Manatee County is home Bradenton, one of the most exciting cities in the Southwest Florida regional housing market. Although Bradenton is officially a small metropolis, it feels more like a large, inviting neighborhood where residents can really enjoy life. Investing in Bradenton real estate means investing in the future; after all, this is a community known as “The Friendly City” for many reasons.
Home shoppers who tour Bradenton for the first time often get a feeling of being in a young metropolis; however, this city was the site of a landing by Spanish Conquistadors dating back to the 16th century. Back then, the Spanish Crown instructed explorers to look for El Dorado, that imaginary city of great wealth and endless riches; they landed in what is known today as Bradenton and failed to see what this land promised.
The neighborhoods of Bradenton are as diverse as the history of the residents of this city. A few decades ago, Bradenton attracted boating enthusiasts in search of private dock space, marinas and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. To this end, waterfront properties along the banks of the Manatee River and on the shores of Palma Sola Bay are always in high demand.
In Bradenton, luxury meets family life. This is the home of the renowned IMG Academies for competitive sports and the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bradenton is a major destination for sports tourism and a cradle for future pro soccer players. Boating, fishing, hiking, and camping are widely practiced by residents, and the Downtown District of Bradenton is emerging as a small, yet very important, center for the arts and culture.
Bradenton’s housing market features ranges from affordable historic neighborhoods to gated communities and from elegant condominiums to small waterfront communities. Bradenton connects with the award-winning Lakewood Ranch master-planned development, which serves as major source of inspiration for local home builders. Bradenton is ideal for home shoppers looking for options more affordable than the neighboring Sarasota County and the Tampa Bay region.
If you are looking for comfort and quality of life at reasonable prices, you will find that Bradenton can certainly meet your expectations.
