Sarasota Real Estate Blog

Ask any native of Sarasota where the most desirable properties in Sarasota are and you will very likely be told "West of the Trail".

The group of "West of the Trail" (The “Trail” is the Tamiami Trail aka U.S. Route 41) neighborhoods lie on the west (or bayfront) side of South Tamiami Trail.  The area is bounded generally by Mound Street on the north and by Bay Road on the south.  Many of these neighborhoods sit under canopies of 100-year old banyon trees.

Prospective buyers considering homes in the "West of the Trail" neighborhoods are generally seeking more than one of the following attributes:

• Homes with historic significance
• Excellent schools within walking distance
• Proximity to a hospital and excellent health care at Sarasota Memorial
• Neighborhoods with mature trees, charm and character
• Convenient access to Downtown Sarasota and the Bay Front
• Homes with deep water docking and bridge-free access to Sarasota Bay
• Friendly, informal gathering spots
• Walk to shops, restaurants and amenities

The West of the Trail neighborhoods meet these criteria.  That is why they maintain their value better than almost any area in Sarasota and Manatee County.  We’ll review here a few of these attractive neighborhoods to give you a feel for what is so special about the West of the Trail area.

McClellan Park is located in the original settlement that became the city of Sarasota. McClellan Park and next-door Desota Park, which was developed in the 1920’s are neighborhoods of mostly older homes, set in a tranquil area of narrow, winding tree-shaded streets.

Cherokee Park and Harbor Acres seem to transcend time.  Wide, quiet streets and mature trees envelope homes in a wide range of architectural styles from traditional to Mediterranean with even a few contemporary style homes.  Many of the homes in these neighborhoods have been recently renovated.

Avondale, a neighborhood of about 190 homes located on Hudson Bayou, tends to attract younger families because of the Southside Elementary School district, one of the most sought-after schools in the Sarasota County School Districts. The local newspaper recently said of Avondale, "It's a paragon of walkable urban planning, with quiet streets with sidewalks on both sides of the street and mature trees offering ample shade.

For those with yachts or sailboats, many of the homes in neighborhoods like San Remo Estates, Coral Cove, Fisherman’s Bay and Southpointe Shores have direct bridge-free access to Sarasota Bay either directly or from deep-water canals.

Because Paradise Shores is located within easy walking distance of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the neighborhood has many medical professionals among its residents.

The Landings is a secure, gated neighborhood of maintenance-free villas, single-family homes, unique multi-level tree houses, and condominiums. Architectural styles in The Landings vary from traditional Florida ranch-style homes to custom waterfront mansions.

In addition to all the charm of these and other West of the Trail neighborhoods, Siesta Key Beach, one of the most beautiful
beaches in Florida, is just a ten-minute bike ride or a short drive from all of them.  And, residents of these charming neighborhoods are also close to all the excitement, arts, cultural, dining and shopping venues of Downtown Sarasota.

If you’re looking for a bland, cookie-cutter, “you’ve seen a million others just like them” home, the West of the Trail neighborhoods are not for you.  But, for something unique, charming and maybe even historically significant, you need to look into this part of the Sarasota
cityscape.  Home prices in the West of the Trail neighborhoods vary widely from as little as $300,000 to $8 million or more.  There's something for everyone here from Old Florida-style bungalows to opulent waterfront estates.

I invite you to learn more about these "West of the Trail" neighborhoods.  Email me at Andree@YourSarasotaRealEstate.com or for an immediate response, call me on my cellphone at 1.941.232.4053.