The Difference Between Sarasota and Bradenton (Tampa, University: transplants, sales, countertops)

[stanfan27]

I moved to Florida in 1998 and lived in Bradenton until 1999. After that I moved to Sarasota off Fruitville Rd where later my wife and I bought a house in Sarasota Springs. I visit Bradenton all the time since my relatives live there. From my friends in Bradenton, I hear the same thing that Sarasota is a bunch of snobs. I would say that's true but not all the way true. I think in Sarasota (just like Bradenton), we have our good parts and our bad parts. I live in Sarasota Springs which is a community that has 20-25+ year old homes. My house was built in 1981 and I don't think any are newer on my street. My neighborhood surely isn't snobbish. But out near the water and on the keys, there are your problem snobs. Longboat Key police will pull you over anytime after 9:30 if your car isn't over 60 grand. Also you run into the snoots in the richer subdivisions too.

But I think the real reason why people think Sarasota is snobbish is the visual of the area. Sarasota has stricter guidlines concerning businesses, deed restricted properties, etc. Not to knock B'ton but in Manatee County, you can turn an old pizza hut into a furniture store by hanging a plastic sign out front without even killing the weeds in the parking lot before opening day. That is what looks white trashy. Sarasota has bad areas too but they keep Newtown and a few other areas contained. 41 is getting developed by the water slowly and alot of the roads are getting repaved and widened.

I like living in Sarasota vs. B'ton. It is expensive and with taxes for property going up, it won't get easier but living in a few other states (including the wallet-draining NJ), Sarasota isn't any worse by far. I think if B'ton took care of the area better and cracked down on business owners and land owners, it wouldn't be so bad in some areas. But yes, the people are def. more snobby in Sarasota.

[On-da-Beach]

I think any time there is a separation of the haves and the have-nots,the haves feel a need to isolate/insulate themselves. Spell that snobby. The have-nots resent the implication that they are being treated as second class and so that separation grows. Separation has been created from race, religion, social status, money, ethnic background, etc. History shows this has been common (although not popular) practice throughout mankinds existence. All I'm saying is "don't take it personally". Just remember that money can't buy happiness. Sorry about the corny phrase but it's true.

[Carbondated]

"Just remember that money can't buy happiness. Sorry about the corny phrase but it's true."

I laugh every time I hear someone use that phrase. It is used to passify the masses into believing that money has no bearing on happiness. Those stuggling with finances are more prone to depression, addiction, chronic health problems and have shorter life spans.
Money does bring happiness...
Any woman will tell you... buying a really over the top expensive designer purse brings real happiness!

[On-da-Beach]

Wealth is no assurance that any of those maladies won't take root.

I see we're on opposite ends of this philosophical spectrum, so...rather than debate with you I'll simply say that I recognize the materialistic purchasing of happiness point of view and submit that my view is more spiritual.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Carbondated

"Just remember that money can't buy happiness. Sorry about the corny phrase but it's true."

I laugh every time I hear someone use that phrase. It is used to passify the masses into believing that money has no bearing on happiness. Those stuggling with finances are more prone to depression, addiction, chronic health problems and have shorter life spans.
Money does bring happiness...
Any woman will tell you... buying a really over the top expensive designer purse brings real happiness!

LOL - a new kitchen with granite countertops and monogram appliances has been making someone I know very happy! and me and my wallet kinda sad

[Ladywithafan]

When I was building my home on Anna Maria Island back in the 90's, I had to go to Sarasota over on Bee Ridge to look at lighting elements...there was NOTHING in Bradenton except the same lighting store that's been on Cortez since I moved there back in 1991...at that time...wore cut off shorts & a tye dye just for kicks and giggles....went in and got sales lady...

"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I building a home out on Anna Maria Island and I need help with indoor and outdoor lighting that can withstand salt water from Tampa Bay..."

"Who's your builder?" she asks.
"Brent W" I reply.
"I've never heard of him....."said snottily, while eyeing my cut off's....
"What's your name?" I asked, looking her directly in the eye.
She told me...not that I remember back from 1994....

"Well, I've never heard of you either, so let's get on with picking out the lights for my 4,500 square foot home, ok?" I said....

She didn't know what to make of that but I said it with a smile and actually went on to have a good shopping experience.


These are different times, however, and people are afraid, you'll see that fear much more evident in the way the class seperation continues to increase...it's just how it is....

[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.............

[lilaclady]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

When I was building my home on Anna Maria Island back in the 90's, I had to go to Sarasota over on Bee Ridge to look at lighting elements...there was NOTHING in Bradenton except the same lighting store that's been on Cortez since I moved there back in 1991...at that time...wore cut off shorts & a tye dye just for kicks and giggles....went in and got sales lady...

"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I building a home out on Anna Maria Island and I need help with indoor and outdoor lighting that can withstand salt water from Tampa Bay..."

"Who's your builder?" she asks.
"Brent W" I reply.
"I've never heard of him....."said snottily, while eyeing my cut off's....
"What's your name?" I asked, looking her directly in the eye.
She told me...not that I remember back from 1994....

"Well, I've never heard of you either, so let's get on with picking out the lights for my 4,500 square foot home, ok?" I said....

She didn't know what to make of that but I said it with a smile and actually went on to have a good shopping experience.


These are different times, however, and people are afraid, you'll see that fear much more evident in the way the class seperation continues to increase...it's just how it is....

There are a lot of family businesses and Dad hired son who eventually hired daughter and daughter is a twit but she is family so she gets the job to wait on YOU!!
That fear you speak of is something that haunts YOU.
I fear no one. We are all people and I talk to everyone and I mean everyone I meet.
Where do you shop for groceries? I've probably talked to you.
I talk to the scruffy guy buying beer, I talk to the classy lady all decked out in Big Lots, I even talk to the guy who looks like someone I saw on the news as wanted.
Try speaking up and talking to people. Most people will talk back. Some do look at ya kinda funny and then you just say "sorry your having a bad day, I hope it gets better". That usually gets a smile in return.

[Kimberleigh]

Well said, I applaud!

[meltinjohn]

Truth is, Bradenton could be a cool town if it was cleaned up better or if the cooler folks with cooler interests got more exposure so that more young hippies would move and it could be like Portland junior or something. I see some people that are in the undercurrents of the area and this element altho small does exist and can be brought out even more. Lets start with Bradenton center. Theres a few places that can cater to that sort of crowd but thats it. If only people had a re vision on how Bradenton could be, it would come true and be better than Sarasota.