Sarasota, Florida, is a coastal city renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant arts scene, and relaxed lifestyle. Located on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota offers a variety of neighborhoods that cater to different lifestyles, from waterfront communities to bustling urban areas. The city's blend of cultural attractions, natural beauty, and year-round sunshine makes it a popular place to live.

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A neighborhood map of Sarasota is essential for exploring the city's diverse areas. The map highlights neighborhoods such as Downtown Sarasota, Lido Key, and Palmer Ranch, each offering its own unique character and amenities. Whether you are drawn to the cultural richness of Downtown, the coastal charm of Lido Key, or the suburban comfort of Palmer Ranch, a Sarasota neighborhood map can help you find the perfect place to call home. This resource is particularly valuable for those new to the area, offering insights into the distinct qualities of each neighborhood.

Best neighborhoods in Sarasota

# Hood Population Area (km 2) Livability Score 
1 Uplands n/a 0 78
2 Original Gillespie Park 759 0.5 75
3 Jordan's Crossing 484 0.18 71
4 Alta Vista 1,983 0.93 69
5 Laurel Park 661 0.72 69

The best Sarasota neighborhoods are often determined by livability factors such as access to amenities, crime rates, cost of living, and school quality. These neighborhoods are known for their high quality of life, offering proximity to beaches, parks, shopping, and cultural institutions. The best Sarasota neighborhoods attract a diverse population, including families, retirees, and young professionals, all drawn by the city's vibrant community and coastal lifestyle.

Worst neighborhoods in Sarasota

# Hood Population Area (km 2) Livability Score 
1 Saint Armands 157 0.15 42
2 Lido Key 522 0.42 43
3 Golden Gate Point 144 0.13 51
4 Lido Shores 400 0.27 54
5 Bay Isle-Siesta 274 0.11 54

Certain neighborhoods in Sarasota may not rank as highly on livability scales due to challenges such as higher crime rates, fewer amenities, or limited access to quality schools. While these areas might be considered some of the worst Sarasota neighborhoods, they can still offer unique qualities that may appeal to specific residents. It is important to carefully evaluate these neighborhoods based on your personal needs and lifestyle, as they may still provide potential benefits depending on your circumstances.

Largest neighborhoods in Sarasota

# Hood Population Area (km 2) Livability Score 
1 Bayou Oaks 3,746 2.42 62
2 Park East 3,290 1.96 67
3 Arlington Park 3,285 2.33 68
4 Amaryllis Park 2,995 1.59 60
5 Downtown 2,791 1.78 67
6 Alta Vista 1,983 0.93 69
7 Central Cocoanut 1,503 0.95 63
8 Rosemary District 1,392 0.49 66
9 17th Street 1,339 1.13 57
10 Eastwood Oaks 1,263 0.59 62

Popular Sarasota, FL Neighborhoods

Sarasota, Florida is a city known for their fine beach resorts and cultural attractions. It is also famous for being the start of the Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey Circus events. Popular tourist attractions include the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Sarasota Opera House and multiple vintage theaters. The city has also attracted filmmakers to use as place to film movies and television programs. The local populace is mostly made up of Caucasians, but there are still significant populations of African Americans, Asian Americans and Hispanics. Some of the most prestigious neighborhoods are McClellan Park, Lido Key, Cherokee Park.

McClellan Park

McClellan Park is a neighborhood with a classical and romantic feel to it. It was originally a large development project in 1916 by the McClellan sisters. Some of the names and architecture are inspired by Native Americans since they were very prominent in the area during the 1920's. Some structures were even made over ancient Indian burial grounds. With wide roads pal trees, the streets of McClellan Park are considered to be one of the best in town. Most of the houses in the area were constructed in the 1920's to 1950's, showing the superiority and durable of vintage homes. These old house have been extensively remodeled to fit modern tastes. The lush woodlands surrounding the neighborhood is another one of the perks attracting homeowners to the area. Some of the best restaurants are located within the area, including Roy’s Sarasota and Kazu’s Shushi & Asian Bistro.

Lido Key

Lido Key is an island located within Sarasota, Florida. It is connected to the rest of Sarasota thanks to the John Ringling Causeway. This island has the best sandy beaches in the area and they face towards the Gulf of Mexico. Tourists and retirees come from all parts of the world to enjoy the relaxed beach lifestyle that Lido Key offers. Fresh seafood is widely available due to the key location and prominent fishing industry. Because of the tourism, many fine restaurants, hotels and boutiques have opened up. One of the most popular sots for tourists are the kayak tunnels surrounded by thick forests of mangrove trees. There are many beach front properties for sale, which are also near the bustling nightlife. The crime rate is significantly lower than many other parts of Sarasota and has better high school graduation rates and average household incomes.

Cherokee Park

Cherokee Park is highly sought after real estate due to the proximity of the shopping centers. It was formed in 1926 and boomed in the 1950's and 1960's. It is located very close to the downtown area, which is just a short drive south of the center. There is also a pristine golf course in the neighborhood at Palmer Ranch. The family-friendly beach of Siesta Key is also located within a few minutes from the neighborhood. The residents are typically high income professionals, so crime is obviously much lower than the rest of Florida. The livability of the Cherokee Park is much higher than the average neighborhood in Florida or the United States in general. There are vintage homes, small family homes or even high end mansions throughout the streets of Cherokee Park. Housing prices are very high in the area, and it is not uncommon for older houses to be torn down for other houses to be built.