The Meadows is one of Sarasota’s original golf course communities. Built in the 1970s–1990s, it features winding roads, nature trails, and a mix of condos, villas, and single-family homes. It’s shaded, quiet, and very green — a tranquil alternative to newer, more manicured developments. Residents enjoy proximity to UTC, I-75, and the growing University corridor
Primarily attracts retirees and older adults seeking a tranquil, active community with a focus on golf and outdoor activities.
Features several golf courses and a country club, making it a haven for golf enthusiasts
Known for its scenic beauty, with abundant green spaces, lakes, and walking trails, offering a serene and peaceful environment.
Provides a range of recreational activities including tennis, fitness centers, and social clubs, catering to an active retirement Lifestyle.
Take a Stroll Through The Meadows (Without Leaving Your Chair)
Thinking About Moving to The Meadows? I’ve Got You.
The Meadows offers a rare blend: winding, oak-lined streets that foster privacy, alongside 70+ social clubs and community events coordinated by The Meadows Community Association (MCA). Residents can choose between quiet seclusion or active involvement — or both — depending on the neighborhood or personal preference.
Unlike newer communities with uniform construction and stricter HOAs, The Meadows features mature trees, varied architecture, and a more organic layout. Homes and villas span multiple decades of styles, giving the community character and avoiding the "cookie-cutter" feel. Plus, the natural setting — with over 14 miles of walking trails and 80 lakes — is unmatched.
The Meadows has a master association (MCA) that handles community-wide issues like roads, common areas, and security. But it also has 60+ separate sub-associations that govern specific neighborhoods (e.g., maintenance-free villas vs. single-family homes). This structure allows for tailored rules and dues while maintaining cohesive community standards.
No — unlike many Florida communities, The Meadows Golf & Country Club is completely optional. You can live within The Meadows without ever joining the club, though memberships are available for golf, tennis, pickleball, fitness, and social activities. This flexibility appeals to both full-time residents and snowbirds.
In 2020, The Meadows successfully secured a conservation easement to protect nearly 300 acres of green space and golf course land from future development. This move reassured residents and buyers that The Meadows is committed to preserving its green character rather than increasing density.
While historically popular with retirees and snowbirds, The Meadows now attracts a broader range — including remote-working professionals, mid-career couples, and younger families — thanks to its central location, affordability, and spacious green spaces. It’s also popular with active retirees who value walkability without giving up serenity.
Exceptionally convenient. It's minutes from the University Town Center (UTC) shopping area, a short drive to downtown Sarasota, and close to I-75. There are multiple grocery stores, a new Whole Foods, walk-in clinics, and Sarasota Memorial's new ER nearby. For schools, it’s not zoned for Sarasota’s top-rated public schools, but many residents opt for nearby charters or private schools.
Highly walkable within the community itself. Over 14 miles of trails, wide bike lanes, and a shaded tree canopy make walking, jogging, and biking central to daily life. It’s more pedestrian-friendly than
most Florida neighborhoods not designed around a town center concept.
There’s a healthy mix and mutual respect. Many sub-communities have strong snowbird populations during winter months, but there is also a stable base of full-time residents who maintain continuity year-round. Seasonal residents often become long-term owners or full-time residents over time.
Most of The Meadows is not in a FEMA-designated flood zone, meaning flood insurance is not typically required by lenders. However, because of nearby lakes and low-lying areas, some owners voluntarily opt for low-cost flood insurance for peace of mind — especially those in older units with ground-level foundations.
Stretching between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Longboat Key is a barrier island known for exclusivity, pristine beaches, and upscale living. This community offers high-end condos, gated golf clubs like The Longboat Key Club, and multi-million-dollar waterfront homes.
Lido Key blends coastal charm with walkability and sophistication. It’s best known for its public beach, Lido Beach Resort, and its proximity to St. Armands Circle — Sarasota’s high-end shopping and dining destination.
Siesta Key is Sarasota’s most iconic beach community, thanks to its globally famous quartz-sand beaches. It’s a mix of vacation energy and laid-back living, with an eclectic vibe. You’ll find beachfront condos, older cottages, and upscale Gulf-facing homes.
Often overlooked, North Sarasota includes older, historically Black neighborhoods as well as new development zones near University Parkway. It’s home to cultural landmarks like the Ringling Museum, New College, and Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
Downtown is Sarasota’s cultural and urban core — a compact, walkable area filled with art galleries, fine dining, luxury high-rises, and waterfront parks. It’s ideal for those who want a car-free lifestyle, immediate access to theaters, opera, farmer’s markets, and the bayfront marina.
This prestigious corridor runs south along Tamiami Trail (US-41) between Downtown and South Sarasota, nestled between the bay and the road. “West of the Trail” is synonymous with luxury and historic charm — oak-lined streets, Spanish-style estates, and bayfront mansions.
Gulf Gate offers vintage suburban charm with a funky twist. Built in the 1960s and ’70s, the area features modest single-family homes with oversized lots and sidewalks in this deed-restricted part of town with no gates or walls, resembling neighborhoods in the North.
Located just east of Downtown, Southgate is a classic Sarasota community with wide lots, mid-century ranch homes, and a nostalgic, family-friendly vibe. The optional South Gate Community Center offers a private pool and social activities.
This term typically refers to the quiet residential pockets just east of Tamiami Trail but still close to the bay and downtown. It includes neighborhoods like Arlington Park and Alta Vista. These areas offer good school zones, central location, and walkable parks.
Palmer Ranch is a sprawling master-planned area in South Sarasota, made up of dozens of gated communities offering condos, villas, and single-family homes. It appeals to families, retirees, and seasonal residents looking for HOA-managed ease.
A local term not found on a map, “The Big Middle” refers to the vast suburban sprawl between Downtown and I-75 areas like Ridgewood, Forest Lakes, and Beneva corridors. This zone offers solid housing options at mid-range prices, often with older homes that can be renovated affordably.
The Meadows is one of Sarasota’s original golf course communities. Built in the 1970s–1990s, it features winding roads, nature trails, and a mix of condos, villas, and single-family homes.
Located just north of University Parkway, Palm Aire offers a mix of country club lifestyle and affordability. It’s centered around two championship golf courses and includes villas, condos, and single-family homes.
This is Sarasota’s frontier for new growth. East of I-75 includes rural estates, equestrian properties, and large master-planned communities like Artistry, Worthington, Skye Ranch, and Hi Hat Ranch. It’s a place for buyers who want space, newer homes, and don’t mind driving 20–30 minutes for beaches or city amenities.
Although technically in Manatee County, Lakewood Ranch is deeply connected to Sarasota. It’s one of the nation’s largest master-planned communities, offering everything from townhomes to luxury estates. Known for its cleanliness, walkable town centers