Sarasota, Florida,
February 7, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Having lived and traveled in many parts of the country, it would be difficult to reduce why I like living in Sarasota, Florida. There are so many reasons, but the number one reason that it is now January, 70 degrees out there! I left my snow shovel, boots and jacket of Indiana!
Sarasota is on the Suncoast about 60 miles south of Tampa, Florida. With the completion of I-75, the Midwest, many settled here, since it was an easy drive from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Having lived in the Midwest most of my life really can be seen leaving the house at this time of year in shorts and a T-shirt!
Sarasota has a lot going for it, Siesta Key, one of the best beaches in the world, fine dining, if you want you could eat somewhere different every night of your life and never be in the same restaurant twice! Adding to Siesta Key, many more beaches, Longboat Key, Casey Key, Lido Beach, Bradenton Beach, and many others add to the beach, diving opportunities! Most homes in the area are single family houses or villas, offering the opportunity for families to rent homes for the winter.
Although the Ritz-Carlton has property in Sarasota, along with some other chains, there really is not much available hotel room, making it nearly impossible for us to be invaded by crowds of spring break each year.
Numerous social and civic activities abound, almost every club and organization in the United States has a plant in Sarasota. Sahib Temple, the local Shrine Center, has a membership of about 2000 and appears as one of the most active centers in Shrinedom Sanctuary, all Shriners are invited to attend the lunch on Thursday attended by approximately 200 Shriners.
Golf courses abound and the area is home to numerous baseball teams during spring training.
Shopping malls and art galleries abound, as well as theater and museums.
If you have a need to move away from the weekend, the Sarasota International Airport and I-75 offers that option.
Sarasota has become the center of life in southwest Florida, becoming the major retirement destination in Florida.