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

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