The Difference Between Sarasota and Bradenton (University, North Port: violent crime, big house, university)

[paradiddle]

I don't know about the statistics on one county vs another but my feeling about Manatee county (City of Bradenton) is that its hard not to bump into bad areas. It seems like wherever you go you have to go through a bad area. Unless you stay east of 301 and don't go to the beach.

Sorry, but if I was new and drove around around Palmetto and Bradenton and then drove around Sarasota I would choose Sarasota. There are fine places in Manatee. Braden River High School area, Lakewood Ranch (of course), beach areas and west of downtown. I'm not afraid to drive around but it's hard not to notice. If I worked on the other side of the bridge I would look hard at living in Manatee.

The only real bad place in Sarasota county is a small area. Unless you drive up 41 or 301 from Sarasota Ford to University you don't hit a bad spot.

I worked in Manatee County school system near Bayshore. My wife works on Manatee/Sarasota line. We live in south Sarasota county.

[Peter the Brit]

Well said Suncoast Guy
I have been attacked for my negativity on the age of people in the area. So be it. It is my opinion and trying to balance the opinions of others on here that may have other motives to promote the area.
I say what I think and ignore it if you do not agree with it
After 59 years on this earth spent on both sides of the pond one thing I have learnt is people will believe what they want to believe!

[Suncoast Guy]

Four violent Manatee County home invasions in 24 hours - Bay News 9

^ Here's an example of Manatee problems.

Also, to posters above, regarding homicide numbers from this year, Sarasota Co. has had 8 homicides this year. Manatee Co. has had 14 homicides this year. Huh....

[ZaraZoteBuccaneer]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

...And you get in free if you're a couple!

You people are too funny...

When I was driving around scoping out the area last April, I got about 2 blocks past the airport on 41 and I turned around because I didn't think there was going to be anything worth seeing down the road. I could be wrong about my own perceptionand maybe I am just a spoiled suburbanite but unless they get serious about the community (and believe me people, all it takes is the right leadership) I'll be looking for work there but absolutely not for establishing my living space/retreat from society. Sounds like society would be encroaching on me in Bradenton whether I would like it or not.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by ZaraZoteBuccaneer

You people are too funny...

When I was driving around scoping out the area last April, I got about 2 blocks past the airport on 41 and I turned around because I didn't think there was going to be anything worth seeing down the road. I could be wrong about my own perceptionand maybe I am just a spoiled suburbanite but unless they get serious about the community (and believe me people, all it takes is the right leadership) I'll be looking for work there but absolutely not for establishing my living space/retreat from society. Sounds like society would be encroaching on me in Bradenton whether I would like it or not.

I take it you were going north on 41? Yeah, it tends to be a bit scary going north. However, outside my bubble world of SRQ, when I ventured across the state & over to Lake Worth last month, driving from Lake Worth to Juno Beach down Federal (HWY #1), it didn't look that pretty either. I guess its just the way it is.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by ZaraZoteBuccaneer

You people are too funny...

When I was driving around scoping out the area last April, I got about 2 blocks past the airport on 41 and I turned around because I didn't think there was going to be anything worth seeing down the road. I could be wrong about my own perceptionand maybe I am just a spoiled suburbanite but unless they get serious about the community (and believe me people, all it takes is the right leadership) I'll be looking for work there but absolutely not for establishing my living space/retreat from society. Sounds like society would be encroaching on me in Bradenton whether I would like it or not.

Well I got to defend my area here - I personally love the north side of Sarasota, and live in Whitfield by the bay which is a little north of the airport - it is gorgeous here and as safe as any neighborhood you will find, even though technically it is in Manatee County (which by the way is not really a bad thing, IMO) Also you can still go up the road a mile or two further north and it is ok, I like to shop at Bayshore Gardens center, no problems there whatsoever. Where it gets bad is up toward Cortez road, which is another couple miles north. That area should be avoided. Some people on this forum paint a broad brush on Manatee County and Bradenton. People reading here should remember that everything is presented from individual perspective and one needs to form their own opinions after seeing and experiencing things for themselves.

[Suncoast Guy]

As far as U.S. 41 is concerned, the absolute WORST section of 41 is from Cortez Rd. north to the end in Downtown Bradenton. The rest of U.S. 41 in Manatee is not that bad.

In Sarasota County, Tamiami Trail (41) is bad from University to about 10th Street. After there, beside from traffic, Tamiami is a nice trail.

In all, Sarasota County's portion of 41 is nicer than Manatee's portion.

[Ladywithafan]

I'm in agreement with both of the above. Personally, I think it starts getting nasty on one side across from Gettle Toyota & just gets progressively worse between Cortez & Manatee. Where GC is, in Whitfield is beautiful, I've lived off Gaines, a block to Sarasota Bay & the neighborhood's great.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Suncoast Guy

As far as U.S. 41 is concerned, the absolute WORST section of 41 is from Cortez Rd. north to the end in Downtown Bradenton. The rest of U.S. 41 in Manatee is not that bad.

In Sarasota County, Tamiami Trail (41) is bad from University to about 10th Street. After there, beside from traffic, Tamiami is a nice trail.

In all, Sarasota County's portion of 41 is nicer than Manatee's portion.

Suncoast Guy, I pretty much agree with you, especially about the WORST being between Cortez and Manatee - kind of scary looking -reminds me of some ghettos in LA - lol. As far as the area between University and 10th, to me most of it is actually pretty nice with the museums, the colleges, Jungle Gardens and the miniature golf. IMO, it is really bad through just a few blocks - between MLK and Myrtle where those two hideously ugly strip malls are. There are always "incidents" near there where you see police cars etc. Otherwise the north trail has a kind of "historic" or vintage vibe that I like. I just wish more businesses would open up there or at least if the city would plant more trees or do something on the many vacant lots - would help a lot, IMO.

[Airchauffeur]

Originally Posted by MemphisMonkeyMane

My family and I have had interests in Sarasota and Manatee since the 1960s

I've seen a lot of bifurcation of the two communities, with most of the

residents in Sarasota County perpetuating the "bifurcation" for their own

rather narrow reasons and egos at times.

Some evidence of it is that just about all of my neighbors here, near Siesta

Key 'label' ANYTHING north of University, as "BRADENTON".....even speciously

labeling exclusive eastern Manatee County communities as "East Bradenton"

when they are not located any where within Bradenton's city limits.


People also don't know much about the region's history....there was no such

entity as Sarasota County....it was ALL Manatee County years earlier....


People don't acknowledge that most of "Sarasota's Airport" is actually in

Manatee County.

Similarly, many people who visit and who are recent relos (under 8 years)

don't realize that one-half of Longboat Key is in Manatee county.....they

amorphously label it as simply "Sarasota".

Others don't realize that the City of Sarasota is different than the COUNTY of

SARASOTA, and that the CITY is essentially very small......but the residents

'play' off of the same name.

Most of Sarasota County's residents, DON'T LIVE in the affluent areas of the

City of Sarasota.......not by a long shot....

Although the City of Sarasota has some very outstanding and affluent

communities, it DOES have its 'losers'...off Bee Ridge...Tuttle...near

Sarasota Springs, New Town, off of 17 th Street, North Washington,

Beneva and Fruitville and many others.....but

no one focuses on that for some reason.....there are many areas in Manatee

County that are 50 times 'better off' than some of these areas.....but sometimes

'marketing' and perception, can become 'reality'


I for one know better, and know the history...and some of the motivation.....


There are those who are quick to say "I live in Anna Maria, or in Longboat Key"

but are blind to the fact that they live in Manatee County......just like those

who live in 250k, 500k, and 1 million dollar + homes in Lakewood Ranch, University

Park, or Panther Ridge.....all of which are in Manatee County as well.....not

"Sarasota"


Believe me, there seems to be enough false ego to go around the region........


My experience as a banker has revealed clearly that some homewoners and

transplantsto Manatee County are very conservative people........happy to

purchase and live in a 150k-250k house and actually sit on 1million dollars in

a DEMAND or savings account !....I've seen it for years !.........while many

so-called alleged privileged Sarasotans are leveraged to the hilt in order to

'participate' in the 'dream' of paradise living.....but I could tell you horror

stories about 'leveraged', some well-known, sharp business people and local

'professionals'

To each his own I suppose.............