Spotlight on Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is located on US 41 between Tampa and Sarasota. The area is surrounded by waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles of Florida beaches – many which are shaded by Australian pines. Bordered on the north by the Manatee River, Bradenton is located on the mainland and is separated from the outer barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key by the Intracoastal Waterway.
Anna Maria Bayfront Park located on the north end of Anna Maria island is a park overlooking Tampa Bay. The business district and community of Bradenton Beach on the southern end of Anna Maria island is oriented toward vacationers who come to enjoy the surrounding beaches. Longboat Key, the next barrier island south, is popular with shell hunters along its beaches.
Downtown Bradenton is located on the west side of the city. Home to many of Bradenton’s offices and government buildings, it is a lively place with new buildings currently under construction. The tallest is the Bradenton Financial Center, 12 stories high, with its trademark blue-green windows.
The Eastern side of Bradenton is growing at a rapid rate. Initially starting as the popular subdivision Lakewood Ranch, it is now becoming a heavily populated part of town. Most of the communities are newer than in West Bradenton.
There’s plenty to do in Bradenton, making it a great spot to take a break from the beach. Visitors will find a vibrant downtown with restaurants, galleries and boutiques along with the South Florida Museum (home to Snooty, quite possibly the world’s most famous manatee) as well as a planetarium, science and natural history exhibits.
Spotlight on Tarpon Springs, Florida
The name of the city was inspired by the tarpon, a fish that inhabits the nearby waters. Although the details of how the name came to be are uncertain, several accounts attribute it to early settlers who arrived in the area in the 1860s and 1870s.
Sponges were discovered in the Florida Keys during the 1820s. A commercial sponging operation was founded there around 1849. Spongers came to the area to work the beds and some relocated to Tarpon Springs. By 1900 the City was considered the largest sponge port in the United States.
The internationally renowned Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs is a traditional Greek sponge-fishing enclave that has grown into a tourist mecca.
Tarpon Springs is a historic small city of 23,000 with an unusual mix of Greek culture, and Victorian and Floridian architecture. Incorporated in 1887, it is the oldest city in Pinellas County, Florida. Located on the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida, Tarpon Springs is north and west of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area.
The city is full of parks, bayous and brick streets, and boasts two distinct downtowns. The National Register of Historic Places lists downtown, which is a mix of antique shops, boutiques, galleries, and museums.
Called the Venice of the South, Tarpon Springs has been an arts destination since the early 1900s, when George Inness, the father of American landscape painting, made his home here; other artists, performers and arts enthusiasts soon followed.
Tarpon Springs is perhaps most famous for its 100-year-old annual Epiphany celebration, involving Greek Orthodox young men diving for a cross that’s thrown into Spring Bayou. Today the population is rapidly expanding; more and more businesses, families and retirees are discovering the magic of Tarpon Springs.
Showcase: Ponce Inlet, Florida
It is said that in 1513 Juan Ponce DeLeon was exploring the land and waters around the inlet that today bears his name. By the time Spain ceded Florida to the new United States, live oak lumbering was the main industry. Replacing a lighthouse on the New Smyrna side of the inlet, the present landmark went into service in 1887 and was the only navigational aid between St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral.
The soaring red tower is 175 high (the second tallest in the United States) and can be seen 19 miles at sea. Shut down by budget constraints in 1970 the mammoth tower was saved from ruin by the non-profit Ponce DeLeon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association. In 1982, a navigational beacon was re-installed in the tower and it now once again serves mariners. The Association manages the restored light, along with the museum, theater, and store and all are open to the public. In 1963, the Town of Ponce Inlet was incorporated in a manager / council format to control the destiny of the fragile peninsula tip.
Volusia County manages the beaches, access to them, and the park itself. Around the peninsula tip and along the Halifax River there are marinas, restaurants, charter fishing boats, and even a casino boat to add a little excitement to this beautiful piece of land. Community dedication and pride is nowhere more apparent than in the handsome Ponce Inlet Community Center. Run by trustees and volunteers, the center hosts governmental, civic and private activities.
Windermere, Florida Homes for Sale
The only way to get more waterfront would be to live on the ocean. Windermere is central Florida’s answer to the beach communities on the Atlantic coast. Unlike the busy beaches on the coast, Windermere offers visitors and residents a more laid back experience, and a chance to unwind among the fabulous lakes, catch a round of golf, or take a leisurely bike ride along beautifully designed trails. For home buyers seeking Florida lakefront homes for sale, Windermere is the place to look. Although nearby Winter Gardens lays claims to the Chain of Lakes, Windermere has over a dozen named lakes within its boundaries.
Keene’s Pointe is a gated community centered around a 250 acre Jack Nicklaus signature course and the waterways of Windermere. Homes for sale in Keene’s Pointe enter the market in the high $300′s. Luxury homes can list for several million dollars. Community amenities include a spacious clubhouse, several tennis courts, and a quiet atmosphere just a short drive from the attractions of Orlando.
Summerport is a subdivision of Windermere found on the shores of Lake Speer. Bike trails, volleyball courts, and a large recreational center make this subdivision a great place for active couples and singles. In addition to the lake, the Summerport area is close to the West Orange Country Club and the Orange County national Golf Center. Generally, homes for sale in Summerport enter the market in the middle $300′s.
Tilden’s Grove lies across from the center of Windermere, on the western shore of Lake Butler. Homes for sale in Tilden’s Grove have great access to Summerport Beach, as well as being close to the amenities of the Summerport subdivision.
Central Florida is home to hundreds of resorts and golf communities, part of the multi-billion dollar tourist industry that has put the Orlando metro on the map as a the getaway destination for weather-weary northerners. However, Windermere has maintained a more residential feel, in part because of the extensive development planning involved in its creation.
Buyers are encouraged to consult a Windermere Real Estate Agent. Depending on current market conditions, a local REALTOR® may be able to point the buyer to a one of a kind bargain.
Neighborhood Showcase – Lake Mary – Heathrow, Florida
Lake Mary is a wonderful neighborhood on the north side of Orlando. The community is perfectly situated for residents to enjoy the best of what central Florida has to offer: Disney World, Universal Studios, and some of the best golf courses in the world. For those days when the call of the sea is too strong to ignore, living in Lake Mary puts residents within an hour of the beaches on either the Atlantic coast, or the white sand on the Gulf.
Heathrow is a master planned community east of Lake Mary, past Interstate 4 and is bracketed by three golf and country clubs: the Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes, the Magnolia Plantation Golf Club, and the Country Club at Heathrow. The Country Club is the centerpiece for the community, and many of the most desirable homes for sale in Heathrow have golf course frontage. Heathrow is an excellent choice for retired professionals or avid golf fans.
Like Heathrow, Magnolia Plantation is a planned community, but the focus of this Orlando neighborhood is on bringing nature to the big city. A David Harmon created golf course winds through the development, and is bordered by conservation areas. Homes for sale in Magnolia Plantation are set among fully mature oaks and pines, allow mid to upscale buyers to move into a newer home that has a sense of place and tradition.
Lake Forest is a smaller gated community north of Magnolia Plantation. Much of the real estate in Lake Forest consists of deluxe custom homes, many with lake frontage. Homes for sale in Lake Forest enter the market in the middle $400′s and trend upwards, with the highest prices reserved for homes on oversized lots.
Lake Mary Community Schools
The Lake Mary community is served by the Seminole County public schools system, which includes Crystal Lake Elementary, Lake Mary Elementary, Heathrow Elementary, Millennium Middle, Greenwood Lakes Middle, Seminole High and Lake Mary High. For older students, Lake Mary is home to Seminole Community College, Rollins College and Webster College. Lake Mary is also close to the University of Central Florida.
CNN Money ranked Lake Mary #4 on its list of top 100 places to live, citing big economy jobs, small town feel and no income taxas the community’s strengths. Major employers in the city include AT&T, Cingular Wireless, and Siemens Information and Communications Network.
Finding the best match between your budget and your dream home is a lot easier with the professional advice of a local real estate agent. Contact a Lake Mary REALTOR and put his or her experience to work for you.
Property Showcase – Safety Harbor offered by Raymonda Abunassar
Today we re previewing this lovely Property offered by Raymonda Abunassar of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.
Here’s Waterfront Living At Its Best! Sweeping views of Tampa Bay await you at this magnificent custom built pool home in treasured Safety Harbor! Location is just North of historic Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, minutes to the marina, Safety Harbor downtown & Philippe Park, this 3-story 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath mansion boasts nearly 6000SF of luxury & comes w/riparian rights along Tampa Bay where you can build your own dock!
The home sits on 1.5 Acres of tropical grounds & exotic landscape with spectacular views of the Bay! The interior features gleaming hardwood floors, towering ceilings, pillared columns, a handcrafted fireplace, elegant built-ins, 3rd floor study with cigar venting, plantation shutters, complete guest or in-law quarters, media or rec room w/kitchen/bar, soundproof music studio, state-of-the-art security system & interior cameras, indoor/outdoor stereo & surround sound & a chef’s dream kit with maple cabinetry, granite tops, center island, Viking range & Stainless Steel appliances. The outdoor living space is truly an oasis with nearly 3000SF of open balconies, a heated pool and spa with seamless waterfalls, fountain jet, outdoor grill, lots of covered lanai space & beautiful manicured fenced grounds. A valet garage for your boat too! Great home for entertaining. Located near Gulf Coast Beaches, emerald green fairways, prime yachting waters, shopping & Tampa Airport!
For a private showing call Raymonda Abunassar at (727) 504-1560.
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