416, down 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover Luxury Living at Laurel on the Water! Nestled within an exclusive enclave of seven canal-front townhomes, 1720 Alderman St embodies contemporary elegance and coastal refinement in the heart of Sarasota, Florida. Priced at $1,860,000, this newly constructed, three-story townhouse (with elevator) offers a blend of modern design and vibrant lifestyle, just blocks from the bustling downtown
Some photos have been virtually staged. Welcome to The Q, a premier modern enclave in vibrant downtown Sarasota. This stunning fee simple single-family townhouse offers the ultimate in urban living with the added value of land ownership, and a private two-car garage-a rare find in the city core! Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed layout, with an impressive staircase and high walls
DOWNTOWN SARASOTA MODERN LIVING! You could be the proud owner of this Newer built (2022) Luxury Townhome. With 3 bedrooms + 3 full baths + ½ Bath + Bonus Loft + Rear entry 2 Car Garage there is room for everyone. This freshly painted, beautiful, and modern Townhome boasts over 1800 sq ft and 3 levels of living space. There is a bedroom and bathroom on each floor making this is an ideal
Enjoy sweeping views of vibrant downtown Sarasota from this elegant 1 Bedroom/1 Bath luxury condo at The Renaissance. Spacious, open, and bright, this beautiful home features a large primary bedroom with a breathtaking skyline view and an ensuite bath that is also accessible from the hallway for ease of use by guests. The kitchen is open and bright, with a nice pantry and a pass-through to the
Magnificent full view of Sarasota Bay and spectacular sunsets right from your living room brings a serene peacefulness to the day. At night the ribbon of lights on the Ringling bridge are a sight to behold. This corner unit offers scenic views of Sarasota Bay, featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms with 1,396 square feet of living space. Located in Harbor House West, the building includes
Discover the pinnacle of luxury living at Sarasota's premier address. In the heart of downtown Sarasota at the Quay, this 18-story luxury residential tower offers a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle amid a dynamic arts and entertainment district. Each spacious condominium boasts panoramic views of the bustling Bay Park and the city skyline, with water vistas from every corridor. The featured unit,
Enjoy this centrally located vacation pad that is close to shopping & restaurants of downtown Sarasota, the soft sands and warm Gulf Waters of Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach & is only blocks from the Legacy Trail where you can walk, run or ride your bikes from downtown all the way to Venice! You will love this light & bright home with a beautiful spacious master bedroom suite and 2 extra
AVAILABLE STARTING APRIL 15, 2025 --- HIDDEN LAKE VILLAGE --- PARTIALLY FURNISHED 1 BED, 1 BATH CONDO --- Discover comfort and convenience in this 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo located in Hidden Lake Village. This corner unit features a spacious layout, updated kitchen, and a private screened lanai with serene lake views. The community offers fantastic amenities, including two pools, a fitness center,
Discover the pinnacle of luxury leasing at BAYSO, Sarasota’s premier waterfront high-rise in the heart of The Quay. This 18-story architectural masterpiece offers a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle amid a dynamic arts and entertainment district, steps from fine dining, luxury shopping and Bay Park Sarasota. Unit 501, a stunning three-bedroom, three-bathroom condominium with den, spans approximately
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
26,280
Median Age
49
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,148
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,891
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.7%
College Graduates
42.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.8%
% Population in Labor Force
49.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
76/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
45/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
