Sarasota comes in at number five in the overall list of livable cities. We aren’t surprised to see it do so well, especially because we lived there for almost half a decade and are well-acquainted with its charms.
The city is known to the outside world as a sleepy town where retired northerners come to spend the winter. And the stereotype is definitely true. Snowbirds flock here when the weather gets cold. What doesn’t get advertised as much, however, is that Sarasota is also a college town, with New College of Florida, the Ringling College of Art and Design, and another four secondary education institutions.
Both snowbirds and college students love cultural events, so Sarasota has a constant roster of plays, concerts, art shows, plays and performances happening. You will also be able to visit institutions like the Ringling Museum, which has an impressive art collection that spans from ancient times to the current century and includes works by Peter Paul Reubens and Marcel Duchamp.
In terms of food, you can expect both variety and quality. From Peruvian to Thai to American to Spanish, you’ll find it all Downtown, on Main Street or Saint Armand’s, along with boutique shops and bars.
Of course, the real reason to move to Sarasota is the beach. Siesta Key constantly ranks amongst the most beautiful in the country. The flour-like sand is so soft that you’ll have the urge to eat it and the water in the Gulf of Mexico is clear and warm. At sunset, groups of dolphins often come close to the shore and bioluminescence happens seasonally.
As someone who lived there for a long time, Sarasota deserves to be in the top 10 best cities in the U.S.
