When Mediterranean revival style of residential architecture became prominent in Sarasota a few decades ago, developers such as DiVosta Homes decided to give prospective buyers an opportunity to live in communities where home designs more accurately reflected seaside towns in Italy. At San Palermo in Sarasota, a maintenance-free neighborhood named after the capital of Sicily, the curbside appeal of the 160 townhouses evokes a feeling reminiscent of Mediterranean villas, but with easy access to I-75 near The Meadows.

The units at San Palermo are arranged in such a way to maximize privacy. Each three-bedroom property has its own attached garage and discrete entrances. The tropical landscaping is meticulously cared for by means of a very reasonable quarterly fee that also includes maintenance of neighborhood amenities, which include a heated swimming pool with a clubhouse as well as an exercise center.

San Palermo is one of the most attractive gated communities for Sarasota renters. Aside from the stylish ambiance of the comfortable townhouses, which offer interior space up to 1,675 square feet, San Palermo also enjoys an enviable location. Nathan Benderson Park is just a couple blocks to the north, and the Mall at University Town Center is a five-minute drive. Even closer is the Sarasota Crossings shopping center, where you can find a Publix supermarket plus a Starbucks and other suburban comforts.

The most attractive units at San Palermo offer views of lakes and ponds. Pricing as of late 2019 starts under $260K, but more affordable properties have been sold as low as $239K a few months ago. Similar to other neighborhoods near the University Park district, San Palermo is a place where homes sell very quickly, and this has a lot to do with high rental demand. Many homeowners here are also landlords, which means that they are not likely to let go of their lucrative investments so easily. If going to the beach is among your favorite activities, you will be glad to know that driving to Siesta Key takes about 20 minutes.