RN and family Bradenton vs Sarasota (Plantation, University: for sale, HOA fees, condo)

[rebtaylor67]

I am an RN (duh...no kidding, huh?) with a husband and 2 kids, 5 and 4. We want to relocate to the area, and as I am searching online for homes for sale, it seems that my dollar will go a little further with a Bradenton address. If that is truly the case, can someone tell me why? Are the schools awful? Taxes seem in keeping with Sarasota, are the local amenities lacking (libraries, parks, etc)? Originally we were thinking Sarasota, but as I've also been searching the online job market, full time RN positions are few and far between! It looks like I may have to commute to St Pete for a decent job, so being a bit north might be okay. I am coming down in August for a girls' weekend, and plan to do some serious searching then. It was hard in Sarasota because so many of the neighborhoods were gated, so we couldn't just drive through to get a feel for the area. Our house here is for sale, we have begun the purging of belongings that must come with moving such a distance from a large 10 acres with an old farmhouse to a very downsized life, and the kids can't wait to "fly to Florida for forever!"
We are looking for your typical Florida style 3br/2ba open floor plan, with a pool. My husband is a carpenter, so we are not opposed to a fixer, as long as the neighborhood is good and the price reflects the repairs needed. I've been looking in the $200k-$240k range. I think I want to avoid LWR because it seems a bit too strict for me.
Any and all help is much appreciated, and the hours I've spent trolling this site have been extremely helpful. If the rest of the population there is half as friendly and helpful as this forum, we'll do just fine! It's scary moving somewhere we know absolutely NO ONE!
Thanks

[TamRE]

If you decide to move to Florida, you will need to get your RN license here. I would suggest that you do it ahead of time. You cannot get hired until you have it. Here is the web site to get licensed in the state of Florida - Board Overview - Florida Board of Nursing - Board Overview

[Sunshine Rules]

The southern part of Manatee county nearer to University Parkway and west of Lakewood Ranch has a number of newer construction neighborhoods that would have homes within your price range. Most of that area would fall within the Braden River school districts, which are very popular with families. Part of that area actually has a Sarasota mailing address, part has a mailing address of University Park and the rest have Bradenton mailing addresses. Confusing, isn't it?

Newer construction in Sarasota is more expensive, partly I think because of the higher cost of vacant land vs south Manatee county where there was/still is more vacant land available for builders. South Manatee county for years was mainly cow pastures, woods and orange groves.

As to neighborhoods, here are some suggestions:

River Place 34203 - community pool, lake, playground, gated

Barrington Ridge 34203 - community pool, lots of younger families

Creekwood 34203 - 1990's built homes, community pool, basketball court, tennis courts

Greenfield Plantation 34203 - 1990's built homes, golf course community but not mandatory

Mote Ranch 34201, 34243 - several neighborhoods, located by Palm Aire (well established, older golf course community)
Mote Ranch has a community pool, playground and fishing pier on the Braden River on the east side, off of Honore
Carlyle at the Villages of Palm Aire
Mote Ranch
Copper Ridge
Longpond at Mote Ranch
Chaparral

Woodbrook 34243 - new construction homes by Neal Communities, gated, community pool


You can find the info on Manatee county schools at:
School District of Manatee County Florida

The state of FL released rankings of all 3078 schools back in January of 2012. Lakewood Ranch High was ranked 78 out of 404 high schools in the state. Braden River High was ranked 145. You'll find the elementary and middle schools in those same districts are also mainly all A rated schools.

[rebtaylor67]

Does anyone drive into st Pete for work? wondering how that drive is? I drove up north of the big cities to go swim with the manatees. The drive wasn't bad, but i don't remember at what point I was in
st Pete. Ane yes, already have my nursing liscense for florida! Only $220 and some paperwork!

[Oobie119]

I second Sunshine about the Bradenton areas mentioned. We looked for two years prior to buying. We found LWR to be undesirable with its CDD fees, and found Bradenton areas that were very nice. some areas in Sarasota were out of our range, older homes, or too far from our desired location. Our daughter is 6 and we live just outside Mote Ranch. The University Park area is beautiful, try University Place, Regal Oaks, Barrington Ridge, also the Tara elementary school ara is nice (Creekwood, lakeside..). The schools are superb in this area. I'm a teacher so I know a good school lol. Braden River area is nice...Braden River Elementary and Tara are both A schools. The areas off Honore, Lockwood Ridge and south of SR 70 are nice. University Parkway has Everything!! We couldn't be happier-nice people, very safe and well maintained homes ( most of the areas have low HOA fees also, they are a must in Florida-be aware of areas without them). Happy hunting!!

[rebtaylor67]

Another question.... does anyone notice what seems to be a higher than average number of Registered Sex offenders in the Sarasota area? My mother, who doesn't want us to move, brought this to my attention. Not believing her, I checked. WOW! Any input?

[Oobie119]

Well, all I can say is there are scumbags everywhere--there is an area in Sarasota, Kensington Park which is not good. Stay within recommended areas when you purchase and you will be fine. My husband and I live in the University Park area with our daughter and love it there. There have never been any incidents in this general area that would concern me. Kids play outside, we have great neighbors and beautiful properties- I walk at night and feel very safe...Florida is a very diverse state. We are from Chicago originally and things aren't quite as diverse where we are from - but for every cruddy area, there are three great ones. We looked into Sarasota when purchasing, but we preferred Bradenton..

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by rebtaylor67

Another question.... does anyone notice what seems to be a higher than average number of Registered Sex offenders in the Sarasota area? My mother, who doesn't want us to move, brought this to my attention. Not believing her, I checked. WOW! Any input?

Let me tell you, you won't believe the number of unregistered sex offenders across the state of Florida as well as the rest of the good ol' US of A.

The only ones registered are the ones that are caught...

[rebtaylor67]

I think my mom was just grasping at straws trying to get us to stay. arrghh.... I agree, it's the ones who aren't registered that I'm more concerned with, and when I did all of my online research, discovered in our lil town of Morris, IL we have 27 registered.... one of whom lives 4 blocks from my mother! hmph! Imagine that. Maybe I should tell my mom she should move.... LOL
I'm awaiting my FL RN license in the mail, our house to sell, and then we'll be Sarasota -bound!!! yeah!

[Avalon08]

are the local amenities lacking (libraries, parks, etc)?

Oh my goodness, no! My Mom's condo is in Northwest Bradenton and I am blown away by the park system in Manatee County and specifically in that area. DeSoto National Park, Robinson Preserve, Palma Sola Causeway, even the dog parks are well-maintained! And there are many I haven't discovered yet. And the proximity to Anna Maria Island can't be beat. I don't know about the schools in the area as her condo is in an over-55 community, but I know there is an elementary school in that area on the way to DeSoto Park, where I would frequently take my dogs for walks along the shoreline and through the mangrove forest. Good luck with your search!