Bradenton : Florida

Bradenton is a city of just under 50,000 on the west coast of Florida. It calls itself the friendly city. It is located between Tampa and Sarasota on Tampa Bay and the Manatee River. One of the most interesting things about Bradenton is it's Village Arts Center, a reclaimed and specially zoned area where artists an live and work. The Pittsburgh Pirates hold their annual spring training here at McKechnie Field. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia: charming gallery by bpage and South Florida Museum by Ebyabe.

The median sales price of a home in Bradenton was $120,000 in 2012. The city's newer neighborhoods are in the east, although these areas have been harder hit with fireclosures than the older neighborhoods on the west and closer to the Gulf. Prices have been depressed like most of South Florida. There are numerous active adult and 55+ communities in this area from Tampa to Sarasota. See "Find a Community" Directory for Florida above.

Bradenton offers easy access to beaches and boating. It is a big town for art because of the Viilage Arts Center, which spans 36 acres and has 200 homes in it. Each gallery and studio is a home. Many retirees find the area attractive. Baseball fans love watching the Pirates get ready for the season.

This is an older part of Florida so there is some crime, plus traffic and suburban sprawl on busy Route 41.

People looking for an inexpensive place on the west coast of Florida and low-key living style might like Bradenton.

Tourism and retirement are big drivers. Tropicana's juice production is centered here and is one of the largest employers.

Bradenton is on the west coast of Florida between Tampa and Sarasota to the south.  The average January temperature is about 60 and the average July temperature is about 80.  Expect a daily rainshower in the summer.

ArtCenter Manatee is the center for art and art education. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Bradenton features three galleries, five classrooms, an Artists Market gift shop and an art library. The Village Arts Center, which provides special downtown zoning for artists, gives the town an artsy flair. There is the South Florida Museum, a planaferium, and an aquarium. The Village of the Arts remains the largest arts district on the Gulf Coast. The Manatee Players, who current play at Bradenton's Riverfront Theatre