The Meadows

The biggest difference is maturity.

The Meadows was developed decades before communities such as Lakewood Ranch, so its landscape has had years to mature. Winding streets, established trees, lakes and green space create a very different environment from neighborhoods where homes, landscaping and amenities are all relatively new.

The housing is also more varied. Single-family homes, villas and condominiums were built during different periods rather than following one contemporary architectural style.

Quite a bit—and it's one of the defining features of the community.

The Meadows encompasses approximately 1,650 acres with more than 85 lakes and waterways and 14 miles of walking and biking trails. Mature trees and open areas are woven throughout the neighborhoods rather than being concentrated in a single park or amenity center.

This is one of the more important things for buyers to understand.

The Meadows Community Association, or MCA, is the master association. It maintains community-wide common property including roads, sidewalks, landscaping, ponds, open space and streetlights. All Meadows property owners are members of the MCA and contribute through assessments.

Within The Meadows there are also 52 independent condominium and homeowners associations. Those individual associations can have their own fees, maintenance responsibilities and restrictions. There are also single-family homes that aren't part of one of those deeded sub-associations, although they remain members of the MCA.

So, just as with Palm Aire, don't compare two Meadows properties based solely on their purchase prices. Compare the entire ownership structure and what each association provides.

No. Golf is part of The Meadows' identity, but the community offers considerably more than golf.

Walking and biking trails, lakes and green space are available throughout the community, and recreational facilities include tennis, pickleball and a Community Lifestyle and Wellness Facility. The Meadows also maintains an active schedule of activities, events, committees and volunteer opportunities.

That makes The Meadows worth considering even if owning a set of golf clubs isn't part of your Sarasota plans.

There's considerably more variety than many buyers initially expect.

The community includes single-family homes, villas and condominiums spread among numerous individual neighborhoods and associations. Properties vary in size, architecture, setting and level of maintenance provided by an association.

Because The Meadows is an established community, renovation also matters. Two similarly sized homes built during the same period may be very different depending on how extensively they've been updated.

There are approximately 14 miles of walking and biking trails, along with lakes, mature trees and interconnected community roads.

Important distinction for relocation buyers: internal recreational walkability isn't the same as urban walkability. The Meadows is a large residential community, so a car will still be useful for most shopping, dining and trips outside the neighborhood.

Location is one of The Meadows' strongest advantages.

The community sits west of I-75 and south of the University Parkway/UTC area, while Downtown Sarasota is to the west. The Meadows Community Association itself describes the community as being conveniently positioned between Downtown Sarasota, UTC and I-75.

For relocation buyers, that can make The Meadows an interesting compromise: you can have lakes, golf courses, mature landscaping and substantial green space without moving as far east as many of Sarasota's newer communities.

Age isn't necessarily a negative, but it makes the individual property's condition more important.

Some Meadows homes and condos have undergone extensive renovations, while others may still have older major systems or finishes. Buyers should pay particular attention to the roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical system, windows and previous renovations.

For condominiums and villas, I'd also examine the association's finances, reserves, insurance responsibilities, maintenance obligations and any planned or pending assessments—not simply the monthly fee.

It certainly can be, but participation is a choice.

The Meadows Community Association organizes activities, events, meetings and volunteer opportunities, while residents can also participate in recreational and social activities. The community has numerous committees covering areas such as activities, communications, emergency preparedness, maintenance and safety.

One of the advantages of a community this large is that you can participate extensively or simply enjoy your own neighborhood, trails and surroundings.

The Meadows contains more than 85 lakes and waterways, so flood risk shouldn't be generalized across the entire 1,650-acre community.

Flood zone, elevation, proximity to water, building type and insurance requirements should be evaluated for the specific property you're considering. I wouldn't assume a home is low-risk simply because another property elsewhere in The Meadows doesn't require flood insurance.