Lakewood Ranch is a gorgeous master planned community located between Sarasota and Bradenton in Sarasota County and Manatee County, Florida. Also known as LWR, it’s more than just a place to live; living in Lakewood Ranch, FL means building close-knit friendships, spending time in nature, and always having something fun to do.
What’s it like living in Lakewood Ranch? Get ready to start building fun traditions with a packed calendar of events like music on Main, live outdoor performances, Bolts watch parties, and holiday celebrations. Connect with nature with brilliant lakes and over 150 miles of pristine trails or share the day with friends with more than 200 eateries and shops to explore. Here’s everything you need to know before relocating to Lakewood Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch, FL Population and Demographics
Lakewood Ranch is a rapidly growing master planned community with a population of more than 35,000 across more than one dozen residential villages.
New sales and resales numbers give a lot of insight into Lakewood demographics. Almost half of people moving to Lakewood Ranch are baby boomers followed by Gen X-ers at 25% and millennials at 18%. What’s driving so many people to relocate to Lakewood Ranch? The community offers a simpler and less stressful lifestyle with features and amenities that make it easy to simply relax and enjoy life.
Cost of Living in Lakewood Ranch, FL
Wondering how much does it cost to live in Lakewood Ranch, FL? Living near the beautiful Florida coast can be expensive, but the good news is the cost of living in Lakewood Ranch isn’t too far above the U.S. average.
Because Lakewood Ranch is a master planned community, most of the homes are new construction or recent resales built in the 1990s to 2010s. Home prices start in the low $200s in some neighborhoods and top $3 million in the luxury neighborhoods along the water. If you’re concerned about the Lakewood Ranch cost of living index and ready to explore Lakewood Ranch, FL homes for sale, you can still find homes priced around the Florida median of about $178,000.
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Lakewood Ranch, FL Neighborhoods
One of the hardest parts about moving to Lakewood Ranch or any new city is narrowing down your options and choosing the best place to live. There are 17 distinct Lakewood Ranch neighborhoods or villages, each with something unique to offer for singles, seniors, and young families.
One of the best neighborhoods in Lakewood Ranch for families is Polo Run, a solar-powered community with sheltered school bus stops, a huge playground, and a full fitness center with a lap pool. Want to live surrounded by nature? The Savanna neighborhood is surrounded by wetlands and wooded conservation areas with lots of private outdoor space. The Lake Club is one of the most prestigious and safest neighborhoods in Lakewood Ranch with elegant homes set along an exclusive lakefront enclave.
The area code in Lakewood Ranch is 941. Lakewood Ranch zip codes are 34202, 34211, and 34240.
Beautiful Weather in Lakewood Ranch, FL
Lakewood Ranch boasts the year-round sunny, warm weather Central Florida is famous for. You’ll enjoy about 249 average days of sun every year with an average temperature in Lakewood Ranch of more than 50 degrees throughout the year. You can expect plenty of rain, though, especially during July, August, and September.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Largo, FL or let us introduce you to a local agent in the area.
Fun Things to Do in Lakewood Ranch, FL
With hundreds of shops and eateries in Lakewood Ranch alone plus Bradenton and Sarasota just 15 minutes away, you’ll never run out of great things to do in Lakewood Ranch. Here’s a few ideas to get you started when moving to Lakewood Ranch.
Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary
This large-animal rescue offers a permanent home to not just lions but also bears, primates, and even ligers! The Big Cat Habitat is one of the best things to do in Lakewood Ranch with kids to see endangered, exotic animals up close.
Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 371-6377
Jumpin Fun Inflata Park
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Get ready for an unbeatable time! Take the kids — or friends who are kids at heart — to the country’s largest inflatable adventure park with slides, obstacle courses, and more.
Jumpin Fun Inflata Park, 7321 Trade Ct, Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 388-5867
TreeUmph! Adventure Course
Ready, set, go! Swing, climb, and soar your way through more than 100 obstacle and zip line courses at this one-of-a-kind adventure course.
TreeUmph! Adventure Course, 21805 E State Rd 70, Bradenton, FL 34202 (941) 322-2130
Speaks Clam Bar
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Fresh seafood, housemade pasta, and sinfully good cocktails — can you ask for more? Speaks Clam Bar is one of the best restaurants in Lakewood Ranch and sure to become one of your favorites to celebrate life’s big occasions.
Speaks Clam Bar 8754 E State Rd 70, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 (941) 232-7646
Lucky Pelican
Welcome to your new favorite neighborhood fish house. This family-friendly restaurant has something for everyone with a relaxed environment, raw bar, and daily specials.
Lucky Pelican, 6239 Lake Osprey Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240 (941) 907-0589
Great Job Opportunities in Lakewood Ranch, FL
Lakewood Ranch boasts a central location to several major job markets in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Tampa. Lakewood Ranch jobs are also plentiful, especially in the retail and food industries.
Close proximity to several strong job markets is one of many reasons to move to Lakewood Ranch. Many homeowners in the community actually work in Tampa but are attracted to the community’s top rated schools and family-friendly amenities.
Lakewood Ranch Schools
Lakewood Ranch, FL is famous for its highly rated schools that draw in families from as far away as New York, New Jersey, and California. There are ten public schools serving Lakewood Ranch within the Manatee and Sarasota districts including the highly rated Robert Willis Elementary School that far exceeds the state average and Lakewood Ranch High School which recently won a College Success Award.
There are also several private schools in Lakewood Ranch including the Classical Academy of Sarasota and Out-of-Door Academy, a co-ed preparatory school established in 1924. If you’re interested in higher education, the community is served by Meridian College, Manatee Technical College, Keiser University, and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
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Tips for Moving to Lakewood Ranch, FL
- Choose from 17 neighborhoods ranging from affordable and family-centered communities to luxurious waterfront neighborhoods
- Enjoy a short commute to Sarasota or Bradenton
- Explore hundreds of nearby shops and restaurants plus hiking trails and lakes
- Lakewood Ranch has some of the best schools in Central Florida
- The cost of living in Lakewood Ranch is affordable for Florida
Does living in Lakewood Ranch sound like a dream? With its beautiful setting, great job markets, and all of the amenities at your fingertips, it’s easy to see why Lakewood Ranch is growing so quickly.
When you’re ready to start relocating to Lakewood Ranch, the movers at 2 College Brothers are here to help with the customer service you deserve and the professional level of service you expect. Give us a call today at 813-922-1528 to request your free moving estimate.
