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In an interesting recent article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the U.S. Census Bureau says Florida added more than 320,000 residents in the past year, pushing the population of Florida past 18 million.
And the Sarasota real estate market, including Manatee County, is among the fastest growing areas, adding 93,000 more residents in just the past 6 years.
The Sarasota - Bradenton area was one of only two real estate markets in Florida to post an increase in home sales recently inspite of the fact that home prices continued to decline.
The Bradenton Herald reported that in February, 2007 real estate sales of single-family homes and condos in the Bradenton-Sarasota market rose 5 percent from a year earlier.
The greater Sarasota real estate market outperformed every other market in Florida, except Panama City.
Nonetheless, inspite of hurricane fears and increasing insurance rates and property taxes, Florida remains an attractive
destination and the new residents are not all retirees. Many just find the climate and the lifestyle in Florida in general and in Sarasota, in particular,
very attractive.
Why ? Sarasota has the charm of a southern town with the conveniences of a big city. Downtown Sarasota offers quiet treed streets with sidewalks.
Siesta Key offers powdery white sands, artist colonies, eclectic shops and boutiques.
Longboat Key offers a private, opulent lifestyle. Bird Key and Lido Key each have their own charm.
Sarasota's public schools serve over 40,000 students. There are also private schools of various affiliations. Nearly 80% of Sarasota teachers have post-bachelor degree training.
Two-thirds of high school graduates go on to college.
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