Sarasota - Focused On Serving Its Seniors

A Unique Approach to Serving an Aging Population

Posted November 4, 2010

    Before long, there will be more people over age 50 than under 15 in this world. As a result many mid-size cities find themselves with aging populations requiring more and more services just as their young professionals who would normally provide the tax base to support those needs are moving away. But, in some communities there is a new approach being taken. These cities are treating their aging populations as the focus of their strategies rather than as a problem.

    Looking at the approach being taken by two different cities will illustrate this point.

    Rochester, New York has spent millions of dollars trying to attract young professionals to live "in the city." The city and its suburbs are home to nine colleges and universities graduating thousands of young professionals each year. The city has given tax incentives to developers to redevelop old, vacant downtown factories and office buildings into loft living spaces. There is an almost constant stream of social and cultural events including a very extensive internationally-recognized jazz festival. They've encouraged the opening of trendy cafes, shops and upscale restaurants. They're tearing down what was the first enclosed mall in the U.S. to make room for more modern office spaces in an attempt to attract small and mid-size companies to move into the center city and bring young professionals with them.

    It hasn't worked. Young professionals are leaving Upstate New York cities in droves, attracted to bigger cities, some in warmer climates, where there are more high tech jobs, lower taxes, and a more vibrant social life than Rochester can hope to provide.

    In Sarasota Florida, by contrast, where the residents of 1 of every 2 homes is over 65, a different approach is being taken. Sarasota Florida has chosen to focus its strategy on positioning its aging population at the center of its strategy, rather than as a problem. Sarasota focuses its initiatives and investments on providing the products and services needed and wanted by those older citizens.

    One rapidly expanding field in Sarasota is health care, the kind older people need and want. Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Health Care System is the second largest hospital in Florida. Some 1,300 doctors are employed in the Sarasota - Bradenton area. The Tamiami Trail (US Rte 41)and other major roadways in Sarasota are populated with pharmacies, clinics and other health-care related practices of all kinds, along with centers where one can learn about everything from computers to organic gardening -- all things seniors willingly spend their money on. These businesses bring young professionals to town to meet those needs and wishes. Its a different path to the same goal.

    In addition, Sarasota focuses on supporting and expanding activities, functions and organizations that give seniors something to become involved in. Sarasota is awash in new and existing not-for-profit organizations where retirees can stay active and involved. The local 66-acre Ringling Museum complex, which includes an art museum, a circus museum, and the restored Ringling's family home, the Cą d'Zan Mansion, keeps over 700 older volunteers busy. And there are many more organizations like the Ringling. Sarasota even has a website to recruit volunteers for its many organizations and activities.

    There is so much going on in Sarasota to keep older people engaged, active and healthy that one local organization touts the region as a "Silicon Valley for the Aging."

    What does this mean to you if you are one of the many looking for a warmer, friendly and inviting place to spend your retirement years, the Sarasota - Bradenton area should be on your list of places to see before making a choice. Before you come to town, call ahead and plan to visit a professional Sarasota Buyer's Agent like Brian Ward Brian will be pleased to show you around town and show you homes and condominiums that fit your needs and desires perfectly at a price point that will surprise you now that prices have come down dramatically.

      For a permanent home, vacation getaway or an investment property, the Sarasota real estate market, with its recent price correction, is hard to beat.  I invite you to request my free Sarasota Real Estate Package or call me directly on my cell phone at 941-228-2321 for more immediate service.