Sarasota, Florida is the state's southwestern coastal retreat. As many as 141,000 people visit its sandy, white (and to mention gorgeous) beaches every year. It could be the many great opportunities to catch the sunset and sunrise that attracts people to the shoreline, or it may be the down-to-earth living style of the coastal state. With more than 35 miles of beachfront, Sarasota also offers features more than 60 golf courses, several county parks with boating ramps and a number of parts that have fitness rooms. Many people also retire to Sarasota every year. For many years, Sarasota held the title of "Best Place to Live and Work" by Employment Review/Best JobsUSA.com for the area's population, unemployment rates, costs of living and job opportunities. In Sarasota, there is a healthy and diverse market for professionals. In 2006, Sarasota maintained an unemployment rate of 2.6 percent, which has risen to about 8.2 percent in recent years due to the current economic conditions in the United States. However, housing market prices remain low; explaining why so many people are relocating to this area of the Floridian coast.
Economy:
Ever since 2008, Southwest Florida has been seeing what people are calling a "bottoming out" of real estate prices in the area. There have been many foreclosures the past few years and experts at Zillow.com have predicted even more in the upcoming year, which will keep houses on the market and prices low. The Herald Tribune predicts that the market's that the historically low interest rates along with low housing prices will woo buyers to Southwest Florida.
In the city, there is a panel of people from the city's public and private sectors calling themselves the Economic Development Experts who are devoted in bringing up the city. They want to expand current business, solicit new business ventures, and create jobs. With over a population of 372,000 and counting, that is a big job. Currently, big industries and fields where all the jobs are present include real estate development, tourism, recreation, manufacturing, technology, financial service jobs and more. With all of these exciting opportunities, it's no wonder Sarasota moving companies are so busy bringing in new residents every day.
Tourism:
Sarasota, Florida is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Siesta Beach is known for its white sand, natural shallow waters and crystalline water. The sand is said to be mistaken for flour at times. Adjacent to Siesta Beach are the Lido Key beaches where a lot of boating and fishing occurs. Next to the South Lido Park is the Ritz-Carlton Beach club, the Helmsley and the Lido Beach Resort. Besides the tan and sand, there are fossilized shark teeth to be collected at the Venice Fishing Pier. Other summertime, year-round warm weather activities in the city of Sarasota include golfing, shopping, dining and "living it up" in Florida's very own coastal paradise.
Sarasota is also very well known for its art scene, which was developed with the help of well-known Ringing Brothers Circus founder John Ringling. He is one of seven brothers. Him and his wife Mable brought artists, sculptors, painters and performers to the area by developing it and building structures to support displays and performances. Many intrastate and interstate movers to Sarasota as well as tourists get to enjoy the diverse culture and activities provided in the city of Sarasota.
History:
The coastal regions of Florida was once home to hunters and gathers of native people, Europeans soon arrived and fought over the land. A young adventurer named William Whittaker settled here in 1843 and began to build the city in the great state of Florida. Wealthy socialites settled in the area beginning in 1910, which is a trend that has continued into the modern day. Besides boat docks and ramps, arts and performance venues were the first things to be constructed and erected. During the 1920s, John Ringling and his wife Mable surely wanted construct a house and museum of their wide collection of art. To this day, Sarasota is the winter headquarters of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Baily circus, as well as an exciting cultural mecca.