Things You Should Know Before Moving to Anna Maria Island

People who love the beach or want to enjoy nature all year round may want to move to Florida’s coast. In particular, Anna Maria Island is a beautiful place for people who want a conservation-minded home and community. With the help of any of the Anna Maria Island real estate companies, you can get away for a week or many years.

In fact, this island paradise is a great choice for people who want a little bit of everything that life by the ocean has to offer. That includes a relaxed atmosphere that many people notice as soon as they drive over the causeway. However, before you start shopping for Anna Maria Island, Florida, real estate, you should understand what you’re signing up for. Like everywhere else, there are both advantages and disadvantages to living in this community. This is true whether you want modest Anna Maria Island homes for sale or something larger. You should consider these factors if you want to buy an investment property.

Is Anna Maria Island a Good Place to Live?

Sure, the tropical weather and glorious beaches year-round are the biggest draw to move to Anna Maria Island, but that's not all that makes the quality of life here so great. National Geographic recently named the Bradenton-Sarasota-AMI area the 14th happiest place to live in the United States!

Quality of Living

Living on Anna Maria Island offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a relaxed lifestyle. The community is conservation-minded, ensuring that the island remains a pristine and enjoyable place to live. With access to stunning beaches, a variety of wildlife, and numerous outdoor activities, residents can enjoy a high quality of life.

Why Do People Leave Anna Maria Island?

Despite the many benefits of living on Anna Maria Island, some residents choose to leave due to high insurance costs and taxes. For instance, James Hemmerly sold his Anna Maria Island home in 2001 to buy a canal-front house farther inland. He is now contemplating another move because insurance costs are too high—roughly $4,000 a year.

How Many People Live Year-Round on Anna Maria Island?

Holmes Beach is home to the majority of annual residents, with a population of just over 3,800, followed by Anna Maria with around 1,500 residents, and Bradenton Beach with approximately 1,150 full-time islanders. The average age on the island is 60 years young.

What's It Like to Live on Anna Maria Island?

Living on Anna Maria Island means enjoying paradise daily. The island boasts beautiful white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lovely weather. The extensive public beaches allow residents to enjoy the beach anytime. Public services like changing areas, showers, and ample parking make beach visits convenient. Whether walking along the beach during sunrise or sunset, or enjoying beach amenities like picnic areas and fishing piers, there's always something to do.

Beaches aren’t the only reason why Anna Maria Island is paradise. In fact, real estate on Anna Maria Island is close to other aspects of nature. You can find palm trees everywhere, and the sandy soil is carefully preserved by the local community. The entire community focuses on keeping the island looking beautiful through maintenance and conservation. Even the tourist industry is careful to minimize its footprint.

Like many other parts of Florida, Anna Maria Island you see many types of wildlife. You can see a huge variety of birds, fish, and other animals. One of the most famous local creatures is the manatee, an iconic mammal that breathes air and spends most of its time in the water. Florida’s fish and game officials work hard to keep these animals healthy.

Want to see more aquatic wildlife? You can take a dolphin cruise on AMI. Not only can you see the dolphins jump out of the water, but you might see other wildlife at the same time. Of course, the chance to go deep-sea fishing with just a boat ride is also fantastic, especially for experienced fishers.

Don’t forget the birds, either. While you visit homes for sale on Anna Maria Island, you’ll see the seagulls and other shore birds. You never know what an afternoon of bird watching will add to your book! And that’s not to mention the large variety of gorgeous native Florida plants that provide lush landscaping to the surroundings.

Is There a Curfew on Anna Maria Island?

Anna Maria Island does not have a general curfew, but there may be specific rules and regulations regarding beach and park hours. It’s always best to check local ordinances for detailed information. In general terms, most public access is from sunrise to sunset. With some minor deviations.

What Is the Quietest Part of Anna Maria Island?

The northern part of Anna Maria Island, particularly the city of Anna Maria, is considered the quietest area. This part of the island is less developed and has fewer tourists, offering a more peaceful and serene environment.

Does It Rain a Lot on Anna Maria Island?

Anna Maria Island experiences a tropical climate with a wet season and a dry season. The wet season typically occurs from June to September, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. However, the rain is usually brief, and the weather remains pleasant for most of the year.

Is Anna Maria Island a Good Place to Retire?

Yes, Anna Maria Island is a great place to retire. The island offers a peaceful and scenic environment with plenty of recreational activities, making it an ideal location for retirees. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, and friendly community contribute to a high quality of life for those looking to enjoy their retirement years.

Hurricanes in Florida

The biggest hazard of owning real estate on Anna Maria Island is hurricanes. Every year, most of us watch the television and see where the next hurricane is supposed to make landfall. While not all hurricanes hit Florida, a large percentage of them do. In fact, Florida has had many major hurricanes over the last century.

Trustworthy Anna Maria Island real estate companies will help you understand where each property lies in terms of the floodplain. Because the island is long and thin, most of it is prone to flooding during any major storm. Fortunately, the focus on conservation means that beach erosion is kept to a minimum, even with major storms.

If a hurricane comes, you may need to evacuate. Fortunately, it’s easy to drive from the island onto the mainland. Major Florida cities, such as Tampa and St. Petersburg, are nearby and can often accommodate evacuees. As a bonus, there’s also plenty of shopping in those towns.

As you select and buy your Anna Maria Island real estate, be sure to get information about flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program makes it easier for Florida homeowners to obtain insurance that’ll help pay for repairs and lost property.

Working on Anna Maria Island

Just know that almost everybody is hiring full-time or part-time on Anna Maria Island. No shortage of work here. Living here puts you in a prime location to work that dream job in paradise. Commuting by bike or electric scooter puts you at risk, but allows you access to the bike paths that are a little less traveled. Just be careful. Anna Maria Island is only 7 miles long. You may even be able to find a job at one of our fabulous Caribbean-like resorts in the US, only on Anna Maria Island.

All About Anna Maria Locals

One of the best things about buying an Anna Maria Island home, or even just visiting, is the locals. People who live and work on the island have a common cause of conservation, but they also work hard to be friendly. It’s hard not to do this, especially when you consider that they can go down onto the beach any time the weather is nice. Plus, sunny Florida does wonders for people’s personalities because the sun makes both residents and visitors happier.

Best of all, this is the kind of town where people love to help each other. For example, when a hurricane hits the island hard, you can count on the community to work together. While FEMA and other organizations will come and help, you’ll see that locals also cooperate for the greater good.

Traffic on Anna Maria Island has increased due to the large influx of rental vacations, visitors, and many still seeking a place to vacation after Hurricane Ian damaged parts of Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Fort Myers Beach.

Moving to Anna Maria Island offers a unique experience of living in paradise with stunning beaches, abundant wildlife, and a close-knit, conservation-minded community. While hurricanes are a concern, the benefits of island life, from the beautiful natural surroundings to the friendly locals, make it a worthwhile consideration for those looking to relocate. With plenty of job opportunities and a relaxed atmosphere, Anna Maria Island truly offers an Old Florida experience like no other.