$50-60,000 (Tampa, Clearwater, Palm Harbor: short sale, to rent, HOA)

[Covwolves]

OK guys, I'm coming over from England. I want a two bedroom condo in a nice area. My little daughter will like the beach and I love baseball and football (although I admit to supporting the NY Jets). My wife likes sunshine and shopping.

Where would you go with that budget? Somewhere safe is vital but anywhere in the Tampa Bay area is good.

Cheers!

[Sunscape]

It is going to be kind of difficult to find something close to the beach and in a nice neighborhood for that budget.
Hope others here can help.

[jambo101]

If beaches are going to be a major part of the trip then you might want to search for lodging around the St Pete Beach area as Tampa is not really on the Gulf coast and doesnt really have much in the way of beaches..
Google Maps

[Pragmaticus]

Originally Posted by jambo101

If beaches are going to be a major part of the trip then you might want to search for lodging around the St Pete Beach area as Tampa is not really on the Gulf coast and doesnt really have much in the way of beaches..
Google Maps

No he wants to buy for under 60K.

To OP: It might be difficult with that price to get into a good place. Your best bet from the areas I know is in Palm Harbor and Dunedin where I found 27 listings for under 60K with 2 bedroom in each area. Most seems to be on the same place, so could be a warning sign because if many places are vacant then you are going to foot the HOA fee of othesr--making your monthly payment higher. It looks to me a gamble with that price but since you appear to be a cash buyer you may get something.

Everybody wants the deal of the century but few gets it. Be careful and good luck

[BucFan]

$60k won't get you a decent place - but there are some places in Bradenton that you can buy as a short sale. I've heard a few people take advantage of that. You might also find a decent looking mobile home in a park near the beaches, but they usually are for over 55+ year olds (no children). I'd recommend the Bradenton area - not sure what your work status is, but that area has all the shopping that Tampa has, baseball isn't too far via the Skyway Bridge (Rays games), and the beaches in Bradenton are among the best in Florida, in my opinion.

NYJ? It won't take you long to become a Buc fan - join the club.

[chica_bella813]

Yeah for that price range you will not find anything nice or decent near the beach, perhaps look into renting first. Try Clearwater or St Pete area

[Keeper]

Is this for vacation or are you going to live/work in the area? If you are going to work, what part of town is the job located?

Are you trying to buy a house/condo for $60k or you will be making $60K from your employer.

I think we need some clarification on a few details.

[Covwolves]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Is this for vacation or are you going to live/work in the area? If you are going to work, what part of town is the job located?

Are you trying to buy a house/condo for $60k or you will be making $60K from your employer.

I think we need some clarification on a few details.

This is for vacation and a bit of rental.

I want to get a foothold in the USA and then spend our UK winters in Florida watching football!

[BucFan]

you'll find that there are a lot of British that do the same thing - I'd recommend you look in Bradenton, Sarasota, North Port, Charlotte instead of Tampa.