Sarasota ranks No. 10 in the nation among U.S. moving destinations, according to a just-released report by Penske Truck Rental.
The other nine metropolitan areas are major cities, such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, Orlando and Charlotte, N.C.
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota is the 73rd largest metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. with more than 709,000 inhabitants in 2011, according to the Census Bureau. Orlando is No. 26 with nearly 2.2 million; Charlotte, N.C., is No. 33 at 1.7 million.
Penske, a global transportation services provider, said the list is compiled compiled through online consumer truck rental reservations and through Penske Truck Rental call centers. Only one-way moves in 2012 were considered.
Atlanta has topped the list for each of the three years that Penske has compiled this ranking. The Dallas/Fort Worth area made the jump from fourth to second place. Four markets (Chicago, Houston, Denver and Seattle) retained their rankings from 2011.
“This list fits the general geographic shifts of the country’s population with our customers being drawn to the Southeast and Southwest regions,” stated Don Mikes, Penske senior vice president of rental.
Jim Soda of Keller Williams in Lakewood Ranch is one of many local agents who work with relocating clients on a daily basis.
"With all the new sports complexes (soccer, IMG Academies and soccer, as well as polo) at Lakewood Ranch, the secret is out," he said. "And Manatee County is doing all it can to bring new businesses to the area. Plus, we are seeing native Sarasota and Bradenton people making the move out to Lakewood Ranch. Part of it is it is shiny and new, and the other is the schools."
Sarasota real estate broker Candy Swick said 32 percent of her firm's 180 transaction "sides" in 2012 involved buyers who were moving to Sarasota from elsewhere.
2012 Top 10 Moving Destinations:
Previous year’s ranking is noted in parentheses
1. Atlanta (unchanged)
2. Dallas/Fort Worth (4)
3. Phoenix (2)
4. Orlando (3)
5. Chicago (unchanged)
6. Houston (unchanged)
7. Denver (unchanged)
8. Seattle (unchanged)
9. Charlotte, N.C. (10)
10. Sarasota (9)
