$783,478Average Value$292Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes 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.
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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Waterlefe Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Waterlefe, Bradenton sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Waterlefe, Bradenton over the last 12 months is $617,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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