When it comes to soaking up a Sarasota lifestyle, the Southgate community is a great option for getting right in the middle of things. Located in central Sarasota just east of U.S.-41, Southgate covers just over two square miles, bordered by Bee Ridge Road to the south, Beneva Road to the east, and Arlington Park to the north. Initially developed in the 1960s, Southgate has expanded greatly from there, featuring easy access to downtown and a plethora of shops, restaurants, and other amenities.

The homes in Southgate are largely one-story, as was the trend in the sixties. Many of the homeowners are enhancing the neighborhood's “retro” vibe, making the most of the architecture to create a suburban-chic feel while maintaining its family-friendly

Forbes Magazine named 2015 the "Year of the Millennial Customer," claiming, “millennials are not only the largest generation in U.S. and world history, they’re on the cusp of commanding the largest wallet power as well. It’s estimated they’ll be spending $200 billion annually by 2017 and $10 trillion over their lifetimes as consumers, in the U.S. alone.” Forbes prizes this generation so much that they named 2016 the Year of the Millennial Customer as well.  

And why shouldn't they? According to a March 2015 report from the National Association of Realtors, millennials represent 32% of the real estate market, and the 2015 TD Bank Mortgage Service Index reports that, within the next year, 50% of millennials will say they are either “extremely” or

The word “bungalow” has come to mean different things to different people. The architecture originated in the Bengali region in South Asia and referred to one-story residences with broad verandas. Bungalows have since come in many shapes and sizes, and some even have second stories built into the sloping roof.

One of the benefits of bungalows is that they are generally only one story, cutting out the complication of stairs for those who would rather not climb them. Sticking to the original model's broad veranda or front porch also makes for a very welcoming approach and great place to relax with your libation of choice. Which type of bungalow is for you depends on where you want to be and how much you want to pay -- but make no mistake, Sarasota

July is a great time to be on the water in Sarasota, and the first weekend of this month gives you a few choices for how you'd like to experience that water. You could watch the Sarasota Offshore Boat Races (including Superstock & AquaX Races) by setting up anywhere on Lido Beach as the boats run from New Pass to Big Pass, but remember your binoculars to really see what's going on. Or, on July 4, you may prefer something like the 3rd Annual Myakka River Kayak Festival and 4th of July Jam Blast at Snook Haven, where you can also watch performances by Steve Arvey and Treble Hook’s Florida Folk and Medicine Show. Either way, July just keeps heating up from here.

Of course, on Independence Day, there are a number of places to watch the fireworks,