Moving to Bradenton

Are you considering moving to Bradenton, Florida? Follow along as we discuss the essential things to know about Bradenton before relocating.

When moving to a new city, learning a little about the area is essential. Bradenton is a suburb of Tampa and St. Petersburg. It is a small town located just outside those cities in Manatee County. As of 2020, the total population of Bradenton was around 55,000 residents. This town may be small, but it has outstanding qualities and a great community.

Bradenton, Florida, is known as the birthplace of horse surfing. Also located here is the historic Gamble Mansion, which is the oldest antebellum plantation in southern Florida that is still standing. Another exciting thing about this city is that it is also home to the oldest working fishing village in Florida, Cortez Historic Fishing Village. Not only does Bradenton have some of the most remarkable historical attractions, but it is also located on the Manatee River.

This city is an excellent place for people of all ages to call home. Bradenton has a young median average age compared to other towns surrounding it. Bradenton has plenty of places for you to enjoy sun, sand, and fun. It is only a short 20-minute drive to the nearest beach. 

People love living in Bradenton for all of its exciting history and small-town feel. But another great thing about this town is that it is a super affordable area to reside in. Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful city and why people constantly move in. 

Here are the eleven things to know about Bradenton, Florida.

History

This city, Bradenton, was founded in the 1840s. This city was named after an early settler, Joseph Braden. Braden came to the Bradenton area to plant sugar. He then built a castle in 1854, and the remnants of this castle are still around today. The community then started to develop as a winter resort for those who wanted to escape the cold and move to Florida. Another reason behind Bradenton's growth was the fact that it was known to be the shipping center for farm produce.

Bradenton was officially established in 1903. However, it didn't end there. In 1947, the city merged with its neighboring town, Manatee, to form the whole city. 

Before Joseph Braden, the tribe Calusa originally inhabited the land. Because of artifacts that have been found throughout the years, experts say that the local tribe was present 2,000 years before the area was ever discovered. Calusa was known as the "shell Indians." The people used shells for everything they ever needed. From tools, jewelry, you name it. Most of the tribe was sailors and expert crafters. The tribe died out in the late 1700s due to conflict and diseases.

Real Estate Market

Finding a city to relocate to with an affordable housing market may be necessary for some people. Luckily for you, the overall cost of the housing market in Bradenton, Florida, is 7 percent less than the national average. The median sold price for a home in Bradenton is about $440,000 as of May 2023. This is a 30.7 percent increase since May of last year. 

The housing market in Bradenton is increasing as more people learn about the wonderful things the city offers. As more residents move in, more businesses come to the area, and the town's economy flourishes. 

Currently, there are 2,033 homes for sale in Bradenton. This is a 5.6 percent decrease since last month. Bradenton is in a seller's market. This means housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster than average. This is an excellent thing for those who want to sell their home, but it makes things a little more tricky for those who are buying a home in Bradenton.

However, the good news is that 69 percent of homes were sold for under the asking price, and only 11 percent were sold for over the asking price. This is why hiring a Realtor in the area is important when purchasing a home. They are professionals in the industry and are there to help you understand the process and also work negotiations. 

Cost of Living

Relocating to a new area can be stressful when you are unaware of how the economy is in that specific town. Bradenton is actually a super affordable suburb of Tampa, Florida. Bradenton's overall cost of living is 5 percent less than the national average. The city's cost of living is based on various factors such as average salary, real estate market, utilities, healthcare, and more.

Here are the factors of the cost of living in Bradenton compared to the national averages.

• Housing costs are 7 percent less than the national average
• Utilities are 12 percent lower than the national average
• The price of groceries and food are 1 percent higher than the national average
• Transportation and gas prices are 5 percent higher than the national average
• Healthcare costs are 13 percent lower than the national average

Job Market

Because the city has grown over the years and more residents and businesses have moved in, the job market has also continued to increase. Bradenton has seen a 2.4 percent increase in the job market over the last year. The future job growth of Bradenton is expected to be 42.5 percent over the next ten years, which is higher than the national average.

A good thing to consider is that the unemployment rate in Bradenton is 4.7 percent, which is significantly lower than the national average of 6 percent. The average salary for a resident in Bradenton is a little over $22,000 a year. The national average is $28,500. The median household income of Bradenton is $40,500 a year, and the national average is a little over $50,000 a year.

Education

For those who are looking to move to a city that has a great school system, Bradenton is an excellent option. Bradenton schools are a part of the School District of Manatee County. There are 128 preschools, 77 elementary schools, 60 middle schools, 46 high schools, 9 public charter schools, and 129 private schools. There are 78 schools total located within the city limits of Bradenton.

There are a ton of great schools located right within Bradenton. The number one elementary school is Ida M. Stewart Elementary. The number one middle school and high school is State College of Florida Collegiate School, which is a highly-ranked public charter school in Bradenton. 

For a higher level of education, visit State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, where you can earn a 2-year degree or 4-year. This college was the region's first and largest public college. 

Weather

The weather in Bradenton, Florida, is what many locals love about the city. The warm weather attracts residents, mainly from New York and Washington, to relocate to the area. Bradenton's climate is described as a tropical climate. They have hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters.

Bradenton, Florida, gets a ton of rain in the spring and summer seasons, so bring your umbrella. One thing you will never see in this city is snow. The temperatures in Bradenton average between 39 degrees and 92 degrees. Because of this, the climate is never cold enough for snow to form or stick on the ground.

Amazingly, Bradenton is located near the coast and is within driving distance of various beaches. If you get too hot in the summer, you can take a quick trip to the ocean to cool off.

Restaurants

Another fun thing to know about a city you aren't familiar with is what kinds of restaurants they have throughout the town. The great thing about the city of Bradenton is that it is located on a river. You can experience waterside dining at some restaurants in Bradenton. Another good thing about dining establishments in the city is that if you are looking for fresh seafood dishes, there is an abundance of those. 

Visiting restaurants with your friends or family is a great way to bond and catch up over a delicious meal. The entire community of Bradenton is so welcoming, and so are its restaurants. Here are some of the best restaurants in Bradenton, Florida.

Local Favorites:

• Ortygia: Italian
• PIER 22: American, Waterfront
• Chateau 13: European
• Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food: Soul
• Lucky Frog Restaurant: German

Nightlife

If you are a night owl and thrive when the sun goes down, Bradenton is a great place for you to live. There are a variety of options when it comes to the nightlife in this city. Even though Bradenton is a small suburb of Tampa, it still has a vibrant, lively bar and club scene. If you can't find anything in Bradenton that caters to what you are looking for, you are just a short drive to the lively city of Tampa.

Here are some of the local's go-to nightlife destinations in Bradenton, Florida.

Local Favorites:

• 88 Live Piano Bar
• Gator Lounge
• Cork's Cigar Bar
• O'bricks Irish Pub and Martini Bar

Crime Rate

Overall, Bradenton is a reasonably safe place to live. It is not the safest city in the area, but it is also not close to being the most dangerous. The crime rate in Bradenton is slightly lower than the average national city. The rate of crime in this city is 22 per 1,000 residents. People who currently reside in Bradenton consider the northeastern part of the city to be the safest.

Comparing the safest and most dangerous parts of the city, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the southwestern part of Bradenton is 1 in 29. If you are in the northeastern area, your chance of becoming a victim of crime is as low as 1 in 78.

Things To Do

When relocating to a new town, figuring out the fun things to do throughout the area is essential in keeping yourself occupied. Because of Bradenton's rich history, there are tons of old historical buildings and destinations for you to visit to learn more about the past.

Another great thing about living in Bradenton is that it is located on the river and minutes from the beaches. When residing in Florida, being near water is beneficial when it is the summer season. Here are some things to do throughout Bradenton, Florida.

Local Favorites:

• Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
• Riverwalk
• LECOM Park
• De Soto National Memorial
• Palma Sola Botanical Park

Beaches Near Bradenton

Here are some of the best beaches near Bradenton, Florida.

• Manatee Public Beach: One of Manatee County's most popular public beaches. The sand is a mix of soft, white sand and seashells. The beach is overall super clean and a great place to go to relax with your peers. 
• Cortez Beach: This beach is super famous and can get pretty crowded. The one downside about this beach is that there are no extra amenities, and even the bathrooms are a little ways away. 
• Anna Maria Island: This is your laid-back beach to visit. It is known as one of the best beaches near Bradenton, Florida. There are also a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants nearby. 
• Coquina Beach: It is located on the southern end of Anna Maria Island. This is a great beach to visit if you are looking to enjoy beach activities like surfing, swimming, playing volleyball, and more. 

Things To Know Before Moving To Bradenton, FL - Our Final Thoughts

We hope that this guide was beneficial and helped you better understand what life is like in Bradenton. Moving to a new city can be intimidating, but we are here to walk you through the ins and outs of things you should know about Bradenton, Florida. As you can see, this city has tons of character and history. It has a small-town feel to it but is still packed with greatness.

If you are considering moving to Bradenton, Florida, contact us today to get connected with a local Real Estate professional for further guidance in Bradenton's buying and selling process.