Money Magazine is the latest national outlet to spotlight Sarasota as a great place to live and buy a home. And of note, it’s not just beaches and good weather that landed the community on the list.

Sarasota made it onto the publication’s “50 Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” clocking in at No. 43. While the “sandy stretches of Siesta Key” earned high mention, a write-up in the magazine spends more time on cultural assets like The Ringling Museum’s Peter Paul Rubens collection and the Maria Selby Botanical Garden’s orchids and bromeliads.

“Art fans won’t feel out of place, either. Sarasota boasts the Ringling Museum, a museum built by circus operator John Ringling and his wife in the 1920s. Styled after the Uffizi in Florence, Italy, the museum is home to pieces from artists like Peter Paul Rubens as well as a massive courtyard filled with bronze cast statues — including a replica of Michelangelo’s David,” reads the write-up by Money Magazine’s Julia Glum.

That’s no shock to local real estate professionals, who say the metropolitan elements found in a small city are what sets Sarasota apart from other coastal communities around the nation. 

Marjorie Floyd, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty who also has worked in marketing for several cultural institutions, said the arts are increasingly a part of Sarasota’s national brand. She put together a presentation in September for Coldwell Banker professionals after the office surpassed a billion in sales, and that showed how the buyers interested in such amenities also prove to be high value customers.

“It’s easy and affordable to enjoy the arts here,” Floyd said. “If you have been in New York, Chicago, Boston or San Francisco, to enjoy a dinner and try to go to a show at the orchestra, ballet, opera or theater is an expensive endeavor. Here, it’s not a hassle. It’s not uber-formal. It’s easy to appreciate and enjoy the arts. You can almost become a donor for the price you just pay for the tickets up north.”

And you get a good show too. Floyd noted companies for the Asolo Repertory Theatre, The Ringling, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Orchestra and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — the “big six” as she describes them — have developed a national reputation, and many of the arts professionals working within those institutions have gone on work in major markets, demonstrating the potency of the local talent pool. Groups also often perform under the Sarasota banner whether at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in New York or at venues in wealthy markets like Martha’s Vineyard.

Many visit the area to see the major organizations, but Floyd said there also are numerous ancillary organizations or small groups the feed the same appetite for culture, and pointed to the Perlman Music Program, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and other outfits for developing loyal followings. That actually means arts lovers in Sarasota can see cutting edge work sometimes before anyone else in the country.

“Sarasota is a small town filled with big people,” she said. “A lot of people who could choose to live anywhere choose to live here. It creates a really interest vibe here of wealthy, creative people, and also just creative people like students and teachers.”

Image courtesy Visit Sarasota: Florida Studio Theatre at sunset.

A one-of-a-kind coastal retreat with over 175 feet of direct beach frontage has sold for $11.5 million — the highest-priced residential sale year-to-date on Longboat Key. The nearly 10,000-square-foot residence is the ultimate relaxing hideaway — complete with the finest interior appointments and unrivaled Gulf of Mexico views. Located at 3105 Gulf of Mexico Drive, the property was marketed exclusively by Joel Schemmel of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Downtown Sarasota office. Walls of windows and multiple terraces take full advantage of the idyllic waterfront location, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Guests are welcomed through a grand foyer with a three-story curved staircase that showcases the vast, open floor plan. Designed for entertaining, the main level has it all — from a two-story great room with polished limestone tile and a stunning aquarium to a chef-inspired kitchen, butler’s pantry, wet bar and formal dining room. The third floor is appointed with an ultra-private master suite, thoughtfully designed with dual baths, custom closets and seating areas. There are four additional en suite bedrooms, including a fully equipped guest suite with a kitchenette and living area. A stunning sky lounge is the perfect perch for sunset views. Outside, a tropical resort paradise awaits, with an infinity-edge saltwater pool and spa as well as a water slide that begins at the rooftop deck. The pool level is crafted with an array of amenities, from a kitchenette with custom cabinetry to a pool bath and an abundance of seating areas. The property is also equipped with a seven-car temperature-controlled garage, a three-stop commercial-grade elevator, whole-home automation system, generator and mature tropical landscaping.

To learn more, visit

Although trucking has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, more and more women are choosing professional truck driving as a career. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of women truck drivers in the U.S. increased by 68 percent. Lucrative pay packages, travel opportunities, and autonomy on the job are just some of the reasons more women are embracing this career. Area residents can learn more about the trucking industry at the Women’s Resource Center’s free online session, "Careers in Trucking.” Speakers include Alix Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association; Tra Williams, owner and president of Fleetforce Truck Driving School; and Annabelle Fernandez, a talent acquisition specialist for Argos, a local company that creates cement construction products and has driver positions available. The event is part of the Women’s Resource Center’s Career Connections program, which links women to quality jobs, educational opportunities, and funded training programs. The free session is November 9, at noon.  

To register click here.

Sarasota business, Children’s World Uniform Supply, d/b/a Children’s World & Business World has been named a finalist for a national award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
As a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Start. Run. Grow. week, the chamber hosts the Dream Big awards. These awards were created to celebrate small business success and contribution to the American economy. This year, over 10,000 businesses were involved with the awards, with a record 3,000+ applications completed.These businesses were boiled down to 27 finalists being named in 8 different categories. Children’s World was named one of three finalists for the Community Support and Leadership Award. It was one of two finalist businesses from Florida. Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said: “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting America’s small businesses and their ability to grow, innovate and drive our economy. We are proud to host the Dream Big Awards and celebrate the very best in American small business.” While Children’s World did not come home as winners the category, owners Cynthia & Tim Holliday werethrilled to be named one of the three finalist and be able to participate in the event and rountables the next day with amazing business owners from all over the country at the chamber office in Washington D.C. earlier this week. Cynthia said: “We have always believed in ‘supporting the community that supports us’, and to be recognized for that at this level is very humbling”. Children’s World supports many local non-profits throughout the year. It is currently collecting item for hurricane Ian relief and will soon start its annual Toys for Tots collection, where it has been the largest collection site for that for many years. 

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has accredited the Center for Breast Health at HCA Florida Blake Hospital. To earn this, a breast center must show high standards in leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients. As an NAPBC-accredited center, the team of caregivers at HCA Florida Blake Hospital shows they are committed to excellence in comprehensive, patient-centered care. Patients receiving care have access to: comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services, a team approach to coordinate the best treatment options, information about ongoing clinical trials, new treatment options, support groups, rehabilitation services, and survivor support.  

I BEGAN MY CAREER IN REAL ESTATE IN 2014. I was a new mom hungry to build a good life for myself and my family. I can remember showing property with my son in a baby carrier on my back, for about 3 years. In 2018 my husband Matt joined me in real estate and we both jumped in full-time and began to build a team. We started by developing systems and processes geared towards delivering the highest quality of service to our clients. There were many hours of coaching, several real estate conventions a year and a huge sacrifice on our family time in order to achieve this. These systems and processes, once developed, attracted many sales associates to our team and we grew rapidly from a team of 3 into a multi-million dollar real estate company and a team of 24, in just 4 years. In 2021 our team was named the #1 Keller Williams Team in Sarasota and Manatee County and #2 in the entire North Florida region. In 2022 we launched our agent mentor program allowing our top producing agents the ability to grow as leaders while supporting others in the industry. In 2023 we plan to launch our own charity focusing on providing life and business coaching to young adults in the Sarasota area.

SARASOTA GULF COAST HOMES WITH KELLER WILLIAMS ON THE WATER SARASOTA 1549 Ringling Blvd. Floor 6, Sarasota, FL 34236 - 941 724 9957 - Laura.Rode@kw.com - sarasotagulfcoastrealtors.com Instagram: SarasotaGulfCoastHomes - Facebook: SarasotaGulfCoastHomes  

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JOURNEYS TO PLACES KNOWN AND UNKNOWN | First exhibition dedicated to video and digital media.

Get a first glimpse into Sarasota Art Museum (SAM)’s exhibition of Moving Images by Janet Biggs and peter campus through this link, on our social media, or in the October edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!

VOICES RISING CHOREOGRAPHERS | Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) is stepping forward with confidence into its 17th Mainstage Season, Reclaim.

See more about how SCD will open its 17th season through this link, on our social media, or in the October edition of SRQ Magazine! 

Read Here!