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Waterlefe

Waterlefe

$766,790 Average Value
$290 Average Price per Sq Ft
13 Homes For Sale

Life in Waterlefe: a gated golf and boating community

Waterlefe is a gated, master planned community in Bradenton that captures the Florida lifestyle in a way few neighborhoods can. Set along the Manatee River, it’s one of the rare places where you can enjoy both golf and boating, with the ability to cruise straight out to the Gulf of Mexico. Life here is built around amenities and connection, with the Master Property Owners’ Association maintaining the community and its shared spaces. That combination makes Waterlefe especially popular with retirees and anyone drawn to an active Florida lifestyle.

The River Club and community amenities

Waterlefe offers the kind of amenities you’d normally expect at a resort, but here they’re simply part of everyday life. “Waterlefe has an incredible sense of community centered around the River Club, our community clubhouse,” says Steve Slocum, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who has lived in Waterlefe since 2000 and is proud to be one of its original residents. “It has become and will always be the focal point of why Waterlefe offers more.” The River Club serves as Waterlefe’s main social and dining hub and includes:

  • A heated saltwater pool with a spacious patio and tiki bar
  • An indoor fitness center with programs like yoga and Zumba
  • A members-only formal dining room for dinner and Sunday brunch
  • A more casual bistro and bar overlooking the Manatee River
  • A community library where residents can check out books
The River Club is funded through MPOA fees, and all purchases made there count toward Waterlefe’s annual $500 food-and-beverage minimum. Just next door, The Pointe has a playground and a private launch for kayaking and canoeing. Golf Club membership is optional and provides access to the 18-hole golf course with preferred tee times. The Golf Club is also home to the Sunset Grille at Waterlefe, which is open to the public. Boaters can join the Marina Club for a riverfront slip or rent space at The Cove, while fishing spots, walking trails and social clubs make it easy to stay active and meet neighbors. “We even have our own friendly way to say hello called the ‘Waterlefe wave,’” Slocum says.

Finding the right home in Waterlefe

Mediterranean-style homes give Waterlefe a classic Florida feel. The community has just over 600 homes spread across a few different sub-sections, including:

  • The Villas, maintenance-free villas with landscaping included
  • The Shores, gated waterfront homes, many with private docks
  • The Sound, paired estate homes at the end of Fish Hook Cove
  • The Watch and The Watch II, two- and three-bedroom condos
Home sizes vary widely, making it easy to find something that fits your needs. “Waterlefe offers single-family homes from 1,850 square feet to grand estates nearing 6,500 square feet,” Slocum says. “A good number of homes even include backyard boat docks, which is fairly unique.” That range of home types also spans a wide price range. Single-family homes typically start in the low $500,000s and can reach up to $2.5 million for high-end riverfront estates, while condos generally sell from the low $300,000s to the low $400,000s. Each subsection has its own HOA fees, but all homeowners pay annual MPOA dues of about $3,300, which cover River Club maintenance and basic cable and internet. You might hear people compare Waterlefe to River Strand or Heritage Harbour, but those communities don't offer the same boating access along the Manatee River.

What to know about flooding and insurance

Riverfront homes here naturally carry a higher flood risk, but Waterlefe overall has a lower flood risk than many waterfront communities, which can lead to more manageable insurance costs. “I could have a great house right on the water and still pay a fraction of what insurance would cost on the beach or in the Keys,” says Joe Murphy, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Realty who has lived in Waterlefe for more than 20 years.

Location and convenience around Waterlefe

One of the biggest perks of living in Waterlefe is that you don’t have to leave the community for recreation, dining or entertainment. “There’s not another place where you can golf in the morning, boat in the afternoon and then have dinner with friends and family in the evening,” Murphy says. When residents do head out, State Road 64 and I-75 make getting around easy. “Waterlefe feels like it’s out in the country, yet you’re close to shopping like Costco, Publix, Aldi, Target and a growing number of options all within five minutes of the gates,” Slocum says. For a night out, he adds that restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar are nearby in Lakewood Ranch. Larger shopping trips are convenient as well, with The Mall at University Town Center located just off I-75.

Getting around beyond the gates

Golf carts are a common way to get around inside Waterlefe, but you’ll need a car once you head outside the gates. Both Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center are about a 10-mile drive away, while Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is less than 20 miles away. With quick access to I-75, it’s also easy to get to Sarasota, Tampa and the surrounding areas.

Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood

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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

34 min drive

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
609
Number of Homes for Sale
13
Median Year Built
2002
Months of Supply
4.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,856
Significantly above the national average
1,931
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,761

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Mar 22
    1 - 4pm

    9931 Portside Terrace Unit 9, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $950,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,810 Sq Ft
    • 9931 Portside Terrace
    • Unit 9
    • New 26 days ago

    In Waterlefe Golf & River Club, life is meant to be lived outdoors. Boat on the Manatee River in the morning, tee it up in the afternoon, and meet friends at the clubhouse in the evening. This is the kind of community where every day feels like a getaway. Set on a private corner homesite with no side neighbor, this updated four bedroom, three bath plus den home offers sweeping golf course views

    Agent Photo
    Joe Murphy
    COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
    (941) 401-4760
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  • Sunday, Mar 22
    1 - 4pm

    10816 Winding Stream Way, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $1,390,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 3,052 Sq Ft
    • 10816 Winding Stream Way
    • New 20 days ago

    Rarely available and completely reimagined, this original-owner home has been renovated to a level rarely seen at any price point. Everything is updated, and the home is completely move in ready! From the new roof and brick paver driveway to the striking extra-wide premium front door, every detail sets the tone. All windows and exterior doors throughout the home have been replaced with

    Agent Photo
    Joe Murphy
    COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
    (941) 253-3187
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  • Sunday, Mar 22
    1am - 4pm

    808 Whooping Crane Ct, Bradenton, FL 34212

    $1,265,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,837 Sq Ft
    • 808 Whooping Crane Ct
    • New 3 days ago

    One of the premier homesites in Waterlefe Golf & River Club, this lightly lived-in waterfront pool home offers a setting that is increasingly hard to find. Positioned at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on an oversized pie-shaped lot, the property enjoys desirable southern rear exposure with expansive views of water, golf course, and preserve, along with a private boat dock providing direct access

    Agent Photo
    Joe Murphy
    COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
    (941) 297-5356
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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
1,163
Median Age
67
Population under 18
7.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
55.9%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$161,805
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$181,095

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.8%
College Graduates
70.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®

30 / 100

Not friendly

Walk Score®

10 / 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.

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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
Waterlefe