Tri-Par Estates Park & Rec

I have been a resident at Tri Par Estates for nearly 3 months and LOVE IT!! The location is ideal for accessibility to major highways and other notable main cities -- less than 20 min. to Lido Beach, 20-25 to Siesta Key, 45 min. to St. Pete, 90 min. to Ft. Myers, under 2 hrs. to Naples, about 1 1/2 hrs. to Disney World. Great shopping nearby. All the services you can think of. Airport just 5 min.!!! Huge pool kept impeccably clean. Yes ... it is 55+ and as such has an older mindset to the entertainment options. But services and grounds are kept well which contributes to quality of homeownership and property values. I'm encouraged that the greater occupancy during the winter months will include more peoples on the younger end of this spectrum. \r \r With regards to security -- yes, there are issues, but not any more so than any home development where there is significant seasonal occupancy. Homes that are not occupied are always subject to break-ins no matter how much security is exercised. The best security is a good relationship with your neighbors, keeping tabs on each others' sites, using variable lighting options, having someone check on your property routinely, keeping the lawn mowed and other such visuals that make your home appear to be occupied / utilized (let your neighbor hang laundry on your line, put garbage out by your driveway, etc.). Security is a community effort anywhere!!!\r \r Can't beat the friendly people here! This is PARADISE! more

Are you kidding me??? $852.00 per year for Park Fees, including trash removal, cable and use of all the amenities?? Where can you live in Sarasota for those kind of annual fees?\r As mentioned earlier, the amenities include a HUGE almost olympic size pool, spa, putt-putt golf, shuffleboard and more.\r Very friendly Snowbird community with fun-loving folks from all over. Lots of get-togethers from cruises, road trips to casinos, shuffleboard and bingo. Something for everyone.\r A 55-plus community where a second resident can be 45 or older. That's how they comply with the federal guidelines for age requirements. It works really well. \r Patrolling has gone on for years and given the size of the property.. over 800 properties... crime is still really low. Just use common sense and you should be ok. \r Love the place, the location and the people. 5 stars!!! more

Outstanding location and amenities. Tri-Par now has safety patrols in effect and has a record of residents keeping an eye on other neighbors property. We have lived there a year and are totally thrilled with Tri-Par.. \r The yearly fee is fair...since everyone has same use of all the great things like the 3rd largest swimming pool in Sarasota County(heated in winter!), exercise room/equipment, Put-Put Golf Course, Laundramat, common area's, recreation building, hot tub, and an excellent staff........... the annual fee is actually very fair...why should one property owner pay more or less than others for the same benefits??\r They do have a problem that needs addressed by County, in that they are exceeding the percentage allowable of under age 55 residents.\r Monthly council meetings take place and decisions on spending are open to imput by residents...council is actually made up of residents that volunteer and then are appointed by the county. Works very well !\r Actual taxes are the normal ones for any property in Sarasota County.......based on property value of course. But due to fact that residents ""own"" their own property....they can claim ""Homestead"" exemption and cut those taxes down drastically.\r Guess there may have been some nice changes over the past few years.\r more

It's not just the security there... seems everyone pays the same maintenance fee (over $800 per year) regardless of the value of home. The owners don't seem to have much say about how their money is spent in regard to security or anything else. Beware! more

I agree with Father Time... TERRIBLE SECURITY! \r Heard the police were there a bunch of times before they caught a resident who was attacking the elderly. Cons: Board of Trustees more

Quite a few arrests at this park in the last year. Though it is an elderly park all the residents arrested have been well under the age requirements. Need a little better enforcement and much better security. Pros: Beautiful Park Cons: Poor Security more