Arts and Culture
A cultural mecca for almost a century now, Sarasota has enough art and cultural attractions to keep you busy for a lifetime. Explore the art museums and galleries all around town to satisfy the art connoisseur in you. Or watch a show at one of the many performing arts venues in the city, whether it’s a concert, a dance show, a theatrical performance, or a circus show. No matter the time of year, Sarasota will always have a new attraction to offer, making it one of the top beach retirement spots.
State Parks and More
Just because someone’s a retiree doesn’t mean they no longer seek the thrill of the great outdoors. They might even feel the opposite now that they’re free from the clutches of the 9 to 5 life. If that’s the case for you, you might want to add Sarasota to your list of the top beach retirement destinations. Some of Florida’s state parks are within close proximity to Sarasota, including the Myakka State Forest, Oscar Scherer State Park and Myakka River State Park, which is among Florida’s largest and oldest parks.
Easy to Get Around
Traffic can be a pain in a bustling city like Sarasota, but the good news is that Sarasota County has its own extensive bus system. There might be some delays due to heavy traffic at certain parts of the day, but at least you won’t be doing the driving yourself. And depending on where you choose to live, you might not even have to deal with traffic at all. Sarasota has several pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that make walking around town safe and convenient.
Nightlife
The nightlife scene in Sarasota is pretty energetic so you’ll find plenty of things to do until the wee hours of the morning. You might even end up having a busier social life than people half your age since the city works hard to offer all kinds of activities to its older residents. Bar-hopping, late-night dinners, a night of dancing, beer and wine-tasting—it doesn’t matter what kind of late-night activity you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
Quality Time With Family
Unlike many beach retirement towns, Sarasota has a long list of attractions and activities for people of all ages. Traverse the 15-acre grounds of Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens, say hi to the lovely creatures and exotic animals at Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the Big Cat Habitat, shop at a farmers market, or explore art museums and institutions. For a more unique experience, head over to the Ringling Circus Museum located inside the 66-acre Ringling campus.
Health and Wellness
If there’s one thing that Sarasota has that other popular beach retirement towns don’t, it’s the huge offerings of wellness retreats and activities for people who want to stay in tip-top shape. Whether it’s hardcore boot camps to get your daily exercise, luxury spas for a day of self-pampering, or wellness activities like yoga and meditation, Sarasota has it all. On top of that, two of the city’s major employers are Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota—both of which are highly-rated healthcare facilities committed to taking care of your healthcare needs.
Sports and Other Recreational Activities
It’s hard to beat Sarasota when it comes to recreational and amateur sports. If you’re a water sports enthusiast, there’s sailing, kayaking, boating, diving, dragon boat racing, and many more. There are plenty of fields and courts for tennis, badminton, basketball, croquet and other sports as well. If you prefer a more relaxing recreational activity, you could either go fishing or golfing. Sarasota is a top destination for golf, so you’ll have a wide variety of golf courses to choose from.
Warm Winters
In Sarasota, you’ll be safe from the bitter cold of winter thanks to its humid subtropical climate. With average low temps of 64°F and average high temps of 81°F, outdoor activities are available all year round, except of course when a fierce rainstorm is passing through (annual average rainfall is 53 inches). But don’t worry—there will still be plenty of things to do even when it’s raining. Just don’t forget to have an umbrella on you on rainy days. Getting soaked isn’t fun whether it’s 64°F or 81°F.
World-Famous Beaches
Retiring at the beach is great in and of itself, but living a blissful retirement life right next to award-winning beaches is even better. With six islands lining Sarasota’s coastline, you have plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from. Dip in the waters of the world-famous Lido Key or Siesta Key, or relax and drench in the sun on Otter Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key, Casey Key or Coon Key. If the beach is your biggest factor in choosing where to retire, look no further than Sarasota.
Vibrant Restaurant Scene
Apart from award-winning beaches, Sarasota also has award-winning restaurants. In fact, it’s been dubbed as one of the “Best Food Cities” in the country. The options are practically endless so you’ll definitely find something no matter what you’re in the mood for. For southern barbecue, head to Nancy’s Bar-B-Q. If delectable seafood is what you want, Owen’s Fish Camp serves some of Sarasota’s best seafood. Other great options include Pho Cali, Jpan Sushi & Grill, and Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine.