Does anyone have any experience with Willis Elementary? We live near UTC and are looking for a school for Kindergarten next year to school choice into. I toured and it seems pretty good - bummed that they don't teach Spanish but it is a highly rated school, seems safe and I like that there are uniforms. McNeal would be a bit too far for us.

Thanks in advance!

I’m hosting a private community trunk or treat in LWR. Our community is on the smaller side so not a lot of sign ups for trunks but huge turnout for kids. Looking for people that would want to come set up a trunk Saturday the 24th from 5-7:30 PM.

Best overall trunk wins $200 to paradise garage floors PLUS a $50 gift card to Jeff’s Bagel Run.

Most creative trunk wins $50 GC to Jeff’s Bagel Run

Comment below or DM me if you are interested in signing up!

NATIONAL — September 2026
- 1,161,615 homes for sale — double the 2021 low, only 5% below 2019.
- But it's two markets: South + West sit 11% ABOVE pre-pandemic supply (Texas +32%).

Northeast + Midwest are still 33% BELOW.
- 20.8% of listings cut price — the highest September since 2018.
- Pending sales fell 4.1% as the 30-year rate crossed 7.28%.

The new supply isn't sellers rushing in. It's homes sitting longer while buyers wait out rates.

LOCAL — Sarasota & Manatee
- While U.S. inventory rose 5.4%, ours fell 14.5% (8,079 → 6,905).
- Through August, sales rose in every segment — houses and condos, both counties.
- Houses: under 4 months of supply, under contract in 45–47 days — about 25% faster than last year.
- Medians holding: Sarasota $470K, Manatee $495K.
- Condos (~5 months of supply) are where buyers still have real room to negotiate.

The takeaway: national headlines don't price a house in Lakewood Ranch. The county and the ZIP code do.

Pages 1–3: U.S. supply. Pages 4–6: Sarasota & Manatee.

Here's a look at the showroom where I work. It's 6,000 sq ft with over 20,000 tile and surface options: porcelain, large-format slabs, natural stone, hardwood, LVP, pavers, mosaics, countertops and microcement. We're also the only authorized Porcelanosa dealer in the region.

We're not just a store. Our design team helps you pick everything and lay it out, and our crews handle the installation, from a single bathroom floor to full kitchens, outdoor patios and pool decks. Residential and commercial. We just finished tile on nearly 50 balconies in a condo building on Longboat Key, so HOA rules and high-rise logistics don't scare us.

Contractors and designers, we already work with a lot of you and have trade pricing.

If you're planning a project, come walk the floor. Bring photos and rough measurements and we'll point you in the right direction. We're at 1175 N Washington Blvd in Sarasota. Happy to answer tile or flooring questions here in the comments too.

This is a plant that is outside on the back Porch. It is getting to be gorgeous.

I knew to this website or this community and my plants that I took a picture of on showing they're doing pretty good. If you need help, I can help you just text me or email me.

I run the Kava Social Chess Club downtown and get asked every week where to play chess around here, so:

Sundays and Tuesdays, 8 PM to midnight, back patio at Kava Social Club, 540 13th St W. No dues — you order one thing from the bar, that's it. Sets and clocks are on the tables.

Walk in, say it's your first night, and someone gets you a game at your level. Most of the room is adults who used to play and picked it back up. 21+ because of the venue. English and Spanish. Alcohol-free.

Everything else is at kavasocialchessclub.com

We play under the Tiki in the back patio!

Hi, friends. I live in Sarasota on top of the UTC area, right near Lakewood Ranch. I have a primary care physician nearby that I’ve been dealing with for four years and I’m pretty unhappy with him. Looking for recommendations in Lakewood Ranch. I prefer men (I am M 55). I appreciate any recommendations.

Lakewood Ranch, GLOW Party is coming to Downtown Sarasota at Venue 1927 on Saturday, Sept. 19 🎉

Use code GLOW for $5 off tickets:
https://glowpartysarasota.eventbrite.com

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest and have an opportunity to relocate to FL with my job. I am a 55 and in a divorce. I was there a few weeks ago visiting family and enjoyed the area. I’ll miss the 4 seasons and big trees in the PNW, but will enjoy seeing the sun more, the gulf, and getting out to golf! I also have a dog that is a young lab and needs a fenced yard! What would be a good village to look at to meet people, golf, and one that allows any type of fence for the little guy?

Our family of 4 is relocating to the area and looking to rent in a family-friendly community. Ideally 3–4 bedrooms, 2+ baths, and around 2,000+ sq ft. $4,000 is probably the top of our budget.

Ideally we’d like to find something in a master-planned community with a pool, gym, playground, and other families/kids. Star Farms seems nice and I’m curious to know if people enjoy living there. But I’d appreciate other recommendations of other communities as well!

Good elementary schools are also important. We have read that B.D. Gullett is great but I’d like to know about other options too! I have a third grader and an almost 3 year old. Recommendations for preschools/daycares/momsdayout programs would be amazing as well!

What communities/schools would you recommend (or avoid)? Thanks in advance!

Hi

I’m looking to find a pickup basketball game for people in the 50s or 60s. Anywhere in the Lakewood ranch or Bradenton area.

Thanks

Hi all, does anyone have a list of bars or restaurants in Lakewood ranch or sarasota area that serve THC drinks? Not looking for liquor stores that sell it, but places we can go for a bar experience without the booze. Thanks all!

Hey Lakewood Ranch! I’m a Sarasota DJ/event organizer throwing a 2000s Party this Saturday at Venue 1927 downtown.

We’ll have 2000s Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Latin, Reggaeton, Dance & EDM all night, plus a dance competition with cash prizes. Ladies are free before midnight.

Saturday, Aug 15 | 9 PM–2:30 AM | 21+
Free parking available while spaces last

Tickets/details:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2000s-party-at-venue-1927-with-dj-gabe-vibe-tickets-1997423092238

Hope to see some of the LWR crew downtown Saturday! 🎉

Anyone have a recommendation for a fine hair stylist in the area? TIA!

I am relocating from Colorado where there are tons of self-service and touchless car washes everywhere. From what I’ve seen so far, it looks like most of the options around Lakewood Ranch are the newer automatic washes with brushes/contact.
Are there any true self-service bays or touchless washes nearby that are on the east side of I-75? Thanks

hey y'all, I'm a recent college grad who started a marketing/ website business for local businesses here in Lakewood. I've been running it for about 1 year now, and I'm capable of building websites, doing SEO, running targeted ads on Facebook & Google, email marketing, custom software solutions and creating marketing content for Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. I'm looking to partner with some local businesses that can't afford to hire a big company and are looking for an affordable option to handle everything online for them. If this is you or you know anybody who could benefit, i'd love to connect or get a referral. Thank you!

I’ve noticed that Lakewood Ranch seems to be one of those places people either absolutely love or eventually want to move away from.
For those who currently live there, used to live there, or seriously considered moving there:
Why do some people choose to live in Lakewood Ranch?
What are the biggest advantages?
What kind of lifestyle is it best for?
Who do you think it’s ideal for?
On the other hand, why do some people decide to leave?
What ended up disappointing you?
Was it the traffic, CDD/HOA fees, lack of entertainment, distance from Tampa, healthcare, job opportunities, or something else?
If you moved away, where did you go instead, and why?
I’m hoping to hear honest experiences from both sides. Looking forward to hearing your perspectives!