Easy boating access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway is just one of the many advantages of Riverdale in Bradenton, an upscale community located north of Manatee Avenue and west of I-75, right on the northeast quadrant where the Manatee and Braden rivers converge. The homes at Riverdale were developed along a network of freshwater canals that is a truly a marvel of civil engineering, thus making it one of the best Southwest Florida neighborhoods for boating and fishing enthusiasts.
Even though dredging of Riverdale started in 1953, sporadic residential construction would not start for another decade to allow mangrove patches to grow and attract wildlife, thus creating a nice ecosystem that was eventually shaped into a tidal park for residents to enjoy. Full development started in earnest during the mid-1990s and continued through 2015, which means that you can find architectural styles ranging from Florida ranch-style homes to palatial Mediterranean revival estates.
Riverdale is split into four sections; the oldest is closer to Manatee Avenue and features Florida ranches along with custom-built homes, and this is where you can find a renovated three-bedroom property with two full bathrooms and 1,424 square feet of interior for $378,000. We are talking about a home with an expanded covered lanai overlooking the canal and equipped with a concrete seawall and boat lift. If you are looking for the ultimate in waterfront living, an October 2019 listing featured five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a covered saltwater swimming pool with an outdoor dining area, a scenic balcony overlooking a mangrove forest, and an elegant wooden pier for docking or fishing.
Nearly all home sites at Riverdale have been sold; there are about 800 properties in this community, but they all enjoy considerable privacy thanks to the ample lots surrounded by lush landscaping. The Old Florida vibe you feel at Riverdale is accentuated by the community park and the old-fashioned gaslights around the neighborhood. All home buyers are guaranteed a waterfront view in Riverdale because the properties that are not built along a canal face ponds and small lagoons.
As for location, Riverdale is just across the Braden River from Downtown Bradenton. There is a shopping district right on Manatee Avenue where you can find the Publix supermarket at Rivers Edge along with restaurants such as Applebee’s and Outback Steakhouse. Driving to the beach at Anna Maria Island will take you less than 40 minutes, but you can always cover the six nautical mile route across the Manatee River.
Homes for Sale at Riverdale in Bradenton
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(all data current as of
6/15/2025)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
