7 Reasons to Move to Parrish, FL

Updated on March 14, 2024: This story was originally published on August 17, 2022, and has been updated with new information.

We can’t think of a better location in Florida than Parrish! This city in Manatee County, located near Florida's Gulf Coast, is a magnet for home buyers thanks to its proximity to major cities and thoroughfares. And the convenient location isn’t the only thing that makes Parrish a fantastic place to call home. From a city that still retains its Old Florida appeal to access to Florida's best beaches, recreation, shopping destinations, and more, you’ll never tire of things to do near Parrish, Florida.

If you’re searching for a new home in a fantastic Florida city, here are 7 reasons you’ll want to make Parrish, FL your new home!

1. Peaceful Setting, Reminiscent of Old Florida

The city of Parrish, Florida still retains Old Florida charm reminiscent of days gone by with a slower pace of life, less commercialized feel, and focus on community.

As you drive around, you’ll notice your surroundings of farms, lakes, and conservation areas that provide a tranquil, country setting. The rustling trees, wide open spaces, and farm estates throughout Parrish provide space for an abundance of wildlife to flourish. Glimmering lakes dot the landscape, while peaceful trails shaded by trees provide a relaxing escape from hectic daily life.

2. Convenience to Nearby Cities

Parrish’s central location places you just 15 miles northeast of Bradenton as well as convenient to the cities of Sarasota (27 miles), St. Pete (32 miles), and Tampa (40 miles). This means you can enjoy living in peaceful, semi-rural surroundings yet appreciate an easy commute to employment centers. Not to mention, these nearby cities offer world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural destinations.

In addition, Parrish is situated about 14 miles north of Lakewood Ranch, a large community of nearly 35,000 residents that offers year-round events and activities, along with plenty of places to shop and dine at the many town centers and neighborhood plazas that make the area so unique. For recreation lovers, Lakewood Ranch offers activities from walking and biking trails to parks and sports at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch, and the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

Best of all, these neighboring cities are easy to get to thanks to nearby major roadways providing travel convenience:

• US 301
• I-75
• I-275
• Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Not only do highways give you access to city life, but also provide...

3. Access to World-Class Beaches

Nothing says Florida living quite like the Gulf Coast's sugar white sand and aquamarine waters. When you live in Parrish, you are just a short drive from many of Florida’s top beaches. Anna Maria Island, Coquina Beach, and Longboat Key are all within 30 miles or less, allowing for easy access to fun in the sun!

4. Top-Rated Schools and Healthcare

Students living in Parrish, Florida attend schools within the highly-rated Manatee County School District. Homes in the Aviary at Rutland Ranch neighborhood in Parrish are zoned for top-rated schools, including the A-rated Annie Lucy Williams Elementary, B-rated Buffalo Creek Middle School, and B-rated Parrish Community High School.

In addition to the zoned schools, several charter and private schools are located within a convenient drive including the Pre-K through 8th-grade Imagine Schools, the grade 6-12 Manatee School of the Arts, and Bradenton's IMG Academy, serving grades 6-12 and ranked as the #1 best private high school in Manatee County.

And older students have access to continuing education opportunities, too, including courses for EMTs, pharmacy techs, medical administrative specialists, paramedics, and more at Manatee Technical College’s East Campus.

Speaking of the healthcare field - whether you work in the medical industry or simply want to ensure access to top healthcare facilities, highly-rated hospitals are located near Parrish including the HCA Florida Blake Hospital and HCA Florida South Shore Hospital, each earning awards for Patient Safety Excellence and multiple specialties. HCA Florida also plans to open a new location in Parrish, the North River Ranch Emergency Center, in 2025.

5. Florida State Parks

The area in and around Parrish is ripe with natural attractions, and the Little Manatee River State Park is one of our local favorites. A blackwater river, the Little Manatee is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve and flows almost 40 miles before reaching Tampa Bay. Designated as Outstanding Florida Water, it is one of southwest Florida's most pristine waterways and flows through several rare ecosystems within the state park. The park offers great canoeing on the river, trails for hiking and horseback riding, riverside pavilions, and even a campground.

A small but mighty destination, Lake Manatee State Park extends for three miles along the shore of Lake Manatee. Here, you’ll enjoy fantastic freshwater fishing via boat or dock, opportunities for swimming in the day-use area, picnics in the shade at the lakeside pavilion, and camping opportunities just a short walk away.

Just 11 miles outside of town, Beker – South Fork State Park is an ideal location for exploring, hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, and studying nature. One of the most unique aspects of the park is that it has the only known population in Florida of a small ground orchid called the broadleaf nodding cap.

Located where the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is an impressive 2,000 acres of mangrove forests, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, and uplands communities. Take a stroll along 9 miles of park trails, kayak through the mangrove, or throw a line in the water and see what fish you catch.

6. A Strong Economy

The economy in Parrish is strong. The city has a low unemployment rate, and residents of Parrish tend to make a higher income than Florida or US averages. Plus, the tax benefits of living in Parrish mean your money just goes further! Florida has no state income tax and Parrish hosts a sales tax rate of 7%.

Some of the largest employers in Manatee County include:

• Manatee County Public Schools
• Manatee County Government
• Bealls Inc., headquartered in Bradenton
• Tropicana Products
• MCR Health Systems
• Field Entertainment, a live show production company who puts on events such as Monster Jam, Disney on Ice, AMA Supercross, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

7. Beautiful New Homes in Parrish, FL with Amenities

We have one more reason that may convince you to call Parrish, Florida home!

Aviary at Rutland Ranch is a community of new homes in Parrish, FL that you are destined to fall in love with. Set back from roadways and surrounded by small farm estates in a peaceful setting reminiscent of old Florida, Aviary at Rutland Ranch features a nature-inspired design and beautiful views thanks to the community’s sparkling blue lakes, natural conservation, and open spaces. Many homes are situated adjacent to these natural amenities, boasting unbeatable views and backyard privacy.

We've talked about some of the great things to do in Parrish, Florida, and when you call Aviary at Rutland Ranch home, you don't even have to leave the neighborhood to enjoy the great outdoors and recreation thanks to resort-style amenities within the community:

• Heated swimming pool
• Playground
• Walking trails
• Two pickleball courts
• Half basketball court

New homes in Aviary at Rutland Ranch are priced from the attainable mid-$300's and include features you've been looking for such as open-concept layouts, flexible-use rooms, and outdoor living space. Choose from a variety of home sizes and layouts with 1,545 to 3,162 square feet of living space, three to six bedrooms, and a 2-car garage.

The best part about Aviary at Rutland Ranch? Homes are available now with options for both quick move-in or to build your personalized dream home from the ground up!

Now that you know the many reasons Parrish, Florida is a great place to live, find your dream home and start living the Florida lifestyle in this amazing city! Our Parrish New Home Specialists can't wait to meet you, show you the neighborhood, and help you find the perfect home for your needs. Call or email us today to connect!