Sarasota is on the Times' list of the 100 best cities in the world and also among the 10 best cities in the USA to live in between 2021 and 2022.
Sarasota is located on the west coast of Florida, on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The city was recently listed by the Times among the 100 best cities in the world. There are only two Florida cities on this list, the second of which is our beloved Orlando.
The city was also voted one of the 10 best places to live in the USA between 2021 and 2022according to U.S. News & World Report. The Sarasota area is 9th on the annual list, which ranks metropolitan areas based on labor market, housing affordability, quality of life, desirability and net migration rates. U.S. News & World Report notes that Sarasota "has a distinct vibe that's different from Florida's coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene, beachy atmosphere and burgeoning foodie culture." Among the areas that are making the region special are St. Armands Circle and the "up-and-coming" Rosemary District.
Sarasota also made two other top 10 lists in U.S. News & World Report, ranking 2nd among the fastest growing places in the U.S. and 5th on the list of "Safest Places to Live in the U.S.".
This is where Lakewood Ranch is located, a "Master Planned Community". In other words, it's a planned community, just like Lake Nona and Horizon West (in Winter Garden).
Lakewood Ranch is an award-winning community of more than 33,000 acres located between Sarasota and Manatee counties on Florida's west coast.
Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and more are about 20-40 minutes from Lakewood Ranch, and a quick drive will take you to the beaches of Clearwater, St Petersburg and many more.
The community is already home to more than 50,000 residents and boasts A-rated schools, a hospital, the Sarasota Polo Club, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, its own "main street" with theaters, stores and restaurants, and more than four million square feet of retail.
Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of condominiums (called Villages) throughout its length. Each offers homes, recreational areas and a lifestyle for all sizes and stages of life. Whether you prefer the seclusion of a nature reserve, the fun of a more active, family-oriented community, the excitement of downtown living or the luxury of a country club - you'll find something to suit your interests and needs.
In all, there are around 20 Villages, each offering different types of houses and various floor plans. Check out this link for a comparison of the Villages, with average prices, types of houses offered and the leisure facilities available.
Lakewood Ranch includes 15 preschools, seven public elementary and secondary schools and five private and 10 higher education campuses, with an emphasis on business, vocational, culinary and medical programs. The primary and secondary schools are consistently highly rated.
Halfway through 2021 Lakewood Ranch was considered the best-selling community in the U.S., according to research conducted by RCLCO, a national real estate market consulting firm. Lakewood Ranch reached 1,535 new homes sold by the end of June 2021, beating last year's numbers by 83 percent.
While Lakewood Ranch has been the top-selling Master Planned Community for all ages in the U.S. for the past three years, the 2021 report marks the first time it has taken first place overall.
Follow our series of videos around Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. We've created a playlist with all the videos from the region, which you can check out below.
