NorthPort/Sarasota or Sarasot/Tampa (St. Petersburg, Clearwater: new home, job market, established neighborhood)

[mn/fl sunshine]

We are planning on moving and need to know which is the better area. We are a little familar with North Port but not familar with the area between Sarasota and Tampa.

We both have to work for a few more years so what's a better choice? Just the two of us--hubby and I. Hubby is a career Warehouse Manager ---earns about $55,000 here in Mpls., MN.

The new homes in North Port are so reasonable--we can get 2169 sq ft for about $200,000. The builders have too much inventory and are slashing prices. We would however take the inventory home "as is" and redo the flooring and take out some windows and put in sliders in the back of the house.

Anyone have any input for me?

[FedUpInFtMyers]

Try Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Largo, Clearwater, or Tampa. Do not go any further south than Venice (just the other side of Sarasota heading south) because that is where the jobs - and the PAY - are. Anything south of Venice is going to have a very tight job market, and pay just drops beyond that point. We moved here (Ft. Myers) from Saint Petersburg, and we are HORRIFIED at the job market (number of jobs for what we do - one is office professional other is customer service) and the PAY. They are paying what we made 20 YEARS AGO! Eeeek!!!! We never worried about pay as we had already lived in the Tampa Bay area (cities listed above), and pay was never an issue there. You can also find housing cheaper for the same thing in the St. Pete area. Don't put too much emphasis on buying a NEW home; that only ensures a changing neighborhood (which isn't always a good thing). Better to find a well-established neighborhood with little change which translates into more stability. It is best to always know who your neighbors are because they've been there, were there when you moved in, and are staying there. Good luck to you!

[jdber94]

In terms of a price point North Port is wonderful. In Sarasota the same sized new home will be $100k more.

Shop around in North Port and I'm sure you'll find something you like without having to redo a thing. Or buy a lot now and build when you are ready to move. Plenty of nice lots in the upper $20k to mid-$30k range.

[Arrgh]

I agree with jdber. There are a lot of good deals in NOrth Port right now and the commercial building is starting to catch up with the population. MAJOR development at Price and Sumter, nat'l retailers, high end restaurants etc etc. PLus there is another Publix and Lowes going in not to mention professional offices etc. Prices now are very good 2 years from now they will seem cheap. Personally, I do not travel North of Sarasota, I just don't get that warm fuzzy feeling...............