In Manatee County, family life does not get any better than at residential subdivisions such as Mill Creek in Bradenton. As one of the original exurbs of Bradenton, Mill Creek started development in the 1980s with construction of Florida ranch-style homes on oversized lots. Back then, the idea was to attract house hunters interested in raising their families in a placid, countryside setting.

Mill Creek is located about five miles east of I-75, not far from Lake Manatee State Park. This is a subdivision surrounded by acres of mature Florida forest, small lakes, creeks and ponds. Home buyers looking for large properties will find three and four-bedroom floor plans with at least 2,000 square feet of living space. A few original Florida ranch-style homes can still be found at Mill Creek, but the predominant architectural style is the classic Mediterranean revival that is very popular around Southwest Florida.

The single-family homes at Mill Creek have been built by local developers, many of them to spec. Construction has been steady; in early 2016, a four-bedroom home with two full bathrooms built the previous year was listed for $445K. A slightly smaller, remodeled Florida ranch originally built in 1989 was listed under $373K. Prospective home buyers who wish to build their own structure can find spacious lots measuring 31,712 square feet listed for less than $140K.

Mill Creek is perfect for nature lovers and families with small children, who can spend hours exploring the nature trails, forest meadows and ponds. Lake Manatee State Park is about five minutes away; this is a great place for picnics, kayaking, fishing, etc. Lakewood Ranch and Downtown Bradenton are nearby which offer plenty of great shopping and dining. Driving to Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island takes less than an hour, and thus family trips can be planned every weekend.