Zumper
modified
22 Hours Ago

Highlights

  • Pet Friendly
  • Modern fixtures
  • Fully updated kitchen
  • New appliances and cabinetry
  • Fully renovated studios, one-bedrooms
  • Brand-new finishes

Location

1280 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
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Tour Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

Contact

Management

Lightning Property Management

Leasing office

(813) 535-5349

Property Overview

Driftwood Apartments combines strong overall quality (8.8/10 expert rating) with exceptional value, earning perfect scores for both price and amenities. Its highly rated location (9/10) offers convenient access to schools and local services, including a nearby top-rated elementary school. With transparent, trustworthy property information and features that support remote work and pet owners, it delivers an elevated and well-rounded living experience.

This summary uses Zumper’s proprietary data. “Zumper Expert Ratings,” “Things you’ll love,” and “Great for” are based on our internal analyses of market trends and renter insights.

Zumper Expert Rating

8.8
Very Good
With a solid 8.8 out of 10 overall, Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.

Things you’ll love

  • Elementary school nearby
  • Laundry available on site

Great for

  • Work-from-home
  • Pet owners

Floor plans

Renovated StudiosStudio1 bath422 sqft$1,095 /mo1 unit availableWelcome to Driftwood Apartments, where a fully renovated studio meets one of Sarasota's most convenient addresses. The Shoreline is a smartly designed 422-square-foot studio that lives comfortably thanks to a thoughtful layout, brand-new finishes, and natural light throughout. The kitchen has been completely updated with new appliances and cabinetry, and the bathroom features modern fixtures — move-in ready from day one. The $150 monthly utility fee covers everything: water, sewer, trash, electric, cable, and internet. No surprise bills, no juggling multiple accounts — just one simple monthly total of $1,345. Located in Sarasota's Whitfield neighborhood, you're minutes from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, the UTC Mall, downtown Sarasota, the Ringling Museum, and the shops and dining along University Parkway. Gulf Coast beaches are about 20 minutes away. Whether you're a frequent traveler, a working professional, or simply someone who wants quality and simplicity in a great location, The Shoreline delivers. Utilities included in the $150/mo fee: water, sewer, trash, electric, cable & internet.

Let's explore this property.

Amenities for Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

Apartment Amenities

ElectricityTrash
Utilities IncludedWater

Appliances

MicrowaveRange
Refrigerator

Tech

CableInternet

Building

Cats OKDogs OK
Onsite Laundry

Grounds

Off-Street Parking
Units, floor plans, amenities, dimensions, details, availability, and prices may be approximate and subject to change. Please contact a community representative for more information.

Policies and fees

Applicants

Applicants

One-time.

Contact Property

REQUIRED FEES

Security Deposit

One-time. Refundable.

Contact Property

Dog Policy

Allowed
Limit1

Cat Policy

Allowed
Limit1

Questions about this property’s policies and fees?

Building details

Property details

Units33
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About Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

HomeApartments in Sarasota Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

Driftwood Apartments is a 33-unit community in Sarasota's Whitfield neighborhood, offering fully renovated studios and one-bedrooms at an address that puts the best of the Gulf Coast within easy reach. Every unit has been updated from the inside out — new flooring, modern kitchens, refreshed baths, and new appliances throughout — so you're moving into a home that's already been taken care of. All utilities are covered under a single $150 monthly fee, including water, sewer, trash, electric, cable, and internet. No separate accounts to set up, no monthly surprises — just straightforward, all-inclusive living. The location is one of Driftwood's strongest assets. Whitfield Estates sits just north of University Parkway on Sarasota's northern edge, putting residents minutes from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, the UTC Mall, and the shops and dining along Highway 41. Downtown Sarasota and its arts district — home to the Ringling Museum of Art and the Asolo Repertory Theatre — are about 15 minutes away. The Gulf beaches are a short drive beyond that. Studios start at $1,195/mo. One-bedrooms start at $1,650/mo. All units include the $150/mo all-inclusive utility fee.


Zumper Expert Rating

Our expert rating is based on a weighted average score of property attributes that renters care about most: price, amenities, location, quality, and trust.
8.8
/10
Very Good
With a solid 8.8 out of 10 overall, Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 is a great option for renters. While some aspects, like Quality, might not be as distinguished as other properties nearby, Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 has a number of attractive features—namely its Price— so you can be assured your rent will come with a high standard of living.
How we rated Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243
Price·10A score that weighs the cost and location of the property, which we calculate by comparing rent prices of recent units to the median price of nearby rentals, adjusting for overall quality and features.
Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 offers an excellent balance between price and value. It's priced competitively for its amenities, location, and other key features. Compared to the median price per bedroom in the area, this property is less than, or about the same as, nearby rentals, so residents can expect great value without too many compromises on their desired standard of living.
Amenities·10A score based on the amenities offered at this property compared to other rentals in the area. We consider the quantity, quality, and popularity of features both on site and within the units.
Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 stands out as a premier property with an impressive array of amenities and an excellent standard of living. Residents here have access to many of the most popular and desired perks—pets allowed—making this one of the top choices for renters seeking unparalleled comfort and convenience.
Location·9A score based on proximity and ease of access to shops, restaurants, schools, and public transportation while considering the desirability of the area.
Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 is exceptional when it comes to location and conveniences. Communication with management or leasing staff is usually quick and easy and they often use advanced scheduling and communication tools to streamline the process. The location of this property offers easy access to popular points of interest in the area and options for getting around.
Quality·6A score based on what makes the property stand out, such as luxury features, unique offerings, age of the building, and our ability to verify the accuracy of these details.
While Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 does not have many hallmark characteristics to highlight, it has some qualities and features that will resonate with a broad range of renters.
Trustworthiness·8A score based on the accuracy, completeness, recency, and usefulness of the information provided by this property, so you can trust that what you see is what you get.
The level of transparency this property provides distinguishes it as a great rental. With a high attention to detail and desirable features, renters can be sure they will get an accurate picture of their potential new home.

Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 is great for:

Work-from-home

  • High speed internet is an amenity
  • Utilities included in the rent
  • Large windows for natural lighting
  • 1 coworking space or cafe within 1 mile

Pet owners

  • 3 pet supply stores near the property
  • 1 pet grooming service nearby
  • 1 pet hospital in the area

Property highlights

We compared every listing in the surrounding area to determine which amenities are most common. If a building lacks an amenity that most others in the area have, it is a con. If a building has an amenity most others in the area do not, it is a pro. Similarly, price, schools, and size are calculated relative to the size, price, and distance to schools of the other properties nearby.

How Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 compares to other nearby properties.

Positives

Elementary school nearby
There is an elementary school 0.2 mile away
Laundry available on site
Washers and dryers are available in-building or in-unit

Considerations

No in-unit dishwasher
Dishwashers aren't available

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Rent trends in Sarasota

studio apartments at Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243 cost about 33% less than the average rent price for studio apartments in Sarasota.

Median rents as of May 23 2026.
Sarasota
A table of studio rental data trends in Sarasota
MonthMedian Rent
June 2024$1,900
July 2024$1,834
August 2024$1,635
September 2024$1,538
October 2024$1,755
November 2024$1,740
December 2024$1,620
January 2025$1,620
February 2025$1,723
March 2025$1,513
April 2025$1,485
May 2025$1,687
June 2025$1,634
July 2025$1,495
August 2025$1,495
September 2025$1,388
October 2025$1,495
November 2025$1,480
December 2025$1,478
January 2026$1,721
February 2026$1,725
March 2026$1,572
April 2026$1,433
May 2026$1,551

Affordability calculator

Can I afford to live at 1280 Whitfield Ave?

Bedrooms

Studio

Rent-to-income ratio

30%

Slide to adjust the percentage of your monthly income you are willing to spend on rent.
The general rule of thumb is to spend around 30% or less of your income on rent.
Recommended income

$43,800/yr

With your selected rent-to-income ratio, you'd ideally want to make $43,800 annually to afford this studio monthly rent price of $1,095.
For more information on rent affordability, visit our rent calculator.

Schools near Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

Florine J. Abel Elementary School

7100 madonna pl

sarasota, FL, 34243

PK, K-5Public
B-

School of Academic & Behavioral Learning Excellence

6423 9th st e

bradenton, FL, 34203

PK, K-8Public
B

Access to Education

6423 9th st e

bradenton, FL, 34203

3-12Public

Easter Seals of Southwest Florida

350 braden ave

sarasota, FL, 34243

PK, K-12Public

Palmshores Behavior Health Center

1324 37th ave east

bradenton, FL, 34208

2-12Public
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Internet available near Driftwood Apartments 1280 Whitfield Ave · Sarasota, FL 34243

Getting around Sarasota near 1280 Whitfield Ave

Walking

4/10
Some shops and stores are within a few minutes.

Driving

10/10
Commuting is easy with multiple accessible routes and plenty of parking.

Cycling

4/10
This is semi-bikeable, but you’ll need another way of getting around.

Transit

3/10
There are a few mass transit options within the area.

Points of interest for 1280 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota

Groceries

5/10
At least one supermarket within a 20-minute walk

Shopping

5/10
Several shops within walking distance

Cafes

6/10
Some cafés within a few minutes’ walk

Restaurants

5/10
Some restaurants within a few minutes’ walk

Primary schools

9/10
At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk

High schools

5/10
At least one high school within a 20-minute walk

Parks

5/10
Moderate amount of park space nearby

Nightlife

5/10
Some bars within a few minutes’ walk

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