Terra Ceia and Cortez (Sarasota, Bradenton: short sale, insurance, houses)

[222muchcoffee]

Does anyone have comments about living in this area. I've been doing an pretty expansive search for a home purchase in three counties (on water) and this area seemed appealing. I am more familiar with Sarasota County than Manatee, but didn't want to rule Manatee Co areas out. Please don't be shy -- i like to hear the bad stuff, too.

I also thought I would ask about Cortez as well.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by 222muchcoffee

Does anyone have comments about living in this area. I've been doing an pretty expansive search for a home purchase in three counties (on water) and this area seemed appealing. I am more familiar with Sarasota County than Manatee, but didn't want to rule Manatee Co areas out. Please don't be shy -- i like to hear the bad stuff, too.

I also thought I would ask about Cortez as well.

Hey 222222tototototoooooommuuchchchchcchcoffffffeeeeee e!
I'm sorry I can't help ya there? I haven't even heard of those places. Do they have nice beaches?

[222muchcoffee]

Hola BigHouse! I haven t seen the areas firsthand or the beaches. Just been browsing the MLS searches and seen pics of the homes and the surroundings. The closest nice beach would be Anna Maria or Bradenton Beach from what I can tell. The captioned areas are more of bay-front communities.

We had previously made an offer on a short sale house in Palmer Ranch, but it didn t go through. Now we have re-grouped and decided to shop for "US" (my wife and i), and less about the kids, since they will only have a year in high school left by the time we get there (next summer ) So, we are now considering Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties and probably driving our realtor nuts!

[Skunk Workz]

Cortez is right at the west end of Bradenton. It's going to be much closer to the beach, and the houses are going to be a bit closer together. Cortez Road is a major one through central Bradenton, and is quite busy during season.

Tera Ceia has a much more rural feel, and most of the homes are on larger lots and spread out . Some of the roads are gravel/shell/sand so that could be an issue during the rainy season. The beach is going to be further away, 15 -30 minutes depending upon traffic.

Both are about the same distance to the major retail areas, grocery stores, restaurant areas, and the mall, although you will find more convenience stores, small restaurants, and shops within a few blocks of Cortez.

Both areas are going to be in flood zones so be sure to take the extra insurance into account.

[gypsychic]

I agree with Skunk Workz, Terra Ceia is nice if you want to feel a bit removed from things and be living in "old Florida". It will be a tad bit further to shopping and amenities but not too bad. I also love the feel of Cortez, which feels like old Florida, that area is very much near the beaches and closer to more shopping and amenities. Both are nice, it just depends what you want. I like living in Manatee County, I think the taxes are a bit lower and services such as utilities a bit better.

[222muchcoffee]

Thanks skunk and gypsy --will check it out in November

[Ladywithafan]

Cortez is an old fishing village community right before AMI. Lots of little houses close together. Easy access to Bradenton Beach. Definite flood zone/evacuation zone.

[hgustaf123]

Hello all Charlotte County and lower Sarasota have some great deals on housing. Gulf Access homes staring at 75k on up. Port Charlotte has been rated #1 by CNN/ Money mag. for best place to retire. If your looking for acreage to live on maybe the North Port Estates or Myakka Ranches are a good buy in Sarasota.