EVERYONE LOVES LIVING IN LAKEWOOD RANCH… HERE’S WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU

EVERYONE LOVES LIVING IN LAKEWOOD RANCH… HERE’S WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU

Lakewood Ranch is the number one selling master-planned community in the nation. Everyone is moving here, everyone loves it, and everyone seems to be smiling and living in bliss. That’s the version of Lakewood Ranch you usually see online.

Now, I do love living in Lakewood Ranch, but before moving here and thinking you’re moving into Utopia or something out of The Truman Show, it’s important to understand some of the myths you don’t always hear in the pretty videos and marketing materials.

Lakewood Ranch is no longer just a small suburb. It has grown into a 50-square-mile city, and depending on where you live, you may actually be closer to Sarasota or even St. Pete. What started as just a few neighborhoods has now expanded to over 45 different communities.

Lakewood Ranch is essentially divided into three main sections. The original section begins near University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, stretching north to State Road 70 and east to Lorraine Road. This area includes neighborhoods like Greenbrook, Riverwalk, Summerfield, and Edgewater, all conveniently located near downtown Lakewood Ranch.

Downtown Lakewood Ranch (Main Street) is the original hub of the community. It’s a walkable, open-air town center with dining, shopping, entertainment, and community events. From restaurants like Remy’s on Main and The Twisted Pig, to wine tastings, a cinema, mini golf, and waterfront views, there’s always something happening. Events like Music on Main, held the first Friday of every month, bring live music, food trucks, and a true sense of community.

One of the biggest myths is that living in Lakewood Ranch means you’re 30 minutes to the beach. For many areas, that’s simply not true. If you live north or east—near State Road 64 or Bourneside Road—beaches can take 45 minutes to over an hour, especially during season. In some cases, it’s actually easier to reach St. Pete Beach than Siesta Key or Anna Maria Island. The main exception is neighborhoods south of University Parkway, which offer quicker access to downtown Sarasota and Lido Key.

The second major growth area is north of State Road 70 up to State Road 64, extending east toward Bourneside Road. This area includes established neighborhoods like Central Park, Mallory Park, and Esplanade, along with newer developments such as Azario, Lorraine Lakes, Star Farms, Del Webb, and Colusa Golf & Country Club. Growth here has been significant and continues in nearly every direction.

The third phase of development is located south of University Parkway, home to Waterside and Windward, with Southeast Lakewood Ranch coming in 2027. This expansion includes seven new neighborhoods, reinforcing that Lakewood Ranch is still growing rapidly. With this size comes more driving—you’re not always minutes from everything anymore.

Waterside offers additional hubs like Center Point at Waterside and Waterside Place, featuring restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment. From Ruth’s Chris and Owen’s Fish Camp to waterfront dining and events, it’s another vibrant area—but again, spread out.

Another misconception is that everyone has access to resort-style amenities. In reality, amenities are neighborhood-specific. Some older neighborhoods have no amenities at all, while others like Azario or Esplanade feature resort pools, restaurants, and fitness centers. Access is restricted to residents of each community, even if another amenity center is right across the street.

The same applies to golf. All golf courses in Lakewood Ranch are private. Golf-deeded communities like Esplanade, Azario, Lakewood National, and Colusa include access, but residents outside those neighborhoods cannot play. Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club operates on a membership-only basis, regardless of where you live.

Another key thing to understand is that Lakewood Ranch is highly planned. Each neighborhood is pre-assigned a specific builder, along with home styles, sizes, and price points. You cannot choose a builder and place them wherever you want. For example, loving a Taylor Morrison home doesn’t mean you can build one in Waterside. Planning is one of Lakewood Ranch’s strengths—but it can also limit flexibility.

Let’s talk about golf carts. While Lakewood Ranch is often called golf-cart friendly, the reality is mixed. Inside gated communities, golf carts are common for getting to amenities. Outside of neighborhoods, however, carts usually require license plates and road readiness, and most destinations aren’t close enough to justify using one. Waterside is the exception, as it’s non-gated, allowing easier golf cart access—but even there, you don’t see as many carts as you might expect.

Another adjustment for many people is yard size. Compared to the Midwest or older neighborhoods, lots are smaller, and adding a pool and lanai often uses up most of the backyard. Many communities feel newer and more uniform, with fewer mature trees and less shade. That nostalgic feel of tree-lined streets and large yards is mostly found in the original Lakewood Ranch neighborhoods, such as Riverwalk or Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.

Finally, there’s traffic and parking. Growth has increased congestion, especially near downtown Lakewood Ranch, Waterside Place, and University Town Center. While roads are well planned, parking has not kept up. There are no parking garages, and during events or season, parking can be extremely challenging. Planning ahead is essential.

So there you have it—the things not every video tells you about Lakewood Ranch. None of these are deal-breakers, and they certainly don’t outweigh the many benefits. Lakewood Ranch offers incredible lifestyle, planning, and community, but it’s important to understand both the pros and the cons.

If you’re thinking about buying in Lakewood Ranch and want honest guidance, give us a call. And remember, when it comes to real estate, always work with your local expert.