Sarasota was built on retirement. It’s got the perfect combination of weather, things to do, medical facilities, stress-free living, and a whole lot of other retired people to be friends with. Consequently the town has a large number of retirement communities for all income levels, and sitting right at the top are Plymouth Harbor and the Sarasota Bay Club.

Sarasota Bay Club

Well, they loved it from the start. Many residents participate fully in the community life. Others, like my folks, stand back a little. Either way works out fine.

At the Sarasota Bay Club you buy your apartment, rather like a condominium. Units start at around $500,000 and go up to three times that for the big penthouses with the private elevators. The current model they have on display is pretty typical; two bedrooms, two baths, about 1,500 square feet. The rooms are spacious; there is a complete kitchen along with walk-in closets, a great little sunroom/den, a washer and dryer. Because of the way the buildings are angled, most apartments have a view of the bay.

The view from a Sarasota Bay Club apartment.

Residents pay a monthly fee – it starts around $2,000, depending on the size of the unit and whether one or two people are occupying it. For that you get all utilities, cable TV, transportation around town, valet parking, plus a whole slew of amenities like the pool, gym, parties, classes, concerts, etc. You pay separately for housekeeping, and meals are not included. There are various meal plans (for instance, 21 meals a month for $214) and I can attest that the food is very good, superior country club fare, and yes, you can order a cocktail at your table.

The Sarasota Bay Club dining room.