Sunny Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota is the city’s professional and cultural heart. Sarasota county’s barrier island beaches rank among the finest in the world: Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key are destinations not to be missed. Sarasota’s arts and cultural scene tops that of many cities three times its size. It has top-rated hospitals, and its public schools rank among the state’s best. It’s home to a campus of Florida State University’s medical school, the highly regarded Ringling College of Art and Design and New College, the honors college of the State University System.
Things To Do
Sarasota is a cultural hot spot for the arts, as well as a quintessential beach community. Everything from boating, to fishing, to beach-going, golfing, art galleries, theater performances, shopping, dining and so much more can be found in this bustling city. Shopping and dining experiences in downtown Sarasota and the famous St. Armand’s Circle on Lido Key are some of the best in the area. Sarasota is a very community-oriented place and there are many festivals to choose from as well, such as the Sarasota Film Festival and the Ringling International Arts Festival.
Climate
Sarasota has hot, humid summers, and warm, dry winters. There are distinct rainy and dry seasons, with the rainy season lasting from June to September, and the dry season from October to May. Annual average temperature is in the 70’s.
History of Sarasota
The area known today as Sarasota, Florida first appeared on a sheepskin Spanish map from 1763 with the word "Zarazote" over present day Sarasota and Bradenton. The municipal government of Sarasota was established when it was incorporated as a town in 1902. The sheer natural beauty of the area also attracted a big name of the early 20th Century: Ringling! The Ringling Brothers, as well as John and Mable Ringling, were taken with the area and John and Mable soon developed an estate. They would later build a compound there on adjacent parcels that would also include the Ringling Museum of Art. Ringling was the prime mover and shaker in the development of St. Armand’s Key and even used Ringling Brothers Circus elephants in the construction of the bridge from the mainland to St. Armand's Key, now called the "Ringling Bridge."
Business Opportunities in Sarasota
MoneyRates.com named Sarasota County the nation's best area for young entrepreneurs. WalletHub ranked Sarasota the Number 1 Florida city for jobs in 2018. With the tremendous growth Sarasota has been experiencing comes the demand for services, restaurants, housing, retail shopping and jobs. For business owners, population growth means a steady flow of new customers to the area. It also gives more opportunities for new businesses to open, in order to serve all of these customers who have recently relocated. Also, as construction continues to boom, new businesses will be required to serve those areas that are newly developed. Additionally, the development of these areas serves as an opportunity for existing businesses to expand. For current business owners thinking of selling their business, now might be the time, with so many families and young entrepreneurs moving to the area.