Living In Paradise

As appeared in Sarasota Realtor Magazine
November 2008

Sarasota remains an amazing place to reside
The national (and now international) wave of economic angst and crisis may sometimes seem overwhelming, putting many people in a fearful mood. But through all the historic cycles in the real estate market, Sarasota has always emerged as a market leader during the recovery phase.

Why? It only requires a few hours driving around our beautiful, vibrant, clean and friendly community to understand why people continue to purchase real estate in Sarasota in good times and bad.

Some buy for investment purposes; some for second vacation homes; and others who recently relocated to the area for jobs, family or education and buy for a place to live. Still others are simply ready to escape the rental scene and start building equity in a home that will provide long-term appreciation.

But the major reasons for purchasing in Sarasota, as opposed to other parts of Florida or the nation, are far more numerous and obvious. The reasons are well known to SAR-member real estate agents, many of whom have lived here many years.

The attractions of the coastline of Sarasota are incredible. The natural beauty of the shoreline; the challenging and picturesque golf courses; the wonderful cultural amenities; the clean air, waterways and neighborhoods – all this and much more make Sarasota a top-notch community.

Even local Realtors® who have lived here for only a short time already know what makes Sarasota special, and they often use these unique attributes to market the community.

Sarasota enjoys a magnetism that brings new residents to the sunshine, the fresh air, the blue skies, the crystal sand beaches, the waters, the restaurants, shops, museums and shows. There is an energetic cultural mix of artists, talented individuals, musicians, performers, writers, and other creative people. They obviously enjoy living here, and when people visit Sarasota on vacation, they often do not want to leave. Many return years later to make their permanent home here.

Sarasota has something few other place in the world offer – a perfect mix of new and old, historic and modern, traditional and cutting edge relaxed and energized. There’s something for every lifestyle in Sarasota!

The nation seemed to really start taking notice of Sarasota shortly after the turn of the millennium.

*Sarasota was named in CityWatch magazine as one of its annual Top 100 Cities in which to live in December 2002.

*Expansion Management Magazine chose Sarasota-Bradenton area as the only community in Florida worthy of its Five Star Community ranking the same year. For executives at companies looking to move or expand their businesses, Sarasota-Bradenton scored high for its “Quality of Life Quotient,” judging crime levels, housing affordability and availability, education levels, cost of living, employment opportunities, continuing education opportunities and accessibility to air travel. And Sarasota schools also received a BLUE RIBBON, the highest rating of any school system in the state.

*CNN Money Magazine chose Sarasota as one of only eight cities for the “Best Places to Retire” in their May 10, 2002 issue.

*Sarasota made it into the Top 20 on Employment Review’s “Top 20 Best Places to Live and Work” list, published in June 2000, and again in 2001. The editorial staff looks at more than 300 cities comparing population, unemployment rates, cost of living and job opportunities for professionals on the move.

*Entrepreneur Magazine has rated Sarasota-Bradenton the sixth best medium-sized city in the U.S. for small business, and the eighth best place in the south for entrepreneurs.

*Money Magazine has placed Sarasota Schools in the Top 100 in the nation as well as naming the Sarasota-Bradenton area as the 21st Best Place to Live in the
U.S.

Now, during this historic time of economic strife, these same factors are still here in Sarasota.

Nothing has changed for the worse – if anything, the community has become even more attractive due to improvements in the cultural offerings (the recent Ringling Museum renovations, for one example), new, unique golf courses (the opening of The Concession and the Founders Club), ongoing improvements to the local transportation corridors, additional park development and many other private and public projects.

Once the current cycle gives way to a new upward wave of confidence and resurgence, Sarasota will once more ride the next crest of prosperity and attract a whole new group of people discovering our local paradise.

So, despite the sometimes gloomy economic headlines, local Realtors® can take pride in the fact that they are selling the American dream in a tropical paradise – a place that is now on the map, both nationally and internationally, and will continue to attract newcomers and local buyers for the long term.