Sarasota jumped to the No. 5 position on U.S. News & World Report‘s Best Places to Live in the U.S. list for 2023-2024, and retained its No. 1 ranking for best place to live in Florida as well. To rank at the top of the list, a place was judged on quality of life, desirability, job market, and value. In 2022, Sarasota ranked No. 9 on the list and No. 1 in Florida.
Sarasota’s reputation as a playground for retirees is changing as more young professionals begin to call it home, enticed by up-and-coming neighborhoods such as the Rosemary District, adorned with vibrant storefronts, modern condominiums and hotels, and trendy cafes. The report notes that “people who choose Sarasota as their home are generally called by its unique charm.”
Residents are attracted to the popular Gulf Coast beaches, including Lido Key Beach and Siesta Key Beach, known for its soft, white sand. The robust cultural scene features a renowned opera house, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and art museums. Downtown Sarasota is a popular draw for rooftop bars, fine dining, shopping, the weekly farmer’s market, and year-round arts and crafts festivals along the bayfront, all easily walkable from a myriad of high-rise condo buildings.
View the complete list online here.