Why Nobody Wants to Visit Anna Maria Island, Florida Anymore

Comments · 81

• LI

  @lindamoorerealtor · 1 month ago

  My family moved to Anna Maria in 1969. I've been a Realtor here since 2004. It sad to see someone has the title "why nobody wants to visit Anna Maria Island Florida" anymore just to make some money. When I moved here full time in 2002 the summers used to be very quiet. We could almost stop working for a few months because all the snowbirds had gone back up north or back to the U.K., Canada, Germany, etc. Now the City of Anna Maria is busy year round. More families are coming to visit with their small children. The streets are filled with people pushing strollers, families riding in golf carts, scooters and e-bikes (drive under the speed limit please so these kids don't get hurt). Yes, we were definitely damaged from the storms. I've lived through ice storms and tornadoes in Michigan and fires, earthquakes (small one thankfully) in California. The weather causes damage all over the world. Our area is very blessed to be able to rebuild. My parents pictures were out at the Rod N Reel Pier for decades. We had "family boards" on the City Pier and the Rod N Reel Pier. Thankfully the City Pier is being rebuilt and will reopen in September. The AMI Historical Society is open. Roser Church is open. The Center of Anna Maria is open. Plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, skate park, tennis and pickleball courts, boat ramps, boat charters, fishing charters and our world famous beaches are open. Take the trolley from one end of the island to the other. There are too many things to do here to list. Come and see for yourself. As I write this there are 235 properties for sale on the island from $159,000 (mobile home) to almost $17,000,000 for a spectacular beach front home. There are plenty of affordable homes and condos off but near the island. Talk with the local business owners and Realtors. We can help you find out why this really is paradise.

  4

• MI

  @MikeMcConnell3 · 1 month ago

  I have worked on the island for 15 years playing music and was deeply impacted by the two hurricanes , it was heartbreaking

  4

• PH

  @Photo-Voyager · 1 month ago

  Many of the pictures in this video have nothing to do with Anna Maria Island. The high rises he said were torn down are still standing. They are the Martinique Condominiums.

  16

• KI

  @kimjohnston8211 · 1 month ago

  I grew up here. The school was only for students in grades K-5, and then we were bussed into town for a 45 minute ride. Older kids were called "hoodlums" just for existing. The Youth Center had 2 walls and a pile of needles about 10 inches thick. We were told to play there... Nearly all my neighbors with their manicured lawns sold drugs. My parents went to the bars and got drunk. There was little for me to do, but I walked the beach, skateboarded, surfed, and went dumpster diving. Hurricane Milton came and the water flooded the houses with 10 feet of water and sand. Most of the houses including the one I grew up in were condemned. The insurance companies did not all pay the money for rebuilding... I cannot go to my island because all I see is ghosts of my past. After living 51 years in the area, I have to move... This video did a great history lesson except for the rattle snakes. My mom's aunt used to carry a rifle wherever she went in the 1920s!

  10

• EV

  @EverythingAlabama · 1 month ago

  Seeing a place you love rebuild after two hurricanes has to hurt in a weird way. You’re happy it survived, but you know some of the old Anna Maria is gone for good.

  12

• HI

  @HippieGirlAnna · 1 month ago

  I have lived on this island for almost 30 years, raised my children here. Kiddos all went to AME played sports on the island. I speak for me, tourist do not care, I wish the  island stayed a place for families - now it is just tourism and development. I am glad for Wildlife Inc. and our turtle watch. Just so you know Wildlife Inc. struggles against ‘vacation rentals’ .

  27

• MA

  @mariaisabelmaldonado3119 · 1 month ago

  I visit AMI every weekend as I live nearby, and this island is far from being destroyed...it is thriving, it's booming, it's being rebuilt, there's plenty of reconstruction, it's as beautiful as always,  great restaurants,  beautiful homes, plenty of vacation rentals, gorgeous sunsets, and plenty to do!!! The title to this video is completely fake!!!!!

  19

• LI

  @lifesstries · 1 month ago

  I can&apos;t help but chuckle at all the photos in this video that is not of Anna Maria Island. As well as the inaccuracies mentioned. Living on AMI since the 70s, it can become frustrating &nbsp;watching YouTubers report on subjects they are not 100% accurate on. Which seems to be most all these days. <br><br>I recommend using only images of AMI, not images of the whole west coast from Ft. Myers up to Clearwater Beach. Also, AMI piers are in the bay, which people can view sunrises every morning, not sunsets. Tourism in this area began in the early 2000s, when it and Siesta Beach was ranked top 5 places to visit. After those publications, people are now seeing its aftermath of tourism. Bean was the original homesteader, as well as, a few other families, which is all documented online and in video&apos;s. <br><br>The two hurricanes &nbsp;caused major issues for many,its been called the 100 year storms, but just as in the past, the islands and Cortez village always come back.

  17

• SL

  @slimpickins9124 · 1 month ago

  Excellent documentary. I have vacationed on Anna Maria since 2000 &amp; currently reside in Bradenton just 3 miles onshore from the island. I often go to the island to fish &amp; enjoy the beaches. While the island has lost much of it&apos;s old Florida charm it still &nbsp;has some of that feel.

  11

• TE

  @terri132 · 1 month ago

  I enjoyed watching the video, am confused about the title. &nbsp;I am very grateful for the years I spent on Anna Maria before the devastating hurricanes; had to leave many years ago. &nbsp;It was one of the sadist days in my life having to leave. &nbsp;In looking back, &nbsp;the happiest time of my life was spent at the beach and running around the island. &nbsp;Hopefully, one day soon I will make it back to visit. &nbsp;Thank you for the video.

  3

• JA

  @JackScar-w4w · 1 month ago

  Blackened grouper sandwich in the rod and reel bar , my favorite of all time

  3

• TE

  @terrysecret8144 · 1 month ago

  I lived in Bradenton Fl. The mainland for the island, for 30 years. I spent a lot of time on Anna Maria Island. It was an almost magical place, it made you feel young, it sort of reminded you of being a child and vacationing at the beach. I loved it, my children loved it.