9 South Sarasota Neighborhoods with Spacious Lots | Home Guide

South Sarasota offers numerous established neighborhoods with generous lot sizes ranging from quarter-acre to over half-acre properties, providing the space and privacy that newer developments often lack. These nine communities feature mature landscaping, reasonable HOA fees, and prime locations while avoiding the cramped feel of newer master-planned developments.

If you're relocating to the Sarasota area and feeling frustrated by the tight quarters of newer neighborhoods, you're not alone. Many homebuyers who visit popular Palmer Ranch communities like Sunrise Preserve, Grand Park, or Skye Ranch discover that 95% of home sites are just one-tenth to one-third of an acre—leaving you feeling practically on top of your neighbors. Fortunately, South Sarasota offers numerous established neighborhoods where you can find the space and privacy you're seeking. Here's what you need to know about nine exceptional communities that prioritize generous lot sizes and comfortable living.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spacious South Sarasota Neighborhoods

What makes these South Sarasota neighborhoods different from newer developments?

These established neighborhoods typically offer lot sizes ranging from quarter-acre to over half-acre, compared to newer developments where 95% of lots are under a quarter-acre. They feature mature landscaping, established trees, and more privacy between homes while maintaining reasonable HOA fees.

Are these neighborhoods suitable for families relocating from larger properties?

Yes, these communities are ideal for families moving from the Midwest, Northeast, or rural areas who are accustomed to more space. The generous lot sizes provide room for children to play, gardens, and outdoor entertaining without feeling cramped.

What price ranges can I expect in these spacious neighborhoods?

Home prices vary significantly by neighborhood, ranging from the high $400,000s in some areas up to $1.6 million for luxury properties. Most neighborhoods offer options between $500,000-$1.2 million, depending on home size, condition, and specific location.

Do these older neighborhoods require significant renovations?

Many homes in these established neighborhoods were built between the 1970s-2000s, so some may need updates. However, you'll find a mix of already-renovated properties and homes that need work, allowing you to choose based on your preferences and budget.

Are golf course communities mandatory for membership?

Most golf course communities in these neighborhoods offer optional membership rather than mandatory golf fees. This gives you the benefit of golf course views and maintained green space without the required membership costs.

What are typical HOA fees in these spacious neighborhoods?

HOA fees are generally very reasonable, ranging from as low as $25 per month up to about $300 per month for communities with more amenities. Some luxury enclaves may have fees up to $600 monthly but include extensive amenities.

How do lot sizes compare to what I might be used to from other states?

If you're relocating from areas with larger properties, these neighborhoods offer the closest experience to what you may be accustomed to, with many lots at one-third of an acre or larger—significantly more space than typical Florida developments.

Why Space Matters: The Challenge with Newer Sarasota Developments

When searching for homes in South Sarasota, many relocating families initially gravitate toward newer master-planned communities. However, the reality of modern development practices often means sacrificing space for convenience. Popular neighborhoods like Grand Park and Skye Ranch, while offering modern amenities, typically feature lots that are just one-tenth to one-third of an acre.

The key takeaway: If you've lived on larger properties or simply value privacy and outdoor space, these newer developments may leave you feeling constrained. Many homeowners who purchase in these tight-knit communities find themselves selling within a year or two due to the lack of privacy and space.

The Solution: Established South Sarasota Communities with Generous Lot Sizes

Fortunately, South Sarasota offers numerous mature neighborhoods where you can find quarter-acre, third-of-an-acre, and even larger home sites. These established communities combine the benefits of generous lot sizes with reasonable HOA fees, mature landscaping, and prime locations throughout the area.

1. Misty Creek: Golf Course Living with Optional Membership

Location: East Sarasota on Lorraine Road (formerly Bee Ridge Extension)

Lot Size: Typically 4/10 of an acre

Community Features: Gated golf course community with clubhouse

Misty Creek offers an attractive combination of spacious lots and golf course amenities without the burden of mandatory membership fees. This gated community provides 4/10-acre typical home sites, giving you significantly more space than newer developments while maintaining a resort-like atmosphere.

Key Features of Misty Creek:

Gated community with clubhouse access • Optional golf membership—no mandatory fees
Very reasonable HOA fee of only $160 monthly
Mature community with homes built late 1980s to early 2000s
Three and four-bedroom homes typically 2,500+ square feet
Many homes exceed 3,000-3,500 square feet

Price Range: Currently $600,000-$1.2 million

What makes Misty Creek special: The combination of generous lot sizes, golf course views, and reasonable fees makes this community attractive for buyers seeking space without excessive ongoing costs.

2. Bent Tree: Mature Elegance with Varied Lot Sizes

Location: Stretches from Bee Ridge Road north to Proctor Road south

Lot Size: One-third to 6/10 of an acre

Community Character: Very mature with stately trees and varied architecture

Bent Tree represents one of South Sarasota's most established and elegant neighborhoods. The community offers exceptional lot sizes ranging from 3/10 to 6/10 of an acre, creating a truly estate-like feel throughout the neighborhood.

Bent Tree Highlights:

Extremely mature neighborhood with established trees
Mixed gated and non-gated sections
Very reasonable HOA fees: $25-$120 monthly depending on section
Homes built between 1970s-1990s
Three, four, and five-bedroom options
Square footage ranges from 1,700 to over 4,000 square feet
Distinct character differences between northern and southern sections

Price Range: $500,000-$1.5 million

Important note: The variation in gating, HOA fees, and home styles throughout Bent Tree means you'll want to explore different sections to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and budget preferences.

3. Tuscana: Mediterranean Style with Generous Spacing

Location: East of I-75 off Proctor Road

Lot Size: One-third of an acre and larger

Architectural Style: Consistent Mediterranean design with tile roofs

For buyers seeking newer construction with generous lot sizes, Tuscana delivers both. Developed from 2004-2007, this newer community maintains the spacious feel often lost in contemporary developments.

Tuscana Community Features:

Consistent Mediterranean architectural style throughout
All homes feature tile roofs and cohesive design elements
Reasonable HOA fees: $150-$175 monthly
Typically larger homes: 3,000-4,000+ square feet
Three, four, and five-bedroom floor plans available

Price Range: $900,000-$1.2 million average

Why choose Tuscana: If you prefer newer construction but refuse to compromise on lot size, Tuscana offers the best of both worlds with its early 2000s development timeline and generous spacing.

4. Country Place: Prime Location with Country Charm

Location: Heart of Sarasota near Proctor and Beneva intersection

Lot Size: 3/10 to 4/10 of an acre

Character: Country-style homes with mature, rural atmosphere

Country Place offers a unique opportunity to enjoy country-style living while remaining in the heart of Sarasota. Despite its central location, the neighborhood maintains a genuine country feel through both architectural style and generous lot spacing.

Country Place Advantages:

Prime central location—not far east like many spacious communities
Very low HOA fee of just $41 monthly
No significant amenities, keeping costs low
Three and four-bedroom homes
1,800-3,500 square feet typical
Most homes feature two or three-car garages • Built in the 1980s when the area had more rural character

Price Range: $500,000-$900,000

Key benefit: Country Place proves you don't have to move far east or sacrifice location convenience to find generous lot sizes and a rural feel.

5. Country Club of Sarasota: Golf Course Views on Every Lot

Location: Near US 41 and Beneva intersection

Lot Size: One-third of an acre and over

Unique Feature: Every home has golf course views

This established golf course community offers a rare feature in today's market: every single home enjoys golf course views while sitting on generous lots of one-third acre or larger.

Country Club of Sarasota Details:

100% golf course view lots—no exceptions
Reasonable HOA fee of $132 monthly
Deed restricted and gated community
Optional golf membership with Prestantia management
Built in 1970s-1980s with period architecture
Many homes currently being renovated and updated

Pricing Consideration: Homes reflect their 1970s-1980s construction era and may require updates, but the golf course views and generous lots provide excellent value and renovation potential.

Important to know: The dated architecture and features mean many properties are renovation opportunities, but the golf course views and lot sizes make these projects worthwhile investments.

6. Deer Creek: Pool Homes with Palmer Ranch Convenience

Location: South Palmer Ranch near former Sarasota Square Mall and YMCA

Lot Size: Quarter to one-third of an acre

Special Feature: All homes include private pools

Deer Creek combines Palmer Ranch convenience with generous lot sizes and a unique feature: every home in the main section includes a private pool.

Deer Creek Community Highlights:

All main section homes have private pools
Quarter to one-third acre lots with mature landscaping
Gated and deed restricted
Reasonable HOA fee: $180-$190 monthly
Close to Legacy Trail for biking and walking
Convenient to shopping and recreation

Home Specifications:

Majority of homes: 2,000-3,500 square feet
Three and four-bedroom floor plans
All include private pools
Mix of renovated and renovation-opportunity properties

Price Range: $600,000-$1.2 million

Perfect for: Buyers seeking pool homes with generous lots who want to be in the heart of Sarasota without the cramped feel of newer developments.

7. Turtle Rock: Premium Palmer Ranch with Great Amenities

Location: Palmer Ranch area

Lot Size: 3/10 of an acre plus or minus

Character: One of the most desirable Palmer Ranch neighborhoods

Turtle Rock stands out as one of Palmer Ranch's premier neighborhoods, offering exceptional value for the amenities provided while maintaining generous lot sizes.

Turtle Rock Amenities and Features:

Beautiful amenity center overlooking green space and water
Community pool and tennis courts
Small clubhouse for resident use
Mature streets with established landscaping
Well-maintained common areas

Community Investment:

HOA fee: $275-$300 monthly
Gated community with deed restrictions
Mix of move-in ready and renovation opportunity homes

Price Range: $500,000 to over $1 million

What sets Turtle Rock apart: The combination of reasonable HOA fees, quality amenities, and generous lot sizes creates exceptional value in the Palmer Ranch area.

8. Silver Oak: Elite Luxury with Maximum Privacy

Location: Palmer Ranch area

Lot Size: One-third of an acre and larger

Community Type: Small, elite luxury neighborhood

Silver Oak represents the pinnacle of luxury living within Palmer Ranch while maintaining the generous lot sizes that create true privacy between neighbors.

Silver Oak Luxury Features:

Gated and deed restricted community
Mature, luxurious neighborhood feel
Exceptional privacy between homes due to thoughtful layout
Larger home sites with substantial setbacks

Home Characteristics:

Typically 3,000-5,000+ square feet
Three-car garages standard
Luxury finishes and features
Mix of original homes and extensively renovated properties

Price Range: $600,000 (needing work) to $1.6 million

Best suited for: Buyers seeking luxury living with maximum privacy who appreciate the mature, established feel of an older neighborhood.

9. Stoneybrook at Palmer Ranch: Diverse Options with Golf Course Access

Location: Palmer Ranch, convenient to US 41

Lot Size: Quarter-acre and larger for single-family homes

Community Type: Large neighborhood with multiple enclaves

Stoneybrook at Palmer Ranch offers the most diverse options of any community on this list, with multiple individual neighborhood enclaves providing different amenity levels and corresponding HOA fees.

Stoneybrook Variety and Options:

Multiple neighborhood enclaves within the larger community
Some enclaves: $50-$100 monthly HOA fees with basic amenities
Premium enclaves: $500-$600 monthly with full resort amenities
Optional golf membership—not mandatory
Convenient location for north and south travel

Amenity Options by Enclave:

Basic Enclaves: Lower fees, minimal amenities

Premium Enclaves: Community pools, fitness centers, clubhouses, restaurants, maintenance-free living options

Price Range: $500,000 to over $1 million

Why choose Stoneybrook: The variety of enclaves allows you to select exactly the amenity level and corresponding fees that match your lifestyle preferences while ensuring generous lot sizes.

Making Your Decision: Which South Sarasota Neighborhood Is Right for You?

When choosing among these spacious South Sarasota neighborhoods, consider these key factors:

For Golf Enthusiasts:

Misty Creek: Optional membership with reasonable fees
Country Club of Sarasota: Every lot has golf views
Stoneybrook: Optional membership with multiple amenity levels

For Families Seeking Space:

Bent Tree: Largest lots (up to 6/10 acre) with mature trees
Country Place: Country feel with central location
Tuscana: Newer construction with generous spacing

For Luxury Buyers:

Silver Oak: Elite community with maximum privacy
Turtle Rock: Premium amenities with reasonable fees
Tuscana: Mediterranean luxury with newer construction

For Budget-Conscious Buyers:

Country Place: Low HOA fees ($41/month) and central location
Bent Tree: Wide price range with some gated sections under $120/month HOA
Deer Creek: All homes include pools at reasonable prices

The Benefits of Choosing Established Neighborhoods

Mature Landscaping: Unlike newer developments, these neighborhoods feature established trees and mature landscaping that provides natural privacy and beauty that takes decades to develop.

Reasonable HOA Fees: Most of these communities maintain HOA fees well below what you'd find in newer master-planned developments, often with more amenities per dollar spent.

Character and Charm: Each neighborhood has developed its own distinct personality over the decades, offering character that newer developments often lack.

Location Benefits: Many of these established neighborhoods occupy prime locations that are no longer available for new development, providing convenience that newer communities can't match.

Important Considerations for Older Neighborhoods

Renovation Opportunities:

Many homes in these established neighborhoods were built between the 1970s-2000s and may benefit from updates. However, this creates opportunities to: • Purchase at lower prices and customize to your preferences • Add modern amenities while maintaining generous lot sizes • Invest in improvements that add significant value

Architectural Variety:

Unlike newer developments with cookie-cutter designs, these neighborhoods often feature: • Varied architectural styles reflecting different eras • Unique home designs and floor plans • Opportunities to find truly distinctive properties

Ready to Explore South Sarasota's Spacious Neighborhoods?

If you're considering relocating to South Sarasota or anywhere else on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, the Zachos Realty & Design Group is here to help. With over 40 years of local expertise and a unique combination of real estate knowledge and award-winning design vision, we can help you find the perfect property that matches your lifestyle needs.

Contact us today:

Phone: 941-500-5457
Email: [email protected]
Sarasota Office: 205 N Orange Ave Suite 202, Sarasota, Florida 34236
Venice Office: 217 Nassau St S, Venice, FL 34285

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