Living the Sunshine Life in Palmetto, Florida

Updated January 12, 2024

Considered one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, Palmetto boasts a desirable crossroads of small-town charm with modern-day appeal. Live, work, and play in a city filled with a rich history, nature preserves, and the convenience of living near some of Florida’s top-rated beaches and big-city attractions.

Located only six miles from Bradenton and 17 miles from St. Petersburg, living in Palmetto places you in the heart of a cozy small city, with easy access to big city fun and the Gulf's Coasts white sand beaches. If Palmetto’s convenient location sounds like a place you want to call home, then our new homes in Palmetto, FL at Jackson Crossing are for you!

Seaside Bliss

Bordered by the Manatee River to the south and Terra Ceia Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, living in Palmetto places you in a premier waterside location with easy access to marinas, fishing, beaches, waterside dining, and so much more.

Waterfront Restaurants

If there's one thing better than a delicious meal it's enjoying it in an amazing atmosphere with water views! Some of our fave waterfront restaurants in the Palmetto area include Woody’s River Roo, a laid-back spot for live music and drinks with a view, the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant for an upscale meal at dockside tables by the Regatta Pointe Marina, and Riviera Dunes Dockside offering up scenic patio dining in the Riviera Dunes Marina.

And, there's plenty of delicious dining inland, as well. From Joey D's Chicago-style pizza, to seafood at The Clam House or Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Ellenton, to tacos, Cuban or Puerto Rican food, and elevated Italian dining, local restaurants offer something for nearly every palate. 

Beaches

One of the top draws of the Bradenton-Sarasota area is the beautiful white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Not only are these considered among the best beaches in Florida, but also the best beaches in the world - and you are less than 30 minutes away when you live in Palmetto:

• 15 miles from the sugar-white sands of Anna Maria Island
• 21 miles from renowned St. Pete Beach
• 25 miles from beaches at Fort DeSoto Park
• 25 miles from Siesta Key, continually named as one of the best beaches in the U.S. and in the world!

Marinas and Fishing

Do you own a boat, enjoy chartering one, or like to fish? Palmetto is perfect for you! Multiple marinas are located within minutes of home including Palm View Marina, Riviera Dunes Marina, and Regatta Pointe Marina - we mentioned a few of these above for their great waterside restaurants! 

Not to mention the opportunities for shoreside fishing, whether you prefer Pier Place on Terra Ceia Bay, or any of the multitude of fishing piers on the Manatee River including the Palmetto City Fishing Pier, or the Riverwalk Fishing Pier or Bishops Point on the other side of the river.

And there is absolutely no topping the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Possibly Florida's most unique state park, it's not on land but at sea - When the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built connecting Palmetto to St. Petersburg, the old bridge was turned into the world's longest fishing pier. It's open 24 hours a day, lit so you can enjoy the experience of night fishing, and you can even park right next to your fave fishing spot. 

Recreation and Entertainment

Small in area, but big in nature, the city of Palmetto is rich in recreation and unique attractions and entertainment. We've already talked about beaches, boating, and waterside enjoyment, and you'll also find parks, nature preserves, and activities for the whole family.

The City of Palmetto has multiple parks:

• Sutton Park offers tours of historic buildings, in addition to its playgrounds, picnic tables, and basketball courts;
• Blackstone Park provides athletic fields and picnic pavilions, along with a skate park and dog park;
• Buffalo Creek Park is another nearby option for baseball, soccer, football, and playgrounds.

If your calm comes from connecting with nature, you're going to love living in Palmetto. From bird watching and fishing, to nature trails and picturesque views, the Palmetto area offers an array of nature preserves and trails. Felts Audubon Preserve, Palmetto Estuary, and Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserves are all within 10 minutes. The Terra Ceia Preserve State Park is a 2,000-acre preserve right at the mouth of Tampa Bay where you can hike, kayak, and fish among mangrove forests and both freshwater and saltwater wetlands. Emerson Point Preserve is our fave spot for taking in spectacular views while taking a stroll or bike ride along shaded trails, boardwalks, and a beach walk. Not to mention, it’s pet-friendly (leashes required), has great spots for picnics and fishing, and offers amazing sunsets.

Just across the Manatee River, the Bradenton Riverwalk offers 1.5 miles of scenic strolling along the river, as well as a skatepark, beach volleyball, fishing pier, and amphitheater where you'll enjoy concerts and plays. Events are held throughout the year, including several art festivals that Bradenton is well known for.

Speaking of art, south of the Riverwalk and Downtown Bradenton, Village of the Arts is a vibrant art district that's home to many galleries, studios, and shops, and always a fun place to stroll.

And this is just a taste of the activities you can enjoy - we don't have the space to touch on everything! From boat tours to museums, and stargazing at the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park to go-karting at Andersen Race Park, there is plenty to do in this quaint but bustling city.

Live Conveniently

So we've talked about all the stuff to do - to see - to eat - but equally important is convenience to highways and daily necessities.

Good news - Living at Jackson Crossing in Palmetto not only places you near fun in the sun but also convenient to major roadways:

• Less than one mile to US 41
• 1.5 miles to I-275
• 3 miles to I-75
• 4.8 miles to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

This makes your new home just a short drive to nearby cities and employment centers:

• 6 miles to Bradenton
• 16 miles to Sarasota
• 16.5 miles to St. Petersburg (via the Sunshine Skyway)

When you need a carton of milk, feel confident knowing you are within five miles of two Publix Super Markets, ALDI, Winn-Dixie, and your local grocery and produce stop, Detwiler's Farm Market.

Health and Education

Children living at Jackson Crossing are zoned to attend James Tillman Elementary (PreK-5), Buffalo Creek Middle (6-8) and Palmetto High School (9-12), and charter school options such as Imagine Schools of North Manatee and Manatee School for the Arts are also 10-minutes away.

Higher education opportunities are not far, either. USF at St. Petersburg and USF at Sarasota-Manatee are each a 30-minute drive away, along with Stetson University, Florida’s first law school. Hillsborough Community College, Manatee Technical College North Campus, and the State College of Florida also provide close-to-home academic advancement options.

When ailments come your way or if you work in healthcare, Manatee Memorial Hospital and ER is about 10 minutes away, while Ellenton Urgent Care is a short three miles down the road. In addition, one of the top-rated hospitals in the nation for safety, AdventHealth, has several locations in the surrounding areas, including Brandon, Riverview, and St. Petersburg.

Veterans can rejoice thanks to the nearby VA Outpatient Clinic in Bradenton, and a handful of veterinary centers are also close to home for your cherished furry friends.

Live the Sunshine Live in Palmetto

Join a community with character where mom-and-pop shops still line the streets and the essence of an era of long ago lingers, while modern conveniences abound in your new home! New homes designed for your life are available now at Jackson Crossing in Palmetto. To learn more about the community and start living the sunshine life, give us a call or email and connect with a Florida New Home Specialist.