Good areas for families in Tampa, FL
Oct 8th, 2015, 11:11 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good areas for families in Tampa, FL
Hi,
Mu husband has a great job opportunity, which involves moving from Sydney, Australia to Tampa, Florida. Could you recommend good areas for families with kids? We have two kids, 6 and 12. Also, could you please share any opinions on Tampa? I know it will be a huge difference moving from Sydney to Tampa, but what should we expect (the good, the bad and the ugly ;-) )? Any suggestions on how to make it easier for the kids and myself (considering I will be stay at home mum, with no family and friends)?
Thank you
Mu husband has a great job opportunity, which involves moving from Sydney, Australia to Tampa, Florida. Could you recommend good areas for families with kids? We have two kids, 6 and 12. Also, could you please share any opinions on Tampa? I know it will be a huge difference moving from Sydney to Tampa, but what should we expect (the good, the bad and the ugly ;-) )? Any suggestions on how to make it easier for the kids and myself (considering I will be stay at home mum, with no family and friends)?
Thank you
Oct 9th, 2015, 03:35 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't lived in Tampa for a very long time, but I have visited every few years. It has grown enormously since my time, though much remains the same.
We lived in an area called Palma Ceia which is full of tree-lined streets but has easy access to downtown. There are many new and newish housing districts, many inland or up toward Busch Gardens. Tampa is not on the Gulf beaches but is partly on a peninsula between two largish harbors, so water is nearby.
Like all of Central and South Florida, summers are very warm and humid, not so warm as Cairns, but very warm. There are almost daily thunderstorms in late afternoon in the summer. Winters may have a frost or two or three but are generally pleasant. You will certainly want a jumper in the mornings -- all day some days -- but it may well be shirtsleeve weather by noon most days. There are nice beaches between St Petersburg and Clearwater but no surf. Locals do not go into the water in the winter. Tourists may.
People who move from other parts of the US are often bothered by "critters" of one sort or another. There are lots of insects and small lizards that will try to come in your house. There are pesky animals like possums, raccoons, armadillos and so forth. Everyone I have ever known in Florida (obviously a limited pool) has a contract with an exterminator who comes monthly to keep the critters at bay.
There are common three kinds of poisonous snakes, a few kinds of poisonous spiders, and alligators. None of this is anything like the hazards that Bill Bryson describes in Australia, but they are common enough that you are likely to see most of them over the course of a year, especially if you look.
Tampa is fairly multi-cultural and has a strong historic connection to Cuba. It will be interesting to see how changed relations between Cuba and the US affect the area. It has an excellent airport with good connections to other parts of the US, and sport teams are very popular.
We lived in an area called Palma Ceia which is full of tree-lined streets but has easy access to downtown. There are many new and newish housing districts, many inland or up toward Busch Gardens. Tampa is not on the Gulf beaches but is partly on a peninsula between two largish harbors, so water is nearby.
Like all of Central and South Florida, summers are very warm and humid, not so warm as Cairns, but very warm. There are almost daily thunderstorms in late afternoon in the summer. Winters may have a frost or two or three but are generally pleasant. You will certainly want a jumper in the mornings -- all day some days -- but it may well be shirtsleeve weather by noon most days. There are nice beaches between St Petersburg and Clearwater but no surf. Locals do not go into the water in the winter. Tourists may.
People who move from other parts of the US are often bothered by "critters" of one sort or another. There are lots of insects and small lizards that will try to come in your house. There are pesky animals like possums, raccoons, armadillos and so forth. Everyone I have ever known in Florida (obviously a limited pool) has a contract with an exterminator who comes monthly to keep the critters at bay.
There are common three kinds of poisonous snakes, a few kinds of poisonous spiders, and alligators. None of this is anything like the hazards that Bill Bryson describes in Australia, but they are common enough that you are likely to see most of them over the course of a year, especially if you look.
Tampa is fairly multi-cultural and has a strong historic connection to Cuba. It will be interesting to see how changed relations between Cuba and the US affect the area. It has an excellent airport with good connections to other parts of the US, and sport teams are very popular.
Oct 9th, 2015, 08:16 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oct 9th, 2015, 08:39 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I live in Tampa and have never had an exterminator. Weather stripping does wonders!
Ackislander's old neighborhood is in South Tampa, and that is where I would focus my house hunt if I were you. It's a charming, established area with great public schools (and the best private schools in the area as well, if you prefer). Rentals are expensive these days, but I have no idea what your budget might be.
I'm sure that your kids' activities will pull you into a social circle in Tampa. While you'll meet a surprising number of people who are born and raised here, many, perhaps most, are not, and that makes it a welcoming place for newcomers. People here are friendly, and neighborly.
Tampa offers excellent quality of life, IMO. It's not a cutting edge city, but it does have good food and culture (albeit well behind trend setting cities like NYC). Probably the worst thing about it (again, IMO) is the almost complete absence of public transportation. There are not many walkable neighborhoods, either, although South Tampa has a couple.
It's true this isn't a relocation forum, but if the hall monitors don't object, you can keep posting your questions here. I do agree there are more robust relo forums,though. Best of luck!
Ackislander's old neighborhood is in South Tampa, and that is where I would focus my house hunt if I were you. It's a charming, established area with great public schools (and the best private schools in the area as well, if you prefer). Rentals are expensive these days, but I have no idea what your budget might be.
I'm sure that your kids' activities will pull you into a social circle in Tampa. While you'll meet a surprising number of people who are born and raised here, many, perhaps most, are not, and that makes it a welcoming place for newcomers. People here are friendly, and neighborly.
Tampa offers excellent quality of life, IMO. It's not a cutting edge city, but it does have good food and culture (albeit well behind trend setting cities like NYC). Probably the worst thing about it (again, IMO) is the almost complete absence of public transportation. There are not many walkable neighborhoods, either, although South Tampa has a couple.
It's true this isn't a relocation forum, but if the hall monitors don't object, you can keep posting your questions here. I do agree there are more robust relo forums,though. Best of luck!
Oct 9th, 2015, 08:59 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To keep this travel-related, here's a good list of some of the best restaurants in the area:
https://www.thrillist.com/eat/miami/...enton-and-more
I would add Cappy's Pizza, and Pinky's Diner, and Taco Bus... but it's a good list
https://www.thrillist.com/eat/miami/...enton-and-more
I would add Cappy's Pizza, and Pinky's Diner, and Taco Bus... but it's a good list
Oct 10th, 2015, 10:59 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope you're not referring to me with your bent out of shape comment. I suggested the relocation forum as an additional source for the OP. I have no problem with people asking relocation questions here. Just trying to be helpful.
