Anyone from the Sarasota Area?

[lunchmomd]

My husband works for the Post Office and might be putting in for 2 jobs in the Sarasota, FL area. But we don't really know anything about it. I told him before he does anything I wanted to check with my DIS pals who might know the area and get some basic info. We have a son who will be starting 8th grade if we make the move. How are the schools? Neighborhoods to avoid? Desirable neighborhoods? Any info at all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mimi Q]

 

[JustHolly]

I don't have any specific info but just wanted to tell you that DH and I LOVE Sarasota! We drive there often to go to the beaches!

Sarasota is beautiful! It just has such a nice, coastal Florida feel to it. You may want to look into homes in Bradenton, which is just outside Sarasota.

I do know that real estate in the Sarasota area is very, very expensive, even for older "Florida" homes (small, one floor ranch type) with around 1,000 square feet are minimum $200,000 and usually much, much more.

Good Luck with your possible relocation!

 

[Aidensmom]

I don't have any specific info but just wanted to tell you that DH and I LOVE Sarasota! We drive there often to go to the beaches!

Sarasota is beautiful! It just has such a nice, coastal Florida feel to it. You may want to look into homes in Bradenton, which is just outside Sarasota.

I do know that real estate in the Sarasota area is very, very expensive, even for older "Florida" homes (small, one floor ranch type) with around 1,000 square feet are minimum $200,000 and usually much, much more.

Good Luck with your possible relocation!

I don't live in Sarasota, so can't give specific detalis either, but what this poster said is right on. VERY nice area, but Bradenton is a little more affordable than Sarasota itself.

 

[lunchmomd]

Thanks for the replies. We really are flying blind. I'm going to check realtor.com and see what I can find out. Anyone know of any links that rate school systems, specifically high schools? Thanks for all your help!

 

[lillygator]

I live in Sarasota a hop skip and a jump from Siesta Key - it is gorgeous here. Real estate is expensive and maybe a little more affordable in Bradenton, but personally I don't care for Bradenton, it has a complete different feel to it.
http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/

this link is for school report cards and you can visit My Florida.com to get lots more information!

 

[lillygator]

also floridamoves.com is another real estate site.

 

[JustHolly]

I noticed you're from Mass. (I am from NH originally)

The more I think bout it, Real Estate in Sarasota shouldn't be too much of a shock to you if you're familiar with the housing prices in the Boston area.

 

[lunchmomd]

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out realtor.com yesterday. Prices are pretty comparable to my area, and actually cheaper than the Cape Cod area (another move possibility). Thanks for the other site info. Will be checking them out, too.

 

[Poohnatic]

I'm not in Sarasota (rather, outside of Tampa), but I did want to mention that if your husband is a 'city' carrier, there aren't as many jobs as there are for 'rural' carriers.

DH was an RCA in Maryland for two years and is back at the post office down here. He says it is VERY different from his old P.O. Here, they won't train you on a new route-you're sent out blind. Old P.O. would make sure you got three days of training before carrying it by yourself.

Suzanne

 

[lunchmomd]

Actually, he isn't a carrier, he is an MDO (manager of distribution operations, maybe - it's all alphabet soup to me!) and from what I understand, these postions would be in a distribution center in the Sarasota area.

By the way, my parents live outside of Tampa (Gulfport) and we are heading down for a visit 4/16-19.

 

[Poohnatic]

My mom was in St.Pete Beach, right by Gulfport. That wouldn't be too bad a commute into Sarasota, that is, if your dh doesn't have an aversion to driving over the skyway every day.

I'm outside of Tampa, and quite a few of my employees live in Gibsonton, Apollo Beach and Riverview and their spouses commute south and they come up to Brandon for work...each one drives i75 every day.

Suzanne