Is Ballentine Manor safe?
Bradenton, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ballentine Manor as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ballentine Manor
“Go. Ballentine Manor is a scenic, quiet, and affluent waterfront neighborhood with very low crime levels. While it is exclusively residential with few commercial services within its interior, it is exceptionally safe for walking, driving, or visiting residents.”
About the area
Ballentine Manor is an established bayfront enclave located along Sarasota Bay in southern Manatee County. Founded during the 1920s Florida land boom, the neighborhood is known for its lush banyan tree canopies, deep-water canals, and well-kept mid-century to luxury custom homes. It offers a tranquil coastal environment positioned conveniently between Bradenton and Sarasota.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Coastal / Bayfront
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ballentine Manor
Walk score: 26/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There are no public bike-share stations in the neighborhood. While interior residential streets are very bicycle-friendly due to low vehicular speeds, dedicated cycling infrastructure along the arterial US-41 consists only of standard painted on-street bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates than national and metro averages
- High homeownership rate and well-kept residential properties with strong community pride
- Peaceful coastal atmosphere with mature canopy trees and waterfront views
Cons
- Lack of dedicated sidewalks and standard streetlights on several interior residential streets
- Commercial strip along nearby US-41 experiences higher traffic congestion and occasional petty theft
- Susceptible to coastal flooding and tidal surge during major tropical weather events
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not present within the interior residential streets of Ballentine Manor. Any panhandling or transient presence is confined to major intersections along the commercial Tamiami Trail (US-41) corridor to the east.
What Ballentine Manor is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with locals walking dogs and exercising beneath shaded banyans in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with minimal local vehicle traffic and a pleasant residential feel.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and relaxing, perfect for taking in the sunset over Sarasota Bay with virtually no safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet; while crime is exceptionally rare, limited street lighting requires a flashlight if walking.
Transit, parking and getting around
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) operates Route 99 along the US-41 (Tamiami Trail) corridor on the eastern border, providing direct bus connections north to downtown Bradenton and south into Sarasota. There is no passenger rail system in the region.
Parking within the neighborhood is limited to private residential driveways, as narrow residential lanes have little to no public street parking infrastructure. Nearby businesses on US-41 offer ample free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Ballentine Manor
- Take a scenic walk or jog under the historic oak and banyan canopies along Ballentine Manor Drive
- Launch a kayak or paddleboard from nearby access points on Sarasota Bay
- Visit the nearby historic Powell Crosley Estate and Ringling Museum grounds just south along the bayfront
Local favorites
- Captain Brian's Seafood Market & Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Longstanding local eatery and fresh fish market serving gulf-caught seafood, chowders, and platters.
- Sala Thai Restaurant · Thai Restaurant · 4.6★ (680)Cozy dining room serving classic curries, noodle dishes, and traditional Thai specialties near the corridor.
- Dutchmans Casual Cafe · Cafe & Deli · 4.7★ (750)Popular breakfast and lunch spot serving hearty sandwiches, home-style plates, and coffee.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.