Tampa

[samballs]

Moving to Tampa next month for wifes work, where is a good place to live. Have a baby, want to be near water, nice neighborhood, not too far from airport.

Thanks

 

[Oh-ryan]

I recommed west of the airport. Safety Harbor is a nice town, so is Westchase. Both are within 15 miles of the airport and 15 miles from Clearwater/St Pete beaches. East of the airport (Brandon, Riverview)you'll get more bang for the buck but it's suburbia out there. You'll also be about a 45 min drive to the beaches if you live out there too.

 

[samballs]

I recommed west of the airport. Safety Harbor is a nice town, so is Westchase. Both are within 15 miles of the airport and 15 miles from Clearwater/St Pete beaches. East of the airport (Brandon, Riverview)you'll get more bang for the buck but it's suburbia out there. You'll also be about a 45 min drive to the beaches if you live out there too.

Thanks

 

[mozzer]

I live in Brandon/Valrico. Do not go there if you want to be close to the water. Now, if you want to be close to your neighbor then by all means..... Oh and the drive sucks because you have to navigate malfunctin junction or Hillsborough ave. to get to the airport.

Look at Apollo Beach just south of town. Nice, water and interstate drive to airport. Still have to go through town but the trade off is much better.

Westchase is great like the other post said.

I'm not a big fan of Safety Harbor/ Palm Harbor primarily because of U.S. 19....that's just me.

Don't forget about where the wife works either. As a matter of fact just move within 5 minutes of her job. We all know if mamma isn't happy, nobody is happy. Good Luck.

If you happen to trail ride on off days pm me.

 

[ProFracPilot]

You don't mention kids. If you have them and are going to live in Hillsborough or Pinellas county, plan on private schooling. Pasco schools are much better. There are many inland bodies of water (lakes) to live on in Pasco, but beachfront is limited. Commute to the airport from central Pasco is about 30 min, depending on traffic.

 

[Ty Webb]

Most people don't realize that Tampa is also one of the most dangerous cities in the US, according to the FBI's crime statistics. Lots of Island people and random crime (ie carjackings, robberies at ATM's, home invasions, etc). I would probably not live in metro Tampa unless you have the bucks to live in a wealthy area, in which case you'll have to send your kids to private schools.

With kids, I would much rather live in the St. Pete area . . . . especially in the beach communities, like Passe-a-Grille, St Pete Beach, or the Jungle area. Plan on private schools, unless your kids are in elementary schools, in which case the Gulf Beaches Elementary School is OK, if they haven't closed it.

Another option might be south on I-75, like Tierra Verde (south Pinellas County) or in Manatee county, in Bradenton or the Sarasota area- a quick ride on a major interstate beats being jammed up in traffic on I-275 going thru or aorund Tampa during rush hour.

 

[Oh-ryan]

Public schools in Westchase and Safety Harbor are top notch. Do the research. Crime is not a concern in those areas as well as Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach and Fish Hawk Ranch.

 

[samballs]

Just got back today. I chose Westchase. Going through Apollo beach, thought we got lost in Gary IN

 

[Holy Shiite]

Lots of nice waterfront properies going for cheap in AB...... HS

 

[flynryan15]

Just got back today. I chose Westchase. Going through Apollo beach, thought we got lost in Gary IN

Westchase is a good choice! I don't know if you are looking to buy or rent, but there is a lot to be had on the For closure market in Florida. Also look up short sales, banks are really cutting their throats to move the property. If you buy a place that needs work I can point you in the right direction I have friends that are great at rehabing properties. You might want to look at Trinity as well, hope that helps.

 

[samballs]

Westchase is a good choice! I don't know if you are looking to buy or rent, but there is a lot to be had on the For closure market in Florida. Also look up short sales, banks are really cutting their throats to move the property. If you buy a place that needs work I can point you in the right direction I have friends that are great at rehabing properties. You might want to look at Trinity as well, hope that helps.

Thanks

 

[ClubORD]

Welcome to Westchase...see you at the World of Beer!

 

[Oh-ryan]

Make sure you find out exactly how much your HOA/CDD fees will be. Combined I think it is a couple of grand per year.

 

[chignutsak]

Parts of Westchase will avoid the CDD, which can be brutal. All other things equal, skip that effin CDD! Hillsborough County taxes out there are bad enough.