Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 12,669 people. Average temperature is around 74--F, so it's warm year-round. Homes are going for about $310,400 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Sarasota Springs sits at 665.8 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
loving_hudson31
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Lydia A.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Ann C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
minneapolisgirl2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Sofia Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Levi Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Andrew Ortiz
preach
18 upvotes
Genesis Cooper
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
16 upvotes
Susan S.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Isaiah M.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Grace
spot on
2 upvotes
Chloe
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
