If you or your loved one is thinking about retiring, you might have heard that Florida is a fantastic place to spend your golden years. Most people, though, associate Florida retirement with larger cities such as Fort Meyers, Naples, or Daytona Beach, but have never heard of a Bradenton retirement or regarded it as their destination of choice. However, it’s absolutely worth checking out. Here are five reasons why Bradenton is one of the best Florida cities to retire.

A Prime Location

Bradenton is situated near the mouth of the Manatee River which flows into the Gulf of Mexico and is just 30 minutes north of Sarasota. In addition to the main city, various beach cities on the west side of Bradenton, such as Anna Maria Island, Palmetto, and Ellenton, are home to some of the best beaches in Bradenton. Because of its location on the gulf, Bradenton offers a multitude of exciting beachfront activities like dolphin watching, boating, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sports. Also, Bradenton is only 1.5 hours from Disney World, making it an ideal destination for visiting grandkids to visit!

Excellent Weather

Bradenton is perfect for those who love warm, sunny days with the occasional minor showers. Every year, this subtropical metropolis receives almost 300 days of sunshine, making it an absolute delight to venture outside. Although certain months are warm and humid, and hurricanes do occur on occasion, Bradenton’s location compensates for it. Residents in Bradenton are well protected from most big storms owing to its location on Florida’s northern, west coast. With such beautiful weather all year round, you’ll have lots of time to experience all of Bradenton’s attractions!

Plenty to Do Outside

While Bradenton is considerably more laidback than major cities such as Miami and Orlando, there is still plenty to keep you occupied. There’s never a dull moment in Bradenton since there’s always something different to do. At night, it’s a vibrant place where everyone comes out to take a stroll, dine, and unwind. If you love the outdoors, you’ll enjoy many of these attractions Bradenton has to offer:

Golfing at the Manatee Golf Course
Trekking through Manatee River State Park
Touring the Arts Village and museums
Visting the Palma Solma Botanical Garden
Bringing the grandchildren to LECOM Park

Attractive Property Market

Bradenton is a buyer’s market because of the massive influx of retirees. Interest rates are also at an all-time low of 4%, and an FHA or Standard Conventional loan can still be obtained with 3.5 to 5% down. Bradenton’s property tax rates are also exceptionally low—Manatee County has the 11th lowest tax rate in Florida out of the 67 counties. If you’ve always wanted to live by the water, Bradenton is a fantastic area to check out for its myriad of beachfront houses for sale.

Lower Cost of Living

Of course, living expenditures influence whether a place is good for retirement, particularly for those who wish to be more frugal. The good news is that Bradenton’s cost of living is lower than the national average! Better yet, you won’t have to worry about transportation, lodging, and grocery expenses if you live in a retirement community by Discovery Senior Living which offers the best retirement lifestyle in South Bradenton.