Ridge Wood Heights
Neighborhood Reviews
Established homes with low flood risk
Ridge Wood Heights is an established neighborhood, with most houses built between the 1950s and 1980s. There is some new construction. Ranch styles make up much of the neighborhood, although there are some two-story coastal cottages and new traditional homes with colonial influences. Spanish moss hangs from the live oaks that shade the grassy front lawns, which occasionally feature palm trees and gardens. Wide driveways lead to carports and front-facing garages. Most homes under 1,500 square feet range from $300,000 to $575,000, while most larger properties cost $575,000 to $725,000. A handful of luxury estates are in the area, often including amenities such as a pool or custom construction, which can go from $1 million to over $2 million. Condos in Ridge Wood Heights can cost $100,000 to $175,000 for a one-bedroom unit, while two-to-three bedrooms range from $175,000 to over $350,000. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says that Ridge Wood Heights has a very high risk of hurricanes and a relatively low risk of flooding.A-rated high school in neighborhood
Sarasota County Schools serve Ridge Wood Heights. Wilkinson Elementary School receives a B from Niche, and Brookside Middle School gets an A-minus. At the A-rated Riverview High School, students can enroll in one of the International Baccalaureate Career Pathways, including the marine biology-focused Stars to Starfish program. The district does have school choice, so residents can apply to programs at institutions outside of their zoning. Pine View earns an A-plus and offers a rigorous curriculum from second to 12th grade. This public school is part of Sarasota County. Unlike other schools in the district, it is application only. Students are admitted based on referrals, testing and interviews. “It’s a great, great school,” says Shumway, whose son graduated from Pine View. Niche says Pine View is the second-best public high school in Florida.Teen center in neighborhood park
Ridge Wood Heights is situated near some of Sarasota’s more popular attractions, including Siesta Key. The island, about 5 miles away, is known for its white quartz sand. “It’s sand as white as your shirt,” Shumway says. Beachgoers can play a round of sand volleyball and rent out bikes, kayaks and boats. Bee Ridge Park is in the neighborhood and features a playground and softball field. “I used to play a lot of softball there, back in the day,” Shumway says. Another highlight of the park is The Ridge, a free afterschool center for teens ages 11 to 17 that will host events like a pool tournament and movie marathon. Just south of Ridge Wood Heights is the Red Bug Slough Preserve, which spans 72 acres. Hikers can explore miles of trails with their dogs, keeping an eye out for birds. There is also plenty to do Downtown, including visiting the Sarasota Art Museum and attending a show at the Sarasota Opera House.Access to Interstate 75 and Siesta Keys
U.S. Route 41 is to the west of Ridge Wood Heights, and Interstate 75 is to the east. Drivers can take Bee Ridge or Proctor Road to either. “Your ingress and egress are great,” Shumway says. Breeze, Sarasota’s public transit system, offers bus routes along Bee Ridge and Swift roads that connect with the free, open-air trolley that goes to Siesta Key and Downtown Sarasota. The closest emergency room is at the Sarasota Medical Center, less than 1 mile away. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is about a 10-mile drive.Near Siesta Key Village shops and eateries
There are a couple of locally owned restaurants in Ridge Wood Heights, including the Thai Bangkok Restaurant and La Violetta, which serves Italian food. However, Shumway says that many people travel to Downtown Sarasota or Siesta Key for a bite to eat. “You’ve got a number of nice areas in Siesta Key,” Shumway says. Miguel’s Restaurant is just one of his recommendations. This establishment has been open for over 40 years and specializes in fine dining and French cuisine. Gecko’s Grill & Pub is a much more casual option. Several boutiques are in Siesta Key Village, such as Foxy Lady, a clothing shop. The closest grocery store is the Walmart Neighborhood Market. For fresh produce, coffee, locally made soaps, and art, shoppers can visit the Sarasota Farmers Market in the heart of Downtown Sarasota. The market is open every Saturday morning, rain or shine.Siesta Key sand sculptures every November
Ridge Wood Heights residents can attend events throughout Sarasota. Every November, people flock to Siesta Key for the Crystal Classic, a sand sculpting competition that draws in 24 artists from across the world. They spend three and a half days working on their pieces, during which the public can observe the process. Prizes are given to People’s Choice and solo and doubles sculptures. The Bay is a community park in the heart of Downtown Sarasota that hosts free events, including yoga classes and weekly concerts.
Written By
Zia Sampson
Photography Contributed By
Kristjan Veski
Video By
Logan Cox
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Rachel Tritschler
Rachel Tritschler
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX ALLIANCE GROUP
(941) 541-2077
254 Total Sales
7 in Ridge Wood Heights
$193K - $830K Price Range
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Christine Pope
Christine Pope
MICHAEL SAUNDERS & COMPANY
(941) 541-2624
66 Total Sales
2 in Ridge Wood Heights
$245K - $310K Price Range
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Lisa Bouck, PA
Lisa Bouck, PA
RE/MAX ALLIANCE GROUP
(941) 500-5079
96 Total Sales
1 in Ridge Wood Heights
$460,000 Price
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Christina Laidley
Christina Laidley
LA ROSA REALTY KISSIMMEE
(754) 714-4926
71 Total Sales
1 in Ridge Wood Heights
$342,000 Price
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Kevin Tai
Kevin Tai
PREFERRED SHORE LLC
(941) 231-5680
188 Total Sales
1 in Ridge Wood Heights
$510,000 Price
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Darren Dowling
Darren Dowling
Responds QuicklyBEYOND REALTY LLC
(941) 740-6622
161 Total Sales
2 in Ridge Wood Heights
$95K - $171K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- Pre-K to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bee Ridge Park
Phillippi Estate Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Red Bug Slough
Phillippi Mansion
Red Rock Park
Bonita Park
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
7/18/2016
Niche Review
You're generally safe, but crime is on the rise.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Ridge Wood Heights | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Ridge Wood Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ridge Wood Heights, Sarasota sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Ridge Wood Heights, Sarasota over the last 12 months is $315,000.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$334,650
Median Sale Price
$315,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$315,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$339,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$349,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
55
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$268
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,221
Number of Homes for Sale
23
Median Year Built
1978
Months of Supply
5.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,509
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,345
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
713
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,147
Open Houses
-
Sunday, Aug 31 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,072
Median Age
45
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,103
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,652
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.4%
College Graduates
29.8%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.8%
% Population in Labor Force
59.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
37
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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