2. - 212 miles northwest of Miami - 132 miles southwest of Orlando Sarasota is located on the West Coast of Florida, about 60 miles south of Tampa.

3. Residents enjoy more than 35 miles of the most spectacular white sand beaches in the world.

4. Eight beautiful barrier islands are connected to the Sarasota mainland.

5. St. Armands Key Anna Maria Island Manasota Key Lido Key

6. Siesta Key Bradenton Beach Casey Key Longboat Key

7. The subtropical weather and coveted lifestyle make living and working here a pleasure.

8. Sarasota is a thriving, exciting community attractive to young professionals, families and retirees. Residents enjoy all the hospitality of a small town combined with the amenities and modern infrastructure of a large city. According to the 2000 census, the population was 325,957, and is expected to exceed 378,000 by the year 2010.

9. Sarasota is the state’s “cultural capital,” with its own ballet, symphonies, opera, state museum, chamber chorus and world–class performing arts hall. The community offers something for everyone, playing host to a wide variety of music and movie festivals, theater, art, dance, and galleries.

10. - The Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts - John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art - Museum of the Circus - Ca’ d ’Zan

11. Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone Museum of Asian Art Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary Mote Marine Aquarium

12. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Sarasota Opera Sarasota Ballet of Florida

13. Florida Studio Theatre Florida West Coast Symphony FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts

14. From 60 golf courses to an abundance of water sports, the area offers every recreational opportunity under the sun. The average year-round temperature of 72 degrees provides plenty of opportunity for biking, canoeing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

15. Myakka River State Park Historic Spanish Point

16. Sarasota has an abundance of retail and dining opportunities that take advantage of Florida’s natural beauty and excellent weather.

17. Sarasota boasts an extensive network of health maintenance organizations that provide quality healthcare at costs below the national average.

18. USF New College of Florida One of Sarasota’s greatest assets is its education system, from public schools top-ranked in the state to nationally recognized institutions of higher learning.

19. Ringling School of Art & Design Argosy University International College Keiser College Eckerd College

20. Sarasota is a smart business choice. No longer simply a resort destination, Sarasota hosts a friendly business environment that helps companies flourish.

21. - Best Place to Live & Work - Best Small City in the United States - 3rd Best City to Retire - 3rd Best Metropolitan City for Business Relocations

22. Many British and German citizens are our neighbors, as Europeans have come to call Sarasota home.

23. Sarasota is easily accessible by air, sea & highway.

24. Sarasota Style... from family-affordable to waterfront mansions.

25. Whatever your taste and wallet dictate, you’ll probably find it here. Looking for a waterfront getaway?

26. A home on the golf course?

27. A care-free condo? Sarasota has it all!

28. Housing costs compare favorably to those of many other desirable metropolitan areas.

29. Sarasota... a great place to live, work, and play