Eclectic, charming, artsy, and historical – Welcome to the Indian Beach neighborhood

I have long been a fan of the museum area - one of Sarasota’s oldest communities and arguably the most eclectic neighborhood of the city. In my opinion (which I’ll admit is undoubtedly biased because I live here!) it is one of the best kept secrets in Sarasota.

Firstly, it is beautiful; dozens of tree canopied streets from which dog walkers, runners and cyclists get plenty of glimpses of Sarasota bay, and there are two waterfront parks, which serve as the social hubs of the neighborhood. Flanked by the world famous Ringling Museum of Art, the vibrant Ringling School of Art and the breathtaking grounds of New College, and a bike ride from downtown Sarasota.

Secondly, it is diverse; the residents are a fascinating mix of the artsy, the well-heeled, active retirees, bike-wielding students and a growing number of young families. Multi-million dollar estates coexist alongside hodgepodge ranch homes and original Florida cracker cottages.

Thirdly, it’s so close to everything; downtown Sarasota is less than 2 miles, Lido Beach and St Armands are under 10 minutes’ drive, you can actually walk to the airport, and the new UTC mall and the I-75 are a straight hop out on University Parkway. The north trail, long-shunned by developers and visitors alike, could admittedly still benefit from investment and tlc to improve its street cred, but we have some fantastic independent restaurants, coffee shops and pubs which are all frequented and enjoyed by the community.

Given the recent uptick of interest in this tree canopied, community-minded neighborhood, I was not surprised when two of my listings in Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores sold within days of coming on the market.

In my opinion, these swift, uncomplicated sales were not just down to accurate pricing. They were due in large to the effort that the sellers put into getting the properties ready for market.

The owners of 2054 Winchester Dr., did a sterling job of “de-cluttering” their home, and sprucing up and adding color to the landscaping in the front yard and making it as clean and inviting as possible – buyers would never have suspected that two active young boys lived there!