Considering Anna Maria Island...HELP (Sarasota, Bradenton: renting, crime, houses)

[def1218]

I am considering moving to Anna Maria Island. Can anyone tell me about what it is like to live there? I would love to hear anything about each of the three cities out there: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. I am married with two small children. THANK YOU!!!

[SoFLGal]

I grew up on Longboat Key as a child and lived there until second grade. My father started the Islander Newspaper on Anna Maria Island and later came back to start the Island Sun Newspaper on Anna Maria Island. I have nothing but fond memories of my time growing up on the islands. At that time, in the early 1970's, it was pretty laid back and still is. I remember going swimming at the town dock, diving for sand dollars in the summer and crabbing at the beach at night with my friends and family. I attended Anna Maria Elementary as a child from K-2nd grades.

When I got older I moved from Englewood back to the area-Bradenton Beach to be exact. I had my first child while living on Bradenton Beach and lived there until she turned four. That was in the early 1990's.

I moved to Port Charlotte and later to North Port. When living out on the islands I was renting and couldn't afford to purchase a home there. The North Port area is more affordable and I knew I wanted my children to attend Pine View School, which you have to be a Sarasota County resident and the islands are in Manatee county. I would love to move back to the area once my kids are grown.

I loved living in that area as a child and as an adult. If you like a more laid back non- stressed type of living I would highly recommend moving to the island. I found most people to be very friendly and I have many friends that I still visit on a regular basis out on the island.

I wish you luck with your possible move to the area

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by def1218

I am considering moving to Anna Maria Island. Can anyone tell me about what it is like to live there? I would love to hear anything about each of the three cities out there: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. I am married with two small children. THANK YOU!!!

Anna Maria is the city on the north end, Holmes Beach is middle of the island and Bradenton Beach is middle to South. It's a beautiful place to raise children if you're going to be in Manatee County. AMI elementary was gutted & rebuilt three years ago is the best elementary school in Bradenton for K-5 with an A rating. My children were born & raised on AMI. It's pretty quiet and SLOW for the most part. There's only two ways from Bradenton on & off the island, Manatee Avenue & Cortez along with an on/off access from Longboat Key on the South end of the island. The drive from downtown to the Bridge, which is about 10 miles from 41 used to keep crime off the island that originated from town. That has changed in the past couple of years. We've had isolated incidents of crime but nothing compared to "in town." The only chain restaurants on the island are Shell's and Subway. The older community has tried to keep the island on the primitive side but in the past ten years, many building laws have changed and the old Florida look of the island has changed as well. Old Florida beach houses are being torn down & replaced with two houses on lots that can hold the density. This, in my opinion, is destroying the charm of the island....but that's progress. It's a big tourist/snowbird destination so expect BIG delays on weekends during season getting on/off the island. There is a Publix in Holmes Beach. All beach activities are big, of course, but other than that, it's very laid back.

[Oobie119]

It's nice if you can afford it-- Not much to do IMO for small kids-- the beach and some playgrounds, all the good stuff for kids is more inland

[tropics]

There are many activities for kids on the island. Anna Maria Island community center has many activities for kids. Baseball, Basketball, etc....