cities | Parrish

Parrish sits in northern Manatee County, just east of Lakewood Ranch and easily accessible via I-75 and State Road 64. The location is strategic – you’re about 20 minutes from Bradenton, 30-40 minutes from Sarasota, and about 45 minutes to an hour from Tampa depending on traffic. You’re not directly on the coast, but you can get to the beaches of Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, or Sarasota in 30-40 minutes. That positioning between Tampa to the north and Sarasota to the south makes Parrish convenient for people working in either direction.

The area has preserved some of that rural, laid-back feel even with all the development happening. You’ll still see some farmland and open spaces mixed in with the new construction communities. But make no mistake – the growth is real and it’s happening fast. There are currently over 206 new construction communities in Parrish with thousands of homes being built. The infrastructure is trying to catch up with shopping centers, a new hospital, schools, and town centers all in development.

What’s interesting about Parrish is that many of the same builders who are active in Lakewood Ranch have created “sister communities” in Parrish offering similar home styles and amenities but at lower price points. So you’re getting quality construction and design without paying the Lakewood Ranch premium. The average home price in Parrish over the past 15 months was around $492,000 to $505,000, while Lakewood Ranch was averaging $746,000 – that’s a 25% difference for comparable homes.

The master-planned communities in Parrish are the main attraction and what’s driving all the growth. North River Ranch is one of the most established – it’s a massive community that’s been growing for years with neighborhoods like Brightwood, Riverfield, Wild Leaf, and new additions like Long Meadow, Crescent Creek, and High View. North River Ranch has multiple builders (Neal Communities, Pulte, Cardel, David Weekly, West Bay), and the amenity center called Camp Creek is opening with resort-style pools, splash pads, trails, bike share programs, and game rooms. The nearby Riverway Village Center will bring in a Publix, HCA hospital, retail, and restaurants.

Sea Air is an exciting new development by Metro Places (they did lagoon communities in Wesley Chapel and Wimauma) featuring a 4.2-acre lagoon with swim-up bars and water playgrounds. This community will span 1,500+ acres with about 3,600 single-family homes and 400 multifamily units. Builders include Dream Finder Homes, Lennar, DR Horton, Perry Homes, with townhomes starting around $280,000 and single-family homes ranging from the low $300s to $700s.

Del Webb BayView is the premier 55+ community in Parrish offering active adult living with clubhouse, pools, fitness, lifestyle events, and all the amenities retirees are looking for. Other 55+ options include Woodland Preserve and Prosperity Lakes.

Communities like Oakfield Lakes and Oakfield Trails feature luxury amenities – The Harvest Club will have a lagoon pool with slides, pickleball and tennis courts, fitness centers. Sawgrass Lakes is a gated community with lake views. Twin Rivers offers diverse home styles from multiple builders. Summerwoods is close to I-75 with brand new schools nearby.

For shopping and dining, right now you’re still going to nearby areas like Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, or Ellenton (Ellenton Premium Outlets are close) for most needs. But new shopping is coming – Creekside Commons and North River Village Center are being developed with Publix, retail, restaurants, and services. The area is definitely still building out its commercial infrastructure.

The schools in Parrish are a big draw – we’re talking brand new, state-of-the-art facilities through the Manatee County School District. Parrish Community High School is a new campus with high-tech classrooms and a focus on community connection. There are new elementary and middle schools opening to serve all the growth. State College of Florida is coming to the area offering educational opportunities from dual enrollment up to International Baccalaureate Programs. The newness and quality of the schools is a major reason families are choosing Parrish.

Healthcare is being addressed with a new 150-bed to 200-bed HCA Florida Healthcare hospital under construction. This will be huge for the area since currently residents are driving to Bradenton or other areas for hospital services.

The amenities in these master-planned communities are resort-level – lagoon pools, swim-up bars, splash pads, state-of-the-art clubhouses, fitness centers, pickleball and tennis courts, trails, bike share programs, dog parks. These communities are designed to give you everything you need without leaving the neighborhood.

The Florida Railroad Museum is in Parrish showcasing the area’s railroad history dating back to the 1860s. You can take diesel train excursions on weekends and themed rides throughout the year. There are parks, trails, and river access along the Little Manatee River for outdoor recreation.