The Meadows is one of Sarasota’s most established master-planned communities, offering an unusually diverse collection of single-family homes, villas, townhomes, and condominiums surrounded by mature landscaping, lakes, golf courses, and preserved green space. Located in Sarasota, Florida, the community encompasses approximately 1,650 acres and provides a park-like residential setting only minutes from University Town Center, Downtown Sarasota, and Interstate 75.
Development of The Meadows began in the 1970s, creating a community that looks and feels very different from many of Sarasota’s newer master-planned developments. Canopied streets, mature oak trees, more than 85 lakes and waterways, extensive walking and biking paths, and neighborhoods built over several decades give buyers a broad range of architectural styles, floor plans, ownership structures, and maintenance options.
The Meadows Sarasota Real Estate
Real estate in The Meadows ranges from smaller maintenance-friendly condominiums and villas to larger single-family residences overlooking lakes, golf courses, landscaped greenbelts, and natural areas. This variety makes The Meadows appealing to buyers seeking everything from a seasonal Sarasota residence to a larger year-round home.
Many properties were originally constructed from the late 1970s through the 1990s, although construction dates vary significantly by neighborhood. As a result, buyers will find homes in many stages of renovation. Some residences retain their original Florida designs, while others have undergone extensive updates including redesigned kitchens and baths, hurricane-impact windows and doors, newer roofing, updated mechanical systems, expanded lanais, and contemporary interiors.
Private swimming pools, screened lanais, golf-course views, lakefront settings, attached garages, courtyards, and maintenance-provided exterior services are available in different sections of the community. Buyers should compare individual associations carefully because fees, maintenance responsibilities, insurance structures, rental policies, pet rules, and amenities can differ considerably from one Meadows neighborhood to another.
A Community of Distinct Neighborhoods
The Meadows is not a single subdivision with one uniform housing style. The Meadows Community Master Association encompasses 52 independent condominium and homeowners associations along with single-family residential sections throughout the master community.
These individual neighborhoods have their own identities, property types, association structures, and architectural characteristics. Some feature detached single-family homes, while others consist primarily of attached villas, courtyard residences, townhome-style properties, or traditional condominiums.
All property owners are part of the larger Meadows community structure, while owners within individual condominium and homeowners associations may also be responsible for separate neighborhood assessments and governing documents. Buyers should review both the master community requirements and the documents that apply to the specific property they are considering.
The Meadows Lifestyle & Community Amenities
One of the biggest advantages of living in The Meadows is the amount of recreational space woven throughout the community. Residents can enjoy miles of paths, lakes, mature landscaping, open green areas, and recreation facilities without leaving the neighborhood.
- Approximately 14 miles of walking and biking trails
- More than 85 lakes and waterways
- Mature tree-lined streets and landscaped open spaces
- Community swimming pool
- Fitness and wellness facilities
- Tennis facilities
- Pickleball courts
- Dog park
- Playground
- Basketball court
- Community clubs and organized activities
- Social and lifestyle events
- Golf within The Meadows
Access to certain recreational facilities is provided through the current Meadows resident access and user-fee programs. Amenity access, fees, policies, and programs can change, so buyers should verify current information with The Meadows Community Master Association.
Golf at The Meadows Sarasota
Golf has been an important part of The Meadows since the community’s earliest years. Golf operations and access have evolved over time, and buyers should be aware that older descriptions of The Meadows may reference a previous country-club structure that no longer accurately describes today’s operation.
The Meadows Golf Club continues to provide golf within the community, with resident benefits and public-play opportunities available under the current golf program. Golf access, rates, programs, course availability, and optional player programs should be verified directly with the golf operation because these can change over time.
Even for homeowners who do not play golf, the golf courses and surrounding open space contribute to the green, low-density character of many neighborhoods. Numerous residences throughout The Meadows enjoy views across fairways, lakes, mature trees, and landscaped areas.
Trails, Lakes & Green Space
The natural setting is one of the characteristics that separates The Meadows from many newer Sarasota communities. Approximately 14 miles of walking and biking paths wind through the community, connecting residential sections with lakes, recreation areas, and neighborhood destinations.
With more than 85 lakes and waterways throughout the community, water views are common in many neighborhoods. Buyers may also find homes overlooking golf courses, wooded greenbelts, mature landscaping, or open common areas.
The established tree canopy is another defining feature. Mature oaks, palms, tropical landscaping, and winding residential streets create a setting that has developed over decades rather than being installed as part of recent construction.
Living Near University Town Center
The Meadows is conveniently positioned between Downtown Sarasota and the University Parkway corridor, giving residents access to some of the area’s largest shopping, dining, healthcare, recreation, and employment destinations.
University Town Center is only minutes away and has grown into one of the Sarasota-Bradenton area’s largest shopping, dining, entertainment, and business districts. Nathan Benderson Park is also nearby, providing opportunities for walking, running, rowing, paddling, cycling, community events, and waterfront recreation.
Interstate 75 is convenient for travel throughout Southwest Florida, while Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport provides additional accessibility for seasonal homeowners and frequent travelers.
Downtown Sarasota, Beaches & Attractions
Residents can reach Downtown Sarasota for waterfront parks, restaurants, theaters, galleries, performing arts, cultural attractions, and events.
The Gulf Coast beaches are also within driving distance. Lido Key, St. Armands Circle, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and other coastal destinations provide opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, shelling, waterfront dining, and Sarasota sunsets.
Neighborhood Slideshow of The Meadows Sarasota
Homes for Sale at The Meadows Sarasota
Single-family neighborhoods throughout The Meadows range from established homes on traditional residential lots to larger residences overlooking golf courses, lakes, and landscaped greenbelts. Private pools, screened lanais, garages, and renovated interiors are common features, although home styles and sizes vary considerably by neighborhood.
Villas for Sale at The Meadows Sarasota
Villa communities in The Meadows appeal to buyers seeking the feel of a residential home with varying levels of association-provided exterior maintenance. Depending on the neighborhood, residences may be attached or detached and can feature garages, courtyards, screened lanais, lake views, golf-course views, and community pools.
The word “villa” describes the housing style commonly used in Sarasota real estate marketing and does not necessarily identify the legal ownership structure. Some villa-style communities may be legally organized as condominiums, so buyers should review the governing documents for the specific neighborhood.
Condos for Sale at The Meadows Sarasota
Condominium communities provide some of the most maintenance-friendly ownership opportunities in The Meadows. Buyers can find first-floor and upper-floor residences, lake and golf-course views, community pools, covered parking in certain neighborhoods, and a wide variety of floor plans.
Condo association fees and included services vary significantly. Depending on the association, fees may cover items such as exterior building maintenance, roofs, landscaping, community pools, insurance on common elements, water, cable or internet services, and other shared expenses. Buyers should verify the current budget, reserves, insurance, assessments, rental restrictions, and pet rules for each condominium association.
Why Buyers Consider The Meadows
The Meadows occupies a distinctive position in the Sarasota market. Buyers can live close to UTC and Downtown Sarasota while enjoying a community that was planned around open space decades before today’s large master-planned developments became common.
The combination of mature landscaping, lakes, recreation, trails, golf, diverse property types, and a central Sarasota location gives buyers considerably more choice than communities consisting of a single builder or housing style.
For buyers comparing properties within The Meadows, the most important differences often come down to the individual neighborhood: property type, association structure, maintenance responsibilities, views, community pool access, parking, age of improvements, rental restrictions, pets, and monthly or quarterly fees can vary substantially.
The Meadows Sarasota Homes, Villas & Condos for Sale
View current homes, villas, and condos for sale in The Meadows Sarasota below. Available inventory can include single-family residences, maintenance-friendly villas, golf-course properties, lake-view homes, and condominiums throughout the community.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Meadows Sarasota
Where is The Meadows located?
The Meadows is located in Sarasota, Florida 34235 near University Parkway, Honore Avenue, Interstate 75, University Town Center, and Nathan Benderson Park. Downtown Sarasota and Gulf Coast beaches are also within driving distance.
What types of properties are available in The Meadows?
The Meadows offers a diverse mix of single-family homes, villas, townhome-style residences, and condominiums. Individual neighborhoods vary in housing style, ownership structure, association fees, maintenance responsibilities, and amenities.
How large is The Meadows?
The Meadows encompasses approximately 1,650 acres and includes more than 85 lakes and waterways, approximately 14 miles of walking and biking trails, and 52 independent condominium and homeowners association communities.
Is golf membership required to live in The Meadows?
No. Homeownership in The Meadows does not require a traditional golf membership. Golf is available through the current Meadows Golf Club operation, and resident benefits and optional golf programs may be available. Buyers should verify current golf access, rates, and programs directly with the golf operation.
What amenities are available to Meadows residents?
Resident recreational opportunities include a community pool, fitness facilities, tennis, pickleball, walking and biking trails, a dog park, playground, basketball, clubs, activities, and community events. Access requirements and user fees for certain facilities can change and should be verified with The Meadows Community Master Association.
Interested in buying or selling a home, villa, or condo in The Meadows? Contact Wendy Lynn | eXp Realty for help comparing neighborhoods, association fees, maintenance responsibilities, golf and recreation options, and current Sarasota real estate opportunities.
