Moving to Florida Guide ® mobile nav links
  • Venice, FL Jetty
      THINKING OF  
      MOVING TO  
     VENICE? 
  •   LET ME  
      HELP YOU  
      DISCOVER THE AREA...  
  • Sharkys and The Venice Pier
      OUTDOOR AVENTURE  
  • Downtown Venice FL
      WALK DOWNTOWN  
  • Venice Fishing Pier
      ENJOY THE PIER  
  • Venice Intracoastal Waterway
      WATERFRONT CONDOS  
  • Venice, FL Waterfront Homes
      GORGEOUS HOMES  
  • Explore Nature
      BEAUTIFUL PARKS  


Thinking about Moving to Venice?

Discover what living with small town charm is like.

If you're considering moving to Venice and doing some initial research online, you've come to the right place. This page has been created to help give you a better understanding of the Venice area and what retirement life could like as a year-round resident in a charming small town here on Florida’s west coast. We will overview the types of amenities, activities, safety of the Venice area as well the local top-rated hospitals. We also encourage you to reach out to Julie Larson, our Venice relocation expert, as she is glad to answer any specific questions you may have about the Venice real estate market, housing prices and annual expenses when living here.

About Venice, FL

Located 18 miles south of Sarasota, Venice is a popular small-town retirement city on Florida's west coast. Venice is best known for its historic downtown area, its beaches which are lined with shark's teeth, its miles of active waterways that are a playground for boating and watersport activities as well as its jetty and its 700-foot long fishing pier which provides panoramic views of the Venice coastline. Residents of Venice enjoy a high-quality of life with a great year-round climate, affordable real estate and have access to top healthcare and medical facilities. The current population of Venice is 27,272 and Sarasota County is 462,286 (US Census Bureau).

Experience the historic downtown and small-town charm of Venice in the video below. Make sure your volume is on.



Venice, FL Awards & Accolades

The City of Venice commonly receives accolades and awards each year for its historical downtown, its high degree of safety, its popularity as a top Florida retirement destination as well as its top-rated healthcare services. See recent mentions below.



Top 10 Reasons to Relocate to Venice

  1. Wellen Park is the 3rd Best Selling Florida Community
    For the first half of 2024, Wellen Park officially ranked as the 3rd best-selling master planned community in all of Florida (and #6 in the nation) by RCL & Co, a well-respected and independent real estate consulting firm. Located in south Sarasota County, along River Rd and US 41, the 11,000-acre Wellen Park community offers residents a high-quality of life with a centralized town center, shopping and dining options, medical facilities, a new Cool Today ballpark, and miles of recreation trails, area parks and more. Learn about Wellen Park.

    # Community Name City Type 2024 Sales
    (Mid Year)
    1 The Villages® community The Villages, FL 55+ 1,515
    2 Lakewood Ranch Sarasota, FL All Ages 1,238
    3 Wellen Park North Port, FL All Ages 573
    4 Silverleaf St Augustine, FL All Ages 473
    5 Mirada San Antonio, FL All Ages 473
      Sales are from Jan 1 - Jun 30, 2024.
    Venice offers its large retiree population many reasonably priced real estate choices. Whether your preference is a brand new home in a master-planned community with a clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis courts, an existing home or hi-rise condo close to the Intracoastal waterway or within walking distance to Venice Island, there are many options to look at. At the start of November 2024, the average Venice home price is now $426,460 which represents a 6.7% year-over-year descrease. To find out exact housing costs and the best Venice neighborhoods to live in, contact Julie Larson, our Venice relocation expert listed on this page.
  2. Venice is a Top-Rated Florida Retirement Community
    When choosing a Florida retirement community to call home, Venice has been and continues to be one of the most desired in the entire sunshine state. With an average age of 68.7 years for its year-round citizens, Venice has recently been named as a "Top 10" Best City to Retire in Florida by Southern Living Magazine (2023) as well as a "Top 10" Best Place to Retire by SmartAsset (2022).
  3. Venice is a Very Safe Town
    When moving to Venice for your retirement years, you'll feel very safe as the city has very low crime rates as compared to other, much larger Florida cities. In recent years, Venice was named as the #1 "Safest City in America to Retire" in by Security Choice as well as the 13th "Safest City in Florida" by SafeWise.
  4. Venice Has Gorgeous Gulf Beaches
    The Venice area is known for its beautiful Gulf beaches, some lined with sharks teeth. The area beaches of Venice include Venice Beach, Caspersen Beach, Nokomis Beach as well as the North Jetty Beach. Venice Beach and Caspersen Beaches are located south of the Venice Jetty while Nokomis Beach and North Jetty Beaches are located on the south end of Casey Key (just north of the Venice Jetty).
    Venice Beach - Interactive View
  5. Venice Offers Quality Healthcare
    Having access to quality medical and healthcare services when moving to a new area is very important. Venice's area hospitals include Sarasota Memorial – Venice (located at I-75 & Laurel Rd) as well as Venice Regional Bayfront Health (north end of Venice Island). There are also many excellent local medical groups in the area including Gulf Coast Medical Group and Venice Health Park which (located near Jacaranda Blvd in south Venice).
  6. Venice is a Year-Round Playground
    Venice is the perfect city for outdoor enthusiasts with its average year-round temperature of 73 degrees and 252 sunny days each year. If you’re a golfer, there are many great courses including Calusa Lakes and Waterford. If you like exploring nature, ride or walk the popular Legacy Trail. And finally, if you enjoy being near the water, try fishing at the Venice Pier or go for a relaxing stroll at the Venice Jetty.
    View Venice Jetty
  7. Venice Has a Strong Employment Market
    The job and employment market within Venice has been very strong post Covid with an unemployment rate of 3.6% range, which is below the national average of 4.1% (Nov 2024). Top sectors of employment in the Venice area include hospitality and tourism, healthcare, education, skilled trades, retail and professional services. The largest employers in Sarasota county include the local School Board, Sarasota Memorial Health Care (SMHC), Publix Supermarkets, PGT Industries as well as Sarasota County Government.
  8. Venice Offers Great Local Cuisine & Dining Options
    Venice has endless options when it comes to dining choices and talking advantage of happy hour! If you enjoy waterfront dining, check out the popular Sharkys on the Pier or Dockside Waterfront Grill at Marker 4. If you feel like heading downtown for an evening, swing by the new Daquari Deck, T J Carney’s Grille & Pub, The Soda Fountain, T J Carney's Grille & Pub, Abby's on Miami or the 3 Little Pigs BBQ. Many of these establishments offer open-air seating in their outdoor sections.
  9. Venice Has Endless Events to Check-Out!
    Venice offers its residents an active scene of events, downtown festivals and theatrical performances to enjoy year-round. There are also many popular annual events that take place each year including the Venice Art Classic, The Venice Craft Festival, The Venice Art Festival, Christmas Walk and many, many more!
  10. Venice Has an Active Performing Arts Scene
    Retirees living in Venice enjoy an active performing arts and theatrical scene. The Venice Theatre, which is one of the largest community theatres in the entire US, has an active schedule of performances including cabarets, comedies, full-scale musicals, dramas and cutting-edge contemporary productions.

Julie Larson

Realtor®

Your Venice Relocation Expert

941-284-9826

Please mention Moving to Florida Guide when calling so I can track my marketing efforts. Thanks! White Sands Realty Group Logo
License # SL3294350

The Venice Real Estate Market

Market outlook, trends & relocation advice by Julie Larson

The Venice real estate market remains strong as many continue to relocate to the Suncoast area from the northeast and midwest states to enjoy our Florida climate and high-quality of life, especially for retirement. We are still experiencing a slight seller’s market as current inventory levels are at a 5 month supply, vs a balanced market of a 6 month supply. Many deals continue to remain all-cash or heavy-cash and I am still seeing some multiple offers for properties which are located in choice neighborhoods and offer many resident amenities. For the heavily-financed buyer, they are now facing some challenges with the higher rates where monthly payments can be as high as 40% or more for the same house than was a year ago.

The new construction market in Venice and surrounding areas remains healthy as many top builders continue to announce new communities and offerings, mostly east of Venice (past I-75) or in the North Port area as land is available to build. New construction releases continue to be in limited quantities though. Also, wait times for new construction homes is now much improved vs during the market peak.

Venice Housing Market Outlook

My Outlook for the Venice housing market through year-end 2024 and into early 2025 is a continuation of the same strong buyer demand and slightly reduced inventory levels. As the Fed has now cut the benchmark interest rate, we will now likely see a slight bump in buyer interest and housing demand as many continue to remain on the sidelines awaiting the lower rates.

Market Trends I'm Observing

Many of my Venice buyers continue to seek out newer, master-planned communities with many resident amenities east of I-75 or they prefer to be close to our historic downtown area which offers the walkability factor to many great restaurants, shops, and an active scene of community events. I am also observing where active listings are now sitting on the market longer than was during the market peak, and is overall a healthy sign for our real estate market.

My Relocation Advice

The best relocation advice I can provide is to choose an experienced Realtor who has a strong knowledge of the Venice neighborhoods and communities you are seeking and to leverage their experience to your advantage. It’s also a good idea to start your home search early to get a feel for the properties hitting the market to see the types of homes available in your price point. Lastly, if you will be financing your home purchase, reach out to a qualified lender to get pre-approved and make sure to have your finances in order. I have several top lenders in my network of which I am glad put you in contact with!


Venice Relocation Reviews:

Read what Julie's past clients are saying.

  • "Julie is awesome. She is very personable, knowledgeable and professional. We had confidence in her from day one. She made the whole experience great. We recommend her 100 percent!"
    Jamie & Linda K.
    Home Buyer
  • "Julie did a wonderful job helping me find the right place. She is a charming and enthusiastic individual and very conscientious. She always made herself available when I needed her and searching and visiting the listings with her was fun. I heartily recommend her!"
    Beattie B.
    Home Buyer
  • "Julie found us our dream home, 'our diamond in the ruff' as I like to call it! Julie was able to see the potential in a house I had written off the list. One step inside and I knew it was a perfect fit for our family! We got an amazing deal and we couldn't be happier. Thank you Julie for all your hard work and dedication!"
    Brittany C.
    Home Buyer
  • View All Venice Relocation Reviews

Map of the Venice Area

The greater Venice area is comprised of five separate communities including Venice Island, South Venice, Laurel, Osprey and Nokomis. Wellen Park, also marked on this map, is one of the top selling master-planned communities in the country. When you connect with Julie Larson, our Venice relocation expert listed on this page, she is glad to answer any questions regarding the Venice area and communities that best meet your needs, lifestyle and overall budget.

Your Guide to Venice Real Estate, Beaches, Attractions & Employers

Venice Real Estate

Below are the most popular and top communites in the greater Venice area that people are moving to.


Wellen Park
The Top Master-Planned Community in South Venice

Wellen Park (formerly West Villages), located along River Rd and US 41 in South Venice, is a top-selling master-planned community in Florida. Discover Wellen Park.

Island Walk Community in Wellen Park Wellen Park Community View

Top Neighborhoods on Venice Island

  • Waterfront on Venice Island
  • West Venice Avenue

Top Communities in Osprey, FL

  • The Oaks
  • Southbay Yacht & Raquet Club
  • Willowbend
  • Rivendell
  • Park Trace
  • Osprey Harbor Village

Top Communities in East Venice

  • Capri Isles Golf Club
  • Waterford Golf Club
  • Milano
  • Venetian Golf & River Club
  • Toscana Isles
  • Aria
Expand Top Communities List

Top Golf Communities in Venice, FL

  • Jacaranda West Country Club
  • Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club
  • Sarasota National
  • Venetian Golf & River Club
  • The Oaks Club

Top Waterfont Communities in Venice, FL

  • Casey Key
  • Southbay Yacht & Raquet Club
  • Venice Island Waterfront Homes
  • Roberts Bay Waterfront Homes
  • Donna Bay Waterfront Homes

Top Beaches in Venice, FL

Venice is home to four great public beaches. Each of these locations, just a short commute from downtown, conveniently offers ample public parking and restrooms.

  • Venice Public Beach
  • Casperson Beach
  • Nokomis Beach
  • North Jetty Beach & Park

Popular Venice Area Attractions

  • Historic Spanish Point
  • Oscar Scherer State Park
  • Venice Theatre
  • Historic Venice Train Depot
  • Historic Downtown Venice
  • Venice Jetty
  • Venice Fishing Pier
  • Driving along Casey Key

Popular Venice Area Events

Venice offers many weekly and annual events including the following.

  • Venice Farmers Market
  • Venice Craft Festival
  • Venice Boat Parade
  • Venice Christmas Walk
  • Venice Chalk Festival
  • Venice Art Festival
  • Venice Seafood & Music Festival
  • Shark's Tooth Festival

Venice, FL Employers

Venice is the home of many top and best employers in Sarasota County, and several are headquartered here locally. Also listed below are the largest employers in Sarasota, and nearby Manatee County.

Top Medical Companies in Venice

  • Venice Regional Bayfront Health
  • Gulf Coast Medical Group
  • Venice Health Park
  • SMH - Venice Campus

Top Technology Companies in Venice

  • Scanco
  • Frontier Communications

Top Financial Services Companies in Venice

  • Bank of America
  • Northwestern Mutual

Top Business Solution Companies in Venice

  • Shared Services Center
  • Shaver Employment Agency

Top Manufacturing Companies in Venice

  • PGT Industries
  • Tervis Tumbler
  • Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors
  • Kent Manufacturing

Largest Employers in Sarasota County

  • School Board of Sarasota County
  • Sarasota County Government
  • Sarasota Memorial Health Care
  • PGT Industries
  • Publix Supermakets, Inc.
  • City of Sarasota
  • Venice Regional Bayfront Health
  • Sun Hydraulics Corporation
  • Goodwill Industries Manasota
  • Tervis
  • Tidewell Hospice
  • Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
  • City of North Port
  • Shared Services Center
  • The Ritz-Carlton of Sarasota
  • Ringling College
  • ASO, LLC
  • FCCI Insurance Group
  • Englewood Community Hospital
  • Expert Global Solutions

Largest Employers in Manatee County

  • Manatee County School District
  • Manatee County Government
  • Beall's Inc.
  • Tropicana Products, Inc.
  • Manatee Memorial Hospital
  • Manatee County Sheriff's Dept
  • Blake Medical Center
  • Feld Entertainment
  • TriNet
  • City of Bradenton
  • IMG Academies
  • Publix Supermarkets
  • SCF Manatee - Sarasota
  • SYSCO West Coast Florida, Inc.

How Does Venice Compare?

Click below to see how Venice compares and contrasts to nearby Sarasota. We also compare top-selling area communities including Skye Ranch, Wellen Park, Lakewood Ranch and Palmer Ranch.
Sarasota vs Venice skyline images
Sarasota vs. Venice    
Skye Ranch vs Wellen Park Community images
  Skye Ranch vs. Wellen Park
Lakewood Ranch vs Palmer Ranch community images
Lakewood Ranch vs. Palmer Ranch