In 1995, the master-planned community started developing seven different villages on a former timber ranch on the border of Sarasota and Manatee counties. Summerfield, the first neighborhood development, has since evolved into the fourteen different villages of Lakewood Ranch, offering a wide range of single-family homes, condominiums, villas, townhomes, and luxury estates. Each village in Lakewood Ranch has its own distinct vibe, catering to a certain sort of lifestyle.

Condominiums in the gated enclave of the Esplanade and the 55+ Del Webb start in the mid $200s, while the downtown vibe of the Waterfront at Main Street start in the high $300s. Beyond the gates of Country Club East and Lakewood National are some of the finest golf courses around

With an average of 3.7 million burglaries a year in the United States, home security is an important issue. Not only do people lose things of material value, but there is an emotional toll as well. The best way to help curb losses is to be prepared, so here are the best ways to get your new home security ready when you move in.

1. Put a security system sign in your yard or on your window. According to a study by the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, about 60% of convicted burglars said that the presence of a security system made them more likely to pass up the home. Even if you don’t have one yet, letting burglars think that you do is a good start.

2. Install an actual alarm

As one of the oldest communities in Sarasota, the Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores neighborhood offers plenty of homes with incredible architecture as well as beautiful views. In walking distance to Sarasota Jungle Gardens, The Ringling Museum, and Asolo Theatre, this neighborhood is also only a few minutes from Downtown Sarasota and the airport. As North Tamiami Trail continues its renovations, this is a wonderful neighborhood for growth.

981 Caloosa Drive is updated and move-in condition with stylish finishes, open great room for entertaining, and living options include in-laws suite, studio, or duplex rental all on ground level living. Large oak trees create character and curb appeal. There is an abundance of drive space for your parking needs

Often called “Florida's Cultural Coast,” Sarasota is well known for its many theatres. Each offers a wonderful variety of shows where audiences have been delighted for decades. With so many standout area theatres, residents are almost guaranteed a new show every week.

Historic Asolo Theater – America's only 18th century European theatre, the Historic Asolo Theater is one of the most beloved objects in The Ringling collection. Crafted in Asolo, Italy in 1798, it was brought to Sarasota, piece by piece, in the early 1950s and painstakingly restored in 2006.

Asolo Repertory Theatre - A world-renowned acting company known for producing the highest quality professional theatre in true rotating repertory, the Asolo company started performing in

While Florida got its name from being a "festival of flowers," many residents are more appreciative of its fruits and veggies. Due to its tropical climate and the growing "foodie" trend, Florida is a great place to grow food, and several people are opting to forgo the traditional lawns and landscaping for gardens and edible plants. With a wide variety of annual and perennial plants, edible landscaping can help residents create a beautiful, abundant, and tasty Florida yard.

Whether you want to help save the planet or save money on your grocery bill, growing your own food may be the way to go. Commercial gardens use up to two to three times the amount of water as a home or community garden, and according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every

With the summer blockbusters out of the way, the next few months will see the release of a good number of the films that will be nominated for Oscars and other awards. The question is where you should go see them. Here is a little rundown on Sarasota's movie theaters and what you can expect from your visit.

Galleria Stadium 12 - If you're down in Venice, the Galleria is the go-to theater, largely because it's the only one. If you're looking for something a little more modern, you're going to have to come north.

AMC Sarasota 12 - Opened after the $50 million expansion of the Sarasota Square Westgate in 2006, these twelve theaters have stadium seating, large screens, and they're located right next to the food court if you'd like to sit down for

For those who are looking for their dream home, one of the big questions is whether to buy one that's already on the market or build their own. Considering that a home is usually the single largest investment a person can make, it's not a decision that should be made lightly. I want to offer you a few of the bigger considerations to help you make the best educated decision you can.

Consider the Convenience

Purchasing a home that's already built is generally a much simpler process. After you get pre-approved for a home in your price range, you have the ability to shop around and pick out a home you think will work for you. If you have a good realtor working for you, it really helps to streamline the process, and once the deal is closed, it may

The community of Lake Sarasota started around one of the Florida tourist attractions that helped make Florida the destination it has become. From 1955 to 1959, the Sunshine Springs & Gardens offered visitors twenty acres of tropical gardens, complete with swan boat tours, and a water ski show on a 400-acre, man-made lake, featuring water-skiing elephants and the "Aquabelles" female ski tea. What remains of the lake is now the 16-acre Lakeview Park, which features a playground, picnic area, canoe/kayak access to the lake, and a paw park, and parts of Bent Tree Country Club, which borders Lake Sarasota, to the east.

The neighborhood is also bordered by I-75 to the west, Bee Ridge Road to the north, and Proctor Road to the south. Given Lake Sarasota's

Wherever you live in the Sarasota area, you have year-round access to fresh produce. With snowbirds flying home for the summer months, not all of the area farmers markets are open year long. However, there are still plenty of options to get locally grown and organic produce.

SEASONAL MARKETS

Phillippi Farmhouse Market

Every Wednesday from October to May, Phillippi Estate Park at 5500 South Tamiami Trail hosts a farmers market from 9am-2pm. In addition to fresh produce, more than 40 vendors gather to offer plants for home gardens, prepared food, and other specialty items.

Englewood Farmers Market

Also from October to May, the Englewood Farmers Market takes place on Historic Dearborn Street on Thursdays from 9am-1pm. With over 50 vendors,

One of the greatest places to live in Sarasota is Downtown. With new condominiums on the rise and some of our classics just as popular as when they first opened, I wanted to feature what is currently available for those who want great views within walking distance to restaurants, shops, theatres, and everything else Downtown Sarasota has to offer.

988 Boulevard of the Arts #1514, Sarasota
To prove that you can get a waterfront condo for under a million dollars, let's start with the Van Gogh unit on the 15th floor of the highly sought-after Condo on the Bay. This completely remodeled condo offers 1,729 square feet with mesmerizing water views, motorized, remote-controlled shades in all rooms, and crown moulding throughout. The two bayfront