Are you looking at Florida communities and wondering where to retire? Sarasota should be at the top of your list. Sarasota is one of the Sunshine State communities that have become popular with retirees, and for good reason. This town on the state's west coast has a population of a little over 53,000 residents and offers cultural diversity along with a variety of activities and gorgeous home options to fit your Florida retirement lifestyle. Below are five reasons to consider retiring to Sarasota:
Related Blog: Year Round Florida Activities to Enjoy
It Has a Range of Cultural Offerings
While the perception of Florida is that there is not much more to it than the beach, Sarasota is considered one of the exceptions. The community has a number of cultural offerings including an opera, a variety of art galleries along with historic landmarks and an aquarium. John Ringling of the Ringling Bros lived here and provided the city with its own permanent circus. There is also the Ringling Museum of Art run by the Ringling Estate. Along with all of that, Sarasota has numerous restaurants (more than 1400 of them) and places for shopping.
Mild Weather
Sarasota's winter temperatures rarely ever fall below 60 degrees and you are likely to get at least 250 sunny days per year. It is true that the state is known for being hot and humid in the summer, but Florida's summer temperatures are not much higher than those in most places further north. In addition, it is important to note that summertime humidity in coastal areas like Sarasota is considerably lower than it is in inland central Florida communities like Gainesville.
Sarasota is a Less Expensive Place to Live
Florida has no state income tax along with relatively low property taxes and energy costs. As a result, Sarasota is actually an affordable place to live. The cost of living is 6.7 percent below the average for the rest of the country and if you choose to live here permanently, you can get an extra property tax deduction of $25,000 via the Homestead Exemption.
There are Multiple World-Renowned Beaches Nearby
Sarasota's Siesta Key is considered to have some of the best beaches in the country. In fact, the Travel Channel has recognized Crescent Beach on Siesta as the best sand beach in the country. Siesta Beach is also known for the quality of its sand, which is 99 percent pure quartz. These are not the only beaches in the area; your other options include Turtle and Venice Beaches, along with the Anna Maria Island beaches in Bradenton. All of them are free and open to the public.
Excellent Housing Options
Wondering where to retire in Sarasota? You can own waterfront property in a community like The Islands on the Manatee River. There you will be able to enjoy Florida's abundance of wildlife as well as its beautiful foliage-filled landscape. You will also have access to a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you prefer to spend your days on the water, on the golf course or shopping and dining in Sarasota, you will be able to enjoy yourself right in your backyard.
To learn more about how The Islands could be right for your Florida retirement, contact us today or set up a tour!
