does anyone have anything GOOD to say about bradenton?? (Brandon: big house, landlord)

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by tropics

Bradenton is a great place to live for some enjoy the convenience of the beaches, parks, boating, etc. We have some folks that totally dispise Bradenton and so be it, they can live elsewhere. There are some Bradenton folks who enjoy Bradenton as myself. Don't believe everthing you here.

I would choose Bradenton over Orlando anyday.

Bradenton's crime is up, in less than a month there have been 9 bank robberies (mostly in Bradenton) that are believed to be a "gang" of robbers doing it, we have gangs, crime, drugs, etc. Some people consider that reason enough NOT to live in Bradenton, and some don't. You can look at crime stats and see that they are above average for Bradenton. You can find beaches, parks, boating mainly anywhere on Florida's coastline, so that's not a good reason to stay in Bradenton. I need a town with safety, and face the facts Bradenton isn't it. Sorry! If you want to live in Bradenton, that's your business, but check the facts. Facts are- Bradenton isn't the best place to be in Florida, there are TONS of other towns that are nicer.

"Don't believe everthing you here."- Essentially this is true, check the facts though before you move anywhere. Again, the stats show that Bradenton has a high crime rate and The Bradenton Herald just drips with crime reports every day. That is FACT!

[Ladywithafan]

I would really like to say something good about my old stomping grounds, but I can't.

10 bank robberies in one month...three since Friday and it's only Tuesday...WTF?

The crime that's occuring is downright outrageous....

Anyone?

[tropics]

Like I said before many folks like Bradenton and what Bradenton has to offer. Those who don't have moved on to other places. Every town has the bad and the good. One fact is you should always be aware of your surroundings no matter how comfortable you feel at any place or time.

Bradenton has quite a bit to offer for my family. Great Job, Great Church, Great Beaches and access to beaches, Great Parks Rec Programs, Young Life and many other extra activites that we as a family participate in.

[DailyJournalist]

Originally Posted by tropics

Like I said before many folks like Bradenton and what Bradenton has to offer. Those who don't have moved on to other places. Every town has the bad and the good. One fact is you should always be aware of your surroundings no matter how comfortable you feel at any place or time.

Bradenton has quite a bit to offer for my family. Great Job, Great Church, Great Beaches and access to beaches, Great Parks Rec Programs, Young Life and many other extra activites that we as a family participate in.

Are you not concerned about gangs entering your family's lives? Bradenton is very dangerous, please be careful.

[Ladywithafan]

The best thing Bradenton has to offer up is IMG/Bolateri for tennis...besides that, there is not much going on.

In my opinion, I'm sure Nick Bolateri is kicking himself because it's not even safe where he has the housing development for parents who've moved their families to Bradenton for their budding tennis stars...

I lived there from 1991 to 2007...with 1994-2000 on Anna Maria in Holmes Beach on Tampa Bay facing the sunshine skyway...kids went through AMI elementary...got divorced and through a bit of mid life crisis, ended up with the wrong person with a terrible drug habit...I know the beautiful doctor lifestyle as well as that of my xbf's crack habit...YOU won't understand unless you have an addict in the family, which, as Judge Mathis puts it (from my hometown, Detroit), just about everyone has an addict in the family these days, nothing to be embarressed about, it is what it is...

I'm surely not the only one who lost their blinders in respect to what has happened in the town we love to bash so much...

Just my very honest opinion without dragging all my skeletons from the closets for this year's Halloween celebration.

[TKramar]

And how many robberies occurred in Sarasota, Orlando, Pensacola, Jacksonville...in the same time period?

Bradenton, I'll admit, is larger than what I'd prefer to see. Over 50,000 thousand people is too much...I'd prefer something closer to five thousand or LESS, even.

[tropics]

"Are you not concerned about gangs entering your family's lives? Bradenton is very dangerous, please be careful"

No not at this time. We do not hang out where Gangs seem to hang out. I have lived in Bradenton my entire life and have never had any issues. If we are out late at night, leaving the movie theater or shopping I'm always very aware of my surroundings. I know which areas to stay of way from and who my children can be around. I have been more uncomfortable in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville then Bradenton. Has crime increased, yes. It is the same town as 30 years ago, no. But I still belive Bradenton has many great neigborhoods. I live in an older middle class neighborhood with great neighbors of all ages. We have a community feeling and we watch out for each other. Great Churches, Great Softball league, Baseball League, Popwarner League, Young Life, family etc. Also I have a great JOB being paid very well and treated with respect.

[Pete10k]

Originally Posted by Suncoast Guy

Bradenton's crime is up, in less than a month there have been 9 bank robberies (mostly in Bradenton) that are believed to be a "gang" of robbers doing it, we have gangs, crime, drugs, etc. You can look at crime stats and see that they are above average for Bradenton.

Bradenton has more going for it than a new reader would believe by reading these posts. I can live anywhere I want and I chose Northwest Bradenton for a variety of reasons many of which have been discussed in this forum. We have a fantastic life here in NW Bradenton. It's certainly not dirty.

I've lived all over Florida, from South FL to Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, and North FL, so I think I have a good perspective on conditions in this state. I have always felt safer in good old Bradenton than anywhere else. Our crime rates are slightly above the national average based on the link below. Not sure how you can reasonably compare crime in Bradenton with that of Orlando.

Despite the accurate reports of crime in Bradenton, which seems to have increased with the higher population and weaker economy, I still think that Bradenton's most serious crime, for the most part, thankfully, is localized to the 14th street corridor. Not sure why you'd want to live in that section, although a great group of people have moved into it and have made positive contributions in the Village of the Arts there.

The cold winter weather has always brought transients from up north down to florida this time of year and crime does go up when these 'gypsies' arrive. With a major recession and job losses you'll see more bank robberies all over this state. Thankfully in Bradenton, every bank robber so far this year has been caught. This latest guy didn't even have a mask on. I predict he'll be caught in 5 days or less.

Our police force has also done an admirable job in ensuring that gang activities on the east side are now prosecuted under racketeering laws. The punks are finally being put away in record numbers and I predict that this trend will continue.

My take is that every city has its bad section. Sarasota for example certainly has a lot to offer but that doesn't make its incorporated city area any safer. Judging from these statistics, you're more likely to be raped or robbed there than in Bradenton:

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Sadly, times have changed. When you move to a new city you quickly determine what sections to stay away from. But if you also arm/monitor your home alarm system, lock your doors, get to know your neighbors, report suspicious activity, etc. your chances of being a victim are small.

[FLBob]

Pete10k - I'm with you, it sometimes seems to me that many people who post on the forum live in a different Florida than I do. I've lived all over the world and have never felt safer than in Florida. I think it's important to know your neighbors and watch out for your elderly neighbors.
I've always enjoyed my visits to Bradenton. While I don't live there my visits have always been to an attractive town with friendly people.

[Ladywithafan]

I think Saturday's bank robbery adds a total of 28 for eleven months...not bad for Bradenton, it's just two robberies a month.

I don't think there's much nice to say anymore about any place in respect to our current economic recession and the things people are doing just to survive.