homes for sale in sarasota fl

Sarasota Area Ranked Highest Well-Being Level in U.S.

Sure you have heard things such as “decrease your morning commute and increase your health” or “lower your stress and live a longer happier life” these are things along with the occasional gym session that can give you a better quality of life. But what about where you live?!

It seems crazy but where you live correlates back to level of stress relief and level of happiness. There is a recent study that indicates that if you live in a prosperous location with good financial standing, sense of purpose, and community that can play a big role in all your happiness. Taking all of this into account the Gallup’s annual Well-being Index ranked the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area as the location with the highest well-being in the United States. Gallup conducted 176,000 interviews with residents of ALL 50 states on topics including physical health, financial stability, community activity, and supportive relationships.

Sarasota, Florida is known for its incredible beaches and some of the best sunsets you have ever seen. The city has a population of around 53,000 people and a land area of 26 square miles with about 40% of that being shoreline and water. The economy is nothing but thriving with an unemployment rate of 5% which is almost 1.5% lower than the rest of the US along with recent job growth of 5% compared to the US overall at 1.1%. Of course Florida doesn’t have an income tax and the household average income is right at $41K which seems low but isn’t that a good thing when you don’t have to make a ton of money to get by? When things are affordable for the working class including homes and overall cost of living I see this as a huge plus.

There are all kinds of jobs available here from all different disciplines with the highest percentage being “Sales, office, administration support” at 25% followed by “Management, business and finance” at 13%. Of course there is a niche for anything from engineering to education and food prep and serving. This area like the rest of the US was hit by the recession and home prices that were drastically “adjusted” which may have drove a lot of the super wealthy to other places which just makes it even more affordable.

So the location is affordable, heavily visited by tourists, which helps maintain the great economy and has a ton of things to do on the weekends. Also, Siesta Key Beach (in Sarasota) has been rated the number ONE beach in the NATION several times by many different people. The sand is described as white powder like sugar, super soft and super fine. They have a multitude of intercostal waterways, land or pier fishing spots that can be tapped anytime. Another huge plus that many people don’t know is that Florida is actually the number one state with the most golf course in the US at 1,261 and over 30 of them are in Sarasota alone!

Taking all this information into account it is no wonder why Sarasota, Florida was ranked as the city with the highest level of well-being in the United States. If you are thinking about moving to Sarasota or another great area in Florida make sure you use the tools on MoversAtlas.com to research your new potential neighborhood and community.

 

Florida’s Best Cities to Live In

How can you evaluate the BEST cities to live in, located in the state of Florida?  Let’s take a look at why people move there in the first place…..  Florida is famous for its great weather and beautiful sandy beaches. If you currently live here or have ever visited, it is also notorious for its terrible drivers, and on a more positive note, Disney World.  When computing the best cities to live in Florida, you will want to consider things such as amenities, the cost of living and employment opportunities.

Orlando

Orlando, Florida is also known as the home of Mickey Mouse, the Orlando Magic and (more recently) the University of Central Florida KNIGHTS. Orlando has a great deal to offer and as cliché as it sounds; Orlando is at the top of the list Orlando, Fl Skylinewhen contemplating a move to Florida.  Currently, Orlando falls short regarding mass transit systems, however, it is easier to get around in a short period of time because it is not a mammoth city and this makes it possible to get anywhere in a relatively short period of time. Taking this into consideration makes the traffic manageable.  Further, Orlando has great creature comforts that include an abundant night life that includes clubs, bars, wine bars, restaurants, sporting events, concerts and the performing arts.  Daytime activities include countless numbers of theme parks, running and biking trails, boating, shopping and with a quick 45 minute drive, a day at one of its famous beaches!  In addition, one should always consider the cost of living and employment. Another bonus is the fact that Florida has no state income tax. The unemployment rate in Orlando is consistently lower than the national average. It is easy to see that living in Florida has much to offer. How about the more quiet side of the coin?

Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities, beaches, resorts, connections to the Ringling family and its ‘school’ of architecture. Located on the southwestern Sarasota, Floridacoast of Florida, Sarasota has a current population of approximately 52,000 people. In the Sarasota area you will enjoy breathtaking sunsets, educational museums, operas, ballets, plays, golf tournaments, and boat races.  Together with its neighbors to the north and south, Manatee County and Charlotte County, Sarasota forms the 7th largest market in Florida and makes up the third-fastest growing major market. Sarasota is one of the most affluent markets in Florida. A wonderful aspect of Sarasota is that the town is still quaint and while most of the shops close down at 6pm, the tranquil beach is still within walking distance for fishing, canoeing or just watching the sunset. The beauty of Sarasota is hard to beat considering the colors of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, contrasting this with the brilliant white sand of Longboat, Lido, and Siesta beaches. Still having a difficult time deciding? Well let’s not stop here…….

The Florida Keys

Travel to the very southern tip of Florida and you will come across the Florida Keys. Key West is the southernmost city in Florida and it is a unique tropical island city. You will experience a taste of Caribbean culture in Key West without ever leaving the United States. Key West is a fun place and can be as relaxing, romantic, or wild as you would want it to be. Experience some Key West, Floridaof the finest saltwater fishing around. Activities include dolphin encounters, kayaking the back country, driving and snorkeling. On land there is shopping, museums, art galleries, theaters and more. It is always 5 o’clock somewhere in the Keys! You can hop in your car, put the top down, and enjoy where your life has taken you. Key West has a laid back lifestyle with your morning routine consisting of putting on a pair of sandals and showing off you Jacuzzi. Admittedly, the job market consists mostly of the tourist industry and the cost of living may run a little high, however, if you are looking for  sun drenched hospitality and island charm…. This is your place.

If you enjoyed reading this post you will find the main Mover’s Atlas site even more Interesting! There you can discover important information about what surrounds your current or future Florida home, give it a look: MoversAtlas.