Not everyone is cut out for living in a gated community or condominium tower. For those who seek a more pedestrian lifestyle highlighted by comfort, privacy, aesthetics, and convenience, there are enticing neighborhoods such as Bay Street, a project that combines elegant townhouses with an adjacent commercial district that has turned into a nice town center.

Bay Street Village in Osprey is located just north of Venice; it is a D.R. Horton neighborhood that was initially platted as a residential gated community until investors decided to turn it into something different. The project broke ground in 2006 and avoided being derailed by the real estate downturn of 2008. The 45 acres of Bay Street Village are occupied by townhouses, carriage homes, a large park, a shopping district, greenbelt spaces, and a few lakes.

There are four residential models to choose from at Bay Street Village; they range from one-story carriage homes to two-story townhouses with up to three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The architectural style is an updated version of Mediterranean revival, and it includes thoughtful details such as covered balconies, tiled roofs, exterior window frames, and small foyers. You can enjoy water views from the balconies of some units.

Bay Street Village is a maintenance-fee neighborhood filled with amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, and exercise center. Pets are welcome, and you can always take your dogs out for walks at the park right across the road. Oscar Scherer Park, the Osprey Fishing Pier, and the Legacy Trail are less than five minutes away, and you can drive to either Casey Key or Nokomis whenever you want to hit the beach; it will take you about 10 minutes to drive to either spot.

The commercial district of Bay Street Village is where you can walk from your home to a Walmart Supercenter, but you can also enjoy dining at local spots such as Max’s Table and the Bologna Cafe. As of March 2021, a two-bedroom unit with two full bathrooms and a garage was listed for $317K.