Sarasota

Recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States, Sarasota is known for its unique combination of world-class beaches, outdoor recreation, fine cuisine, and rich arts and culture. Not many beach towns are replete with a bevy of cultural venues, including their very own opera, ballet company, and orchestra; a circus; several stages for live theater; galleries; and artist colonies. Thus, it comes as no surprise that houses for sale in Sarasota are much sought-after.

A night out at the theater is only part of the experience of living in Sarasota. There is, in fact, a wide variety of restaurants here offering local and international cuisine with fresh ingredients coming straight from the farm or from weekly farmers’ markets.

The beaches also form a large part of what makes Sarasota special. Residents will find miles upon miles of world-famous white sands with the waters from the Gulf lapping on the coastline. One beach of note is top-ranked Siesta Key Beach. Meanwhile, there are equally beautiful and less traveled beaches along Lido, Longboat, Casey, the Manasota keys, and in the region's barrier islands.

Water-based adventurers can discover their own nautical playground with endless miles of waterways to explore, waterfront restaurants, tropical sandbars, and a wealth of wildlife and marine life to see.

For sports enthusiasts, Sarasota does not disappoint either. Championship golf courses and tennis courts enhance any weekend and you’ll find that professional sports are a big draw, too. The spring training stadiums in the area host the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Atlanta Braves.