Moving to Sarasota

Hello All,

I plan on moving to Sarasota towards the end of June and am looking for some information from locals. I am a 23 year old vegetarian who will be looking to meet conscious, open and non-judgemental people. I read there are drum circles that form on the beaches out there quite often.. is this true? Also, are there nice parks out there? I currently live in Worcester, MA and the general attitude up here is very closed and judgemental. Thanks for and replies!:)

hi Ryan! I've only seen the drum circle at Siesta key beach... hope you are wealthy if ur moving to fl., & esp. Sarasota. everything's astronomically high, but the wages. I had to leave. people are pretty much the same as up north, as so many are from there.

at 23, unless you have resources, Sarasota/Manatee is not for you---plus, we have enough people who want to come down here, hang out, live the 'beach life' and pretend they are in Paradise (with no resources)

The drum circles are gettin infiltrated with 420 friendly people and ruining the beach for FAMILIES and people who are not quasi-hippies, retro-hippies, hippie-wannabes, and assorted other miscreants who are pissed off that they missed the 60's, Woodstock, the Democrat 1968 Convention, The Vietnam War Protests, etc...

If you aren't in a profession at 23, FIND ONE, and stay out of here until you can make a positive and tangible contribution to the fabric of Sarasota/Manatee

Hey Ryan,
Don't let them scare you off.
Sarasota is a very laid back place.
It's like any where else...It is what you make of it!
There are some really good places to hang-
I suggest instead of hanging out at the beach, try hanging more out East, lots of parks, Myakka> We love rednecks here, just need more 23 yr. Wrangler wearing hotties down here. Come on! Lots of jobs still too.

Thanks all for the replies! I am moving down with a job and looking for more people like you different thinker and less like SaraMana :).. Thanks again!

Ryan wrote:

Thanks all for the replies! I am moving down with a job and looking for more people like you different thinker and less like SaraMana :).. Thanks again!

Amen, bro!
You'll find there's THOSE kind every where you go...But like I said, Keep your head up. Come on down to the Cock & Bull Pub on Cattleman on the weekends and don't forget to wear those tight ass Wranglers..the sunshine state awaits U...see you soon ;-) Good luck!

different thinker wrote:

<quoted text>Amen, bro!
You'll find there's THOSE kind every where you go...But like I said, Keep your head up. Come on down to the Cock & Bull Pub on Cattleman on the weekends and don't forget to wear those tight ass Wranglers..the sunshine state awaits U...see you soon ;-) Good luck!

hahahahaha! well im going down there to visit and look at some places in a week.. ill check it out! thanks again for the info!:D

Hey Ry,
Well all I was saying is that...
There's alot of places to go here in Sarasota without rubbing nose with all 'those' people! I'm sure it won't be long till you'll be hooked up and hanging out with the 'right' crowd! Try Joyland in Bradenton every night somethin' goin' on!!!
You do have a cowboy hat to go with those tight ass fittin' Wranglers don't you? Ha- LOL=lots of luck ;-)

Sarasota and parts of Manatee county are perfect for you. Look at all the local publications such as Biz 941, SRQ Magazine, Sarasota herald and if you can have someone send you our local Observer. Look at Backpage.com and pull up Sarasota it will have the Creative Loafing with all the fun stuff to do perfect for your age-group.
Sarasota is a very progressive city with a great down town blocks after blocks right off of the bay with shops, restaurants and lots lots more. Of course we have the Ritz,,and St Armand Circle, lots of parks everywhere. You can also explore Manatee county all the way up to Anne Marie Island with lots and lots to do. The beauty is all around. There are some great apartments to rent to get you started and the housing is really at a great discount right now no doubt.
Its really what you make it. Also we have some of the best colleges in the nation right down here in Sarasota...Ringling School or Arts, New College, USF, Fl and more.
Really Nice neighborhoods.
Call the Chamber there are several in the area and maybe a local bank to send you some welcome to the area info.
Good luck and welcome to our paradise!

Ryan wrote:

Hello All,
I plan on moving to Sarasota towards the end of June and am looking for some information from locals. I am a 23 year old vegetarian who will be looking to meet conscious, open and non-judgemental people. I read there are drum circles that form on the beaches out there quite often.. is this true? Also, are there nice parks out there? I currently live in Worcester, MA and the general attitude up here is very closed and judgemental. Thanks for and replies!:)

Thanks for the info Sar and again different thinker!!! It is very very much appreciated!:D

Ryan wrote:

Thanks for the info Sar and again different thinker!!! It is very very much appreciated!:D

U R Very Welcome- You're gonna LUV it down here! You'll wonder why you ever lived anywhere else! & Wonder why everyone else lives up there- plus we have cheap flights back if you wanna head back home...and.....V I S I T !

There is drumming every week on Sunday evening at Siesta KEy beach -- not especially hippies, but concious people who seem spiritual. Indians, drum leader and nice people. Great parks! Myakka, Richardson preserve, Island park, Skateboard park at Payne Park, City Park ... the list goes on.

Expensive living... have a job before you come, or plan to be a server at one of the finer restaurants...

Again, for some reason, some people 'think' that one 'deserves' to live in 'paradise'-- not just in Sarasota, but say Fifth Avenue, Maui, Fisher Island, LaJolla, Cote D'Azur, etc etc

Sarasota/Manatee is an expensive area in which to live...that is factual......it is not a place for people that are 'struggling'...that is also factual.....just ask the plethora of people who have packed their chit up and headed BACK up InterState 75 to places like E TN, South Carolina, and Georgia--

We have enough SERVERS here ! we don't need anymore service personnel who can't really live in the city itself, so they live in places like Northport, port Charlotte, Bradenton, Palmetto, and Parrish-

Everyone has the freedom to choose where they wish to live, but they should not develop some unreasonable expectation or 'sense of entitlement' automatically---just to say they want to 'live near the beach', etc etc.....look. Living near the 'beach' is not a 'right' for everyone, nor is it practically possible ...financially or otherwise....just like everyone can't live or survive and thrive on the Upper East Side, or Manhattan, or Wakiki.

That's the reality.

Painting overly rosey pictures of universal prosperity for all 'comers' down I75 is unfair and is stupid.

If you are broke, don't bother...find a more affordable environment and city.....

At only 23 years of age, I would be concentrating on obtaining some degree of personal accomplishment...academic and professional, and thereby FINANCIAL, so at the ripe OLD AGE of say, 33, I could exercise real tangible choices of quality of life issues, geographic preference, and lifestyle choices..

You, at 23, have pletny of time to concentrate on seeing the US and the world...

There is a time and PLACE for everything..

Don't get the cart before the horse...open your own mind to future accomplishments....people even here in Sarasota are not as 'open minded' and non judgmental as you may be led to believe...neither is it 'that' liberal...only in pockets...it is also heavily Republican.

Forget 'drum circles', they are meaningless in the scheme of things at 23 years of age....go accomplish greater things for yourself and then for others.

Forget the beach.....you can visit them worldwide on your college/grad school breaks...the beaches will be there for you in the short years to come

Forget trying to find non judgemental people or a mecca for them...it doesn't exist.....Make your own happiness...like minded people make be drinking the same 'kool-aide'....find individuality.

Forget 'partying' at redneck dumps in BRADENTON such as Joyland....those are a dime a dozen throughout the US and beyond..

Forget 'really nice neighborhoods', unless of course at 23 year of age, you can AFFORD to purchase...Sarasota does not have a large number of multi-family units....that's on purpose by the way...

YOU have lots of time ahead of you

Work hard, then prepare for 'living in paradise', wherever that may be......Sarasota is not the only choice..

Go achieve great things, and keep learning..at 23, that's pretty young to contemplate packing up, with no profession or vocation and moving 1300 miles away......for WHAT ??

Ryan wrote:

Hello All,
I plan on moving to Sarasota towards the end of June and am looking for some information from locals. I am a 23 year old vegetarian who will be looking to meet conscious, open and non-judgemental people. I read there are drum circles that form on the beaches out there quite often.. is this true? Also, are there nice parks out there? I currently live in Worcester, MA and the general attitude up here is very closed and judgemental. Thanks for and replies!:)

Yes, there are drum circles every Sunday at Seista Key. There is also a vegetarian meetup(google it). I am vegetarian. I lived there 17 years and can't wait to move back there myself.Good luck!

Ryan wrote:

Thanks all for the replies! I am moving down with a job and looking for more people like you different thinker and less like SaraMana :).. Thanks again!

Stay in Sarasota. Be careful in Bradenton. Above airport very risky. Sarasota parks are beautiful, along with USF and Ringling campuses where I graduated.

SRQ_atty wrote:

Again, for some reason, some people 'think' that one 'deserves' to live in 'paradise'-- not just in Sarasota, but say Fifth Avenue, Maui, Fisher Island, LaJolla, Cote D'Azur, etc etc
Sarasota/Manatee is an expensive area in which to live...that is factual......it is not a place for people that are 'struggling'...that is also factual.....just ask the plethora of people who have packed their chit up and headed BACK up InterState 75 to places like E TN, South Carolina, and Georgia--
We have enough SERVERS here ! we don't need anymore service personnel who can't really live in the city itself, so they live in places like Northport, port Charlotte, Bradenton, Palmetto, and Parrish-
Everyone has the freedom to choose where they wish to live, but they should not develop some unreasonable expectation or 'sense of entitlement' automatically---just to say they want to 'live near the beach', etc etc.....look. Living near the 'beach' is not a 'right' for everyone, nor is it practically possible ...financially or otherwise....just like everyone can't live or survive and thrive on the Upper East Side, or Manhattan, or Wakiki.
That's the reality.
Painting overly rosey pictures of universal prosperity for all 'comers' down I75 is unfair and is stupid.
If you are broke, don't bother...find a more affordable environment and city.....
At only 23 years of age, I would be concentrating on obtaining some degree of personal accomplishment...academic and professional, and thereby FINANCIAL, so at the ripe OLD AGE of say, 33, I could exercise real tangible choices of quality of life issues, geographic preference, and lifestyle choices..
You, at 23, have pletny of time to concentrate on seeing the US and the world...
There is a time and PLACE for everything..
Don't get the cart before the horse...open your own mind to future accomplishments....people even here in Sarasota are not as 'open minded' and non judgmental as you may be led to believe...neither is it 'that' liberal...only in pockets...it is also heavily Republican.
Forget 'drum circles', they are meaningless in the scheme of things at 23 years of age....go accomplish greater things for yourself and then for others.
Forget the beach.....you can visit them worldwide on your college/grad school breaks...the beaches will be there for you in the short years to come
Forget trying to find non judgemental people or a mecca for them...it doesn't exist.....Make your own happiness...like minded people make be drinking the same 'kool-aide'....find individuality.
Forget 'partying' at redneck dumps in BRADENTON such as Joyland....those are a dime a dozen throughout the US and beyond..
Forget 'really nice neighborhoods', unless of course at 23 year of age, you can AFFORD to purchase...Sarasota does not have a large number of multi-family units....that's on purpose by the way...
YOU have lots of time ahead of you
Work hard, then prepare for 'living in paradise', wherever that may be......Sarasota is not the only choice..
Go achieve great things, and keep learning..at 23, that's pretty young to contemplate packing up, with no profession or vocation and moving 1300 miles away......for WHAT ??

Dude you way over stated yourself on this one didn't you!

I'll just try and "FORGET" I took the time to read all of your bullshit!
And maybe someday you'll remember that you "FORGOT" to LIVE!
You see there's a difference between being alive and living. That's the name of One Night Rodoes new single BTW: See www.gactv.com/onenightrodeo - They play at Joyland. But you'd be better off not stepping your attitude in there, for you may just get it adjusted!

Ryan wrote:

Thanks all for the replies! I am moving down with a job and looking for more people like you different thinker and less like SaraMana :).. Thanks again!

Hi Ryan,
Good to know that you are coming 'with a job'!
What line of work are you in? Will you be bringing a Maine accent with you as well? It will be interesting to have someone around that is not from Ohio or Mich.

I have been in the Sarasota/Bradenton area for almost 40 years. You will find the area is multicultural, From beaches and boating to opera and museums, from factories to agriculrure to high priced retail and services. Unless you are looking for cold weather, there is something here for you. You will find that Bradenton has become the overflow area for Sarasota residents who can no longer afford to live in Sarasota.

I moved back to Sarasota in 2003 only to have my Mother die and have to move back to settle her estate. NEXT TIME I move back to Sarasota(which will probably be next year)I will ask more questions about where I am moving,etc. But of course I know a ton of people there. But in 2003, I picked an apt. on Fruitville out of an apt guide. It was terrible. I like Spanish music but not at 8:30 in the morning!

I think if you're broke, SRQ is not the place for you (the 23 year old) there are better choices around the US

to Ralexa

you must have been in those dumpy low end apts either on the SOUTH side of Fruitville near Beneva Road, or the ones just across the street near Bobby Jones Golf Course- yep, but that area is not by definition 'bad', but you have to be blind not to notice the overall condition !!

Right down the street (east past McIntosh) there is a very nice apt complex, and also one ON MCIntosh just south of Fruitville--

plus a few nice ones in Palmer Ranch, but Sarasota is not known for having a lot of tickytacky apartment complexes-

More crap like that in Bradenton, and certain other parts of Manatee county, like on Cortez

My advice is try to rent a smaller condo in a nice complex, or a small house in a nicer neighborhood, or consider a cheapass community like Northport, also in Sarasota County

and to most people that KNOW, Sarasota has NEVER been a sort of a redneck city- NEVER- nor has it attracted that- but you WILL find that sort of resident more often in The City of Bradenton, and a few other small cities also in Manatee County, such as Palmetto, Parrish, Ellenton, etc

neither will you find country honky tonks and redneck bars populating the business and entertainment landscape in Sarasota- and that's just the way it is, and I don't see it evolving or devolving into that sort of city-

all bets are off for Bradenton, however- totally different sort of place although still considered in the same MSA

most people who seek to live in Sarasota are attracted to quite a different lifestyle, and it certainly can't be described as 'redneck' or rural or a country music 'mecca'

try to read a couple of publications, like SRQ Magazine, Sarasota Magazine, even the Observer(s), Pelican Press, The Ticket, Creative Loafing, and even the sorry-ass Sarasota Herald Tribune