Retiring in Florida. Should we choose Lakewood Ranch or Sarasota?

by Adam Miller

John Peterson leaned back in his chair, a cool breeze wafting through the lanai, and took a sip of his iced tea. After 35 years of working long hours as a civil engineer in New Jersey, this—sitting under the Florida sun—was exactly what retirement was supposed to feel like. But despite the idyllic setting, John’s mind was running over the same dilemma again and again: where should he and Linda, his wife of 40 years, settle down for this next chapter of their lives?

They had spent months preparing for this transition—packing up their family home, saying goodbye to cold winters, and moving down to Sarasota. The sunshine, the beaches, the slower pace—it all sounded perfect. Except for one thing: they hadn’t yet figured out where they wanted to live long-term.

“We’ve got it narrowed down to two,” John said, glancing over at Linda as she scrolled through her tablet, looking at homes. “But they’re so different.”

Lakewood Ranch was the first option. With its quiet streets, sprawling golf courses, and active community events, it seemed like the perfect place to relax and make new friends. It was peaceful, close to nature, and had everything they needed just a short drive away. John could easily picture himself playing a few rounds of golf during the week, followed by dinner with neighbors at the clubhouse.

The other option, Sarasota’s Arts District, couldn’t have been more different. Full of life, energy, and cultural events, it was a hotspot for art galleries, theater performances, and beachfront cafés. It was a vibrant, urban experience that promised excitement around every corner. The idea of waking up just steps from the beach, with art festivals and restaurants nearby, was a thrilling alternative to the serene pace of Lakewood Ranch.

But the decision wasn’t as easy as they had hoped. John loved the idea of relaxing, peaceful days filled with golf and quiet evenings, but he worried that Lakewood Ranch might feel a little too quiet after a while. Meanwhile, Sarasota’s arts scene and beach life sounded incredible, but could they handle the fast pace of city living in their retirement years?

After going back and forth, John and Linda decided to spend a few weeks living like residents in both places. First up was Lakewood Ranch, where they rented a home for a month. From the moment they drove into the community, John was struck by how calm and organized everything seemed. Neighbors waved from golf carts, the streets were impeccably clean, and the lawns looked like they belonged in a magazine.

John hit the golf course his first morning there, where he was immediately welcomed by a group of friendly retirees. The game was casual, with lots of laughs and lighthearted competition, and afterward, they all headed to the clubhouse for lunch. The community felt warm and inclusive, and John found himself enjoying the simplicity of it all—mornings on the course, afternoons spent walking along the nature trails, and evenings with new friends at the community events. Lakewood Ranch was an easy place to settle into, but after a couple of weeks, John started to feel the itch for something more.

Living in Lakewood Ranch

As lovely as the tranquility was, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was too much of a good thing. “I love it here,” he told Linda one evening as they sat on the back patio. “But what if we get bored? There’s only so much golf I can play.”

Linda smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. “Let’s see how we feel after Sarasota,” she suggested.

Next up was Sarasota’s Arts District, where they rented a condo just a few blocks from the beach. The minute they arrived, the difference was palpable. The energy, the people, the buzz of city life—it was a world away from the calm of Lakewood Ranch. John and Linda spent their mornings walking along the beach, enjoying coffee at the beachfront cafés, and exploring the many art galleries that dotted the streets. In the evenings, they attended live performances at local theaters, dined at upscale restaurants, and even found themselves at a jazz concert under the stars one night.

John loved the thrill of it all—the constant hum of activity, the endless variety of things to do. Sarasota had an infectious vibrancy. But after a couple of weeks of fast-paced city living, he started to feel worn out. The noise, the traffic, the busy streets—it was exhilarating but exhausting.

Living in Sarasota Florida

One evening, as they sat on the balcony of their rental, watching the sunset over the water, John turned to Linda and said, “I think I’ve figured it out. I love Sarasota, but I don’t think I could do this every day. It’s exciting, but I think I need more balance.”

Linda nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way. I love the energy, but it’s a little overwhelming. Maybe we don’t have to pick just one.”

John raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“What if we split our time?” Linda suggested. “We could buy a condo in Sarasota for part of the year and then spend the rest of the time in Lakewood Ranch. We’d get the excitement of the city when we want it, but we can retreat to Lakewood Ranch for some peace and quiet when we need it.”

John considered the idea. While Lakewood Ranch didn’t offer short-term rentals, they could make it work with the minimum stays available. They could have a low-maintenance home there for the quieter months, where John could golf and enjoy the slower pace. And when they craved a bit more excitement, they’d have Sarasota waiting for them, with its art shows, theater performances, and bustling beachfront life.

It didn’t take long for the idea to settle in. Over the next few months, they found the perfect condo in Sarasota and bought a home in Lakewood Ranch with minimal upkeep. Now, they had the best of both worlds. Winters were spent in Sarasota, enjoying the art and culture scene, and when the city’s energy started to feel too much, they packed up and headed to Lakewood Ranch for a few months of relaxation and golf.

John was surprised by how seamlessly the arrangement worked. He loved the excitement of Sarasota when it suited him, but there was nothing quite like retreating to the peace of Lakewood Ranch when they needed to recharge. Life no longer felt like a compromise between two lifestyles; instead, it became a perfect blend of both. On quiet mornings in Lakewood Ranch, John would think back to the art-filled evenings in Sarasota, knowing they could head back there whenever the mood struck. And during their lively nights in Sarasota, he knew they always had the calm waiting for them in Lakewood Ranch.

In the end, John realized that retirement wasn’t about picking one perfect place. It was about creating a life that allowed them to enjoy everything they loved—whether that was the peaceful rhythm of a golf course or the electric energy of a bustling city. The beauty of it all? They didn’t have to choose. They got to have it all.

This was a fictional story based on some real-life experiences.

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