Caressing Florida‘s coastline between Cape Coral and Tampa Bay, Venice, Florida, has a natural charm and offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Located in Southwest Florida, Sarasota County, Venice includes what locals call “Venice Island,” a part of the mainland traversed via bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway.
Venice has gained attention as one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and it is home to approximately 25,000.
Contents
Pros of Living in Venice
1. Beaches Closeby
One of the finer things in life is a day at the beach; the city has about 14 miles of them.
Interestingly, Venice beaches are famous for shark teeth, but not to worry, there are no sharks near the beaches; the teeth are deposited hundreds of miles away and carried by currents to the coastline.
Besides Venice Municipal Beach, check out Caspersen Beach, Brohard Beach, Nokomis Beach, and the beach at Chauncy Howard Park.
2. Small Town Charm
Living in Venice: this waterfront city possesses a quaint downtown area, while the town sports a sweet suburban vibe.
And despite being one of the best cities in the US to retire, this spot can be excellent for families looking for a good location to raise kids and seeking more space, serenity, and value for money.
Enjoy the picturesque town square. Explore Centennial Park. Then explore the unique boutiques and shops.
Finally, stay well-fed and satisfied at the diverse range of restaurants, bakeries, cafes, wine bars, and pubs.
3. Green Spaces and Parks
In Venice, you are always close to green space, and there are approximately 35 parks in and around town, ranging from pocket parks tucked away to larger parks to explore.
Some outdoor areas include the Park at Brohard Beach, Ponce De Leon Park, Humphris Park, and Shamrock Park & Nature Center.
4. Amazing Wildlife
Love nature?
Then this exotic coastal city will delight you with its abundant natural wildlife, including turtles, bald eagles, alligators, great herons, and cardinals.
5. Outdoor Recreation
Whether biking, horseback riding, swimming, or kayaking, there is no end to outdoor recreation possibilities.
Cycling
Get on your wheels and try the 13-mile Venice Island Loop.
Or try the Legacy Trail and Venetian Waterway Trail, a paved traffic-free path that provides views of forests and wetlands and goes all the way to Sarasota.
Or boldly go on the Boldly Go Bike Trail.
Golfing
Florida boasts 1,200 golf courses, and 17 of them are in Venice.
Both private and public courses are available to meet all skill levels.
Travel nearby, and you will find around another 79.
Venice and the surrounding environs also host legendary golf events.
Boating
You will find plenty of boat launches in this boating paradise.
Perfect for the ever-popular kayak experience, plus charters, sailboats, fishing boats, and tours.
Fishing
Find your spot for both nearshore and inshore fishing.
Dip your line and temp redfish, redfish, snapper, snook, grouper, and kingfish.
6. Abundant Dining Options
The fish markets in Venice offer a profusion of seafood, but if you prefer to see your seafood already plated, dive into the hundreds of outstanding restaurants starring marine delights.
Eateries serve excellent seafood, and yet Venice restaurants provide so much more.
Whether you are in the mood for vegetarian cuisine or you want to indulge in a sirloin steak, the diverse dining scene will amaze, with many cultures represented.
Not surprisingly, Venice, Florida, named for a notable resemblance to a famous Italian city, offers many examples of excellent Italian cooking.
7. Low Crime Rate
Relax, you are in Venice.
And Venice has one of the lowest crime rates in the US, with an overall crime rate of 13 per 1,000 residents.
So, enjoy the peace of mind of residing in an area that’s healthy, wholesome, and safe.
But, still, use common sense, as you would anywhere, right?
8. Great Location
Love to explore?
Then you will appreciate Venice’s fantastic location.
Next, savor a change of scenery when you travel less than 20 miles to take a day trip to Sarasota on the coast, providing access to a unique cultural and arts scene.
A further 60 miles north takes you to Tampa, where you can hit the international airport to take the travel thing to the limit.
Or explore Tampa and take on a special occasion, such as a professional sporting event or other big city cultural attractions.
9. No State Taxes
It is sweet to save money, and Venice is a great place to do it.
Yes, because, like in all of the Sunshine States, there are no state income taxes.
So, depending on your income, the annual tax savings can be significant.
Cons of Living in Venice
1. Insects
Yes, there is so much to love about Florida’s outdoor lifestyle.
Yet, just as we appreciate this ecosystem, so including clouding biting insects, cockroaches, and mosquitos.
Tips: Avoid hanging out near bodies of fresh water; at home, keep food covered; take under advisement the generous application of insect repellent.
2. Transit
Venice has, some would say, a sort of a rep for rash driving.
Put lots of people into a car-dependent environment and, add to that, almost non-existent mass transport.
As a result, you get terrible traffic conditions and congested roadways that get more crowded during the peak winter tourist season.
Always use caution as both a pedestrian and a driver.
Then, there are very few convenient public transportation options.
Venice depends upon Sarasota County for public transport, and the aptly named SCAT runs only 17 routes in an area of 700 miles.
Plan on owning a car unless you can visualize and implement a plan for living, working, and hanging out in a central location.
3. Hot and Humid Summers
Consider the hot and humid summers, temps run into the 90s, and the thermostat can hit over 100.
And it is sticky, too.
Very.
We are talking about 65% humidity.
Many people liken the sensation of the afternoon rain to being in a sauna—but not in a good way.
4. Hurricanes
Like other areas of Florida, Venice is no stranger to tropical storms and even the possibility of hurricanes.
At the same time, the city is not known for taking direct hits, yet it is still a risk during the peak storm season, June through November.
5. Water Quality
While Venice city authorities assert that the tap water is safe, others politely yet firmly disagree.
Some argue that Venice’s tap water quality is below the national average, which should give one pause.
Some activist groups, citing the presence of Halo acetic acid, radium, and trihalomethane, blame the outdated laws for the poor water quality.
While not an issue limited to Venice, this is part of a conversation that needs to arise in the USA about infrastructure and maintaining access to clean and healthy water.
6. Tourists and Snowbirds
People gravitate into the city to experience the natural beauty and warmer weather, families take vacations, and those who yearn for sun and fun flock to the area.
The peak months for tourists, travelers, visitors, and returning snowbirds are January through March.
This is to say that Venice can be tricky if you aren’t enamored of part-time residents and tourists.
7. Overcrowding
The 16.6 square miles of the city of Venice are home to approximately 25,000 residents.
Then consider that about 20 million visitors visit Venice annually.
And so, not only are the roads frequently congested, but so are the bike trails, beach space, tee times, and restaurant tables.
Forward: patience is a virtue: practice it and be prepared to share all the goodies and pleasures of this golden city.
8. Cost of Living
While Venice is not the least expensive place to plant roots in Florida, the overall cost of living is only a couple of percentage points higher than the national average.
The average home price is about 10% above the average across the US, and prices go up for premium waterfront property.
As a tourist destination, you often pay slightly more for food, fuel, entertainment, and other expenses.
Pros and Cons of Living in Venice, FL – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Venice, FL | Cons of Living in Venice, FL |
|---|---|
| 1. Beaches Closeby | 1. Insects |
| 2. Small Town Charm | 2. Transit |
| 3. Green Spaces and Parks | 3. Hot and Humid Summers |
| 4. Amazing Wildlife | 4. Hurricanes |
| 5. Outdoor Recreation | 5. Water Quality |
| 6. Abundant Dining Options | 6. Tourists and Snowbirds |
| 7. Low Crime Rate | 7. Overcrowding |
| 8. Great Location | 8. Cost of Living |
| 9. No State Taxes |
Venice Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Venice Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Venice have a nickname?
Those in the know today affectionately call the town the “Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World.”
Although the city was first called the Horse and Chaise, it was renamed in 1888.
Is Venice, FL, an excellent location to live in?
Venice has earned the title of one of the happiest seaside towns in the US.
And it’s 2nd on the list of best cities to move to in Florida.
So yes, Venice is a fantastic spot to call home.
The city is especially appealing if you enjoy biking, boating, beachgoing, a few rounds of golf, or other outdoor activities in a climate that provides year-round warmth.
The city’s solid educational rankings, cost of living, safety, and diversity are substantial assets.
In addition, Venice has been honored as a Florida Main Street City.
Is Venice, FL, an old city?
Settled in the 1870s, Venice was incorporated in 1927.
The architecture of both businesses and homes showcased Italian-style styles that fashioned a timelessly elegant community environment.
Venice boasts 12 National Register of Historic Places structures, and architecture enthusiasts will want to visit the historic districts of Eagle Point, Edgewood, and Venezia Park.
What about hurricanes?
The St. Patrick’s Day tornado in 1985 struck Venice and made a severe impact.
But over three decades, Venice has been free from significant natural disasters.
And while Venice has been in the direct path of some hurricanes, they have never entirely made landfall.
Are there opportunities to enjoy the arts and culture in Venice, FL?
Did you know that the Venice Theatre is the country’s largest community theater per capita, with an operating budget of almost $3 million?
Those who appreciate the visual arts will be interested in the Venice Museum and Archives, which houses over 30,000 photographs, exhibits, and archives in the Triangle Inn, which was constructed in 1927.
So how did Venice come by the name?
Well, it was Frank Hegel who earned the moniker the ‘Father of Venice’ and who came up with the name Venice due to its resembling the Italian city.
And like the other Venice, its heartbeat is the life aquatic; 8% of Venice is water.
Venice, Florida is a charming coastal city with a small-town feel, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, and a low crime rate, but it can be crowded and expensive due to its popularity as a tourist destination.