Sarasota Real Estate

The largest city in and the county seat of Sarasota County, the community of Sarasota, Florida, is one of the larger and more popular cities on Florida's Gulf coast. Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico, including Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Otter Key, Coon Key, Bird Key, and portions of Longboat Key and Siesta Key.

In 2007, Sarasota was estimated to be home to a population of nearly 52,500. Residents here were measured to have a median annual household income in 2000 of around $35,000. The city's official area includes nearly 26 square miles, 11 of which are water area. The city is just about an hour south of Tampa and just about 2 hours away from Orlando. The area is easily reachable by interstate or by the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

Sarasota is the star in western Florida, home to many of its most popular cultural institutions, from the Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, Asolo Repertory Theatre to the Florida Studio Theatre, the Sarasota Players and the Banyan Theater Company. The Mote Marine Laboratory is a marine rescue and research facility and aquarium. Other popular sites include the Selby Botanical Gardens, the G-Wiz science museum, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Schools located here include the New College of Florida, Keiser College of Sarasota, FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota County Technical Institute and Manatee Community College. Grade-school aged students are served by Sarasota County Public Schools. In 2010, the Baltimore Orioles will begin to hold their spring training in Sarasota at Ed Smith Stadium. They also have minor league facility at Twin Lakes Park. Medical services are available at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.