Over the last few years, the University Park district that straddles the county line between Manatee and Sarasota has been developing into one of the most desirable places to live in Southwest Florida. The completion of The Mall at University Town Center was only the beginning; when the Riva Trace in University Park broke ground in 2011, a new era of residential excellence was born.

Located on the southern banks of the Braden River west of I-75, Riva Trace has the distinction of being named as one of the best community designs in the United States by the National Association of Home Builders, and this is clearly reflected by the clever balance of nature preservation and suburban planning.

When developer Medallion Homes purchased land to build Riva Trace, the environmental impact studies suggested that the best course of action was to make this a low-density neighborhood for the purpose of protecting as much Florida nature as possible. The result of this decision is a gated community where homeowners enjoy large home sites with gorgeous lake and river views, lots of nature trails, an observation deck by the river, and a kayak launch.

Riva Trace was completed in 2016; the lucky homeowners who purchased back in 2012 paid around $275K for a two-bedroom home with two bathrooms and 1,967 square feet of living space. These days, a similar property is priced at $476K, although it was possible to find larger, three-bedroom homes listed for less than $395K in early 2018. The elevation, finish, waterfront views, and seller motivation will determine pricing; all properties are well-appointed with elegant features such as stonework facades, foyers, covered lanais, and lush landscaping. Some homes even feature summer kitchens and covered swimming pools.

The convenience of living between University Park and Lakewood Ranch means never being far from supermarkets, restaurants, shopping centers, and movie theaters. Also nearby are two golf courses, and driving to the beach takes about 30 minutes.