anyone have reliable info about Bradenton, Fla; insider info?

1. 60

   dutchman1951posted 13 years ago

   Was woundering about Bradenton, as in to live there. costs of food, apts, rentals etc, some non brocure info, without advertising hype?
   
   it would be most sppreciated if you would please.
   
   thanks

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Don Bobbittposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      By chance my wife and I have just moved to a great 55+ community in a town just north of Bradenton.  We picked the area because of the weather, the location and the costs.  If you are seriously into the arts, though, you really need to get more serious about Sarasota.  It is larger, more congested, but as mentioned by others, heavily into the arts, with amazing beaches and a wide variety of forms of entertainment.  We picked our place because we were away from everything, but we could hop onto I-75 and we had Tampa (great health care) within 25 miles, Sarasota (great museums, arts support systems) within 30 miles, and wonderful beaches along the coast all of the way down to Fort Myers. here are 3 major supermarket chains in Florida; Winn-Dixie, SweetBay, and Publix, but what I have found in Florida is that pricing varies more by area (demographics) of the state rather than by Supermarket.  Personally, I don't like Winn-Dixies meats, I don't like SweetBay's produce, and I usually end up at a local Publix, although in some of the better areas, Wal-Mart, surprisingly has the best pricing for good fresh produce. Other stuff? You gotta Shop!

      replyreport
2. 86

   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   You could check out their Chamber of Commerce site. It will answer some of your questions.  I know it's a lovely area, close to beautiful beaches, close to Tampa and Sarasota. I've been through the city many times, but don't have the insider info. I love the Bradenton Beach area, very charming with some great places to eat fresh sea food and watch an amazing sunset. The arts are also a big deal in the area.
   
   http://www.bradenton.com/

   replyreport
   1. 60

      dutchman1951posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I saw some of that on the net, and the demographics show a good match for our income, and am thinking strongly of moving there. I love art and music.
      Ocean is where I want to be. It looks like a fit, but a big decision, so I was hopeing for folks who may live there to put a brighter light on it maybe. Groceries cost, stuff like that.
      
      thanks rebeka, much appreciated

      replyreport
      1. 86

         rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I wish I had more info about the city.. I know there are some beautiful areas to live with good schools. Have you visited the area before?  You must love hot weather, and enjoy sunny days with an incredibly big blue sky. I think it must appear bigger and wider because we're a peninsula... The Gulf is beautiful beyond words. I've lived in this area for many years and it never fails to take my breath away.
         If you love art and music, you are close to the cultural center of the arts on the west coast of FL. 
         
         I imagine groceries are the same as they are where I live, just north of Tampa. The best food chain here is Publix, and the farmers markets. http://www.publix.com/  It may give you an idea of prices.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            dutchman1951posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I am sun, ocean, and sea life. Love to draw, and treasure Hunt, I love archeology, and collect Old finds when I can locate them and it is allowed.
            
            Sandra my wife is Water, beach and Sunsets. She loves music and sports like I do also, so hearing this makes me think possible for real.
            
            We are looking in Bradenton right now, have had 2 trips, was hard to leave to go back to Nashville.

            replyreport