Zephyrhills for retirees (Tampa, Dade City: real estate, homeowners insurance, showing)

[watsont3]

Starting a new thread because it was pointed out to me that I would probably get more answers this way than in my previous thread. Thank you to that poster.
I received information from a community in Zephyrhills and am looking for some sense of how the area would be for a retired couple. I will not be seeking work nor will we have any kids in school. Just looking for a nice place to live away from the cold in the Northeast.

[NHtoFLMom]

I think Zephyrhills would be great for retirees. It is one of the places that I am thinking of showing to my parents. It reminds me more of NH, with some rolling hills. It is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Tampa, yet easy enough to get to the major highways when needed. It is definitely not close to the ocean, if that is what you are interested in, but close enough for a day trip to the beach. Zephyrhills has many new communities being built and many medical/dr. parks, as well as a small hospital. Retail space, chain restaurants and banks are growing in numbers. It is definitely an area that I would recommend you visit and check out.

[watsont3]

Originally Posted by NHtoFLMom

I think Zephyrhills would be great for retirees. It is one of the places that I am thinking of showing to my parents. It reminds me more of NH, with some rolling hills. It is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Tampa, yet easy enough to get to the major highways when needed. It is definitely not close to the ocean, if that is what you are interested in, but close enough for a day trip to the beach. Zephyrhills has many new communities being built and many medical/dr. parks, as well as a small hospital. Retail space, chain restaurants and banks are growing in numbers. It is definitely an area that I would recommend you visit and check out.

Thank you very much.

[Red100]

Had a job offer for this area. Employer told me that housing is affordable in
southern Pasco county? Anyone living in that area that can help?

[gypsychic]

OK, I don't live right in Zephyrhills (I am just north of there in Dade City). Zephyrhills is, and always has been almost 100% retirement. If you are a retiree, especially of modest means, you will LOVE this town. I don't, because I am not a retiree! lol

Housing is very affordable. There used to be a whole lot of mobile home parks here, and there are still quite a few but lots of new developments now. Lots of medical care too. You should check it out. I will do my best to answer any other questions you may have.

[pslOldTimer]

My daughter just bought a house in the Lake Bernadette subdivision in Zephyrhills. She is buying it from a retired couple, but there are families with children in the same neighborhood. Prices seem quite reasonable. She just bought a 4 BR, 3 BA house with formal living room and dining room, plus a family room with eat-in kitchen, 2 car garage plus golf cart garage, separate laundry room walk-in pantry, jacuzzi tub and separate shower, his and hers walk-in closets, large pool, pool spa with heater, outdoor kitchen and surround sound throughout the hose and patio -- for $270,000. Oh, yeah, the driveway is coated and all the landscaping has concrete curbing around it with permanent mulch, a sprinkler system and the Sentricom termite system. Real estate is heating up enough in the Z-hills area that she had a backup contract on another house but it didn't go through, and there was a backup offer behind hers on this house. As soon as the prices are reduced enough, they are selling.

[sunshine girl]

How's the Zephyrhills/Dade city area for sinkholes? I'm working on my family to get back to Florida and making some progress! I know between there and the coast there are pockets of them, but don't know about this particular area. Thanks

[pslOldTimer]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

How's the Zephyrhills/Dade city area for sinkholes? I'm working on my family to get back to Florida and making some progress! I know between there and the coast there are pockets of them, but don't know about this particular area. Thanks

I'm not going to say "never" because there's a first time for everything, but all my research indicates the sinkholes are in the Western side of Pasco County. My kids (a term I'm sure they resent at 38 years of age ) had no trouble getting a commitment for homeowners insurance at $2,100 for a $270K house.

I found this map of geology attributes in Florida indicating the possibility of sinkholes. Z-hills falls into Area I (yellow on the map), where "sinkholes are few, generally shallow and broad, and develop gradually." Western Pasco falls into Area III (blue on the map) where "...sinkholes are most numerous, of varying size, and develop abruptly."

I'm not a geologist, but looking at the map indicates that the areas around the Hillsborough River and Withlacoochee River, in Eastern Pasco and in a narrow path from Z-hills to Tampa, are Area I and less susceptible to sinkholes. It probably has something to do with the way the rivers drain the area.

[sunshine girl]

Thanks, I'll look into the area more seriously. Trying to decide which area to settle into. Don't want to go coastal again, but have lots of options and places to check out....