Venice

In Jacaranda West, the Florida sun is dependable. “Here there’s a good mix of snowbirds and full-timers,” says Michael Gray, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. Residents flock from up north to enjoy the reliable Florida heat in one of Jacaranda West’s many gated communities, each of which has its own distinct personality and amenities. Whether based in Heron Lakes, Meadow Run or Lake of the Woods, residents here are always a 6-mile drive from historic downtown Venice, or “Venice Island,” for all their shopping needs. There’s no shortage of golf courses here, and neighbors often bond while practicing their swing. Jacaranda West’s streets are lined with palm trees, and most of the area’s single-family homes are less than 30 years old and don Spanish-influenced detailing. Prospective buyers will also find ranch-styles and condo options here. Common to Jacaranda West are planned communities where prospective buyers can choose from a variety of housing styles. Average sale prices vary, but in the sought-after Heron Lakes community, single-story villas can sell for approximately $300,000. Most homes also include two-car ports and local roads curve around carefully-maintained ponds. Some properties come equipped with hurricane shutters, a protective measure against Southwest Florida storms. A few minutes south, in the Lakes of Jacaranda community, a three-bedroom property surrounded by mature fruit trees can sell for upwards of $600,000. Some residents even have their own pools, ideal for escaping the Florida heat or entertaining visiting grandchildren. Most planned communities also include Home Owner’s Association fees to cover shared facilities costs and property maintenance. Students living in Jacaranda West are incorporated into the Sarasota County School system which includes Garden Elementary, Venice Middle, and Venice High. All three schools received a grade of A-minus or higher from the educational review site Niche. Venice High School is known for its emphasis on the arts, and the theater department performs at the local Venice Institute for Performing Arts. Sarasota County juniors and seniors are given the opportunity to join the VIP Arts Academy’s Apprenticeship Program, which will give them the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals. The Venice Village Shoppes, home to a Publix supermarket, Joann Fabric and Crafts, and more, is just a couple of miles away from Jacaranda West via United States Highway 41. Nearby, locals can enjoy quick bites from chain restaurants like Panera, Outback Steakhouse and Skillets, which is known for its thick-cut smokehouse bacon. A few miles north, Detwiler’s Farm Market is home to locally-sourced produce, an old-fashioned butcher’s shop and even hand-dipped ice cream. Or for a classy date night and a wider selection of shops, make the quick drive to historic downtown Venice. Here, Gray says there’s no shortage of top-notch Italian restaurants. Head to a wine bar or sample gelato at one of the many spots located along Venice Avenue. Residents of Jacaranda West have prime access to Floridian staples: immaculate golf and pristine beaches. Open to members and the public, The Jacaranda West Country Club offers an award-winning 18-hole golf course where players can also take lessons from seasoned instructors. And of course, the white sand Venice beaches are just 9 miles west. Scan the waves for dolphins and, on rare occasions, manatees. Within each gated community, residents have access to a unique list of activities. In Lake of the Woods, for instance, residents come together for yard sales, meet up in the clubhouse, or challenge one another to tennis matches on the community courts. Or on a rainy day, families can attend a youth storytime at the Jacaranda Public Library or a “read with the dogs” session, an event where animals from the Suncoast Humane Society are also present. On Sundays, head to Wellen Park to watch the Venice Symphony perform a concerto free of charge. In addition to golf courses and days at the beach, locals can also enjoy the more rugged pathways of Alligator Creek Conservation and Recreation Area. Look out for Red-Shouldered Hawks, bobcats and Wood Storks. In Jacaranda West, it's not all that uncommon to spot residents riding their golf carts down the street. Locals have easy access to Venice Island which, along with its famous selection of shops and restaurants, is also home to a small municipal airport. The two runways are mainly used for privately owned aircrafts and medical personnel. “You’re in the middle of everything,” says Gray, pointing out the proximity of Interstate 75, which can take residents 50 minutes up north to the much larger Sarasota Bradenton Airport. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, brand new and nationally ranked, is just 8 miles, or a short 15-minute drive away. As Coldwell Banker Realtor Jackie Robertson jokes, “You could even ride your bike to it.” The hospital is known for specializing in the fields of gastrointestinal surgery, geriatrics, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology.

South Venice, a residential community near the Gulf of Mexico in southern Sarasota County, offers the calm convenience of Gulf Coast living. “It’s a nice, quiet neighborhood,” says Sean A. Seward, a Realtor with Keller Williams Island Life Realty. This waterfront area is home to a unique neighborhood feature – the South Venice Ferry. The ferry has been a community staple since the mid-1960s, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the Intracoastal Waterway. Previously, South Venice residents crossed a series of footbridges to get from the neighborhood’s west side to the adjacent Gulf beach. Residents also enjoy proximity to top-rated schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and the Tamiami Trail, the region’s primary retail and dining corridor. The streets of South Venice are populated primarily by ranch homes built between the 1950s and the 1990s, with many having been remodeled in recent years. The spacious lots typically feature large yards and private drives, and many are enhanced by the presence of palm trees and custom landscaping. The median sales price of homes in South Venice is roughly $400,000, about 15 percent less than the median price in greater Venice. A quirk of the neighborhood infrastructure is that most homes are on well water, which means pumps need to be checked and maintained, but costly public utility bills are avoided. Coastal-style homes are among the larger, more architecturally distinct houses close to the Intracoastal Waterway. To compensate the community for removing the footbridges when the Intracoastal Waterway was built, the corps gave South Venice $150,000 for a ferry. To this day, residents can buy an annual pass for $150 that allows them convenient access to the beach every day from 9:30 a.m. to sunset. The ferry-pass requirement means the beach itself is rarely crowded, even during peak tourist season when other Gulf beaches are usually full and parking is hard to find. The result is that South Venice residents get to enjoy the tranquil setting of what is essentially a private beach. “When I was a kid from Ohio and we’d come down and ride the ferry, I thought that was awesome,” says Seward. There is a neighborhood boat ramp at the same location, and annual passes for its use are $120. South Venice also is home to Shamrock Park, a sprawling recreational center that includes an array of traditional amenities such as tennis and pickleball courts and features a nature center where visitors can learn about the native flor and fauna. A network of walkways connects directly to The Legacy Trail, a paved bike path that connects Venice to downtown Sarasota, and the Venetian Waterway, which circles all of Venice. Just north of the neighborhood are three top-rated Sarasota County public schools that students can attend. Venice Elementary School, Venice Middle School and Venice Senior High School all are A-rated institutions by Niche, and the high school also received a 9-out-of-10 from GreatSchools for college readiness. Venice High also boasts its own performing arts center. The convenience of living in South Venice extends to its location and its proximity to historic downtown Venice, which features boutiques, restaurants and other attractions in a charming, Old Florida setting less than 3 miles away on the Tamiami Trail. “It’s just so super conveniently located,” says Seward. The Tamiami Trail, which runs through much of the neighborhood, provides additional convenience with an array of eateries located along its business corridor. Highly rated neighborhood options include Lucarelli’s Italian and Baiyoke Thai Bistro. Less than a mile east is the Venice Village Shoppes, anchored by Publix and Target and including a variety of restaurants. The Tamiami Trail provides access to points of interest nearby and along the coast. Downtown Wellen Park, a contemporary mixed-use gathering place that is the centerpiece of south Sarasota County’s newest master-planned development, is only 7 miles directly east of the neighborhood. Downtown Sarasota is about 20 miles directly north along the Trail, which can be taken all the way into Bradenton to catch Interstate 275 for travel to St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Additionally, State Road 776, also known as Englewood Road, runs through the neighborhood and provides a quick trip to the quaint village of Old Englewood less than 10 miles south. The neighborhood is served by the South Venice Civic Association, which works out of a community center on Alligator Creek that opened in 1959 and remains a place for community events and classes. The association keeps residents up to date on news that affects them with a 12-page monthly newsletter delivered to their homes.

Those looking for an active golf club community in a relatively secluded location on Florida’s Gulf Coast may have found their perfect cup of tee in Pelican Pointe. Though Pelican Pointe is a mere 2 miles from downtown Venice and 3 miles from the city’s beaches and boutique shops, the community enjoys a desirable inland location amid ponds, streams and protected wetlands. “It’s a beautiful, unpretentious community without the bling of Venice,” says Robert Goldman, a retired real estate lawyer who moved to the gated, semi-private community and became a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company. As for the golf, Pelican Pointe features 27 holes that can be played separately or together in any combination. The trio of nine-hole layouts designed by famed golf course architect Ted McAnlis plays anywhere from 5,326 to 7,182 yards, and they are open to all residents. “Because it’s semi-private, you can play as a member or play as part of the public,” says Goldman. Practice facilities include 25 grass turf hitting stations and an 8,000-square-foot putting green. Lessons are available from certified teaching professionals, including Sue Powers, the 2014 LPGA National Teacher of the Year. Nearby, Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures offers lessons, clinics, camps and golf-themed vacations for women. Instructors include the facility’s namesake, an LPGA Hall of Famer. Pelican Pointe comprises five subdivisions, each with its own community pool, and features a “vast assortment” of housing types, from single-story fourplexes to villas to traditional single-family homes. Residents enjoy spacious lots with large yards, private driveways and plenty of garage space. With an average sales price of about $640,000, homes in Pelican Pointe sell for an average of $140,000 dollars more than those in the surrounding area of Venice. Still, price points in the neighborhood are diverse and two-bedroom Spanish revivals with double-wide front garages can sell for as low $400,000 dollars. Larger homes in the neighborhood with up to 2,500 square feet can sell for up to $900,000 and feature pleasing, geometric designs cast in warm earth tones and generous yard space. Neighborhood students can attend nearby public schools of Sarasota County like Garden Elementary, which receives an A rating on Niche. Other top-rated schools include Venice Middle, which earns an A-minus and Venice High, which gets an A according to Niche. Another local option is SKY Academy Venice, a charter middle school located In the YMCA. The tuition-free institution, which stands for Strength and Knowledge at the Y, offers a curriculum based on research showing that physical activity primes the brain for learning. Aside from golf, residents of Pelican Pointe can also get active at the neighborhood club. Members have access to additional amenities that include an outdoor pool, tennis courts that are marked for pickleball play, a fitness center and dining facilities. Another option is the local Venice YMCA. The facility offers a standard array of athletic amenities and instructional classes. Plus, membership is free for students attending SKY Academy Venice. At Brohard Paw Park, dog owners can take their pups out to play with each other or swim with their owners in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether fishing, surfing or just going for long walks, residents of Pelican Pointe have an unlimited selection of beaches to choose from. Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club’s 22,000-square-foot clubhouse is the epicenter of community activity, and membership, as they say, has its privileges. “We have a very, very active social life here, and your HOA fees include a social membership,” says Goldman, who estimates 250-300 people attend a typical event. “We have everything from weekly trivia nights to the various holiday parties, and there’s a Sunday brunch each week.” Pelican Pointe’s social calendar is supplemented by a longstanding women’s association that offers dozens of activities for its nearly 600 members. Shopping and dining is kept convenient for residents of Pelican Pointe with the Venice Commons shopping center, located right along the intersection of Pinegrove Road and Venice Avenue. Anchored by a publix, picking up groceries is a breeze for residents and, on their way home, they can also pick up some dinner from local restaurants like China Wok, which serves a diverse menu of classic Chinese and Asian fusuion lunch and dinner items. Less than a mile away is the Tamiami Trail retail and dining corridor, which features everything from eateries and car dealerships to the hometown shopping experience of Detwiler’s Farm Market. While Pelican Pointe doesn't have much in the way of public transportation, the area is fairly bikable and many stores are not too far from home. The beach is about three miles by bike as well. Residents are also connected to nearby cities like Tampa by Interstate 75, which passes right by Venice. When traveling out of state, residents can take I-75 about 30 miles north to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, while, to find the nearest hospital, residents can head to the Doctors Hospital of Sarasotaright off the exit of I-75.

Sometimes, the things you might not think about are what make a place attractive. That’s the case with Venice East, tucked into the city’s collection of inland neighborhoods. “One of the main (attractions) is that we’re on city water and sewer and don’t have to use wells like other areas of Venice,” says Briana Cyr, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. In addition, the neighborhood’s housing provides some of the best values in Sarasota County -- with listings typically between $3000,000 and $500,000 -- and the established homes are not subject to any organizational interference. “It’s really convenient as far as pricing,” says Kristy Leblanc, a Realtor with Keller Williams Island Life Realty. “And you don’t have any deed restrictions. That’s always appealing.” The established housing is a collection of ranch-style homes featuring architectural flourishes such as Mission-style arches. Custom landscaping graces many of the spacious lots. "It's a cute little neighborhood of well-maintained homes," says Leblanc. Alternatives include custom homes with vaulted ceilings and open floor plans at Woodmere Lakes and the Mediterranean-influenced villa-style homes at Southwood, both HOA-run subdivisions. Nearby Taylor Ranch Elementary is among the top-rated schools available to neighborhood students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Taylor Ranch Elementary and Venice Middle are A-minus-rated schools by Niche. Venice High is an A-rated school that also received a 9-out-of-10 from GreatSchools for college readiness. The high school also boasts its own performing arts center. Convenience extends to the neighborhood’s location. “You’re about 10 minutes from the beach and five minutes from all the shops and chain restaurants,” says Leblanc. The waterfront in Venice and Manasota can each be accessed off Tamiami Trail, which forms much of Venice East’s border. Retail and dining are concentrated along the corridor, which features the Venice Village Shoppes, anchored by a Publix, Target and Walmart Supercenter; and another concentration of businesses that includes a movie theater. And they’re not all chain restaurants. Mad Dogs Hot Dogs is a highly rated neighborhood eatery known for its extensive menu of fast food favorites, and The Living Room occupies the other end of the dining spectrum with its upscale setting and motto of “Eat, Drink, Relax.” Extra calories can be dropped at a pair of neighborhood institutions – Woodmere Park and Venice East Golf Club. Woodmere Park has been around since the early 1990s and has become a gathering place for the community. The tennis courts have been overtaken by pickleball play, but other traditional amenities include a gymnasium and a playground. A dog park and a trail that runs along Alligator Creek are special features of the complex. Residents also can sign up for educational and fitness classes as well as youth camps. The golf club has been a part of the neighborhood since 1961, and it still has an old-school feel. The par-57 executive layout comprises 18 quick but challenging holes over roughly 2,800 yards. The year-round public facility is known for its driving range and affordable lessons. Tamiami Trail and Englewood Road converge in the neighborhood’s southwest corner, providing easy access to nearby points of interest and other coastal destinations. Downtown Wellen Park, a contemporary mixed-use gathering place that is the centerpiece of south Sarasota County’s newest master-planned development, is about 5 miles directly east of the neighborhood along the Trail. Downtown Sarasota is about 20 miles directly north, and Interstate 275 can be accessed further north along the corridor for travel to St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Englewood Road provides a quick trip to the quaint village of Old Englewood less than 10 miles south.

On the slim barrier island of Casey Key, located between the larger cities of Sarasota and Venice, quiet afternoons are punctuated by the sound of gulls. Residents can collect shells along this community’s white sand beaches or spend an afternoon paddle boarding in the Gulf of Mexico’s bright blue waters. There are only a few 1950s-era motels and vacation rentals scattered throughout Casey Key, as this quiet paradise prides itself on remaining primarily residential. “You’ve got your privacy and you still get the feel of the old Florida,” says Daniel Matusiak, a luxury real estate consultant and broker. Over the decades, Casey Key’s views, quiet roads and multi-million dollar estates have attracted famous residents like renowned author Stephen King. For most tourists, Casey Key is off the beaten path which means the community remains both traffic- and commercial-free. In Casey Key, buyers will find a diverse offering of glamorous estate homes as well as some more modest three-bedroom homes dating back to the 1960s. Architectural styles range from Spanish-influenced designs featuring red-tiled roofs to sprawling modern mansions camouflaged by rows of palm trees. Here, the average sale price hovers around $5 million, but price points can easily reach upwards of $12 million. Homeowners on the Gulf side of the Key have access to their own private beaches — which increases these properties’ price tags — while the west side offers ranch-style homes overlooking Blackburn Bay at price points of $3 million. According to Matusiak, about 15 % of properties have bay-to-gulf access, the best of both worlds. At the Casey Key Fish House, a local favorite, patrons can order everything from fresh sesame-crusted tuna to classic deep-fried seafood items. About 5 miles south across from Nokomis Beach is Pop’s Sunset Grill. Listen to live music, enjoy the bay views and try their spicy tuna wrap. Travel across the bay to The Clever Monkey in Osprey, known for its craft beer menu. Nearby, residents can do their grocery shopping at Publix or check more items off their to-do lists in the Bay Street Town Center, home to boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants like By the Bay Bistro, Bella Vino & Cucina and Midge Johnson Fine Art. Residents can enjoy Florida’s warm weather from behind the helms of their very own motorboats or opt to rent a kayak or paddleboard near Blackburn Point. To catch some waves, surfers head to the south side of North Jetty while fishermen try their luck on the north side. Free yoga classes are offered on Nokomis Beach most mornings at 9 am. Or stick around on Wednesdays and Saturdays to catch the rhythmic beats of a drum circle just before sunset. A short drive south brings residents to Venice where they can attend a lecture series or a Jazz concert at the Venice Art Center. Thirty minutes north, and they’ll arrive in Sarasota, known as Florida’s cultural coast. Catch a performance at the Sarasota Opera House or pick up a pair of season tickets at the Florida Studio Theater. Residents can enjoy Florida’s warm weather from behind the helms of their very own motorboats or opt to rent a kayak or paddleboard near Blackburn Point. To catch some waves, surfers head to the south side of North Jetty while fishermen try their luck on the north side. Free yoga classes are offered on Nokomis Beach most mornings at 9 am. Or stick around on Wednesdays and Saturdays to catch the rhythmic beats of a drum circle just before sunset. A short drive south brings residents to Venice where they can attend a lecture series or a Jazz concert at the Venice Art Center. Thirty minutes north, and they’ll arrive in Sarasota, known as Florida’s cultural coast. Catch a performance at the Sarasota Opera House or pick up a pair of season tickets at the Florida Studio Theater. Casey Key students are incorporated into the Sarasota County School System. Kids kindergarten through Grade 8 attend Laurel Nokomis Elementary/Middle School, which has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. From there, they can head to Venice High School, known for its Arts Academy Apprenticeship Program which gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals. Both Laurel Nokomis and Venice High were awarded A grades from the educational review site, Niche. Nokomis Public Beach, a popular spot for seashell hunting, is the oldest public beach in Sarasota County. There’s plenty of parking in the morning for those who drive to the beach, but locals may find it easiest to make the trip on their bikes. Across the Blackburn Point Swing Bridge is Blackburn Point Park, where birding enthusiasts can keep an eye out for Great White Herons and Brown Pelicans. If lucky, visitors may even spot a manatee or two. The park also offers picnic tables, pavilions and boat launches for public use. Residents get on and off the island by car via the historic Blackburn Point Swing Bridge or Albee Road. From Blackburn Point, the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is just 30 minutes away on US Highway 41. From there, catch a direct flight to nearly 50 US cities. Alternatively, the local Venice Municipal Airport provides a landing place for privately owned aircrafts. On the island of Casey Key itself, take advantage of the resort-like views by biking or riding an electric scooter down the road. Residents love docking their boats in the slips at the Casey Key Fish House, then grabbing a bite with some stellar views. According to Lori Summers, a Realtor with Corcoran Dwellings and ½ of the Golden Summers Mortgage Team, the Sarasota area is known for being relatively safe when it comes to hurricanes. "There are stories of an ancient blessing that explain why Sarasota is protected from hurricanes,” she says. Still, Casey Key residents were tasked with repairing large-scale damage to their infrastructure after Hurricane Idalia struck in August 2023.