Oakhurst Park in Palmetto is part of a series of neighborhoods developed by Maronda Homes, a Pennsylvania-based builder, a few years ago in Manatee County. Maronda Homes is known for its strategy of developing large home sites with enough square footage for homeowners to include private swimming pools or large fenced-in backyards, and this is certainly the case at Oakhurst Park, where lots measuring more than 10,000 square feet are the norm.

Located just north of the Felts Audubon Preserve, about a mile east of the Tamiami Trail, Oakhurst Park is a family-friendly neighborhood with less than 100 homes, many of them arranged a large central lake and abutting greenbelt spaces. Development of this community started in 2012 and did not take long to win a Parade of Homes award for its elegant floor plans inspired by Mediterranean revival architecture.

By virtue of being surrounded by forest patches, Oakhurst Park residents enjoy plenty of privacy; this is something that you notice as soon as you drive through the gate at 49th Street East. The models offer interiors starting at 1,450 square feet all the way to 3,320 square feet for four-bedroom homes. The most attractive units sit on elevated lots near the lake, which means that they get better views of the water. Homes have always sold very quickly here because starting prices were very attractive a few years ago, and they continue to appreciate in 2020.

For $275K, you can get a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms and extras such as granite countertops with backsplash details in the kitchen, crown molding, a home office, screened lanai, and laminate floors that resemble hardwood planks. Home values are expected to continue appreciating over the next few years because this part of Palmetto is being discovered by home buyers who commute to St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region.

The quiet atmosphere and proximity to various golf courses make Oakhurst Park ideal for retirees. Families also have the advantage of living near the Terra Ceia Preserve, Sugar Mill Lakes Park, the Florida Railroad Museum and its train ride for children, and the Bradenton Riverwalk. You can choose between the beaches of St. Petersburg and Anna Maria Island for fun weekend trips.