Bradenton on list of Top 100 Places to Live

Bradenton on list of top 100 places to live
MELANIE MARQUEZ
Herald Staff Writer
BRADENTON - Bradenton made it into the elite eight of Florida cities in a recent listing of best places to live in the United States.

Out of the 100 cities chosen by Relocate America, an online community directory, only eight from the Sunshine State received mention. Almost all other Florida cities selected lean to the west with Venice, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, St. Petersburg and Clearwater getting picked. The list also included Jupiter and Mt. Dora.

The honor doesn't surprise Ward 4 Councilman Bemis Smith.

"We've been able to maintain much of our small-town feel in the area even while we're a part of a major metropolitan area," Smith said.

Bob Bartz, president of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, said Bradenton's place in the Top 100 is a remarkable feat and proof the area's appeal lies in the population boom of recent years.

"I think Bradenton and Manatee County have been discovered," Bartz said. "As a result of that, you're seeing a lot of new rooftops popping up in east and north and redevelopment out west."

Bartz pointed out that as people continue to flock to the Gulf Coast, land and real estate prices will continue to soar. It's an issue officials are taking seriously.

Smith agreed that more attention to the livability of the area may exacerbate already stressed growth issues, which can mount pressure on the city to keep up with residents' needs.

In compiling its Top 100 list, Relocate America took into account people, schools, activities, economic health and crime rates, which Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dave Bristow said has stayed relative to the population growth.

"If you take into consideration that our county is approaching 300,000 in population, we're doing well," Bristow said.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 306,779 people called Manatee County home last July, with nearly 11,000 moving to the area in the span of one year.

Even with all the growth, the "small town" feel of Bradenton attracted Doug Menser to relocate to Bradenton from Baltimore, leave his 15-year engineering career behind and open a hot dog stand outside City Hall to enjoy the weather and meet people.

Now in his second year with the stand, Menser suspects the development of more condominiums may change the atmosphere and take away the old-town feel.

Bradenton resident Maryann Madley looks at development as a way for the city to meet the needs of more people. Madley moved to Florida from Indiana, first to Sarasota and later to Bradenton.

"I love the up and going art center because it used to be sleepier and now it's becoming more awake," she said.

Madley strolled along the Manatee River near the Twin Dolphin Marina across from City Hall on Wednesday afternoon with her son and grandson visiting from Indiana. She leaned toward the water and pointed at the amberjacks hunting for food near the surface.

Her son, Keith Madley, considers Bradenton a place he may retire to.

"It's got everything that I think people would move to Florida for," he said.

-Herald staff writers Nick Azzara and Rebecca Blue contributed to this report.

Relocate America's Top 10 cities

1. Naperville, Ill.

2. Cary, N.C.

3. Boulder, Colo.

4. Ithaca, N.Y.

5. Charlottesville, Va.

6. Ann Arbor, Mich.

7. New York, N.Y.

8. Columbia, Mo.

9. State College, Pa.

10. Bend, Ore.

To see the list of Top 100 cities go to www.relocate-america

.com/townvote.htm.