What Is It Like Living on Bird Key?

A barrier island nestled between mainland Sarasota and St. Armand’ s Circle/Lido Key, Bird Key is one of the most prestigious residential communities off the west coast of Florida.

Bird Key has the best of both worlds: laid-back luxury with easy access to bustling downtown Sarasota, which continues to grow both its economy and population. With year-round sun, great amenities, and a stable housing market, Bird Key is a great place to call home.

Bird Key is home to about a thousand people, which includes a few celebrities. Though its roads are public, Bird Key is small and has a gated community feel. It’s surrounded by clear, blue waters and dotted with palm trees – a 250-acre tropical island paradise.

Bird Key is connected to mainland Sarasota, as well as St. Armand’s Circle and Lido Key, by the John Ringling Causeway. It also offers quick access to nearby Bradenton to the north, Siesta Key to the south and Lakewood Ranch to the east.

Luxurious Waterfront and Garden-view Properties

There are just 510 homes on Bird Key Island, and all of them are beautiful. The Arvida Corporation bought and began to develop Bird Key in the 1950s, so there is a mix of both renovated mid-century and newly constructed homes. Bird Key boasts three types of properties, each luxurious in its own: bay-, canal-, and garden-view.

A sailor’s dream, bay-view properties are some of the most luxurious, offering fantastic views of Sarasota Bay. Wake up to the sound of waves lapping on the sand, and wind tousling the palm leaves.

Florida is famous for its networks of waterways. Properties along the Bird Key canals offer an alternate water view, as well as space to park a boat. Occasionally, dolphins and manatees can be spotted swimming in the canals. Homes on the canal won’t set you back quite as much as those on the beach, and you’ll have access to all of the island’s amenities.

Garden-view homes offer a great opportunity to live and play by the water – at a fraction of the cost of a waterfront property. While inland properties don’t have private boating access, but this is available at the near by Bird Key Yacht Club.

These elegant homes may feature palm-lined properties with beautifully landscaped yards, stunning pools and decks, and plantation-style architecture.

Living on Bird Key

Residents of Bird Key reap the benefits of living a vacation lifestyle on a sunny island, but still a 5-minute drive from downtown Sarasota, dubbed the State’s Cultural Capital for its love of art, music, theatre, and cuisine.

St. Armand’s Circle, a 5-minute drive away (or a short walk), has tons of trendy shops and gourmet restaurants. Siesta Key is a short 20-minute drive south, and has a number of public beaches, restaurants, shops, attractions, and wildlife.

For those who like the outdoors, there are plenty of sports and activities to do in and around Bird Key. Residents can take advantage of the miles of coastline the area offers – South Lido Key is a mere one-mile kayak or paddleboard away. Bird Key is perfect for sailors, anglers, and other boaters, as the many waterfront properties offer direct access to the Gulf waters.

Off Ringling Causeway lies Bird Key Park, a public park walkable from anywhere on the island. The park is an nature-lover’s paradise, with cycling and hiking trails, a canoe launch, a fishing pier, and picnic facilities. It’s also a great place to see wildlife, both in the sea and the sky.

Bird Key Yacht Club

Housed in a 1914 mansion – the first in Sarasota – Bird Key Yacht Club is an observance of history and a local and Sarasota community hub. It was founded in 1959 as Bird Key began to be developed as the “residential playground” it is today.

The club welcomes members from all over, but many are from Bird Key itself. Unlike other private clubs, there is only one level of membership, meaning all members can participate in the range of activities offered. The club has boat slips, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a fitness center with classes, and group activities, such as bridge, line dancing, golf, art, and lectures. A third of the members own boats, while others are in it for the social aspect.

With years of experience in Sarasota real estate, Schemmel Property Group can help you find the perfect home for you and your family on Bird Key. Call us today at (941) 308-6497 to learn about the neighborhood, amenities, and available luxury properties on Bird Key.