Geography

A quaint coastal town that borders both Sarasota and Charlotte counties, Englewood is located on beautiful Lemon Bay with access to the Gulf of Mexico through Stump Pass. The Intra-coastal Waterway also runs through Lemon Bay, which provides protective passage for boats from as far North as Norfolk, Virginia to as far South as Key West, Florida. 

Located South of the city of Sarasota and 50 miles North of Ft. Myers, Englewood was founded in 1896 as a fishing village. Although fishing still plays a part in the local economy, today the area around historic West Dearborn Street boasts home decor and antiques shops, unique restaurants, and a growing arts scene. This laid-back attitude, coupled with affordable real estate, makes this place popular with retirees, families looking for that small-town feel, and entrepreneurs. 

Attractions

The abundant coastline has inspired hundreds of artists to move to the area, and Englewood is now a self-proclaimed “art town,” thanks in part to Lois Bartlett Tracy a nationally known artist from Englewood who established Artists Acres here in the 1950s as a place for creative people to live and work. Englewood is a popular vacation spot for Floridians and visitors alike. Renowned website Trip Advisor has ranked Englewood Number Two as a travel destination! Here’s what Trip Advisor had to say: “The area offers a wide range of recreational activities ranging from fishing and boating, to bird-watching and kayaking…(as well as) plentiful golf courses, tennis courts and the arts.” Citing Englewood as a perfect getaway (but still relatively close to larger cities) Trip Advisor declared Englewood still possesses that “old time charm that is reminiscent of an old Florida past.”No matter what activities you like to enjoy at the beach, Englewood has one to suit your needs, with four beaches on the barrier island of Manasota Key, two in Sarasota County and two in Charlotte County. Chadwick Park/Englewood Beach is the most popular for swimming and sunning; Blind Pass Beach features a boardwalk and cafes, as well as fishing and shelling; Blind Pass Beach boasts a launch for canoes and kayaks as well as gateway to a 60 mile nature trail; and family friendly Manasota Beach, where the parking is free and other amenities include restrooms, picnic shelters, grills and a year-round lifeguard. More than just a place to visit, Englewood is a fantastic place to live! This area has lots to offer for residents of all ages. For the young families moving into the area Englewood has a number of day care child centers, three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, as well as an alternate private school offered at the Heritage Christian Academy. For those students continuing their education there are two technical centers and two Junior Colleges offering two year degrees while many choices of bachelor’s degree colleges are a reasonable commute away. The Englewood – Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce Inc. is organized to encourage the development of responsible business and economic growth while enhancing the community, which makes the quaint town not just a place to vacation, but to prosper! For the retiree, Englewood offers a host of amenities in a relaxed atmosphere. The quaint coastal enclave boasts two libraries, eight golf courses and an impressive arts and culture scene. The Hermitage Artists’ Retreat is located adjacent to Blind Pass Beach and attracts a variety of artists using different mediums. The Englewood Art Center, located on South McCall Road, offers classes and workshops for youths and adults in addition to Gallery Exhibitions. The Lemon Bay Playhouse on Dearborn Street, provides a variety of high-quality, live theatrical productions. In additional to all of the suburban conveniences you’d expect. Englewood is also home to premiere medical facilities including the Englewood Community Hospital, the first accredited chest pain center in Southwest Florida and nationally recognized three times as a top 100 hospital.

Real Estate

Real estate in Englewood varies wildly in both option and price. You can find single family homes a few miles from shore that are often surprisingly modest in price, while the grander waterfront homes are predictably exclusive and expensive. Whatever your budget or lifestyle, Englewood beckons you warmly to come visit and stay!