Sarasota 'West of the Trail' Neighborhoods

An Area of Upscale Sarasota Historic Homes & Neighborhoods

Ask anyone around here where the most desirable properties are in Sarasota and you'll very likely be told " West of the Trail."

The "West of the Trail" neighborhoods lie on the west (or bayfront) side of South Tamiami Trail (aka U.S. Route 41).  The area is bounded generally by Mound Street on the north and by Bay Road on the south.  Many of these serene and charming neighborhoods sit under canopies of 100-year old banyan trees. Some of these neighborhoods have deep-water frontage on Sarasota Bay.

People who buy homes in "West of the Trail" neighborhoods are generally seeking several of the following neighborhood attributes:

  • Homes of historic significance
  • Proximity to Sarasota Memorial Hospital
  • Mature trees, sidewalks, abd low traffic
  • Easy access to Downtown Sarasota
  • Homes with deep-water docking & bridge-free access to Sarasota Bay
  • Excellent schools within walking distance
  • Friendly, casual gathering spots within walking distance

West of the Trail neighborhoods meet virtually all of these criteria.  In fact, it is largely because of these facts, homes in this area of Sarasota maintain their value better than almost any area in Sarasota and Manatee County.  Reviewing a few of these attractive neighborhoods will give you a feel for what is so special about the set of Sarasota West of the Trail neighborhoods.

McClellan Park is located in the original settlement that became the city of Sarasota. McClellan Park and next-door Desota Park, which was developed in the 1920’s are neighborhoods of mostly older homes, set in a tranquil area of narrow, winding tree-shaded streets.

Cherokee Park and Harbor Acres seem to transcend time. Wide, quiet streets and mature trees envelope homes in a wide range of architectural styles from traditional to Mediterranean with even a few contemporary style homes. Many of the homes in these neighborhoods have been recently renovated.

Avondale, a neighborhood of about 190 homes located on Hudson Bayou, tends to attract younger families because of the Southside Elementary School district, one of the most sought-after schools in the Sarasota County School Districts. The Sarasota Herald Tribune recently said of Avondale, "It's a paragon of walkable urban planning, with quiet streets with sidewalks on both sides of the street and a canopy of mature trees providing comforting shade.

Because Paradise Shores is located within easy walking distance of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, that neighborhood has among its residents many medical professionals.

The Landings is a secure, gated community of maintenance-free villas, single-family homes, unique multi-level tree houses, and condos. Architectural styles in The Landings vary from traditional Florida ranch-style homes to custom waterfront mansions.

Families with large yachts or sailboats with permanent keels will find neighborhoods like San Remo Estates, Coral Cove, Fisherman’s Bay and Southpointe Shores attractive because they have direct bridge-free access to Sarasota Bay either directly or from deep-water canals.

In addition to all the charm of these and other West of the Trail neighborhoods, Siesta Key's beaches, among the most beautiful beaches in Florida, are a 10 minute bike ride or short drive from all of them. And, residents of these charming neighborhoods are also close to all the exciting Downtown Sarasota arts, cultural, dining, shopping and nightclub venues.

If you’re OK with a bland, cookie-cutter, “you’ve seen a million others just like it before” home, West of the Trail neighborhoods are not for you.  But, for something unique, charming and maybe even historically significant, you need to explore this part of Sarasota.

Home prices in Sarasota's West of the Trail neighborhoods vary widely from as little as $200,000 for a small bungalow or fixer-upper to $8 million or more for an elegant waterfront estate with deep-water bayside frontage.

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