Living in Sarasota

June 22 2023

Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium

gosaraso Living in Sarasota, Things to Do

Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium

The Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium of Sarasota is home to the only two trained Manatees in the world. But Hugh and Buffet were not the only reasons we wanted to check out this branch of the Mote Marine Lab. We visited the Lab on City Island in Sarasota, but there are also campuses in eastern Sarasota County, Boca Grande, and the Florida Keys. This campus can be found at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota, Florida. With three little ones in tow, we were lucky to find a playground outside before heading into the aquarium. This allowed the kids to blow off some of that energy and excitement to prepare for their day of learning about marine life and the world around it.

The tour guides were highly knowledgeable and happy to be there. This made each attraction more engaging for us and the kids. They can answer questions and truly enjoy teaching visitors about wildlife and exhibits. Another fantastic thing about Mote Marine Lab is that you can touch some wildlife. There is an area called contact cove where you can pet stingrays in a display that mimics their natural habitat. Some other surprises for the kids that kept them happy and occupied were the puzzles and interactive games they could play while learning. There is also an aviary on the campus where you can see and learn about birds being rehabbed in the facility. Many of them have plaques describing why they are currently being helped at Mote Marine Lab and why they can not be released.

Check out their LIVE SHARK TANK camera!

EXHIBITS

Something to note for those seeking a full-blown aquarium experience is that the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium is a research center, first and foremost. However, there is still plenty for the young ones and even adults to experience. The shark exhibit, the alligator, and the otters were big hits with the little ones. These are housed in a different building, so some walking is involved, but you can get through the whole place in an hour if you wanted to.

When you visit Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium, you are helping support their research efforts and rehabilitation of birds in the aviary. Everyone wants to create the best experience for the animals and the visitors. During feeding time, you can see how well-socialized and friendly the animals are. It makes you understand how well cared for they are in this facility. So, we highly recommend a visit if you are in any areas with a Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium campus.

June 5 2023

PopStroke Sarasota – A quick guide to the MiniGolf Mecca

gosaraso Living in Sarasota, Move to Sarasota, Things to Do Golf, Sarasota, Things to do

Wondering what a PopStroke adventure is like? We went ahead and checked it out for you. Here is our quick guide to the PopStroke Minigolf Mecca in Sarasota, Florida.

PopStroke Sarasota – Our Quick Guide

These Tiger Woods-designed 18-hole Putt-Putt courses are located at 195 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota, Florida. PopStroke in Sarasota offers a unique dining, eating, and putting experience for beginners to the most avid golfers.

PopStroke can provide you with a two-way putter, or you are welcome to bring your own. However, fun is the main objective here, not so much practice. The TaylorMade golf ball you are given is also yours to keep! There is an option for an all-day pass that allows you to play as many times throughout the day as you would like. Being that there are TWO 18-hole courses, this makes it worth it. So, if you need more than a morning session to get your fix, you can always POP back over and play the other 18-hole course.

Popstroke Specials

PopStroke Sarasota – A quick guide to the MiniGolf Mecca

Large Groups, Food Delivered on the course, great atmosphere PopStroke may give you the feel of an authentic golf atmosphere and course, but the truth is the fun is all that matters. Unlike a golf course, you can play together in larger groups. Several groups of 5 or more walked together, and we had seven ourselves. Dining inside is an option, but we took advantage of the app, allowing you to order food and drinks and have them delivered on the course. We were a big fan of the wings, FYI! We also noticed many people who came to PopStroke to enjoy dining on the large patios without bothering to golf. This area also includes a large playground for kids, an outdoor gaming area with bags, ping pong, and a giant viewing screen above the facility.

As mentioned previously, PopStroke features TWO 18-Hole Putt-putt courses. Tiger Black and Tiger Red. The Tiger Black course is what they call the beginner’s course. This course is flatter, has fewer obstacles, and is easier to maneuver throughout. The Tiger Red course, many golf fans will understand the naming, is more complex. Many obstacles and elevation changes will greet you on this course. Although the pictures may look like sand, they are all the same artificial turf. The effect, however, adds a fun element to the holes.

Our trip was a success for us and our visiting family. The food was excellent. Everyone had fun, and the experience is unlike any other putt-putt experience. Truly unique, and we would recommend a visit to anyone. PopStroke is also accommodating for our hot summers here in Sarasota by having coolers filled with ice-cold towels so you can beat the heat.

Ready to make the move to Sarasota? Download our free relocation guide

Relocation Guide

HOME

April 11 2023

Watch This! New Lakewood Ranch Art Festival Video

gosaraso Events, Living in Sarasota, Things to Do Events, Lakewood Ranch

Watch This! New Lakewood Ranch Art Festival Video

Watch this new quick virtual tour of Lakewood Ranch’s Art Festival from 2023. ReloKate and our videographer Aaron stopped by in January to see it. The art festival’s date for 2024 is set and will take place on Main Street, January 20-21, 2024, down on Main Street.

Admission is free, and the vendors are amazing. Meeting artists who genuinely enjoy what they do and create beautiful pieces that add greatly to your home collection or decoration. Getting outside in the winter is one of the many perks of living here in Florida, so why not take advantage of the great weather and surround yourself with beautiful displays of art and creativity?

We are excited to check it out again in 2024. If you like this video and the others on our website. Be sure to check out Aaron Howard productions on youtube. Until next time!

March 23 2023

Detwiler’s Farm Market a Hidden Gem of Sarasota

gosaraso Living in Sarasota, Things to Do Sarasota, Shopping

Detwiler’s Farm Market a Hidden Gem of Sarasota

Detwiler’s Farm Market is a place that makes your community feel like home. That is why we wanted to tell you about this gem and our first shopping experience at the 6100 N Lockwood Ridge Rd location.

Detwiler’s Farm Market has 5 locations throughout the Sarasota area, with a 6th location due to open in the fall of 2023. So, as you can see from the photos, there is a Midwest farmhouse feel to their decor, which for me, really hits home. The old-fashioned butcher shop features premiere cuts from farmers all over the country. We left with some grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chickens. It was hard to pass up on locally grown fruit, so we also picked up some strawberries.

Detwiler’s does a great job of informing you where your food is coming from. Their website features a small bio of the farms from where their food comes. The list of locally grown, GMO-free, and organic items is always ongoing. So good that signing up for their weekly deals email is a must. If you are into seafood plucked right out of the water, Detwiler’s has what you are looking for there as well. Buying straight from the boats is as fresh as you can get, and they are doing that as much as possible at Detwiler’s.

Free Ice Cream!?

My favorite part of the trip to Detwiler’s was the free Ice cream for first-time visitors! Our videographer Aaron took advantage of that and made for the perfect photo-op. This a gentle reminder that ice cream and happiness go hand in hand for a lifetime! Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to try anything from the Sub shop, but its availability was enticing—something we will have to stop back for and tell you about in the future. They bake their bread fresh daily, the smells are worth it alone, and you can even order and shop around while you wait.

We will no longer be visitors of Detwiler’s. We will be regular shoppers. The overall experience, mixed with the selection of healthy and locally sourced foods, is exactly what we wanted..

We encourage you to visit and find out why we call Detwiler’s Farm Market a hidden gem of Sarasota.

Locations

Home

March 20 2023

Windward: A Lakewood Ranch Community

gosaraso Living in Sarasota, Move to Sarasota Lakewood Ranch, Villages

Windward: A Lakewood Ranch Community

More formally known as Windward at Lakewood Ranch, this gated community offers the Florida lifestyle you dream of. Includes sea shell walking paths, a lap pool, a community event center, an exercise facility, and a dog park.

Windward at Lakewood ranch is currently building Attached Villas in the $400 – $600 range. And Single-Family units in the $500 to $1M range. Homes range between 1,433 – 2,907 square feet, and there will be 780 homes within this development.

Village Map

Neal Communities built its first Florida community in 1970 and have since put up 19,000 more homes. They have won 100s of local and regional awards and some national awards like Best Master Planned Community Design in America, National Association of Home Builders, and Professional Builder magazine. Windward at Lakewood Ranch is a perfect example of why they consistently win awards. The gated community is wonderfully laid out with its conveniently located amenity center and winding walking paths through the lush Florida vegetation. It also includes pickleball courts which has quickly become a crowd favorite. Located near major highways and easy access to the airport, it is no wonder you see houses going up every day.

Inquire for Information

February 27 2023

New planned communities in 2023

gosaraso Living in Sarasota Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota

New Planned Communities in 2023

The new planned communities of Southwest Florida have become a popular model for budding cities like Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch has been consistently named one of the top places to live in the U.S. for nearly a decade now. Located just east of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is a premiere planned community with several newer developments called villages.

With now 21 different Villages throughout Lakewood Ranch, we will highlight some of the most popular. Of course, we will be sure to list all these fantastic villages and, without a doubt, see the benefits of living in them all. Still, for fun, breaking down a few would help paint a picture of why so many people are choosing Lakewood Ranch as their new community.

Let’s get started!

Waterside New Planned Communities in 2023

Still under development, with several additions ready to open in 2023, Waterside is growing in popularity for several reasons. First, with Kingfisher Estates, Lakehouse Cove, and Shoreview currently offering the entry range of $400k to $3M+ with the combined three, it truly makes it a place for everyone. The villages are situated around the very popular Waterside Place. Featuring a rapidly growing Farmers Market every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm with over 100 local vendors. With tons of entertainment, Waterside Place is home to boutique shopping and the very popular Good Liquid Brewing.

As of writing this article, the current villages only offer Single-Family home units, but rental properties are available. Kingfisher Estates is your higher-end village with entries at the $3M mark. You will trade privacy for amenities being only 1 of 13 homes in this village, but low HOA fees reflect this. Shoreview’s entry levels range from the $900s to $2M+ and offer your typical amenities with reflective HOA fees. Clubhouse, Pool, Fitness Center, Dog Park, Tennis, and Pickleball courts with your maintenance included. In addition, we round out this village with Lakehouse Cove, which features Single Family homes from the High $400s to $2M+. Homes range from 1,625 – 5,000 square feet. And there are 626 total homes within this village, and HOA Fees of $200 – $300 per month. Maintenance Included.

Woodleaf Hammock

Woodleaf Hammock offers townhomes in a landscape dotted with lakes and nature preserves. Behind the gated entry, you’ll find a pool, pavilion, tot lot, and pickleball courts. The village is located off SR 64, providing quick access to I-75. Students will be part of the A-rated local school district, and the entire family will love living in this highly desirable location.

Woodleaf Hammock offers low HOA fees of less than $200 per month. Homes here start in the $300s and range from around 1600 sq. ft. to 1750 sq. ft.

Star Farms

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Southwest Florida, Star Farms at Lakewood Ranch will be a multigenerational lifestyle community that offers a unique experience tailored to you. The thoughtfully designed, 700-acre, gated village that Forestar is developing will be a resort ranch hometown featuring 1,500 single-family homes, paired villa retreats, and townhomes with various amenities, clubs, and hospitality services.

Townhomes start in the $300s – Attached Villas starting in the $400s and Single-Family starting $400s to $2M+

Homes Ranging From 1,560 – 5,000 square feet

1,500 total homes Within this village

HOA Fees HOA Fees $200 – $300s per month Maintenance Included

The versatility of these communities is why we chose them for this write-up. Lakewood Ranch is for everyone. With entertainment, top-tier schools, and the ability to find a home from the $200s to $2M. So, if you are ready to make the move or are considering, make sure you download our relocation guide provided by an award winning EXP agent on our MOVE HERE page.