Baby Boomers Shift to Urban Living


 

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, October 28th, 2013 – There’s a rising trend among retirees and those at pre-retirement age to move from the suburbs to the cities, Sarasota Bay Real Estate reported. John Brady, founder of the website TopRetirements.com and one of those who have perceived this development, also singled out Sarasota as an attractive destination for retirees, the full service realty firm added.

After raising their kids in the suburbs and now freed of family responsibility, Brady noted that what the “baby boomers” want is shift their lifestyle to urban communities within walking distance to stores, restaurants, entertainment centers and social and cultural events. Citing Sarasota, he said that the city has many walkable neighborhoods in an urban downtown teeming not only with social and cultural events. The city center is also in close proximity to superb beaches.

Top places to retire listed

Urban Retirement

This February, Brady’s TopRetirement.com website included Sarasota anew in its list of the best places to retire for 2013. Other favored Florida destinations listed for retirees were Venice, Naples, Ft. Myers, Clearwater, and Orlando.

In this listing, the website pointed out that Sarasota has something to offer to each active adult 55 years old and over. Points of interest cited include the city golf course designed by Bobby Jones, the Ringling Museum, and the city’s vintage buildings in the National Register of Historic Places.

The wide selection of residential types available in Sarasota was likewise emphasized. Among these are downtown condos, apartments, and townhouses, plus single family homes in nearby gated golf communities and active adult neighborhoods. Alternative home choices are available in nearby Longboat Key and Siesta Key as well.

Options are as desirable in neighboring Venice whose development began in 1925 precisely as a planned retirement community. Its central planning resulted in a vibrant downtown with a lot of charming shops and restaurants. Besides the numerous parks and public tennis courts in Venice, recreational opportunities offered by the Gulf Coast beaches are also within easy reach from the city’s downtown.

Communities to consider

For a 55+ community in Sarasota, Village Walk at Palmer Ranch is one ideal location for baby boomers. The available homes in this community start at the high $200s, featuring two or three bedrooms in floor areas ranging between 1,500 and 1900 square feet.

Sarasota BayClub

Retirees opting for downtown condos will have fine choices at the Sarasota Bay Club, consisting of two high rise towers with superior facilities for active adults. A luxurious three-bedroom, 2,206-square-foot unit here is currently in the MLS of high-end Sarasota condos for sale with a tag price of slightly over the $1-million level.

For retirees eyeing Venice, the Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club has competitive offerings with quoted prices starting in the high $100s. These are two-bedroom single family homes with floor plans approaching 1,300 square feet.

Venice golf

Venice Golf and Country Club also has MLS listings in the same price range. These available properties have two to three bedrooms within their floor areas of between 1,700 and 2,200 square feet. In the high $400s, the choices in this community are for homes designed with three to four bedrooms in their floor spaces of close to 3,000 square feet.