Coastal charm with big-city perks nearby
Sarasota’s suburbs offer the best of Florida living—Gulf Coast beaches, strong schools, and diverse neighborhoods to fit every lifestyle. Whether you want waterfront luxury, family-friendly suburbs, or outdoor adventure, you’ll find it here.
Why it matters: These suburbs blend beach access, safety, and affordability with an easy commute to Sarasota.
What’s ahead: A breakdown of housing, schools, safety, and perks for each top suburb—plus why locals love it.
Sarasota is a bustling city located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, which means beaches for miles! Beyond the beaches, Sarasota is home to fantastic attractions like Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Downtown Sarasota is a thriving scene of art galleries, restaurants and fine arts such as a theater and opera house. Sarasota has seen a steady increase in population over the years, currently sitting around 58,000 residents. For those wanting to live near this growing city, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best suburbs.
1. Venice
Historic charm with endless beaches
Population: 29,902 | Median Home: $381K | School Rating: A | Commute: 25 min
Housing: Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, 55+ communities
Education: Sarasota County Schools; near State College of Florida-Venice Campus
Safety: Safe, with low crime rates
Perks: 14 miles of beaches, downtown Venice, Venice Theatre, Sharky’s Pier, golf courses
Why it’s #1: Small-town charm with Gulf Coast beaches and top-tier amenities
2. Fruitville
Quiet, convenient, and family-focused
Population: 15,484 | Median Home: $380K | School Rating: A- | Commute: 24 min
Housing: Ranch-style homes, modern developments, townhomes
Education: Sarasota County Schools; near Ringling College of Art & Design
Safety: Low crime, peaceful neighborhoods
Perks: Colonial Oaks Park, Circus Hammock Preserve, quick access to downtown Sarasota
Why it’s special: A peaceful suburb with easy city access and outdoor escapes
3. Sarasota Springs
Affordable, close, and community-driven
Population: 14,395 | Median Home: $310K | School Rating: A | Commute: 23 min
Housing: Single-family homes, townhomes, affordable housing options
Education: Sarasota County Schools
Safety: Very low crime, safe for families
Perks: Nearby Bee Ridge Park, lively downtown, local shops and dining
The draw: Budget-friendly living just minutes from Sarasota’s arts and culture scene
4. Englewood
Laid-back beach town with natural beauty
Population: 20,800 | Median Home: $296K | School Rating: A- | Commute: 25 min
Housing: Coastal cottages, waterfront homes, and affordable single-family houses
Education: Sarasota County and Charlotte County Schools
Safety: Low crime, quiet community
Perks: Lemon Bay Park, Englewood Beach, Artscape Sculpture Garden, eco-tours, golf
Why it’s great: Beachside serenity with endless outdoor adventures
5. South Venice
Coastal living without the price tag
Population: 15,619 | Median Home: $294K | School Rating: A | Commute: 24 min
Housing: Single-family homes, ranches, and affordable beach-adjacent properties
Education: Sarasota County Schools
Safety: Very low crime, safe family community
Perks: South Venice Beach Ferry, Shamrock Park, Lemon Bay Preserve, boating and kayaking
Why it works: Gulf Coast living at an affordable price with strong schools
6. Gulf Gate Estates
Suburban ease with city convenience
Population: 10,911 | Median Home: $345K | School Rating: A | Commute: 20 min
Housing: Mid-century homes, condos, walkable neighborhoods
Education: Sarasota County Schools; near Ringling College of Art & Design
Safety: Safe, with low crime rates
Perks: Gulf Gate Library, local restaurants, breweries, quick access to Siesta Key Beach
The takeaway: Walkable, friendly, and close to both the beach and downtown
7. North Port
Nature-filled and fast-growing
Population: 92,875 | Median Home: $329K | School Rating: A- | Commute: 30 min
Housing: Newer master-planned communities, single-family homes
Education: Sarasota County Schools; near State College of Florida-Venice Campus
Safety: Low for size(Property: 816 | Violent: 101)
Perks: Myakka State Forest, Warm Mineral Springs, 80 miles of canals for kayaking, golf courses
Why it shines: Affordable homes with outdoor adventure at every turn
8. Longboat Key
Island luxury with unmatched safety
Population: 7,463 | Median Home: $959K | School Rating: B | Commute: 25 min
Housing: Luxury condos, waterfront estates, beachfront homes
Education: Sarasota County Schools; near University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee
Safety: Extremely safe(Property: 58 | Violent: 4)
Perks: Mote Marine Aquarium, 12 miles of beaches, golf, tennis, upscale dining
Why it’s a win: Endless waterfront views and a carefree lifestyle
9. Port Charlotte
Modestly priced waterfront living with plenty of space
Population: 60,625 | Median Home: $294K | School Rating: B+ | Commute: 26 min
Housing: Canal-front homes, single-family houses, 55+ communities
Education: Charlotte County Public Schools
Safety: Generally safe for a city of this size
Perks: 165 miles of waterways, Tippecanoe Environmental Park, golf courses, boating
Why it’s noteworthy: A Gulf Coast lifestyle of waterfront living without the price
10. Bradenton
Riverfront city with arts and culture
Population: 59,439 | Median Home: $283K | School Rating: B- | Commute: 25 min
Housing: Historic homes, modern townhomes, waterfront condos
Education: Manatee County Schools; near State College of Florida and University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee
Safety: Higher than nearby suburbs (Property: 1,021 | Violent: 255)
Perks: Bradenton Riverwalk, Manatee Village Historical Park, Bishop Museum of Science, Village of the Arts, beaches nearby
Why it’s loved: A creative, walkable city with riverfront beauty and cultural perks
Additional Suburbs
| Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
| Palmetto | 13,682 | $256,700 | 24 min | B- | 352 | 63 |
| South Bradenton | 26,858 | $149,600 | 25 min | C+ | 1,021 | 255 |
| Bayshore Gardens | 19,904 | $166,700 | 25 min | C | NA | NA |
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Other Florida Resources
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Best Suburbs Surrounding Sarasota, Florida
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Julie Gordey
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.