Younger People - Anna Maria / Perico (Tampa, Sarasota: apartment complex, rent, condominium)

[swaptrex]

I am considering moving from the Siesta area to Perico Island sometime this late fall. The complex I am looking at is Perico apartments, they look nice, allow dogs, and the price is right. Can anyone comment on the complex and the local area? What are some things to do in the area? I have read there is a nature preserve near by and a pet friendly beach on the side of the road headed to the island.

What about Anna Maria, are there any younger people living nearby? I am 25 and don't want to pick an area with 99% retirees. Also, does anyone know if the trolley that goes to the beach stop in Perico near the apartments? Thanks in advance.

[TamRE]

Here is some basic information on the area. Click the image below to see a map of Perico Island and its relation to surrounding areas.



Perico Island is in west Bradenton, Manatee County and is only minutes away from the beaches on Anna Maria Island. The closest major town is Cortez, FL. There is bus transportation at the Perico Apartments community entrance. The MCAT provides transportation. I am not sure about the trolley routes. You can check the MCAT routes at: http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/public-works/transit-paratransit.html

The Perico Apartments are also close to Robinson Preserve. It is located across from the community entrance. This park features paved and sand trails, kayak drop areas, picnic areas, a lookout tower, hiking and nature trails, non-motorized bicycle trails, rollerblading, fishing, camping, and much more. You can take your pets to this park. Go to this link for more info: http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/natural-resources/resource-management/robinson-preserve.html

Things to do:
Beach, ice cream, picnic, restaurants, shopping, rent a boat, movies, trivia night, karaoke, dolphin tour, bowling, fishing, fitness center, library, shelling, kayaking, bicycling, kite flying, Frisbee, volleyball, watch the sunset, golf, live music, arts, bookstores, and more.

Anna Maria Island information links: The average age is 53. There are families, children, singles, and retirees living on the island.
http://www.annamariaislandchamber.org/AbouttheIsland.aspx

http://blog.annamariaislandlife.com/anna_maria_island_life/2009/08/information-about-anna-maria-island.html

[Sunshine Rules]

Originally Posted by swaptrex

I am considering moving from the Siesta area to Perico Island sometime this late fall. The complex I am looking at is Perico apartments, they look nice, allow dogs, and the price is right. Can anyone comment on the complex and the local area? What are some things to do in the area? I have read there is a nature preserve near by and a pet friendly beach on the side of the road headed to the island.

What about Anna Maria, are there any younger people living nearby? I am 25 and don't want to pick an area with 99% retirees. Also, does anyone know if the trolley that goes to the beach stop in Perico near the apartments? Thanks in advance.

Here's the link to the Anna Maria Island trolley info, including route map and schedules: The City of Anna Maria - Island Trolley



As to the question regarding younger people and Anna Maria,

the median resident age of a resident of the state of FL is 38.7

the median resident age for the city of Sarasota is 41, with 57% of the population age 45 or older

the median resident age for Siesta Key is 59.7

the median resident age for Anna Maria is 55.5

the median resident age for zip code area 34209 in Bradenton is 49.2


I personally like the Coquina Beach - Bradenton Beach - Anna Maria island area. The beaches are beautiful and we have better luck finding parking spaces there vs Siesta Key, especially on weekends. Anna Maria has some great little restaurants too.

Since you live in the area, my suggestion is to visit Anna Maria and the apartment complex several times, especially on the weekends. Some things look good on paper but the only way to know if it actually works for you is to check it out.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by swaptrex

I am considering moving from the Siesta area to Perico Island sometime this late fall. The complex I am looking at is Perico apartments, they look nice, allow dogs, and the price is right. Can anyone comment on the complex and the local area? What are some things to do in the area? I have read there is a nature preserve near by and a pet friendly beach on the side of the road headed to the island.

What about Anna Maria, are there any younger people living nearby? I am 25 and don't want to pick an area with 99% retirees. Also, does anyone know if the trolley that goes to the beach stop in Perico near the apartments? Thanks in advance.

There are retirees everywhere in florida, especially in the winter months. However, anywhere where you go to a beach side town, you are going to find younger people there who vacation and work as well.

Good luck on your search. I would love to have done what you're doing - but I stuck like glue to may chosen path once I figured out what I was doing.

[swaptrex]

I appreciate the info so far everyone. I realize there are going to be older people in most areas of swfl, which isn't a bad thing. However, I like to research things a lot before I take the plunge. Luckily, like someone said, I can go check out the area more, which I plan to do. Perico Island looks nice, but I would def consider apt's right on Anna Maria. I cannot find any apt's past Perico. Does anyone know of any complexes past Perico, closer to Anna Maria?

What I like about Perico is the pet friendly areas, proximity to the beach, and the nature preserve.

[whitesandbeachbum]

There are a few places to take your pooch in the immediate area:

De Soto National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)
Take 75th St north and it will dead end at Desoto National Memorial. There is a shaded trail that you can take your dog on, as well as a beach on the Manatee River. They ask that you keep your dogs on a leash.

Florida Communities Trust Parks Directory - Florida Department of Community Affairs

Robinson Preserve, adjacent to Tampa Bay, allows dogs on leash. There are excellent trails there as well.

Hope this helps.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by swaptrex

I appreciate the info so far everyone. I realize there are going to be older people in most areas of swfl, which isn't a bad thing. However, I like to research things a lot before I take the plunge. Luckily, like someone said, I can go check out the area more, which I plan to do. Perico Island looks nice, but I would def consider apt's right on Anna Maria. I cannot find any apt's past Perico. Does anyone know of any complexes past Perico, closer to Anna Maria?

What I like about Perico is the pet friendly areas, proximity to the beach, and the nature preserve.

I lived in those Apartments twenty years ago when we first moved to Bradenton. You're better off on siesta key then Anna Maria at your age. There are no complexes past pereco island. There are tons of condominium private owned condos on the island but just like on siesta it will run you more money. Why are you leaving siesta key? I think that comples is around twenty-five to 30 years old now. They're total frame & when lightening hit one building a few years ago, it burned to the ground. It is however, a great location, if you work downtown but you will be dealing with causeway traffic on the weekends during season which is similar to siesta key bridge traffic.

[swaptrex]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

I lived in those Apartments twenty years ago when we first moved to Bradenton. You're better off on siesta key then Anna Maria at your age. There are no complexes past pereco island. There are tons of condominium private owned condos on the island but just like on siesta it will run you more money. Why are you leaving siesta key? I think that comples is around twenty-five to 30 years old now. They're total frame & when lightening hit one building a few years ago, it burned to the ground. It is however, a great location, if you work downtown but you will be dealing with causeway traffic on the weekends during season which is similar to siesta key bridge traffic.

I was looking at that area due to my work, but it's really not much closer than my current place. Do you know of any pet friendly apartments in close proximity to Siesta? I can't seem to find any that are close enough that I could walk to Siesta (1-1.5 miles).

[Ladywithafan]

I Have a friend who rents a condo on osprey right by the shell station by the bridge who has a dog. I'll have to ask her the name of her condominium.

[swaptrex]

^ great, keep me posted.