Bradenton, Florida may not be as large as neighboring cities like Sarasota and Tampa, but that’s one of the reasons why many people choose to live there. It feels more close-knit and communal, and it also has an enviable position along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bradenton is in Manatee County and close to popular beaches like Longboat Key, Coquina Beach, and the tranquil Whitney Beach. Golf courses are abundant, and there’s great shopping and gallery gazing along the Village of the Arts, a historic neighborhood hinting at what it was like to live in Florida during the 1920s and 1930s.   

Buyers seeking Bradenton homes for sale have some great options, whether the goal is to downsize into a Florida retirement or finally buy their dream home. In our community roundup, we’re looking at some of the most popular and desirable communities for active adult buyers in Bradenton.

Mirabella

Low $300s - High $400s

Movie nights in the community theater and playtime at the dog park are some of the reasons residents love living at Mirabella, a 55+ community in Bradenton just minutes from the water. The community also has a clubhouse, two pickleball courts, a modern exercise room, an outdoor pool and spa, and plenty of trails throughout the neighborhood for an evening stroll or an energetic bike ride.

New and resale attached homes are available, and the community will remain small with only 160 planned homes. Four models are available, ranging from 1,524 to 1,764 square feet with two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Each home also includes a den and walk-in closets as well as lanais.

Request more information about Mirabella.

Tidewater Preserve

High $200s - High $700s

A diverse and appealing selection of new and resale homes are available at Tidewater Preserve, where buyers will find single-family homes and attached grand villas in an active adult community without age restrictions. Buyers who want to live on the Manatee River will appreciate the boat and canoe launch, Riverwalk hiking trail, and riverfront views. 

Models in the Carriage Homes collection have 1,710 to 2,376 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. The Grand Villas are spacious duplex homes with 1,756 to 3,010 square feet. They have two or three bedrooms, a den, two to four bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Classic and Riverfront Homes come in nine models with three to four bedrooms, two to four bathrooms, and attached two- or three-car garages, and they range from 2,434 to 4,353 square feet. 

Residents in the community gather at The Lodge, the main clubhouse featuring a fitness center, an outdoor pool, and a multipurpose room. Community activities like wine tastings and exercise groups will keep active adults busy all year.

Request more information about Tidewater Preserve.

Harbour Isle

Mid $400s - High $800s

Extraordinary views of the Gulf of Mexico await Bradenton buyers who want to live luxuriously on the beach at Harbour Isle, one of the most appealing active adult communities in Southwest Florida. There are no age restrictions, and buyers can choose from modern and luxurious condos or attached homes ranging from 1,467 to 2,960 square feet with two or three bedrooms and two or three bathrooms. New construction and resale homes are available as either mid-rise condo units or attached homes in two-story buildings.

Amenities are above and beyond what most residents would expect from their community. The Mangrove Walk Pool and Kayak Launch includes a boathouse, a fire pit, and private cabanas along with a pool and kayak launch. At The Beach Club, residents enjoy their private patch of sand and surf as well as a fitness center, a yoga lawn, the Sky Bar Lounge, and a boat marina. There are also numerous social groups for boating, fishing, swimming, and water aerobics.

Request more information about Harbour Isle. 

Garden Lakes Village 

Low $200s - Mid $200s

Social events are plentiful at Garden Lakes Village, a 55+ community that hosts coffee socials, luncheons, and Friday night gatherings for residents and their guests. This is one of the most affordable communities in the area, offering resale single-family homes and attached villas available to buyers on a budget.

The single-family homes have two to four bedrooms, two bathrooms, attached two-car garages, and range from 1,531 to 2,149 square feet. Villas range from 1,531 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. Amenities here include shuffleboard, tennis, and pickleball courts as well as an exercise room and a demonstration kitchen. There’s also a deck that looks out over a peaceful and reflective lake.

Request more information about Garden Lakes Village. 

Glory Gardens at Christian Retreat

Low $100s 

Glory Gardens at Christian Retreat offers affordable condo living close to the Manatee River. This 55+ community is an excellent option for anyone downsizing into a low-maintenance condo lifestyle. Homes have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and range from 1,232 to 1,552 square feet. Amenities include a heated pool, tennis courts, and shuffleboard courts, and residents can gather regularly at sports and social clubs. 

The homeowners' association (HOA) takes care of landscaping, exterior maintenance, and gated security. Residents enjoy being close to the Little Manatee River State Park and Lake Manatee State Park.

Request more information about Glory Gardens at Christian Retreat.

Harmony at Lakewood Ranch

Low $200s - Mid $300s

New construction single-family homes are found in the Harmony at Lakewood Ranch community. More than a dozen models have two to five bedrooms and two to three-and-a-half bathrooms. These single-family homes also have attached one-car garages and range between 1,473 and 2,776 square feet.

No age restrictions are in place at Harmony at Lakewood Ranch, and while it’s still fairly new, the amenities include a clubhouse, a fitness center, a pool, and a patio. There's also a multipurpose room where residents can gather at community events.

Request more information about Harmony at Lakewood Ranch.

Esplanade at The Heights

Low $300s - Low $600s

Another highly anticipated new construction community with Bradenton homes for sale is Esplanade at The Heights. This gated community from Taylor Morrison is expected to resemble a resort with an Amenity Center that includes a fitness center, a pool, a spa, a splash pad, and courts for pickleball, basketball, and tennis.

Single-family homes will include three models ranging from 1,856 to 2,275 square feet with two or three bedrooms, and two to three bathrooms. These homes will also have dens and attached two-car garages. The attached villas are 1,533 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den, and an attached two-car garage.

Request more information about Esplanade at The Heights.