Bradenton, moving from England (Tampa, St. Petersburg: luxury, rent , job)

[MovingfromUKtoAmerica]

Hi! I am moving from the UK to Bradenton, and every comment i've seen is bad, so does anyone who has been to Bradenton have any good comments? I know Bradenton is rough and live in quite a rough town so it wouldn't bother me much. I am a women (early 30s) husband and 12 year old son.

Thanks!

[Eastern Roamer]

Bradenton is part of the Tampa Bay area, and I've only passed through. The neighboring cities are very nice. Sarasota, to the South has one of the best beaches in the country - Siesta Key. I'm thinking of taking a fake-ation there soon. St. Petersburg, to the North, is where I live and I'm quite fond of it. There seems to be a large population of Brits here. Bradenton seems like the kind of place people sort of end up. Is there some job opportunity in particular that led you there? I don't know if I'd say it's rough, there just doesn't seem to be much going on there. You'll be near the Ellenton outlet mall, a great place to shop.

You might get a better response posting in the Tampa forum. Welcome, and good luck!

[spainbrit]

Hello, as a British person living in the Pinellas county, I agree with ER above. St Pete is great, if you want any questions answered from a british perspective, fire away.

[MovingfromUKtoAmerica]

Thanks everyone, i am a nurse and have been offered a job at Manatee merorial hospital, so that's basically why I chose Bradenton. I seem to be finding some nice homes in S. Bradenton/Oneco/DeSoto Mall area. How is that area, university park too. Thanks.

[BucFan]

Curious. Does your UK nursing license allow you to work in the USA?
I'm also considering Manatee Memorial - in 2009. Good luck.

[MovingfromUKtoAmerica]

No, I had to do an N-CLEX Exam so i could get a green card, our visas are just getting processed.

[2kids1dog2cats]

I've lived in Bradenton for 19yrs now (originally from Chicago area). It's not rough. There are bad areas as is the case in most towns but Bradenton has some very wealthy areas too.

Do not live near Desoto Square mall. It's crap. Some NY'er owns it and the city council would love to have it redone (due to flooding issues alone) but the guy is not into it. That isn't the best area of town to live in. There are some great older neighborhoods nearby but not in what I'd call in the actual Desoto Mall area.


We have fab beaches and east county is growing rapidly. Due to the FL housing market you'll have a ton to choose from at awesome prices compared to just a year or so ago. We have easy access to Tampa (and better beaches, lower crime and somewhat less crowding. Most B'dnton residents don't care to live in Tampa. We have a lot of Tampa workers who live here and commute). Great central location.

Off of University Parkway (the Manatee/Sarasota county line) they are building a big luxury shopping center that is supposed to compete with Tampa's International Mall.

If you're into cookie cutter neighborhoods with lots of amenities then Lakewood Ranch is definitely someplace you'll want to consider living. Also, if you're looking for more character Palmetto's river district would be good for you since you'll be working at MMH. Ellenton has a lot of newer housing and wouldn't be a bad drive for you either.

I happen to love the Riverview Blvd. area in downtown bradenton (it's basically on the other side of 1st street/301 from the hospital). Great older homes and parks off the river.

I'll try to watch this thread to answer any more of your questions.

Good luck!

[MovingfromUKtoAmerica]

Thanks so much, that was very helpful, I will have to check out that Palmetto district you mentioned as I will be living near MMH. I will avoid the DS mall area as I have read some bad reviews. Thanks for putting my
mind at ease as I thought from other comment on a different thread that Bradenton is very rough.

[geoffonhols]

Hi - we are from the Uk and holiday in bradenton a lot. I wouldnt describe it as rough either - i live inthe North West of the UK and its like many other places - some tatty areas and most ok .

I'd rent if you can first - get to know the area better - decide where you want to live at leisure -while strolling on the ab fab beaches. ( or getting lost in Walmart)

hope it goes well - sure it will - health care is a massive private business in the USA

[FLAguy]

Yep Bradenton isn't rough, just tatty!