Section Image

River Strand

River Strand

$486,880 Average Value
$245 Average Price per Sq Ft
47 Homes For Sale

River Strand is a golf-centric community with river views

Along the Manatee River on the eastern edge of Bradenton, River Strand is a gated community with a very specific focus. “What draws people to live in River Strand is it’s a bundled golf course community, so there’s some real value for golfers who are attracted to communities that include golf,” says Robert Casella, the president and owner of The Casella Group. He’s been selling homes here for 18 years. Casella says that some houses sit in what he calls the “social membership only section” of River Strand; these homebuyers have access to all the community’s social clubs and amenities except the golf course.

Aside from its golf course, amenities and social element, Casella says that River Strand’s beauty also sets it apart. “The community is carved into the fabric of the preserves that are there, so it’s much more preserve and lake-heavy than other communities because they didn’t clear-cut everything,” he says. “As far as natural preserves, it’s second to none.” Ponds are so numerous here that the neighborhood looks like a lacework pattern of land and water from above, and although only a handful of houses have direct water access, views of the Manatee River are a feature of life here.

Residents-only golf course and amenities, nearby boat launch

River Strand’s most well-known amenity is its 27-hole championship golf course, designed by Arthur Hills. The neighborhood also has multiple community pools, a clubhouse with a fitness center, tennis courts and pickleball courts. “It’s a very amenity-rich community,” Casella says. River Strand doesn’t have direct public access to the Manatee River, but there's a boat ramp where people can launch boats or kayaks for a day on the water about 4 miles away at Fort Hamer Park.

Tuscan-style houses and condominiums

All of River Strand’s houses and buildings follow a similar Tuscan-influenced style. Lots tend to be on the smaller side, and yards are maintained by groundskeeping. Smaller three-bedroom houses occasionally dip as low as $450,000, but larger six-bedroom homes can climb all the way to $1 million. There’s a very small collection of homes that back up onto the Manatee River with private docks. These houses don’t go for sale very often, but can easily list for over $1 million. River Strand also has condominiums, which typically cost between $250,000 and $585,000. “There’s opportunities at any price point essentially,” Casella says. The community has monthly HOA fees, which vary based on the house or condominium and include the cost of membership, landscaping, cable and internet. Casella says HOA fees for condominiums tend to be more because they also include the cost of insurance.

Joining community groups and taking part in annual parties

Life in River Strand is full of community activities, even beyond golf, tennis, pickleball and swimming. Groups often meet in the clubhouse to play games or hold social gatherings. “If you don’t have a hobby, you’re going to find one in River Strand,” Casella says. “…And there’s a variety of functions that happen there, golf meets. So it’s a very social environment.” Bigger community-wide events like holiday parties, trivia nights and pool parties are also common.

A restaurant and bar close to home, incoming options on Road 64

There’s a tiki bar and a restaurant right in River Strand. Casella says people love to socialize in the restaurant. For a little variety, residents can drive about 2 miles to state Road 64, which locals often simply call SR 64. The road has a few restaurant chains like Miller’s Ale House and Cracker Barrel, but there will soon be more. A Costco opened on Lighthouse Drive in 2019, but it will soon be surrounded by other stores like Target, Whole Foods and Hobby Lobby, along with more chain restaurants. For now, a slight drive down SR 64 leads to ALDI and Walmart.

A few minutes from SR 64 and I-75

Because it’s a gated community, no major roads run through River Strand. The neighborhood is just minutes away from SR 64 and Interstate 75, though, the latter of which makes it especially easy to travel. Hopping on I-75 brings residents to Sarasota about 18 miles away, and Manatee Memorial Hospital is just 7 miles away along SR 64.

Manatee County public schools

Niche gives the Manatee County School District a B-plus. Children in River Strand can attend Freedom Elementary School, which has an A-minus and Carlos E. Haile Middle School, which has a B-plus, before moving on to Parrish Community High School. The high school earns a B and offers Model UN, Dungeons & Dragons and marine science clubs.

Low CAP Index score, potential impacts of hurricane season

River Strand is a gated community with 24/7 security. Its CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.

River Strand has a minor risk of flooding and FEMA puts parts of the neighborhood in Zone AE. Homes in this zone have a 1% chance of flooding annually, so flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages. Hurricane season is a big part of life in Florida, and these storms can cause flooding. The neighborhood also has an extreme risk of high winds due to hurricanes and tropical storms.

Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood
Alex Clendenon
Photography Contributed By
Alex Clendenon

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Transit

Airport

Sarasota/Bradenton International

32 min drive

Reviews

Are you familiar with the River Strand neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime River Strand US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,419
Number of Homes for Sale
47
Median Year Built
2013
Months of Supply
4.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,180
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,207
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,323
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Mar 21
    1 - 3pm

    6509 Candlestick Dr, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $369,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,541 Sq Ft
    • 6509 Candlestick Dr

    MOVE-IN READY TURN-KEY VILLA. Welcome to your easy living in Florida. This beautifully UPDATED maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom Villa with an OFFICE/DEN and a 2-car garage offering style, and unbeatable value. SELLER Incentive: 12 Months of Villa I HOA ONLY prepaid at closing. Not to include any other HOA of CDD Fees. Step inside and be greeted by a spacious, OPEN-CONCEPT layout ideal for both

    Agent Photo
    Denise Steffel
    THE STEFFEL REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC
    (941) 239-3411
    Section Image
    Section Image
  • Saturday, Mar 21
    1 - 3pm

    7027 Quiet Creek Dr, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $569,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,006 Sq Ft
    • 7027 Quiet Creek Dr

    Luxury Living in River Strand Golf & Country Club Welcome to this impeccably maintained 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence with a spacious den, ideally situated within the prestigious, gated, resort-style community of River Strand Golf & Country Club. Thoughtfully designed with an open floor plan that blends elegance and functionality, this home showcases refined finishes, quality upgrades, and

    Jill Fourie KW SUNCOAST

    Section Image
  • Sunday, Mar 22
    1 - 4pm

    7705 Grand Estuary Trail Unit 102, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $255,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,156 Sq Ft
    • 7705 Grand Estuary Trail
    • Unit 102

    PANORAMIC GOLFCOURSE PARADISE! Hands down one of the best panoramic golfcourse views in River Strand Golf & Country Club! Enjoy absolutely gorgeous lake and golfcourse views everyday from this delightful 2Br/2Ba Brookside condo. Relax on your screened lanai as you watch golfers traverse the 7th hole of the Estuary course. This first floor unit is in pristine condition and has been lovingly

    Gina Serena KW SUNCOAST

    Section Image

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,406
Median Age
67
Population under 18
5.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
55.3%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$113,149
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$128,224

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.7%
College Graduates
58.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.2%
% Population in Labor Force
36%
Significantly below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
56''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®

20 / 100

Not friendly

Transit Score®

0 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
River Strand