Welcome to Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch, a gated enclave of over 500 single-family and villa homes. Nestled in southeastern Manatee County, Sweetwater combines resort-style amenities with a convenient location near Sarasota, making it one of the most attractive new communities in Lakewood Ranch.
Whether you’re relocating from out of state or moving locally, Sweetwater offers a balance of luxury, recreation, and everyday convenience. Its unique mix of floorplans, natural preserves, and vibrant amenities makes it a great fit for families, active adults, and anyone looking to enjoy Florida living.
👉 Thinking about moving to Florida? Be sure to read my guide on Relocating to Florida — it covers everything from lifestyle to budgeting for a smooth transition.
Many buyers fall in love with homes before considering the neighborhood — a mistake I highlight in my guide, How to Choose the Right Neighborhood. What makes Sweetwater such a smart choice is that it’s designed to give you the whole package — not just a house you love, but a lifestyle that fits your long-term goals.
Resort-Style Amenities
Sweetwater makes it easy to enjoy the Florida lifestyle without leaving your neighborhood. From the heated pool to the bike pump track and amphitheater, there are activities for every age and interest. Villa residents also enjoy their own private amenity center with a pool, bocce, fitness center, and social hall.
Prime Location
Living here means you’re minutes from everything Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota have to offer — from Waterside Place’s waterfront dining and events to world-famous beaches like Siesta Key.
Diverse Floorplans
Sweetwater offers three home series (River, Spring, and Villas), giving buyers flexibility to choose the right size, style, and budget.
👉 Below, I’ll break down each of these in more detail — so you can see exactly why Sweetwater stands out among Lakewood Ranch communities.
What truly sets Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch apart is its dual amenity setup. Most communities offer one clubhouse and pool for all residents. Sweetwater goes a step further by creating two distinct spaces:
A main resort-style amenity center designed for single-family homeowners.
An exclusive villa clubhouse with its own pool, fitness center, and courts.
Even better — villa residents enjoy access to both. This means you can spend a quiet morning at the villa pool, then meet friends at the main festival lawn for an evening movie.
This combination makes Sweetwater especially attractive for extended families. Imagine grandparents enjoying the relaxed pace of villa living with their own pool and social spaces, while kids and grandkids live in a larger single-family home with full access to sport courts, the pump track, and the main pool. Everyone is close by, but each has their own tailored lifestyle.
The main clubhouse serves as the social and recreational hub of the neighborhood, with features designed for all ages:
Villa homeowners enjoy an additional level of convenience and privacy with their own dedicated space, including:
Together, these amenities strike the perfect balance — lively and energetic when you want it, intimate and relaxed when you don’t.
👉 If you’re comparing lifestyle-focused communities in other areas of Florida, you may also want to read The Top 5 Pros and Cons to Living in Lakewood Ranch.
Waterside Place – A vibrant lakefront town center filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s home to weekly farmers’ markets, outdoor yoga, concerts, and community festivals — making it a true social hub for Lakewood Ranch residents.
University Town Center (UTC) – One of the Gulf Coast’s premier shopping and dining destinations. With high-end retailers, unique boutiques, and plenty of restaurants, UTC is perfect for both everyday errands and a night out. Family-friendly attractions like PopStroke mini-golf add to the fun.
Lakewood Ranch Main Street – A charming, walkable downtown with local boutiques, restaurants, and a movie theater. It’s also where you’ll find monthly events, car shows, and seasonal celebrations that bring the community together.
Downtown Sarasota – The cultural heart of the region, with a thriving arts scene, live theater, music venues, waterfront parks, and award-winning dining. Ideal for anyone who wants city energy just a short drive away.
St. Armands Circle & Lido Beach – A world-famous shopping and dining district set around a European-style circle. With upscale boutiques, sidewalk cafés, and galleries, it’s a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. Just across the bridge from St. Armands, Lido Beach offers a more relaxed coastal vibe than Siesta Key, with soft sand, clear waters, and plenty of room to enjoy the Gulf.
Siesta Key & Anna Maria Island – When you’re ready for a beach day, two of Florida’s most famous destinations are less than 40 minutes away. Siesta Key is known worldwide for its powdery white quartz sand, while Anna Maria Island offers a more laid-back, small-town coastal vibe.
Sweetwater offers three distinct home series, making it easy for buyers to find the right fit for their lifestyle and budget. And while new construction opportunities are available, there are also resale options in each category — giving buyers flexibility whether they want move-in ready convenience or the ability to design from the ground up.
Perfect for growing families or move-up buyers who want space and flexibility. These homes feature wide lots, water or preserve views, and multiple elevation styles. You’ll find both brand-new builds and resales available, depending on timing.
Ideal for larger households or buyers who want more storage and entertaining space. These homes offer wider lots, three-car garages, and plenty of square footage. Buyers can choose from new construction releases or shop existing resale listings.
Designed with downsizers, retirees, or those seeking low-maintenance living in mind. Villas include pre-selected design packages for an easy new build process, but there are also resale options available for those who want to move in without the wait.
👉 Whether you choose a resale home or new construction, it’s important to understand how new construction home pricing works in Florida so there are no surprises along the way.
Sweetwater is part of the award-winning Lakewood Ranch master-planned community, which spans over 50 square miles and is consistently ranked one of the top-selling communities in the country. Living here means access to:
👉 Want the big picture? Read Don’t Move to Sarasota Until You Know THIS before you make your move.
Yes. Sweetwater is one of the newer villages within Lakewood Ranch, located in southeastern Manatee County. It’s a gated community with both single-family homes and villas, plus a full range of resort-style amenities.
Two things stand out:
Dual Amenity Centers – Villa residents have their own exclusive clubhouse and pool, but still have access to the main resort amenities. This setup is rare in Lakewood Ranch.
Diverse Home Options – Sweetwater offers a mix of villas, mid-sized homes, and larger family residences — appealing to everyone from downsizers to growing families.
Sweetwater HOA fees are similar to other Lakewood Ranch communities that offer resort-style amenities. Costs vary depending on the type of home (villa vs. single-family). For the most accurate and up-to-date fee schedule, contact me directly.
Absolutely. Lakewood Ranch has been ranked one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the U.S. for years. With over 50 square miles of neighborhoods, parks, trails, shopping, and dining, it offers something for every lifestyle — from active families to retirees.
With so many great villages in Lakewood Ranch, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best match. Each community offers its own mix of amenities, home styles, and price points.
The best way to know if Sweetwater is right for you is to see it in person — tour the homes, explore the amenities, and picture yourself living the lifestyle. At the same time, it’s smart to compare Sweetwater with nearby options like Star Farms, Waterside, or Wild Blue.
👉 As part of my proven buyer process, I help clients narrow down all of these choices based on budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. That way you don’t waste time or end up second-guessing your decision. Contact me today to get started — and before you do, grab my free guide, 4 Home Buyer Mistakes, which includes worksheets to help you identify your must-haves and deal-breakers.
Sweetwater gives buyers the full Florida lifestyle — resort-style amenities, a convenient location, diverse floorplans, and a built-in sense of community. Whether you’re a family looking for space, an active adult seeking recreation, or someone ready for low-maintenance villa living, Sweetwater offers something for everyone.
If you’re ready to explore homes in Sweetwater, let’s talk. I specialize in helping buyers navigate both resale and new construction opportunities in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota.
👉 Ready to start? Book a free strategy call today — and before you do, grab my free guide: 4 Home Buyer Mistakes. It includes worksheets to help you identify your must-haves and find the perfect community.