RELOCATING TO TAMPA
 

HI everyone,<BR>for those that live in the Tampa Bay area, can you tell me more about the area as far as homes, lifestyle, cost of living, jobs, and your personal opinion. I may be moving out there this summer. We have no children and enjoy beaches and nightlife. House range is anywhere from 180s to upper 200s. Also, how is the hurricane season there? <BR><BR>We are moving from the DC area so we expect quite a change. We are looking in the Brandon area if that helps. Thanks!

try the Riverview/Big Bend(exit) area..... lots f new housing going in..a little cheaper than Brandon and ot that far on #301 or the interstate..and around yor price range..more bang for yor buck....Sommerfield Crossing or a few others there and a brand new one starting.....

Thanks, x.<BR>I will look into those areas. I'm also looking in some website that showcase the local area.

Housing prices are better in Brandon than some other sections of the Tampa Bay area, but it's a heck of a drive to the beach from there, so if beaches are very important, you might consider looking in Pinellas County instead. You'll find older homes than Brandon, but an easy drive to the beach and a different lifestyle. <BR><BR>You don't have children now, but if you plan on a family, the public school system leaves a lot to be desired, both in the quality of education nor the physical facilities. New schools are built, but almost immediately portable classrooms have to be added because the schools are outgrown almost before opening. Most of our friends have their kids in private schools and will scrimp in other areas to accomplish this.<BR><BR>After the DC area I would think you'd find the cost of living quite reasonable. For starters, there is no state income tax, a nice plus! However, you will most likely find salaries are lower here than in DC as well.<BR><BR>You do have to think about hurricanes, and keep a wary eye out anytime one gets into the Gulf, but they aren't that much of a threat. We live in the first evacuation zone, right on the water but have had to evacuate only once in 5 years and that storm turned before getting within 50 miles. <BR><BR>It's a nice lifestyle for beach lovers, and we are that, but be forewarned, the summers are hellacious--hotter and more humid than you could imagine. We have about 4 months you really don't much want to be outdoors, but the rest of the year is beautiful.<BR><BR>Don't mean to sound too negative, but wanted to give you both sides of the picture here, too. We spent most of our married life in Dallas, then several years in Savannah before being transferred here, and even so, we were shocked at the heat. Still, it is a great life style and we're keeping our heads low hoping to avoid a transfer away!

Olive,<BR>thanks for the valuable advice. Much appreciated. Do you know about how far the Brandon area is from the popular beaches?<BR><BR>I have spent some time in Florida (Miami, Dayton, Clearwater, Key West) and expect the humidity and the mosquitos. We are looking for less tazing area since Maryland, especially Montgomery County, the taxes have gotten ridiculus. We are still paying over 1.15 for a gallon of gas. <BR><BR>WEll anyways, thanks for all the advice but feel free to give any more input if you have any!<BR><BR>Thanks.

it would also depen on where you`ll work.....Clearwater,St.Pete,Indian Shores,Reddington Beach,Treasure Island are some beach places.don`t know of new housing...New Tampa is a new area coming into it`s own...takes a long time traffic wise to hit the beach from the burbs or town across the causeways/to thebeach area...unless you want to drive to Anna Maria or Bradenton or Nokomis(venice area)...mileage wise things aren`t too far but time/traffic they are...you can hit the Crosstown from Brandon/Riverview area...and it`s not to long a commute.....but the beach might take an hour in traffic or longer...there is plenty to do in Brandon ...and you could put a pool in or there is a pool/clubhouse/golf area in Summerfield....and you could still spent the dayor wknd at the beach..believe I have no reason to push any area.....maybe get a real estate agents advice in some areas.....or suggestions from the company you are going to work for..the area is too vast unless we know where you have to drive ever day......

You must not be a religious man, because you are moving to HELL! <BR>J/K I do love the Tampa area but the summers are hot and worst of all HUMID! Not really a problem with mosquitos unless you go camping.<BR><BR>Mr. John, the first thing you must do in moving to Tampa is shed that old nasty maroon hat you wear up there (with a Yellow "R" on it) and trade it in for Pewter Power cause we're goin' to the Big Dance baby! Gruden is at the helm now and ain't nobody gonna stop the PIRATE SHIP so hop along for the RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

again guys, Thanks for the advice.<BR>I don't mind a one hour ride to the beach since we currently drive about 3 hours to the nearest beach. I like the Brandon - New tampa area since the houses are generally newer. I will be working in Tampa and my wife is also. We are looking for either gated communities but not necessarily golf courses.

I'm sure you've looked at a map and seen that Brandon is close to the water, but that's Hillsborough Bay, and you wouldn't consider, even for a second, going in the water there. You need to get out to the Gulf beaches, anywhere from St Pete Beach (the most convenient to Brandon) on up to Clearwater before you'd think about swimming. It'd take something over an hour from Brandon to get to the beach, and it's not an easy hour.<BR><BR>We notice that the area changes tremendously in character, even in St Pete (city, not beach) too--a more tropical feel and look to it than from Tampa eastward.<BR><BR>Do you already have jobs lined up here? If not, another area you might think about is Bradenton, where you'll find some newer housing closer to beaches...in that case, you'd be going to Anna Maria Island for the beach. There are employment opportunities there, Sarasota or St Pete all commuting distance. Actually, my husband has a couple of people working for him (a Tampa hotel) that live in Bradenton. I wouldn't want to do it, but for them, the quality of life there is worth the longer commute to work here.

Thanks again!<BR>Are there any areas that I should AVOID? such as ones with higher crime and or les that desirable public areas?<BR>

Yeah - don't go for a Sunday drive down Dale Mabry during the autumn (wearing a Redskins jersey)!!!!! That would be dangerous!!!<BR><BR>We're goin' ALL the way to the BIG DANCE BABY!!! Get your tickets now cause this ship ain't stayin' in port for long! <BR><BR>WHICH WAY TO SAN DIEGO!!!!!!!!!!!

Anything south of 22nd avenue, St. Petersburg, John, except the Gulfport area.

Tampa sounds nice, only two complaints so far, the weather and school system.<BR>Anyone need a plumber and a nurse. My wife and I will be right down. All we need is a decent place to stay in the Lutz area........... Heres' to dreaming.

John, I just had to jump into the fray here... I agree with Olive's comments, but I'd take it a step further: Do yourself a favor and make up for the heat by living at the beach! Instead of a gated community, get a beach home or condo (and no, they're not all full of old geezers). You only live once. That's what my Husband and I did 19 years ago - no regrets. As a matter of fact, we knew the job pay was pretty dismal, so we bought a business instead of getting jobs (are you listening Tim the plumber?). That way you have the payoff of the gorgeous water views, and you "make your own fortune". We live a great lifestyle, half a block from the beach. Taxes are fairly low (Treasure Island), and our solution to the school system problems was getting involved, and the Magnet Schools (that's where students choose a focus like art or music or science, and classes are smaller and filled with kids who actually wanna be there). As far as the hurricane season, this IS the lightning capital of the world. I absolutely love it. The storms are one of the best things about living at the beach! It gets very exciting! But at the same time, we are in an awkward location for a hurricane. It would almost have to "turn right" to get us. We had one evacuation, 18 years ago. Two near-evacuations since then.<BR><BR>P.S. Prepare yourself for the slow-down in attitude. It's kind of nice once you get used to it.

John...I look at Lutz like I do Brandon. Too darned far from the beaches for me. There's still some wide open space there though, if that's important.<BR><BR>Gulfport that Sr Rolfe mentions may be the next up and coming little area. It's getting sort of an artsey "downtown" and is still very affordable yet right on the water--Boca Ciega Bay. We've got a sailboat in the city marina there and have grown to love the area. I would stay west of 49th St (Ave?) S there though. You won't find a gated community and the newer houses are where people have torn down an existing home and have rebuilt on the lot. The old houses have lots of character, however, if you are so inclined. <BR><BR>Pasadena, next town west, is a bit nicer but already found. There are new houses and there are gated communities, but it's too late for getting in on the ground floor!! <BR><BR>Luckily for you two, nurses are in short supply everywhere. Your wife should have no problem finding a job, nor should you, and you can pretty much choose your locale. You've got decent hospitals in St Pete, Pasadena, Clearwater, Tampa etc..you certainly aren't restricted to any one area!

Hey Joan...I wondered where you had been. Nice to see you again. I've been MIA too...sort of a different place, isn't it, these days? :&lt; Did you get sandblasted this weekend?! We are trying to varnish and it's been no go for several days now.<BR><BR>I'm getting Tim and John confused. Sloppy reading...didn't realize we had two folks thinking about a move, sorry. Yes, Joan did it right...bit the bullet and it has paid off in spades, I'm sure! If you are going to be here, you might as well live at or near the beaches. It is totally different than just 20 miles to the east. It's even a bit cooler because of breezes off the water in the summer. You won't find "new", but you will find lots of character and a great lifestyle.<BR><BR>We did have one evacuation in our 5 years...not sure which one now..Georges, maybe? DH never thought it was coming, none-the-less, with the hotel we didn't have an option to let the guests stay when our zone was ordered out. We moved them to Orlando, much to DH's dismay, and of course, he was right, it did turn. We stayed with the hotel and was that ever creepy...like a tropical version of The Shining! It's been years and years since there's been a direct hit here though, and I'm not too worried about its happening. <BR><BR>Another note...I forget about the magnet schools which Joan mentioned. Some friends on Davis Islands who could afford to do whatever, have been very happy with the arts magnet school in Tampa and have not felt any need for the private school route, so that is a good alternative.

Once again,<BR>thank you for the invaluable and courteous advice. I am thinking about possibly opening a small restaurant specializing in ethnic (Asian Fusion) cuisine near the beach (either st. pete or clearwater beaches) if I decide to hate my job. That would be a long shot though. I was looking at waterfront homes and the hurricane concern did come up. I was thinking that a home a little further in would be safest but since you guys have said that there were only a couple of evacs in the last decade, I am more willing to look into waterfront property. Are there a lot of wild gators (hey i'm from up north) and how is the flooding situation seeing as how it is so close to sea level.<BR><BR>Another note, instead of seeing squirrels like we do in Maryland, I notice that there are a lot of lizards! How interesting.

John, what a coincidence - the business we bought was a restaurant. (And our rule at the beginning was no booze and no food - hah!) After looking at a roof-cleaning business (imagine that in the FLA heat), a business making headboards, and an office supply store (that was just before Office Depot), we settled on a little fish market that cooks. We could both work it, and we could raise our kids while doing that. It has paid off in spades, as Olive said. But anyway, I digress! My only advice would be to NOT START a restaurant, but buy an existing place. That way you have a built-in clientele and the door will swing ($) from the first day. And check their books (as in tax returns) to make sure their income is truly from their business, and not some great-aunt giving them gifts. <BR><BR>Yes, there are lots of gators. Mostly in the little lakes that are all over the area. They have an appetite for little dogs. Might as well warn you too about the palmetto bugs. This was very hard to take at first, cause they're giant and some of 'em FLY! But my mom told me - they're not from dirt, they're all about water. That makes me feel better for some reason. The lizards are adorable. And they eat mosquitoes!<BR><BR>P.S. To Olive: You-know-who is coming down in April. Wanna meet at Woody's ??? Not Captain K's :) What about Sal?

Yes I do Joan--it'd be super! I've got Sal's email.

Joan, Olive, BC,<BR>Thanks for the advice. I'm heading down Friday to look at some homes in the Brandon, Bradenton, Tampa area. I am looking forward to moving down there despite the lack of any major employers. My wife and I already have jobs waiting and her field is mortgage lending so I see that there are plenty of those around.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

ttt

Although I live in the midst of all these Yankees,some of whom I have grown to love,my heart has remained in the South.The older I get,the more I miss those steamy nights, the sounds,the food...reading this has made me think that I might have to start whispering in someones ear while he sleeps and make him think that moving to Florida was all his idea~thank you for an informative thread~S

So is Tampa really like the true south? As in lifestyle and mentality. I thought Florida was kind of on its own as far as lifestyle.

Come on downs Johns<BR>We loves to have ya! <BR>Hee bee dee hee hee

Well, I think Georgia and the Carolinas have a little more of that Old South atmosphere, but Florida IS South so it will do ~ and the food is more southern than that found in say, New York:)<BR>But Florida is still slower and has that Southern softness about it...you know what I mean,sugar?

Whoa, the image and the reality differ, GB. Get in the way of a retiree in the checkout line at Sam's, and you'll be hard pressed to find any of that southern softness you hanker for. They'll turn you into cold slaw and make your hush puppies pop, and you'll feel like a catfish in a fryer. They'll removed the buttermilk from your buisquik real quick. They are the elderly, and they didn't get that way by being soft. I rue the day I decided to live among them, and that clock is ticking.

LOL, ya'll are really goofy today~but that is quite alright as long as the cats don't mind~S

Why now, GB, us southern boys is never goofy, not if we was raised right. One time in a bar, some drunk introduced himself as Buddy, and somebody asked what his first name was. Why, Good, I says, and didn't the brunswick stew (made w/chicken, of yeah!!) begin to fly. Lordy, I had that 'vette ripping across the gravel and me and my squeeze parked by the lake to "Teen Angel" and wondered why she went running back.

John, We lived in Savannah before we moved here and Dallas before that. Any similarity between Tampa and the South is purely coincidental!! Well...there are a couple of similarities: warm moist air, a couple of errant flags, but no one would ever accuse Tampa of being the South. Oh boy. Nope. Un-uh.

Hey John,<BR><BR>I moved from Tampa about 6 years ago, and I have dreamed of the day when I can get back there. I lived on the great Davis Islands. From my backyard I had a beautiful view of downtown at night. The community there is great, with broad palm lined streets, and a great village feeling. It is very close to one of my favorite parts of Tampa, the Hyde Park Area, where I would also look for a place. The houses are very old and enchanting, but most are in great shape. They are what you might call historical buildings. Also, you should look at getting a place on Bayshore Blvd, or just off the Blvd. This area is right at downtown, a short drive to any destination, and a great place to raise kids. It is in the Plant district and I had friends that had kids there, and they said that it was a good school. If you are looking for an absolutely beautiful floridian type place to live, work and play, I would check these places out.

I haven't visited the board for quite a while so the Tampa question caught my eye. OO suggested, a few posts ago, that you look into the Bradenton area. THis area has really become a bedroom community to Tampa. There are several very nice developments near the interstate that are in your price range. Longwood Ranch comes to mind--it's a community within a community concept--shopping, restaurants, good public schools etc. As Olive mentioned, it's only a 30 minute ride to the beach (IMHO, we have the best on the West Coast). The commute to Tampa is about 50-60 minutes. My husband commutes to St. Pete and it's an easy drive and worth the way of life we have here.<BR><BR>OO--life took over for a while--I'll be in touch soon!

I was just talking about you today Sal and saying we hadn't "seen" you in ages!! Welcome home..don't let real life get in the way too much! Look for email..probably tomorrow, now...<BR><BR>John, Regan mentioned a couple of places I love too if you are going to be living in Tampa, not the beaches--Hyde Park--beautiful old bungalow style homes from the '20's and 30's. You can get in there I believe, for the low 3's. Bayshore Blvd, is in the millions, unfortunately. Reserve that for next year when you've made your fortune. :&gt; <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Thanks guys!<BR>I think im gonna stick with the newer developements in gated communities. Does anyone know what the community fee is around the area? Also i read that the property tax is 2.9%. Right now in Fairfax County Virginia, it went up to 29% and where I live we pay about 10%! Thats pretty high so I'm looking forward to saving some of that money and maybe take you posters our for lunch! You guys have been really nive and polite. Something you dont normally see on this board. Says a lot about tampa folk!

John,<BR><BR>Thought I'd throw in a few comments...my husband and I moved down here 3 1/2 years ago from NC. We looked everywhere, and finally settled in an area north of Oldsmar (about 30 minutes to Clearwater Beach and 25 minutes to the Tampa Airport). We rented an apartment for 1 year and built in Westwood Lakes. Our area (NW Tampa) is quickly growing, and homes are around $200k up to 500+. In one neighborhood, Westchase, they have a CDD fee which covers reclaimed water (something new to you?) and the upkeep of their landscaping and gated communities, along with pool and tennis areas. Our neighborhood, does not have a community fee (but we do have HomeOwner Assoc. fees $500/yr) and we are supposed to be getting reclaimed water anyday now. I'm thinking the CDD - community development district - is around $1100/year. But another neighborhood in Carrollwood HOA dues are only $125 per year. Several communities have websites with information on their community and fees. It can vary depending on the ammenties (pools, clubhouse, etc.) and the age of the subdivision (older ones are usually less because they don't have all the ammenties and upkeep).<BR>Hope this was helpful. There is a lot of information and the best you can do is make a list of what is important to you and only look at places that match (i.e., water, new, old, size). I would guess your first move would be how close to the beach do you want to be and then how far will it be to drive to your "place of work". The traffic can be a bit tough at times, but NOTHING LIKE DC (I know, I lived in Laurel about 12 years ago and visit family still up there).<BR>As for Hurricanes...I'm a meteorologist and if I could afford living at the beach (with the house I have now :-) storms would not stop me...but I take evacuations very seriously. Good Luck and "Welcome to the Tampa Bay Area"<BR>P.S. GO BUCS!!

thanks debbie for that informative report. I am used to commmunity fees but our current house does not have them so i was kinda hoping for an area where we can avoid them. oh well. I heard that there is a car tax? any ideas? is it based on the value of the car or what?<BR><BR>thanks again folks!

John,<BR>Yes, I remember a tax on my car when registering it in FL, but not sure how it was based. You might want to check this website: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dhsmv/newflres.html<BR>Also, there are some neighborhoods that do not have CDD fees, or have lower HOA fees, so check around. Unfortunately, I think most gated communities will have some kind of dues, as will most of the newer subdivisions.<BR>P.S. By the way, we LOVE living in TAMPA FL!!

John,I think the car tax is paid one time only,something about bringing your car into Florida and registering it and all, my daughter went through that, she only had to do it once.Also, there is no tax I think when you buy a car in Fla so maybe that is how they deal with it?Just a thought...especially since I don't even live in Fla! lol~

well, c~, you can always visit the sunshine state - everybody's got spare BRs - but course it's LV-style early bird dining exclusively, and anything favoring gumbo is more than likely bait, but it's a good place to tarry and think about that tomorrow. Bring your pastel windbreaker, white shoes and matching belt, and you'll be good to go.

Well guys, I did it. bought a nice house in Heritage Harbor in Lutz and am excited to move in later this year. Thanks for all the help!