Top Neighborhoods in Manatee County
Written by Kendra Gemma
How do you describe the Manatee County lifestyle? Beachfront. Urban. Suburban. Master-planned. Rural with acreage. Charming and historic. It’s all possible! If you’re new to the area, get to know our varied cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
Lakewood Ranch and East County
This section of Manatee County offers a mixture of new and old Florida, with Lakewood Ranch’s suburban feel and East County’s pastures.
One of the fastest growing master-planned communities in the country, Lakewood Ranch just celebrated its 30th anniversary last year but it’s still adding new neighborhoods and homes today. The family-friendly community hosts monthly, seasonal, and annual events on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. An award-winning farmers’ market is held every Sunday in Waterside, the newest and most southern part of Lakewood Ranch. Both Main Street and Waterside combine retail, recreation, and residences for walkable living.
Virtually all Lakewood Ranch developments, such as Mallory Park, have amenities like swimming pools and fitness centers. Larger neighborhoods, including Esplanade, boast restaurants, sports courts, and lifestyle directors who plan community events and classes for residents.
If you prefer a quieter pace of life, trot out to East County. The Panther Ridge neighborhood, in particular, is horse country. Lots range from 5 to 20 acres, and homes all have their own style. You’ll see everything from Southern farmhouses to modern mansions. It feels secluded, yet a short drive brings you to all the conveniences of modern-day living.
Bradenton and West County
Go west for historic urban charm, waterfront resort-style living, and suburbia.
Downtown Bradenton retains its vintage feel with brick streets, original architecture, and revitalized areas like the Old Manatee Historic District. Residents can walk to the seasonal market, outdoor events, restaurants, and shops. Real estate in the neighborhood ranges from condos to small older houses to mobile homes.
The adjacent River District fronts the Manatee River and is just a few miles from the ever-expanding Riverwalk, with its walking paths, beach volleyball court, concert venue, and other amenities. Homes in the district sit on large parcels. Buyers can choose from Mediterranean-style houses, Florida cottages, and plots of land to custom-build their dream home.
If you want to be surrounded by water, choose Palma Sola or Snead Island. Palma Sola, located on a peninsula, is Manatee County’s oldest planned community. Some of its homes date to the 1920s and 1930s, while others are newly built.
Snead Island sits west of Palmetto. A boating community, it has two boat storage facilities on the island. Don’t be surprised to see golf carts on the island’s streets; they’re the preferred method of transportation here. A yacht club on the island offers amenities like tennis courts and a swimming pool.
West Bradenton’s suburban feel melds with its proximity to nature preserves and favorite beaches, making it a peaceful retreat to come home to every day. Residences are primarily single-family homes with some low-maintenance townhouses.
North County
North River Photos Courtesy of Neal Land & Neighborhoods
Bridging the gap between Sarasota and Bradenton to the south and St. Petersburg to the north, North County encompasses the burgeoning towns of Parrish and Ellenton.
Parrish started out as a rural agricultural community, with settlement beginning in 1850. Since the late 2000s, housing developments have cropped up to meet buyer demand. One of the largest of these is North River Ranch, a master-planned community by locally owned Neal Land & Neighborhoods. Eventually, it will contain 6,000 single-family homes, villas, and townhouses, along with its miles of trails, self-contained village, and plethora of amenities and activities. Smaller new neighborhoods include Ashton Woods, Oakfield, and Salt Meadows.
Ellenton, perhaps best known today for the outlet shopping center visible from I-75, once had citrus farms and cattle ranches. Now, suburban neighborhoods like Covered Bridge Estates are growing in their place. Mobile home parks with all the bells and whistles are also here. Colony Cove, for example, is an ages 55+ mobile home park with five clubhouses, a pavilion, marina, and pet park.
Island and Coastal
Known to tourists who visit from around the world, Manatee County’s laid-back barrier islands also make idyllic places to live seasonally or all year long.
Anna Maria Island runs 7 miles long. Three main cities – Anna Maria in the north, Holmes Beach in the center, and Bradenton Beach in the south – each have their own personalities. Anna Maria’s high-end single-family homes characterize this quiet, residential portion of the island. Holmes Beach is the largest and perhaps the most commercial of the cities, and it has single-family homes, condos, and townhouses. Bradenton Beach appeals to people who want a more vibrant lifestyle, with nightlife and the Bridge Street district’s restaurants and shops. Bradenton Beach’s real estate options range from small condos to large, upscale homes.
Longboat Key is synonymous with luxury. Globally renowned resort brands have a presence here, along with country clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, and multimillion-dollar condominiums and single-family homes.
Charming Towns
Manatee County has unique enclaves outside of the larger metro areas and more well-known tourist haunts.
Cortez has the distinction of being one of Florida’s last working fishing villages. It celebrates this heritage through the Florida Maritime Museum and annual festivals like the Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival. People who live here work in the industry or enjoy the proximity to the water and the town’s one-of-a-kind culture. Real estate runs the gamut from newly built single-family homes and townhouses to vintage cottages.
Myakka City is actually an unincorporated area of southeast Manatee County, not a city. In fact, it may be the most rural part of the county. Most homesteads occupy 5 acres or more, and the houses’ architectural styles run the gamut from traditional farmhouse to modern. Myakka River State Park is within the confines of Myakka City, so hiking, kayaking, and fishing are easily accessible to local residents.
Convenient to Bradenton, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, Palmetto has an ideal location for work and play possibilities. The town itself has its own appeal, with riverfront recreation and dining and a historic downtown area. Palmetto’s Bradenton Area Convention Center also hosts expos and other events. Homebuyers can purchase a house in a new community or a vintage home in an established neighborhood. Riviera Dunes is a gated community on the Manatee River, with three marinas, a restaurant, multiple pools, and walking paths. The maintenance-free neighborhood has single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
When it comes to places to call home, Manatee County is not one-size-fits-all. From Gulf and river vistas to cityscapes to open land, you can choose your view and your way of life.