How Safe Is Perico Island? (Clearwater, Sarasota: apartments, crime, place to live)

[zoopmedia]

My girlfriend and I are both in our 20's and we're planning on moving to Florida in a month. We currently live in Austin, TX and are looking for a nice place to live close to the beach.

So far, we've narrowed our search down to the Clearwater/St. Pete and Sarasota/Bradenton areas. They both seem to have places within the price range we are looking to find.

My question is, how safe is Perico Island? I've been doing a lot of reading about Bradenton on here and people have me convinced that I'll get shot riding my bike in the middle of the day due to the high amount of crime.

I've lived in Honolulu, Phoenix, and Austin and have seen plenty of drug dealers, prostitutes, and murders near my apartments. So how bad would you say Bradenton is compared to any major US city?

Anyone have any recommendations on nice beach area towns that are still close to major cities?

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by zoopmedia

My girlfriend and I are both in our 20's and we're planning on moving to Florida in a month. We currently live in Austin, TX and are looking for a nice place to live close to the beach.

So far, we've narrowed our search down to the Clearwater/St. Pete and Sarasota/Bradenton areas. They both seem to have places within the price range we are looking to find.

My question is, how safe is Perico Island? I've been doing a lot of reading about Bradenton on here and people have me convinced that I'll get shot riding my bike in the middle of the day due to the high amount of crime.

Yes, you can get shot depending on where you ride in Bradenton, even in the middle of the day....however...you would most likely encounter shootings in the worst areas.

I lived on Perico Island for a couple of years back in the 90's. It is basically pretty safe.

I've lived in Honolulu, Phoenix, and Austin and have seen plenty of drug dealers, prostitutes, and murders near my apartments. So how bad would you say Bradenton is compared to any major US city?

I'm from Detroit, have lived in NYC/Brooklyn & Queens; I would say Bradenton's drug crime has tripled in the past nine years...I would rather be on a train at midnight going to Palladium in NYC, by myself, than be out in Bradenton at midnight along U.S. 41 in a car.

Anyone have any recommendations on nice beach area towns that are still close to major cities?

If you choose Bradenton, live either on Perico Island or Anna Maria Island, if you want a beach town.

If you choose Sarasota, you have a bit more options in regards to the beach life. I live in SRQ now, 5 min. to Lido and the same to Siesta Key.

P.S. If you want to read about the type of crime occuring on a daily basis in SRQ/Manatee Counties, you can go to newsmanatee.com.