Moving to Venice, FL: A Definitive Guide

Venice is a beautiful city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, renowned for its world-class beaches, architecture, and luxurious residential living.

Given everything that this popular and vibrant city has to offer, it’s no surprise that many are looking to move here, both from within Florida and from out of state.

Here we have assembled some resources and things to consider when relocating to Venice, Florida.

About Venice, Florida

First off, you should know a few things about your new home.

The city of Venice on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast is located south of Roberts Bay where it feeds into the Gulf of Mexico. To the north is Nokomis and Laurel, as well as North Venice, and to the south are South Venice, Venice Englewood, and the popular communities of Wellen Park.

The city is also roughly 30 minutes south of Sarasota and 1 hour north of Fort Myers.

Venice is known for its beautiful white-sand public beaches, upscale shopping areas with architecture reminiscent of its European namesake, its suitability to boating and water sports, and its many historic sites.

Residents of Venice enjoy the fantastic weather, beautiful coastline, resort-style community amenities, and top-class healthcare facilities.

Around the City

The first thing you may want to do for moving to Venice is look into the different residential areas. This could be crucial to your house-hunting efforts, as well as learning more about your new home if you’ve already secured one.

Either way, a knowledgeable real estate expert will be invaluable in sharing their local knowledge. But, for now, check out these neighborhoods to get started:

• Venice Island - Between Venice Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, this historic and upscale area includes many large estate homes and some of the finest shopping areas in Florida.
• Eagle Point - A private historic community on Roberts Bay comprising a small number of Key West style homes complete with enclosed pool areas and a marina.
• Venezia Park - The area around Venezia Park just south of Downtown Venice is known for its eponymous park and the many Spanish-style homes.
• Golden Beach - South of Venice Beach this coveted coastal community consists of many large custom homes on spacious properties, each walking distance to the beach.
• Pinebrook South - Near northeast Venice, this private community is built around two picturesque lakes.
• Capri Isles & Waterford - These two continuous communities in east Venice incorporate world class golf courses into their design, making them the perfect place to live for those who enjoy taking in a few rounds whenever they feel like it.

Venice offers a variety of different kinds of communities. There are the prestigious custom waterfront estates, mostly located to the west, either near the beach or on the bay; there are RV communities, providing access to the best that Venice has to offer for a fraction of the cost; there are the older, more well-established communities consisting of mid-century modern, Florida coastal, and Spanish-revival homes (many in ranch-style layouts) on spacious properties; and finally there are the newer private gated communities to the east, many of which incorporate golf courses, lakes, and resort-style amenities and facilities.

Choosing the right community for you depends on many factors, like your budget, family situation, employment, and lifestyle choices. Are you looking for good schools? Easy transport? A walkable distance to the beach or some other recreational facility?

Make sure to speak to an expert real estate agent with knowledge of each of Venice’s fantastic communities to find the best for you and your family.

Taking Care of the Details

Moving to a new city comes with a lot of extra work that you may not think of at first. Unfortunately, a lot of these steps are relatively tedious and time consuming, but they are no less important than finding a home or neighborhood to relocate to.

To begin with, there are some thing you should know if you’re new to Florida:

• Taxes - Florida has no state taxes, like income or capital gains taxes. As such, transferring any assets to Florida might come with some extra tax implications. There are also homestead exemptions in Florida which you may be eligible for, so make sure to speak to a licensed professional about those as well.
• Driving - Once you’ve gained employment or enrolled your child in school, you have 10 days to register your vehicle. This process requires some specific paperwork, so make sure you check what you need. You’ll also have 30 days once you arrive in the state to apply for a state driver’s license.
• Utilities - Contact local utility providers well in advance to make sure you get hooked up as soon as you close on your home. Make sure to cancel with all of your old providers before you leave. Here’s a checklist to help you out:
  • Cable & Internet
  • Power
  • Gas
  • Deliveries & billing

Explore your new community

Whether you’re planning a move, or have just relocated, you should definitely take some time to look around and learn more about Venice, Florida.

This is a crucial step towards connecting with your community and making the best of your life in Venice. Some recommended activities include visiting the beach, touring the historic downtown area, and visiting some of the local neighborhoods. Also, ask around to see what each area has to offer - you’ll find Venetians to be friendly and welcoming.

Another important part of the community are the schools. In Venice these are administered by the Sarasota County Schools district. They can direct you to information regarding enrollment and which facilities fall within their jurisdiction.

Are you interested in learning more about the city of Venice in beautiful Southwest Florida? Please contact Gulf Shores Realty online or call 941.488.6644 to learn more!