Relocation
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Are you thinking of relocating to the Venice or Sarasota area? Or perhaps your thinking of a Florida relocation in general and haven’t picked a location in the sunshine state yet. This page is intended to give you some information for choosing Venice.
I’ve been in Florida for over six years now and in that time I’ve explored quite a bit of the state. I’ve also lived in a couple others cities and have moved back to Venice. I highly recommend it.
One of the other places I’ve lived is nearby Sarasota, if you are anything like me and are considering Sarasota relocation I highly recommend a Venice instead.
While Sarasota is a great place to visit, I have found that I simply prefer living in Venice.
Sarasota is close, within twenty miles, and very easy to visit or commute to for work. Venice is now essentially an extension of Sarasota.
Yet Venice maintains more of a small town atmosphere and charm. Sarasota is not yet large enough to have the vitality of a big city, but it is large enough to have lost that small town feel and neighborliness.
I feel Venice has also done a better job of maintaining and building on it’s unique history. Plus Venice is directly on the gulf, if you like beach time the beaches are easier to get too here and less crowded.
Are you thinking of relocating to the Venice or Sarasota area? Or perhaps your thinking of a Florida relocation in general and haven’t picked a location in the sunshine state yet. This page is intended to give you some information for choosing Venice.
I’ve been in Florida for over six years now and in that time I’ve explored quite a bit of the state. I’ve also lived in a couple others cities and have moved back to Venice. I highly recommend it.
One of the other places I’ve lived is nearby Sarasota, if you are anything like me and are considering Sarasota relocation I highly recommend a Venice instead.
While Sarasota is a great place to visit, I have found that I simply prefer living in Venice.
Sarasota is close, within twenty miles, and very easy to visit or commute to for work. Venice is now essentially an extension of Sarasota.
Yet Venice maintains more of a small town atmosphere and charm. Sarasota is not yet large enough to have the vitality of a big city, but it is large enough to have lost that small town feel and neighborliness.
I feel Venice has also done a better job of maintaining and building on it’s unique history. Plus Venice is directly on the gulf, if you like beach time the beaches are easier to get too here and less crowded.
According to the US Bureau of the Census 2000, there were 17,764 people, 9,680 households, and 5,362 families within the Venice city limits. The areas outside city limits that make up the community of Venice would about double these numbers.
The bulk of the county’s population is in and directly around the city of Sarasota.
According to the 2000 Census 2000 the racial makeup of Venice, FL was:
98.14% White
1.10% Hispanic or Latino
0.55% African American
0.21% Other
This is one area where I feel Venice could improve substantially. I would love to see a far more diverse community here and know there are many others here who feel the same.
Of the 9,680 households in 2000:
7.0% had children under the age of 18
49.2% were married couples living together.
40.3% of all households were singles.
30.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 1.76
The average family size was 2.25
The Average ages in Venice were:
6.9% under the age of 18
2.3% from 18 to 24
10.2% from 25 to 44
23.1% from 45 to 64
57.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 69 years.
As the baby boomers continue to grow older I feel this MUST change for the economic health of the community. Fortunately it IS changing and more young people are coming into the area.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,536.
Medical Care
Venice is served by the Venice Regional Medical Center a 312 bed hospital. It provides a comprehensive array of services including hyperbaric chambers for wound care, and a 64-slice CT scanner for diagnostics.
Their comprehensive cardiac program resulted in a top 100 rating as a Cardiovascular Hospital and their Orthpedic/Neuro unit has been given a “5-star” rating by HealthGrades.
There are also several outpatient facilities, assisted living, nursing, and rehab centers in the area with numerous doctors offices in many specialties.
The bulk of the county’s population is in and directly around the city of Sarasota.
According to the 2000 Census 2000 the racial makeup of Venice, FL was:
98.14% White
1.10% Hispanic or Latino
0.55% African American
0.21% Other
This is one area where I feel Venice could improve substantially. I would love to see a far more diverse community here and know there are many others here who feel the same.
Of the 9,680 households in 2000:
7.0% had children under the age of 18
49.2% were married couples living together.
40.3% of all households were singles.
30.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The average household size was 1.76
The average family size was 2.25
The Average ages in Venice were:
6.9% under the age of 18
2.3% from 18 to 24
10.2% from 25 to 44
23.1% from 45 to 64
57.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 69 years.
As the baby boomers continue to grow older I feel this MUST change for the economic health of the community. Fortunately it IS changing and more young people are coming into the area.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,536.
Medical Care
Venice is served by the Venice Regional Medical Center a 312 bed hospital. It provides a comprehensive array of services including hyperbaric chambers for wound care, and a 64-slice CT scanner for diagnostics.
Their comprehensive cardiac program resulted in a top 100 rating as a Cardiovascular Hospital and their Orthpedic/Neuro unit has been given a “5-star” rating by HealthGrades.
There are also several outpatient facilities, assisted living, nursing, and rehab centers in the area with numerous doctors offices in many specialties.
Shopping
When thinking of Venice Florida relocation the convenience of shopping may be one of issues in your thoughts. Shopping for groceries and other necessities is close to any area of Venice.
Shopping for most anything is available in Venice from antiques to computers and technology.
The downtown area on the island has several fine stores including clothing, jewelry, wine, gifts, and art galleries. These are profiled on the Island Shopping page.
For organic foods locally owned Richard’s Whole Foods has two locations in Venice and one next door in Osprey. There is also a Saturday Market in Centennial park downtown and several produce stands.
Nearby Sarasota has a fine selection high end shopping at Saint Armand’s Circle, Palm Ave., and Southgate Mall which includes Saks Fifth Avenue among many other internationally known high end retailers.
Schools
If you have children schools will of course be a large consideration in Venice Florida relocation. There are excellent schools here which will be covered in my schools section.
Tax’s
I’m going to keep this complex subject very basic here. There is no state income tax. Sales tax is 7% with medicines and basic food exempt. Real estate taxes are relatively low at about 1% with homestead exemption.
For more detailed information contact the Sarasota County Tax Assessor.
Crime
In Venice the property crime levels tend to be lower than Florida's average level. Violent crime tends to be much lower than Florida's average. Crime rates are low here often rated at 3-4 on a scale of 1-10 ten being high. Compared to national averages property crime is about the same and violent crime tends to be lower.
Jobs
The percentages employed in different job sectors tend to follow national averages with two notable exceptions. Production type jobs tend to be half or less the national average while service jobs, restaurants and such, tend to be double the national average. This largely follows the averages for the whole state of Florida.
When thinking of Venice Florida relocation the convenience of shopping may be one of issues in your thoughts. Shopping for groceries and other necessities is close to any area of Venice.
Shopping for most anything is available in Venice from antiques to computers and technology.
The downtown area on the island has several fine stores including clothing, jewelry, wine, gifts, and art galleries. These are profiled on the Island Shopping page.
For organic foods locally owned Richard’s Whole Foods has two locations in Venice and one next door in Osprey. There is also a Saturday Market in Centennial park downtown and several produce stands.
Nearby Sarasota has a fine selection high end shopping at Saint Armand’s Circle, Palm Ave., and Southgate Mall which includes Saks Fifth Avenue among many other internationally known high end retailers.
Schools
If you have children schools will of course be a large consideration in Venice Florida relocation. There are excellent schools here which will be covered in my schools section.
Tax’s
I’m going to keep this complex subject very basic here. There is no state income tax. Sales tax is 7% with medicines and basic food exempt. Real estate taxes are relatively low at about 1% with homestead exemption.
For more detailed information contact the Sarasota County Tax Assessor.
Crime
In Venice the property crime levels tend to be lower than Florida's average level. Violent crime tends to be much lower than Florida's average. Crime rates are low here often rated at 3-4 on a scale of 1-10 ten being high. Compared to national averages property crime is about the same and violent crime tends to be lower.
Jobs
The percentages employed in different job sectors tend to follow national averages with two notable exceptions. Production type jobs tend to be half or less the national average while service jobs, restaurants and such, tend to be double the national average. This largely follows the averages for the whole state of Florida.
Venice is a smaller community which is something to keep in mind in any economy when seeking a job. This is a major reason Venice Florida relocation has been largely an option for older retired people.
However, technology and self-employment opportunities are making it easier for people to choose where they want to live irrespective of the local job market. This is a major reason that more younger people are now able to choose the Venice area and enjoy it with their families while they are young.
Technology is making it far easier for people to choose where they want to live at any age rather than where they have to live for a job. This is making places such as Venice Florida much more attractive to more people.
I feel there is great potential for Venice to develop much more and still maintain it’s friendly small town atmosphere.
Cost of Living
As I searched the cost of living for Venice Florida relocation I found it to range from 91.1 to 110 percent of the national average. The numbers fluctuated so much that I don’t feel I can say it’s this or that.
I can say it is more affordable than many places that I don’t feel are nearly as nice. Obviously it is also more expensive than many places. However, the places I know that have a significantly lower cost of living I wouldn’t care to live in!
All in all I feel the cost is worth being able to live here.
If you’re thinking of relocating to Venice Florida I hope this information helps confirm your choice. I congratulate you for making a wonderful choice!
If you’re considering a Sarasota or Florida relocation I hope the information on this page and web site will encourage you to choose Venice.
More Info.
For more information on the Venice Florida area you might find these websites helpful.
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
Venice Gondolier Sun Newspaper
Gulf Coast Living Magazine
However, technology and self-employment opportunities are making it easier for people to choose where they want to live irrespective of the local job market. This is a major reason that more younger people are now able to choose the Venice area and enjoy it with their families while they are young.
Technology is making it far easier for people to choose where they want to live at any age rather than where they have to live for a job. This is making places such as Venice Florida much more attractive to more people.
I feel there is great potential for Venice to develop much more and still maintain it’s friendly small town atmosphere.
Cost of Living
As I searched the cost of living for Venice Florida relocation I found it to range from 91.1 to 110 percent of the national average. The numbers fluctuated so much that I don’t feel I can say it’s this or that.
I can say it is more affordable than many places that I don’t feel are nearly as nice. Obviously it is also more expensive than many places. However, the places I know that have a significantly lower cost of living I wouldn’t care to live in!
All in all I feel the cost is worth being able to live here.
If you’re thinking of relocating to Venice Florida I hope this information helps confirm your choice. I congratulate you for making a wonderful choice!
If you’re considering a Sarasota or Florida relocation I hope the information on this page and web site will encourage you to choose Venice.
More Info.
For more information on the Venice Florida area you might find these websites helpful.
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
Venice Gondolier Sun Newspaper
Gulf Coast Living Magazine