Bradenton, moving from England (South Bradenton, Sawgrass: apartment complexes, rental, condo)

[Oobie119]

I would avoid the Desoto mall area at all costs, stay west of 59th if you can, and off Cortez Rd. Either that or go East of I75. My husband works for Manatee county ( I used to, but left) and some of the high schools are pretty rough. My cousin just moved to University park, I would choose that over Bradenton. There is more to do in Sarasota, and the populations isn't quite as mixed as it is in Bradenton. We still live in B'town, but are looking to move. I live blocks from Desoto and I just don't feel safe here..

[New England Yankee]

I love East Bradenton but I went to DeSoto Mall and would never go again.
It is awful and it smells of dampness.It seems sooo old and worn down.Not a good area.
There is a BIG brand new mall being built in East Bradenton.
Stay away from Cortez and DeSoto.
Bradenton is a great place on the East side.

[Ladywithafan]

There are some really nice neighborhoods in Palmghetto, west, along the river, in respect to being close to the hospital...depending on your position, if you have to take call you're within the 15 minute rule and that puts a damper on where you live unless you plan to stay overnight on call....

I think the reason a lot of people get down on Bradenton is due to not only the fact that it's either retiree based/or snowbirded up during the season and due to the elderly poplulation, "things to do" is senior geared...since we moved there in the '90s things have changed, more families with children, but not as fast of growth for family activities.

Sarasota is has more arts/plays/cultural activities but even the downtown development is about to get shut off due to restructuring of funds....money is just freaking tight these days...so...be careful on a Bradenton move, as others have said, some how, people just get "stuck" there....

[roblimo]

Heh. With my scraggly beard, potbelly, (often) drink in hand, ugly old Jeep, and crummy clothes, I'm probably one of the people who make my neighborhood - Village of the Arts, near McKechnie Stadium (a bike ride away from MMH) - look tatty.

In real life, I'm a reasonably high-end tech industry reporter and editor with a groiwng "side" video business. And my wife, being black, is no doubt one of the people who cause the rednecks to shy away from our part of town as "ghetto." She's a former Baltimore police officer and IRS agent who now paints and writes poetry.

Across the street, Daniel and Pamela are from Mexico. Ooh! Illegal immigrants. Um... no. They're legal residents. Daniel works *hard* for a sod-laying company, and he's turning into a pretty fair chess player. Good people, and they've decided it's better to live with little money than to have Pamela go to work instead of staying home and raising the kids.

Up the street, you have my wife's best friend: Ruth Cade. She's originally from London -- 85 years old, grew up as an orphan in London during WWII -- and is a fine artist who is constantly developing new styles and media. Plus, she's fun; the youngest woman her age you'll ever meet.

Up around the mall.... nah. Some decent people and some not-decent people, but a totally blah area. Oneco is kind of gang-y and super low-class.

Suggestion: get a short-term rental, possibly in Palmetto or in Bradenton west of downtown, and spend some time exploring the area before you make any final decisions.

A lot of it comes down to personal taste. We have friends who love living in bland, all-the-same suburban developments, but Debbie and I have no desire to be in Edward Scissorhands country. (That movie was shot in Lakeland, but it's the same kind of tract housing that infests Manatee County.)

You might even find something within walking distance of the hospital. There are some apartments around there, plus speculator-owned condos you might be able to lease at desperation prices for at least the next year or two.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by roblimo

Heh. With my scraggly beard, potbelly, (often) drink in hand, ugly old Jeep, and crummy clothes, I'm probably one of the people who make my neighborhood - Village of the Arts, near McKechnie Stadium (a bike ride away from MMH) - look tatty.

In real life, I'm a reasonably high-end tech industry reporter and editor with a groiwng "side" video business. And my wife, being black, is no doubt one of the people who cause the rednecks to shy away from our part of town as "ghetto." She's a former Baltimore police officer and IRS agent who now paints and writes poetry.

Across the street, Daniel and Pamela are from Mexico. Ooh! Illegal immigrants. Um... no. They're legal residents. Daniel works *hard* for a sod-laying company, and he's turning into a pretty fair chess player. Good people, and they've decided it's better to live with little money than to have Pamela go to work instead of staying home and raising the kids.

Up the street, you have my wife's best friend: Ruth Cade. She's originally from London -- 85 years old, grew up as an orphan in London during WWII -- and is a fine artist who is constantly developing new styles and media. Plus, she's fun; the youngest woman her age you'll ever meet.

Up around the mall.... nah. Some decent people and some not-decent people, but a totally blah area. Oneco is kind of gang-y and super low-class.

Suggestion: get a short-term rental, possibly in Palmetto or in Bradenton west of downtown, and spend some time exploring the area before you make any final decisions.

A lot of it comes down to personal taste. We have friends who love living in bland, all-the-same suburban developments, but Debbie and I have no desire to be in Edward Scissorhands country. (That movie was shot in Lakeland, but it's the same kind of tract housing that infests Manatee County.)

You might even find something within walking distance of the hospital. There are some apartments around there, plus speculator-owned condos you might be able to lease at desperation prices for at least the next year or two.

The part of "Edward Scissorhands" that was shot in Lakeland was at our cool historic Southgate Shopping center. The "tract homes" were in Pasco County (Lutz, I believe.) Lakeland actually has a LOT of beautiful historic neighborhoods, far nicer than any you will find in Bradenton. And it is diverse here as well. You would be surprised if you actually visited here. I live in a neat old neighborhood near Lake Hollingsworth (beautiful!) and it is quite diverse - biracial couple with cute kids across the street (he has "dreads" down to his waist), hispanics of all types, even quite a few Asians in this town. So Lakeland is most certainly NOT bland and boring. Just wanted to clear all that up! lol

As I mentioned in another post, we almost moved to Bradenton, but then found Lakeland, which encompassed what we liked about Bradenton but with FAR better goverment, low cost of living and a great community feel.

I am really glad what you and all the other artists have brought to that town - at least it has a little "vibrance" now. Everyone has to evaluate where they feel comfortable living; some really enjoy older, urban neighborhood with a diverse ethnic and/or cultural mix, and others want the suburban lifestyle. For myself, I like something kind of in-between these days.

I must say - Roblimo, I like your description of yourself, making the neighborhood "tatty." lol It reminds me of when I used to read that there were "hippies" in Asheville (NC) and when we went to visit, I said to my hubby "I don't see any hippies" and we looked around and he said "I think WE'RE THE HIPPIES!" lol

Keep up the good work!
~gypsy~

[jennic]

I live on Anna Maria and LOVE it! not far at all from the hospital and with the crappy housing market, you can find really reasonable stuff right now! I would agree with stay AWAY from mall area but I love the old houses along the river!

[Avalon08]

Hello UK! My mother lives in Bradenton so I've spent a lot of time there. It's a big, spread-out city that has good and bad areas, sometimes in close proximity. I agree with the poster who recommended renting before committing to buy anything. I find the crime a drawback -- lots of it (gangs and drugs) and very bold criminals. I am always on my guard (for example, locking my car doors when I get out to pump gas). Just because you may be living in a "nice" area does not insulate you from the crime -- break-ins happen in even affluent areas. As far as Palmetto goes, I thought I had heard it was considered "the 'hood"....but I've never lived there so I can't say for sure.

On the plus side, Bradenton is close to the beautiful beaches of Anna Maria Island and upscale areas like Longboat Key and Sarasota. So you don't have to go far for gorgeous scenery, elegant restaurants and nice shopping. In fact, Bradenton itself has some beautiful areas along the river and in the historic district.

Good luck to you in your move!

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by jennic

I live on Anna Maria and LOVE it! not far at all from the hospital and with the crappy housing market, you can find really reasonable stuff right now! I would agree with stay AWAY from mall area but I love the old houses along the river!

I would always tell anyone to rent on the island, however, depending upon UK's position with Manatee Memorial, if it's call based, one can't live over the bridge unless they spend the night at the hospital because of the drawbridge situation and traffic during the season as well...

Rents are basically same in town as out on the island and with the island, there's just that "wonderful" feeling of leaving Bradenton when you roll over the bridge

[Avalon08]

Ahhhh....driving to Anna Maria, via either Cortez or Manatee, is just delightful. I especially like the beautiful drive on Manatee, with the beaches and bay on both sides. At least if UK can't live in Anna Maria, he/she (can't remember which) can drive there in a few minutes.

[MovingfromUKtoAmerica]

Thanks everyone for your positive replies! I have done some of my own research on Palmetto and Parrish and everywhere in that area seems like a great place to live - even though there is crime! Thanks Roblimo, I will take your advice and everybody who replied, they are very useful posts.