First, there are a number of advantages to living in Florida
The Sunshine State offers award-winning weather, a variety of extraordinary lifestyles and significant economic benefits to consider. The following are just a few items worth highlighting:

• No personal income tax
• No inheritance tax
• No state estate taxes
• $25,000 real estate tax exemption
• Asset protection from certain judgment creditors
• Property assessment cap
• "Top 10 Places to Retire Young" by Money Magazine
• "Top 10 Boomtowns For Entrepreneurs" from INC Magazine (2nd year in a row)
• Sarasota's New College ranked sixth best value in public colleges in the United States by Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
• "Top Areas for Overall Quality of Life" by Business Development Outlook Magazine
• Siesta Key's Crescent Beach name among the "Top 3 Walking Beaches in The U.S." by Best Beaches USA
• Top 5 Among the "Hot Spots In The Sunbelt" by Biz Journals
• Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice among the "Top 100 Places to Live" by Relocate America
• "Top 25 Arts Destinations Among Smaller Cities" by American Style Magazine
• "Best Place to Retire For Singles" (June 2006) by Fortune Magazine
• Sarasota County named among the 10 "All-American Counties" at the 57th Annual All-American City Awards in Anaheim, Calif.
• Sarasota's New College ranked as the #1 Liberal Arts College in the United States" by U.S. News and World Report
• "Top 10 Places to Start a new Business" according to American City Business Journal

BUT IT'S NOT JUST FLORIDA...SARASOTA ITSELF IS THE REAL GEM.
Those seeking to reside in one of the country’s most sought- after and splendid settings for resort-style living can be assured to find the perfect fit for their lifestyle and cultural requirements in Sarasota.

Recently voted the “Best Little City” in the nation by Money magazine and ranked third among medium-sized metropolitan areas on a list of best places to start a business by Inc. Magazine, Sarasota is the gem on Florida’s gulf coast.

Sophisticated, yet laid-back, Sarasota is a culturally rich city dedicated to nurturing the arts and a wide array of entertainment, recreational and educational opportunities.

The “sugar” white beaches, vibrant downtown, exceptional dining and shopping, film festivals, art shows, and breathtaking sunsets all contribute to the uniquely special lifestyle Sarasota offers.

Sarasota, together with its neighbors to the north and south, Manatee County and Charlotte County, makes up the 7th-largest market in Florida. It is also Florida's third-fastest growing major market.

With over 600,000 people, the Sarasota/Manatee/Charlotte area is one of the largest, most affluent markets in Florida. In the last 5 years, it has grown 4 times faster than the national average.

Per capita retail sales are almost 20% above the national average. While there is a strong base of retirement age people, about a third of the population, the fastest-growing segment of the market is middle-aged adults and their children.