My Turn to ask - Where to retire in Bradenton/Sarasota? (University: crime rates, townhome)

[tzais01]

I've seen so many similar threads on here and the responses given are wonderful but a bit overwhelming so I'm hoping I can give some specific wants and you can help us find the appropriate target areas. Hubby and I are newly retired and are 51 and 53 moving from Lake Mary, FL. We visited the area and loved the feel of Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch. We liked the whole Lakewood Ranch area. We didn't see any new construction at Palmer Ranch that fit our budget.

Criteria:
1) Price range $250K to $310K.
2) Age of home less than 10 years or new construction
3) Large community with resort style pool and preferably tennis courts
4) Not age-restricted 55+ but would like to be among mostly empty nesters.
5) 1900-2200 square feet with 3 bedrooms plus den and 2+ baths.
6) Bradenton or Sarasota
7) Area surrounding neighborhood is nice also
8) Tile roofs

As I said, we liked the amenities/feel of Esplanade, but just want to make sure we're not overlooking any other ideal neighborhoods. Esplanade will take 4-6 months to build, and if our townhome sells fast we'd like to see what other options may exist for resales or other new construction to get into something sooner.

We're planning a trip in the next couple of weeks to look again. If we had two days to roam around where else should we look?

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

[LIFL]

Tara sounds like something up your alley. Older populace, but nice area.

[tzais01]

Yes, a few Tara homes have come up on our mls search. We will check it out. We are not concerned personally about schools, but for resale it is a concern. There is also the east vs west of 75 discussion here relating to crime rates in Bradenton.

The neighborhood does look nice in the pictures. A couple meeting our criteria right now look like they are very close to 75.

[beninfl]

Have you seen Cascades? Smaller community and a gigantic tennis court (6 or 8 courts?) and clubhouse with pools and gyms etc.... Its off of Lockwood Ridge Road between SR-70 and University Parkway. Not in Lakewood Ranch, the gulf side of the highway.

Good luck!

Ben

[tzais01]

I was thinking that was 55+. I know they let in younger people, but our experience has been that the age restricted communities seem to average in the upper 60s.

[LIFL]

Originally Posted by tzais01

Yes, a few Tara homes have come up on our mls search. We will check it out. We are not concerned personally about schools, but for resale it is a concern. There is also the east vs west of 75 discussion here relating to crime rates in Bradenton.

The neighborhood does look nice in the pictures. A couple meeting our criteria right now look like they are very close to 75.

Just FYI- The preserve has cheaper HOAs, and you don't have to join the golf club, which you do in the other one. As for crime, the East Vs West thing is relative. Some areas East are nicer than West.

[tzais01]

Thanks, Isles. We will look at Preserve. There is also new construction at Belleisle at County Club East at LR. We haven't seen the demographic there yet.

[Obrero]

Have you looked in Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour?

[tzais01]

No, do you know what zip code they are in?

[bbronston]

Heritage Harbor is located at the NE corner of SR64 and I-75. You can look at the data at www.city-data.com and pan the map while viewing (among other things) a color-coded display of the median age of the area you select. Keep in mind, it is median age. There may be a choice for number of people in household (haven't tried that) which might be of more value to you.