Bradenton?? (Sarasota, Century, Bell: insurance, low crime, lawyers)

[gpg]

Trying to get closer to family in Ft. Lauderdale. Any thoughts on Bradenton Fl. Looking for a home around $250,000, good schools and low crime. Does this area get hit much by hurricanes?

Any info please.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by gpg

Trying to get closer to family in Ft. Lauderdale. Any thoughts on Bradenton Fl. Looking for a home around $250,000, good schools and low crime. Does this area get hit much by hurricanes?

Any info please.

check out a place called lakewood ranch, they had this place on tv the otherday, and I wish I was living there.

judy

[Bellereve]

Oh My gosh! I moved here about 6 years ago with my ex-husband and know I am stuck. The cost of living is high, the expensive "shacks" they call homes can't withstand winds of 30MPH so you better have a good job prospect with a very good salary of at least 75,000+ per year with a family size of no more than 2 persons or you will be stuck also. Unless you are a professional you will not be able to make a good salary and even professionals here don't make as much as most of the states up north. There are some problems with gangs also, and the closer you are to the water the more taxes and insurance you will have to pay. Unless you like to live a live from check to check DO NOT move here. This is a town for Doctors, Lawyers, Plummers, auto mobile mechanics(and any other dishonest trade that really makes money) are the only ones who can trully survive in this overprice, treeless crummy little(and ugly)town.

[MrMeisterMan]

As I said, reverse migration is sometimes a good thing.

Bradenton is just ONE city within Manatee County...Manatee County's growth is fabulous.

The Sarasota-Manatee MSA is a super area to live in...it's not however for wannabes....that's why there are 49 other US States.

Culturally speaking, there are few cities/areas its equal.

Do not limit yourself to looking strictly at the City of Bradenton....look all around Manatee County and Sarasota COUNTY (not just the City of Sarasota).....look south to NorthPort which is also in Sarasota County...

There is no question that high taxes and insurance rates are a factor for HOMEOWNERS....but those are factors in NYC, or SanDiego.. FLORIDA is surrounded by WATER....duh....if you don't understand the implications for that then you have not thought the matter through..........perhaps Montana is a better choice, or a dumb area like the delta in Mississippi, or maybe east Texas....

Sometimes you pay for what you get...sometimes you're overcharged.....I'll take my view of the ocean....and of course pay for it.

Nothing is free....nothing is perfect, right?

Make your own tradeoff....I do and did...things are ALWAYS dynamic

[Bellereve]

Maggie



As I've mentioned, I love to travel by car EVERYWHERE so I know what I'm talking about. Of course there are a few cities it's(Bradenton)equal. You can compare it To Altoona, PA or Pikeville, KY. Sarasota is a little bit more advance but Northport(where I have family)is still a backwards town with not a lot to offer, Unless you can consider a beach view 'something to offer'.

That even though I can't afford a house on the beach since I enjoy saving for a rainy day; don't like to pretend I am something that I'm not to impress anyone and then live on campbell soup because I can't afford a decent meal, I also like traveling because is one of my passions.

I can sincerely tell you that I still don't recommend Bradenton or surronding areas to anyone. That Doesn't means that I despise the state of Florida. It is just that I hate being taken like a fool when in reality this state is not worth what it's costing his residents. Unfortunately I will have to remain here for at least 2 more years since being a mother is more important to me than my own needs.

But, it's also true that sometimes you pay for what you get... but personally... I don't like to be overcharged! I am not a MORON! Why should I? Specially when is not worth it! We are not talking about Bermuda, Hawaii or the beautiful islands of the caribbean with their Spanish mansions built to last centuries. We are talking about a flat swamp. A mountainless dam with unexpected sinkholes than can appear anywhere and the bad constructed residences that cannot stand high winds over 30MPH even though they are ridicolously overpriced...
no big deal!

[FLBoy]

Originally Posted by Bellereve

This is a town for Doctors, Lawyers, Plummers, auto mobile mechanics(and any other dishonest trade that really makes money)

Nice...this certainly bolsters your credibility to other posters on the board.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

check out a place called lakewood ranch, they had this place on tv the otherday, and I wish I was living there.

judy

Lakewood ranch is Bradenton's answer to Palmer Ranch...swamp homes keeping up with swamp homes......it's too disneyfied!

[SunKrist]

Originally Posted by Bellereve
This is a town for Doctors, Lawyers, Plummers, auto mobile mechanics(and any other dishonest trade that really makes money)

My father is an "auto mobile mechanic" and he brings in a whopping $30,000 per year (approximately). I'm not sure where you're getting your information about who "really makes money," but I guess you haven't been to many privately owned businesses. Any business can operate dishonestly, it's not narrowed down to just those you mentioned.

[Bellereve]

I don't necessarily mean all of them... but most of them are perverted and have no scruples whatsoever... but I repeat... of course, not all of those professions... some have a conscience... but most don't...

[gypsychic]

I just wanted to ask the OP why Bradenton? When you are looking to be closer to family in Ft. Lauderdale. Is there something about Bradenton that intrigues you, or is it just the starting point of your search?

I guess it would depend on what you want out of a town. It's OK, for a coastal town - it's not as overbuilt as Sarasota and others have become - still a little more laid-back and sleepy. But I understand there is still a strong element of crime there, probably more downtown and east. Closer you are to the water, less problems you will have, but MUCH more expensive. This area has shot up in appreciation about 35-40% in the last few years, and yes, quite a bit is overpriced, IMO. But it's all relative to where you come from.

Expect to see a lot of retirees all year, and gridlock traffic during the "season" of Jan - March.