A "multi-generational lifestyle community" with almost 70,000 residents
Lakewood Ranch is one of the premier master-planned communities in the United States. In fact, more than 50 percent of its residents come from outside of Florida. Technically a census-designated place with a population approaching 70,000, Lakewood Ranch has become a mini-metropolis. It features dozens of amenities-filled neighborhoods spread across more than 50 square miles that bridge two counties. The community has its own hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, multiple town centers, and a variety of educational options, both public and private. “It just offers something for everyone,” says Tami Cashi, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Lakewood Ranch. “It’s a multi-generational lifestyle community. It has amazing schools and tons of golf. They’re working on a third Main Street, and they all have activities at no additional cost. It offers the best of the downtown areas of Sarasota and Bradenton in a more suburban environment.”
Lakewood Ranch is a vibrant and master-planned community known for its picturesque landscapes.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center serves the Lakewood Ranch community.
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Waterside is the newest section of this ever-expanding community
Lakewood Ranch is made up of more than 30 neighborhoods, which are called villages. The largest villages, including The Country Club and Country Club East, are built around golf courses and lakes. Most villages are developed by a single builder, which helps maintain a standard aesthetic. Luxury villages are the exception. Sought-after destinations such as The Isles, The Lake Club and Wild Blue feature large, custom homes in exclusive settings. Wild Blue, which is part of the Waterside section that expanded the community’s boundaries outside Manatee County and into Sarasota County, was developed by five builders. “The concept is to make it more walkable, bikeable and community-oriented,” Cashi says. All villages have HOA fees that vary depending on amenities and CDD fees that pay for the upkeep of roadways and other infrastructure. The median home price is slightly more than $600,000. That includes condos and townhouses that typically range from the high $200,000s to around $900,000. Most single-family housing ranges from the low $300,000s to around $1 million. Custom luxury homes range from $1 million-plus to nearly $5 million. “If you go to Bradenton or Sarasota, you’ll find homes built in the ‘60s, maybe the ‘80s, but in Lakewood Ranch, everything is relatively new,” Cashi says. “It’s also more affordable because you’re away from the water. Buyers will look at homes near the water and then come here, see what they can get for the same price, and say, ‘That’s amazing!’” The community is far enough inland that flooding is not an issue. However, it’s close enough to the Gulf Coast that wind damage can be a major factor during hurricane season, and insurance rates are likely to reflect this.
The Lake Club homes reside in the pristine Lakewood Ranch neighborhood.
Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch is a pristine area lined with retailers and restaurants.
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Lakewood Ranch High School, Out-of-Door Academy are top-rated options
Lakewood Ranch is part of the Manatee County School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Lakewood Ranch High, rated A-minus by Niche, is the anchor school of the community. It offers dual enrollment courses in conjunction with several area colleges. The school's softball and golf teams regularly compete for state titles. To keep up with growth, a new community school, Lake Manatee K-8, will open for elementary students in 2025 and middle school students in 2026. There are also plans to open a second high school in 2027. Out-of-Door Academy Middle & Upper School is a featured private option. Beyond the Spectrum is a small private school that serves special needs students in kindergarten through seventh grade.
Lakewood Ranch High School is known for its commitment to academic excellence.
The Out-Of-Door Academy is an option for Lakewood Ranch students.
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Lakewood Ranch Country Club has three golf courses; largest villages have lifestyle directors
Amenities are spread throughout the community. Each village has its own recreational features, and the largest villages have lifestyle directors. There’s athletic courts, pools and playgrounds. Walking paths, nature preserves and lakes. Each village’s amenities are for residents only, but Lakewood Ranch offers plenty of public spaces. Lakewood Ranch Country Club is the highlight of the community’s resort-style offerings. Two of its three public courses were designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer. In all, there are nine courses that offer public, private and semi-private options. Greenbrook Adventure Park, which features an inline skating rink, and Premier Sports Campus, which is home to more than 20 multi-purpose fields, are popular community destinations. The Sarasota Polo Club and Nathan Benderson Park are Sarasota attractions located just outside the community. Sarasota’s Gulf beaches are about 30 minutes from the community’s south side, and Manatee County’s barrier island beaches are about 45 minutes away from the north side.
Practice your swing at the golf course at Lakewood Ranch.
Greenbrook Adventure Park - Inline Skate Park offers fun in Lakewood Ranch.
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Main Street, Waterside Place are centers of commerce, activity
The community’s three town centers are Main Street, The Green and Waterside Place. Main Street is an attractive European-style shopping district that features outdoor cafes and restaurants that serve up international flavors. The Green offers a more laidback commercial setting anchored by grocers such as Publix and Fresh Market. Several villages have their own Publix. Waterside Place was designed as a luxury shopping and dining destination to serve the community’s newest villages. A water taxi provides transportation between Waterside’s commercial center and its villages. “The community is really growing,” Cashi says. “They just brought a Tommy Bahama’s to the south side. Owens Fish Camp and Ruth’s Chris are here, and Fleming’s is coming. All the big names you would find in downtown Bradenton or Sarasota are moving into Lakewood Ranch.” Two of the town centers host several of the community’s regular events. Music on Main Street is a long-running event that takes place on the first Friday of each month. The block party-style celebration features food trucks and children’s rides. Ranch Night Wednesdays is a similar seasonal event at Waterside Place. But its signature event is the Sunday Farmer’s Market, where vendors sell fresh goods amid live music and children’s entertainment. University Town Center is a sprawling contemporary mall just south of the community. Downtown Sarasota is known for its cultural attractions, which include museums and performing arts venues near the waterfront.
Sunday's Farmers Market at Waterside Place is a popular outing for locals in Lakewood Ranch.
A fountain with dolphins adorns the point of Bayfront Park in Downtown Sarasota.
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Car-dependent community with access to I-75
Lakewood Ranch is car-dependent. Sarasota International Airport is a 10-mile drive down University Parkway, the main road on the community’s south side. Interstate 75 forms the community’s west side and provides access to regional points of interest, including St. Pete and Tampa to the north.
Low crime rates in Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch is a mix of gated communities with private entrances and non-gated communities with general access. Its overall Cap Index score of 2-out-of-10 signifies low crime rates.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Leila Sally
Video By
Grace Kim
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Lakewood Ranch, FL sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Lakewood Ranch, FL over the last 12 months is $589,990, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Cul-de-Sac Beauty. Step into effortless luxury and comfort in this magazine-worthy 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located in the gated community of Savanna at Lakewood Ranch. Perfectly designed for both everyday living and entertaining, this stunning residence blends elegant indoor spaces with the ultimate Florida outdoor lifestyle. The thoughtfully designed floor plan offers spacious open floor
Welcome to 7760 U.S. Open Loop, an exquisite luxury home located in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club community, where elegance meets convenience. This stunning property offers an unparalleled lifestyle, just moments from Florida's award-winning beaches, the vibrant UTC Mall, and a variety of top-tier golf courses. With the trendy new hotspot of Waterside just seven minutes away, you’ll be
Virtually Staged. Enhanced with thoughtfully selected upgrades, this move-in-ready residence offers modern design, comfort, and peace of mind in the gated community of Rosedale Golf & Country Club. The open-concept floor plan features a flexible den with French doors, perfect for a home office, library, or quiet retreat. Sliding glass doors lead to a screened lanai overlooking a serene preserve
Welcome to one of the most sought-after homes in Harmony Reserve, a private gated community in Lakewood Ranch with only 71 exclusive residences and the added benefit of natural gas. Beautifully maintained, this move-in-ready 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with loft offers 2,370 square feet of stylish living space, a 2-car garage, and exceptional indoor-outdoor living. Inside, you’ll find wood-look plank
Welcome to one of the most unique opportunities in Lorraine Lakes at Lakewood Ranch! This professionally decorated Trevi model home offers 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2,032 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, and showcases the resort-style Florida lifestyle with a private heated pool and spa.Owned by an investor and never occupied, this home has been maintained as a builder
Welcome to this exceptional Lennar-built Princeton model in the highly sought-after Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch community. Perfectly positioned on a premium homesite, this stunning 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with a 3-car garage with a whole home generator system, offers an ideal blend of luxury, comfort, and breathtaking views.The home’s desirable southern front exposure overlooks the community
Welcome to your Florida Paradise! This Luxury Villa-Style 2-Bedroom, 2-Bath + Den, Ground-Floor Condo is located in the highly sought after Gated Community of Miramar in Lakewood Ranch, offering serene water views in a premier location. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by a charming Mediterranean-style villa featuring tile roofs, a private front courtyard, and an attached one car
Welcome to effortless Florida living in the highly sought-after original Esplanade community in Lakewood Ranch. Living in Esplanade means access to a lifestyle unlike any other, offering three resort pools, two clubhouses and fitness centers, a spa, salon, two dog parks, walking trails and many social clubs and a vibrant calendar of social events. Dining options include The Bahama Bar and The
Location, location, location! Experience the lock-and-leave ease of luxury condo living in one of the most convenient and sought-after locations in Lakewood Ranch. Nestled within the highly desirable gated waterfront community of The Moorings at Edgewater, this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 3-bath townhome offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and resort-style living.Thoughtfully
Experience relaxed, resort-style living in this beautifully appointed Carolina model, ideally situated in one of Lakewood Ranch’s most sought-after resort communities. This top-floor residence offers breathtaking panoramic views of the fairway, tranquil pond, and surrounding conservation area—creating a serene and private retreat.Featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, this home includes a spacious
Welcome to this exceptional deeded golf home in the gated Azario community, Enjoy Lock-and-Leave Luxury, Resort Lifestyle, & Waterview.Perfect as a second home or seasonal retreat, offering just under 1,700 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space and over $125,000 in upgrades. Situated on an extra-large premium waterview lot, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath residence also features a
LOWEST PRICED 5-BEDROOM POOL HOME IN LAKEWOOD RANCH! Only 4 years old and loaded with upgrades, this stunning home offers incredible value in today's market. And builders aren't the only ones offering incentives...the sellers are providing up to a $10,000 credit toward buyers' closing costs and prepaids! Why wait to build when you can move right into a beautifully upgraded home with a private
Beautiful end-unit townhome with private lanai in the desirable Harmony at Lakewood Ranch community. This Seaside Craftsman floor plan features stylish stone color cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a spacious prep island, and breakfast bar overlooking the open great room—perfect for entertaining. The main level is finished with 12x24 tile throughout. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a tray
Cul-de-Sac Beauty. Step into effortless luxury and comfort in this magazine-worthy 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located in the gated community of Savanna at Lakewood Ranch. Perfectly designed for both everyday living and entertaining, this stunning residence blends elegant indoor spaces with the ultimate Florida outdoor lifestyle. The thoughtfully designed floor plan offers spacious open floor
A truly RARE OPPORTUNITY in Lakehouse Cove! Thoughtfully designed and CUSTOM BUILT for maximum use of space, comfort and everyday functionality, this exceptional 4-BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH, 3 CAR GARAGE offers over 2400 square feet of living space on an OVER-SIZED LOT that backs to a gorgeous, permanent preserve/conservation area for privacy, beauty and serene natural views. Designed with both elegance
Do you love your privacy? Love playing golf? Then this beautiful condo in the heart of Lakewood Ranch is the right place for you. Let me lead you through the unit. This is an upstairs split plan unit in Boca Grove with 2 bed and 2 bath and an open den with the serene view of the Legacy Golf Course 16th hole. From the detached 1 car garage you go up a few stairs to the second floor. Once you enter
As one of the leading communities in Bradenton, the Oasis at Lakewood Ranch features plenty of indulgences. Get ready for your staycation right from your new home!From our incredible array of amenities to the elegant interior details, you'll be proud to call us home.
Turnkey Furnished Short-Term Rental Available Beginning 5/15/26. Designer decorated just bring your toothbrush and your golf clubs - South facing condo featuring an oversized lanai with views of the lake and golf course. Open floorplan with bar seating and eat in kitchen. Flex space available for office/den. Granite countertops, Stainless Steel appliances and wood cabinets make the kitchen a
Suburban living has never felt more luxurious. At Marlowe Lake Manatee, our prestigious community amenities and interior details include all the fine frills you require. Luxuriate at one of our poolside cabanas or mingle with friends at our lively courtyard. Cook up something delectable in your own high-end kitchen. Or let your furry friends socialize with their neighbors at our dog park. Write
Welcome to this beautifully maintained townhome located in the highly desirable community of Aurora at Lakewood Ranch. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers a modern layout, stylish finishes, and low-maintenance living in one of the area’s fastest-growing locations.Step inside to an open-concept floor plan featuring a bright and airy living space, perfect for both relaxing and
Enjoy TWO MONTHS FREE + Reduced Pricing!* Live like you're on vacation every day at our brand new community, offering spacious apartments and the largest amenity offering in the area. With a dedicated onsite team, we are committed to providing exceptional customer service. Call or come by today!
SPECIAL PRICING OF $2,200 EACH MONTH IF YOU BOOK FOR AT LEAST 2 MONTHS BETWEEN JULY 2026 - DECEMBER 2026 --- LAKEWOOD NATIONAL --- TURNKEY FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM 2 FULL BATH CONDO --- High Season (Dec-April): $6,000/month (utilities included; electric capped at $100/month) --- Low Season (May-Nov): $2,500/month + Guest reimburses for electric. --- Welcome to 17810 Gawthrop Drive #304, a beautifully
Welcome to the pinnacle of luxury living in Lakewood Ranch! Our exclusive community presents an unparalleled lifestyle, featuring a 13,000 sq ft 2-story Clubhouse with a Coffee Lounge, Clubroom, Game Bar lounge, Library, Game Arcade Room, Golf Simulator, and more. Stay active in our 24/7 Fitness Center, unwind by the Infinity Edge Heated Pool, or enjoy outdoor activities like Sand Volleyball and
SPECIAL PRICING FOR JULY & DECEMBER 2026 AT $2,000 PER MONTH --- OPEN FOR SEASON 2027 RESERVATIONS AT $5,000 PER MONTH --- AURORA AT LAKEWOOD RANCH --- TURNKEY FURNISHED 3 BEDROOM, 2 FULL BATH TOWNHOME--- High Season: (December - April) $5,000/month (utilities included- electric capped at $100/month) --- Low Season: (May - November) $2,500/month + Guest reimburses for utilities, internet and TV.
Botanic Waterside features upscale apartments in Lakewood Ranch, FL, located in Sarasota County's vibrant Waterside neighborhood. Our premier Lakewood Ranch community offers sleek one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for rent that exude elegance, from chef-inspired kitchens and soaring 12- to 14-foot ceilings to spacious walk-in closets and private screened balconies. Residents enjoy
Welcome to a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home, fully furnished, located in a highly sought-after school district with easy access to Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Saint Petersburg, and Tampa. This open floor plan boasts high ceilings and a fantastic design built by KB Home in 2020. Enjoy a beautiful water view from the backyard, plus a community pool. Just a short drive to the area’s best beaches. Don’t
Imagine a lifestyle where every return home feels like stepping into a boutique hotel in Santorini. Atori Lakewood Ranch is not merely a residence; it is a curated experience inspired by the effortless beauty of a Greek vacation. Our design philosophy marries the warmth of organic wood tones with the cool sophistication of white marble and brushed brass accents.The sparrow, our symbol,
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