Florida’s Gulf Coast is a charming place for work and for play, making it a popular destination to live in Florida. From Manatee to Sarasota to Charlotte county, there is a Gulf Coast Islands property that is in your style and price range. Some of the following locations are popular island communities:
Anna Maria Island is often compared to a private island, known for its miles of pristine beaches. It also holds a quaint business district with many award winning restaurants and specialty shops, making it an enjoyable place to work. Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach are both popular cities within this island, each its own close knit community with a range of homes, from lovely beach condos to quaint suburban locations.
The keys in Florida’s Gulf Coast off of Sarasota are also popular places. Longboat Key, Lido Key, and St. Armands Key are located in a small string between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. They maintain a year round average temperature of 73 degrees, making it perfect beach weather all year round. They also feature first class tennis and golf facilities, making them a fun place to play on weekends after you finish your workweek. Siesta Key is also famous for its beaches, as it has come in second on Dr. Beach’s list of top beaches in the USA in both 2009 and 2010 and first in 2011. Featuring three beaches with white quartz sand, which is soft and cool to the touch, Siesta Key is the perfect island getaway for you and your family.
Venice Island is known for its downtown area, and is considered one of Florida’s greatest treasures. Between Sarasota and Fort Myer’s, Venice features more than 100 unique shops, salons, and other businesses to enjoy. Finally, Boca Grande is located on the island of Gasparilla, a barrier island featuring seven miles of lush white beaches on its Gulf side.
These tropical paradises make not only wonderful places to visit but also amazing homes. Check out Gulf Coast Islands real estate to learn more about these locations.
According to Boca Grande’s Chamber of Commerce, the “historic village of Boca Grande, on the island of Gasparilla, is located at the southern tip of the Cape of Haze Peninsula on Florida’s Southwest Coast midway between Sarasota and Ft. Myers”. With seven miles of powdery quartz sand beaches, Boca Grande is often described as having an “Old World” feel that is reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Whether you are looking to stay for a weekend or become a permanent resident, there are many options available when it comes to finding a place to call home on this island. With a population of just over 1,000 people, the population skews slightly older, with a median age around 55 years old. This makes Boca Grande a popular retirement spot, and there are plenty of things for people to do. With a wide array of community organizations, it is easy for people to get involved. The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum is a centerpiece of the island, located in the state recreational area, and serves as a local history museum. The Boca Grande Art Alliance and Royal Palm Players, Inc, both work to preserve the arts, including not only painting and sculpting but also performing arts. If you are more of an outdoor type, the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association helps keep the area presentable and accessible for fishermen and the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association works to preserve the island atmosphere, enhance the quality of life, and conserve natural resources.
But besides participating in any of these worthy causes, you can also have some fun too while living on Boca Grande. With access to the gulf on one side and the Cahrlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound on the other, the mix of brackish water makes it a perfect breeding ground for many fish, including grouper, snapper, mackerel, kingfish, snook, and redfish. If you aren’t a fan of fishing, you can also enjoy swimming, shelling, or just plain relaxing on the beach. Or, take a trip into town and enjoy a fresh seafood meal followed by shopping at one of the many stores offering antiques, apparel, gifts, art galleries, and jewelry.
So if you are considering a retirement home, Boca Grande might be the place for you. Check out the real estate offerings available in that area to learn more.
