Venice, Florida Relocation Guide
Moving to Venice provides a high quality of life with pristine beaches, low-key lifestyle, charming community feel, top schools and homes for all budgets.
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Introduction to Venice, Florida
Venice, Florida is an absolute haven for retirees, snowbirds, and families who want the very best of beach living and a small-town community feel. Just 15 miles south of bustling Sarasota, Venice is nestled along the pristine blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The downtown is an architectural masterpiece with palm tree-lined streets and Italian-style buildings.
Yet, it’s the lifestyle in Venice that people come here for. It’s no wonder Venice is consistently voted as one of the best places to live and retire in the country!
Planning to relocate to Florida? Be sure to check out our complete Moving to Florida Checklist!
Josh Wilson
REALTOR®
License # SL3486473
Shark Tooth Realty
Let's Find Your Piece of Paradise
Ready to Live That Florida Life?
If you have any questions about real estate or homes for sale in Venice, feel free to reach out. As a licensed real estate agent with Shark Tooth Realty, I’m more than happy to do whatever I can to find you the perfect home in paradise.
Feel Free to Reach Out if You Have Any Questions!
Relocation Guide for Moving to Venice
Jump to Any Topic in This Guide
Quality of Life
Find out why Venice is one of the top beach towns to live in Florida!
About Venice
One of the First Master Planned Cities in the US
City Data
Average home prices, demographics, population and more
Cost of Living
View and compare the cost of living in Venice to Florida and other States
Climate & Weather
Learn about the average weather in Venice and the climate
Things to Do
Discover some of the fun things to do in Venice and nearby
Transportation
Major highways and airports around the Venice area
Hospitals
Which hospitals serve Venice and nearby areas in Sarasota County
Schools
Venice schools are some of the top-rated in the country
Hot Listings!
Browse some of the current listings of Venice homes for sale.
Neighborhoods
Explore some of the most popular neighborhoods in Venice and why residents love them
All Venice Articles
Read through all of our different blogs & articles about Venice.
WATCH THE VIDEO!
This relocation guide for Venice is FULL of great information! But if you prefer to watch a video rather than read through all the details, no worries.
Click the video to watch via YouTube (or open it to view in a larger screen).
We also broke the video up into chapters. So you can jump around in the video to different sections and rewatch as needed.
You can also use this webpage for additional reference as a text version of the guide too.
Quality of Life in Venice
A lot of people haven’t heard of Venice, Florida. But once they start diving in, they quickly realize that this might just be the best not-so-kept secret in Florida. Living in Venice offers a wonderful and laid-back lifestyle along the coast with numerous festivals, arts and culture, and outdoor activities all around.
- Top 5 Most Affordable Places to Retire Near the Beach (Go Bank Rates 2022)
- 11 Best Suburbs for City Amenities (StorageCafe 2021)
- Best Beach Town to Live In #17 (WalletHub 2021)
- #1 Best Dog Beach in Florida (Oyster.com 2021)
- 2020 Coolest Downtown Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Landscaped Areas (watch our VIDEO here!)
- Best Coastal Small Town #17 (USA Today 2020)
- Best Beach Town for Retirement #6 (Southern Living 2020)
- Safest Cities in Florida #17 (SafeWise 2020)
For those seeking a small-town feel with an active community, vibrant downtown, great schools, abundance of outdoor activities, and easy access to multiple beaches, Venice may be your city.
READ MORE: Pros and Cons of Living in Venice, Florida
Job Market and Schools
Venice has a large population of retirees and snowbirds. However, the healthcare industry provides a number of jobs and some choose to make the short commute to Sarasota for work. Venice is a part of the Sarasota School System, which is one of the top in Florida and the country
A Brief History of Venice, Florida
First Inhabitants
Some of the earliest inhabitants of the Florida Gulf Coast were Native tribes who lived, traveled, and fished in the Sarasota area. By the sixteenth century, European explorers such as Hernando de Soto, landed in various bays north and south of the city.
Pioneers in Venice
In the 1800s settlers came to the area farming, fishing and raising livestock. In 1888 the town was renamed “Venice” from settler Frank Higel as the town reminded him of the Italian city where he spent his childhood.
A Dream Model City
In 1916 Dr. Fred Albee bought up the village of Nokomis along the bays and had a dream of building a model city and Gulf Coast paradise. In 1927 Venice was incorporated as a city and that dream became a reality. In conjunction with careful city planning, homes and businesses were built with Italian architecture.
Venice “Island”
In the 1960s the Intracoastal Waterway was constructed around Venice, connecting bodies of water and allowing more boat access. This essentially turned Venice town into “Venice Island” and increased the pleasure of boating in the area. Although the town has grown beyond the Intracoastal, living “on the island” is highly sought after and more expensive.
The “Master-Planned” City
Historic Venice was one of the first “master-planned” cities with its careful planning and architectural requirements. The heart of the city has artistic landscaping throughout with carefully plotted flowers and trees, including towering palms that line the main streets.
Shark Tooth Capital of the World
Venice is known as the “Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World” due to the prehistoric fossilized teeth that wash up on shore. Shark tooth hunting is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike, as they sift through the sand and shells hunting for the allusive Megaladon!
Venice City Data
Below are some of the basic city data for Venice, Florida as of early 2023. In general, the town is known for being a haven for snowbirds and retirees. However, there are plenty of families who enjoy a great quality of life in Venice, and more young people and families are moving into the city every day. The city is really more like a small town, although the population changes quite a lot between summer and winter (peak “snowbird” season). However, you still have a small town feel in Venice and won’t have the crowds and traffic as you do in larger cities.
- Population – 24,634
- Median Age – 68.3
- Median Home Price – $320,100
- Homeowner Rate – 78.3%
- People Per Household – 1.8
- Home Value Projections – 16.3% +
- Median Income – $48,103
- Poverty Rate of 7.03%
- Median House value is $448,500
- Crime Rate – 14 per 1000
- Area & Density – 1,605 people per square mile
Sources:
https://www.bestplaces.net/city/florida/venice
https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/venice-fl-population
Major Employers
Due to the nature of the population, the healthcare industry is a huge employer in the area. However, given that the area is a large vacation and 2nd home town there are industries around hospitality, boating / fishing, golf and leisure.
Demographics & Education
Venice is a well-educated city in Florida. Over 95% of the population has at least a High School education, while over 40% have achieved at least bachelor degrees.
For additional demographic data about Sarasota, check out the US Census Bureau for the following:
- Population
- Demographics (age, etc.)
- Housing
- Family & living arrangements
- Computer and internet use
- Education
- Transportation
- Income & poverty
- Economy
- Business
Cost of Living in Venice, Florida
Overall the cost of living in Venice, Florida is slightly higher than the average of the US and only slightly lower than the Florida average cost of living. The cost of groceries in Venice is higher than the US average as well as the Florida average, as well as the cost of housing. These two costs make up the biggest difference in Venice cost of living, while utilities and transportation are lower than national and state averages. Further, the average cost of living in Venice is just slightly lower than that of Sarasota, the larger city 15 miles north of Venice along the Gulf Coast.
100 = USA Average Cost of Living
102.8 = Florida Cost of Living
102.9 = Venice Cost of Living
COST OF LIVING | Venice | Florida | USA |
Overall | 102.9 | 103.1 | 100 |
Grocery | 106.8 | 102.8 | 100 |
Health | 101.7 | 102.3 | 100 |
Housing | 109.7 | 101.1 | 100 |
Median Home Cost | $320,100 | $394,900 | $291,700 |
Utilities | 97.1 | 101.3 | 100 |
Transportation | 96.4 | 112.6 | 100 |
Miscellaneous | 106.3 | 87.6 | 100 |
As of March 2023 SOURCE: https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/florida/venice
Climate and Weather in Venice
Venice has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, and warm, dry winters. It has a distinct rainy season from June through September and a distinct dry season from October through May.
- Rainfall – Average of 54 inches per year vs. 38 rest of USA
- Sunny Days – Average of 252 vs. 205 for the US
- Hottest Month – August high of 91 degrees & average low of 73
- Coldest Month – January high 72 and 51 degrees low
- There are 1-2 below-freezing days in Venice each year
- Most Comfortable Months: November, March, April
- Most Uncomfortable Months: July and August
- Check out the current 10-day Venice Weather Forecast Here
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season in Venice is technically June through October, with the most active months being August and September when the Gulf of Mexico is at its warmest.
You may know, in 2022 Hurricane Ian made landfall just south of Venice. Our town was quite fortunate with mostly wind and rain. To see how the town fared, visit our YouTube channel to watch the videos.
Things To Do in Venice
For a small town, there’s a lot to do in Venice. Strolling around the historic and charming downtown Venice is a popular activity since there is often something going on. Plus, its historic charm, boutique shops, and al fresco dining make for a wonderful day or evening out. Kids love the Children’s Fountain and you may enjoy weekly yoga on the beach. Those interested in arts will love the Venice Theater, the largest per capita community in the US. There’s also the Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice Symphony, Venice Art Center, and Venice Museum.
Baseball fans will want to catch a game at the new Cool Today Park, home to the Atlanta Braves Spring training. Stop by the famous Sharky’s restaurant on the beach overlooking the Venice Fishing Pier for an amazing sunset or enjoy a Friday evening concert in Centennial Park.
Festivals and Events in Venice
- Farmer’s Market each Saturday
- Holiday Parades & Christmas Boat Parade
- Italian Feast & Carnival
- Suncoast BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
- Book Fair & Writer’s Festival
- Shark Tooth Festival
- Blues Festival
- Christmas in July
- Venice Beach Oktoberfest
- Venice Brew Bash
- Winefest
- Chalk Festival
Check the Calendar for all Festivals and Events in Venice, Florida
Interactive Venice Driving Tour!
Explore this interactive map to find popular sights, things to do and restaurants around Venice. This is a great way to become familiar with Venice – before your visit and while you are here exploring town!
** If you prefer to open this map in a separate tab, click this link here.
Recreation & the Outdoors in Venice
Outdoor Fun Year-Round
Water sports are popular in Venice with the Gulf, bays, rivers and lakes in the area. With more than 15 miles of beaches, there are 5+ beaches minutes from downtown. The pristine waters are a dream for boating, diving, and snorkeling. Visit the Jetty or the Venice Fishing Pier to reel in the big one or spot a dolphin or manatee offshore. Birdwatchers will love the variety of species that can be admired here. And of course, don’t forget the shark tooth hunting!
There are numerous State Parks nearby, including Oscar Shearer if you enjoy camping and getting out in nature. If you enjoy biking, running, or roller-blading, then you’ll love the Legacy Trail, a paved path which stretches from Sarasota to Venice.
And if you enjoy nature with a side of good food, drinks and live music, then don’t miss spending an afternoon or evening at Snook Haven nestled along the Myakka River just outside of town! You can even take a boat tour or rent a kayak in between musical performers.
Plus, popular theme parks such as Busch Gardens, Disney and Universal are only a couple hours away by car. With so much to do, it’s no wonder many people who vacation in Venice can’t wait to move here!
Beaches in Venice
Venice, Florida is located directly on the Gulf Coast and is home a a handful of beaches that are all within just a few minutes of downtown! What we love about this area is that it’s far less touristy and aside from just a couple condo buildings on Venice Beach, most of the beaches around here are super quiet with virtually no buildings on them! It’s the real Florida down here!
Below is a quick list of the major beaches in the area:
- Venice Beach
- Nokomis Beach
- Brohard Beach (southern part is dog-friendly off-leash!)
- Caspersen Beach
- Manasota Beach
- Siesta Key Beach (north in Sarasota)
- Blind Pass Beach (south toward Englewood)
- Englewood Beach (south)
Read our full blog post about the best beaches in Venice for more details about each!
So Many Golf Courses in the Venice Area
There are more than 50+ golf courses in Sarasota County along! And the Venice area is home to an impressive number of public golf courses and country clubs.
You’ll find a public courses around and near town, as well as private and semi-private country clubs. Plus, there are some outstanding golf course communities here in Venice if you want to buy a home and be able to live where you play.
** READ MORE: Best Golf Course Communities in Venice
Popular Courses to Play
Also, 3 of the public courses in Venice / Nokomis (Capri Isles, Waterford Lakes, Calusa Lakes) are owned by one company and have a variety of affordable membership options to play at all 3 courses!
Below are just a few of the most popular golf courses in and around Venice:
- Capri Isles Golf Club
- Venice East Golf Club
- Lake Venice Golf Club
- Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club
- Plantation Golf and Country Club
- Venetian Golf and River Club
- Venice Golf & Country Club
- Waterford Golf Club Venice
- Sarasota National Golf Club
- Wellen Park Golf & Country Club (NEW)
- Mission Valley Golf & Country Club (Nokomis)
- Calusa Lakes Golf and Country Club (Nokomis)
- Boca Royale Golf & Country Club (Englewood)
- Village Green Golf Club (Sarasota)
- Bobby Jones Golf Complex (Sarasota)
- Tatum Ridge Golf Links (Sarasota)
- TPC Prestancia Golf & Country Club
- Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club (Sarasota)
- University Park Country Club (Sarasota)
- Bent Tree Golf Club (Sarasota)
- Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club (Sarasota)
Transportation in Venice
Venice lies west of Interstate 75, which is the only interstate in the area and goes north to Tampa and Georgia and south to Naples. The other major highway is 41 also known as Tamiami Trail – which goes north to Tampa and south to Naples and onto Miami. There is public bus service via the Sarasota County Area Transit system, although most residents are car-dependent. In general, Venice experiences less traffic and congestion being a smaller town; however, traffic increases during the winter “snowbird” season.
Airports in / Near Sarasota
Venice has multiple airports nearby to choose from.
Venice Municipal Airport (VNC) – As a General Aviation airport, there is no scheduled civilian flight service. However, it’s popular for private aircraft, business & charter flights, and flight training.
Sarasota International Airport (SRQ) – this is a fairly small airport but is growing and has carriers such as Delta, Air Canada, American Airlines, United, Jet Blue.
St. Pete – Clearwater Airport (PIE) – is growing with more options for leisure travelers recently.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) – 65 miles north of Sarasota and has even more airlines with more chances of a direct flight.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) – 90 miles south of Sarasota in Fort Myers, recently this airport has really expanded with more flights and airlines.
Hospitals in Venice & Nearby
Healthcare is a top industry in Sarasota county. There are 2 hospitals in Venice including a new location for Sarasota Memorial hospital. However, Sarasota is a short drive away. In fact, Sarasota is nationally ranked with one of the top hospitals in the country. Further north, Tampa and St. Petersburg offer even more options for quality medical care and specialized treatment.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
One of the top hospitals in Florida and was also ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top 10 safest large hospitals in the US. It is the area's leading healthcare provider. In 2021 a new state-of-the-art SMH location opened in Venice!
Doctor's Hospital of Sarasota
This 5-star rated hospital (one of only 5 in the State of Florida) by the CMS federal agency is a full-service and emergency care facility. It's a popular choice for locals due to shorter waiting times.
A+ Schools in Venice & Sarasota County
Venice is a part of the Sarasota school system, which is known as one of the top school systems in Florida. In fact, it’s one of only 2 school districts in Florida to have ALWAYS received an A-rating since ratings began back in 2004 and more than 60% of the teachers hold masters degrees or higher.
There are 6 public schools in Venice, each with an A-rating.
- Venice Elementary
- Garden Elementary
- Taylor Ranch Elementary
- Venice Middle School
- Venice High School
- SKY Academy – Charter School
Pine View School (located in Osprey just north of Venice) is home to high-performing students from 2nd through 12th grade and in 2014 was named the top school in Florida and 6th top school in the country!
FEATURED HOMES FOR SALE IN VENICE!
Popular Neighborhoods in Venice
The real estate market in Venice is hot – and has been for quite some time as more and more people discover this charming town on the Gulf.
There are a number of different neighborhoods in Venice, each suited to different lifestyles and budgets. Those who want the historic charm and walkable “island life” may prefer to live on Venice Island, while others may prefer gated resort-style communities (including many in the new Wellen Park development east of Venice near North Port).
As far as type of homes go, villas and condos are extremely popular for “snowbirds” (seasonal residents) and retirees. However, pool homes are also very popular as well as large estate homes for families who are relocating.
NEIGHBORHOOD VIDEOS
Learn More With These Venice Neighborhood Pages
Venice Island - Historic Center
Tree-lined streets, parks, walking paths, and benches give this area a special community charm. This is a very desirable area with hot demand.
Golden Beach & Gulf Shores
Minutes to historic center, Sharky's and Venice Pier (to the south) and the Jetty (north), these are lovely neighborhoods with ideal locations that include beach access.
South Venice
Just south of The Island west of Tamiami Trail, this neighborhood is one of the hottest in town. No HOAs, private beach with ferry access, Shamrock Park and the Legacy Trail for an affordable price!
Plantation Golf & Country Club
A friendly, yet refined atmosphere with elegant first-class amenities. The private club for residents provides two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis, bocce ball, pickleball, fitness centers and a heated Junior Olympic-sized pool.
Venetian Golf & River Club
Bordering the scenic Myakka River, the Venetian Golf & River Club is a master-planned community with resort amenities and includes lakes, wetlands, conservation areas and a 70 acre nature park.
Venice Golf & Country Club
One of the most popular country club neighborhoods in Venice! Perfect for the avid golfer as well as those who love an active lifestyle, since this community always has something going on. Golf membership is required for residents.
Venice Gardens
Convenient in-town living with no HOAs! Homes are primarily in the classic 1960's style and many are on the water. Some have been remodeled, others may need upgrades. Optional neighborhood fee includes community pool.
Talon Preserve on Palmer Ranch
This is a NEW construction community by DiVosta. It is a sister community to the famous IslandWalk in Wellen Park. With luxury amenities, a lifestyle director, resort-pools and a connector to the Legacy Bike trail, this is an amazing new community that boasts NO CDD fees and is super convenient to Sarasota.
Beachwalk by Manasota Key
Located just south of Venice (technically in Englewood) is the NEW construction community of Beachwalk by Manasota Key. Another DiVosta community (same company. as IslandWalk in Wellen Park) this neighborhood is just a couple miles from the beach. In fact, it's one of the closest of the closest new construction development you will find in the area!
Palmero
Palmero is a NEW construction Talyor Morrison community that is technically in Nokomis (north Venice) right near Oscar Scherer State Park and I-75. This community gives you the perks of a development, with gates, a clubhouse and community pool but with reasonable HOA fees and NO CDD! Another aspect of this neighborhood we like is that they have many 2-story homes (a rarity in the area) and a number of townhomes too.
Toscana Isles
A beautiful community full of lake views for most homes, Toscana Isles is a luxury D.R. Horton community you will love (it's one of our favorites). They do have nearly 50% of the homes built out, so it's possible to find resales. However, they are still actively selling new construction homes too. With a gorgeous amenities center (with infinity pool) and close to the interstate, this is a fantastic community with an activities director too!
Wellen Park
Consisting over more than 10+ neighborhoods, Wellen Park is a new master-planned development between Venice and North Port. Wellen Park's new downtown area will open late 2022 and includes numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment. There is a mix of established neighborhoods + many new construction neighborhoods with resort-style amenities and golf courses.
Map to Explore Venice’s Top Neighborhoods
Below, you will find a map with some of the most popular neighborhoods in Venice to live and relocate. This way you can see where they are located relative to everything and each other.
** If you prefer to open this map in a separate tab, click this link here.
Browse all Venice Blogs
Pros and Cons of Living in Venice, Florida
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Shark Tooth Hunting: How To, What You Need & Best Beaches to Find Them
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The Only Dog Beach in Sarasota: Brohard Dog Beach in Venice, Florida
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Best Beaches in Venice, Florida
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Things To Do In Venice Florida
Florida tops the list for many when it comes to fun in the sun and vacation. Every year sun and fun-seekers make the trek to
Josh Wilson,
REALTOR®
License # SL3486473
Shark Tooth Realty
Let's Make Your Real Estate Dreams Come True in Venice!
If you have any questions about Venice including homes for sale, neighborhoods, etc. feel free to reach out. I am a licensed real estate agent here in Venice with Shark Tooth Realty and I’m happy to help you with your next chapter.