Looking for great family area moving to Tampa (St. Petersburg, Bloomingdale: to rent, new home)

[CandCsmom]

I posted my question on a couple of older threads already but haven't gotten any response in the last few days, so thought I'd post a new one... Anyway ... a last minute change of orders (gotta love the Army) and we're headed down to Tampa after only a year in Northern VA. I know no one down there and just started my research on schools. I have two kids - rising 1st grader and a 4 year old and husband will be at MacDill. We absolutely love our elementary school and wonderful, established neighborhood here in Fairfax where we've made lots of good friends in a short time. So, of course now I'm on a mission to find something similar in Tampa and it seems like an overwhelming task! I don't need anymore information on Fishhawk Ranch - there is lots of it here and it does sound great and something I'll definitely check out, but I'd like more info on other areas in the Tampa Bay region - maybe closer to the beaches or city? We're going to rent and looking to spend up to maybe $3000 for a nice house with pool. My first priority is a great well rounded elementary school (not just great because of test scores) with an active PTA. Second criteria is looking for the right family-oriented community, where you can get to know people, kids play together, sports, activities, where it feels like a "home". I hate a cookie cutter neighborhood with big houses on little lots - prefer charming, older established neighborhood like we have up north but I don't know if I'd find that down there? in a family community with the good schools? Since we're moving so quickly - less than 3 weeks we don't have time for a house-hunting trip and need to have it narrowed down to a just a few different communities to target when we get there. Also, being military, our Tampa time will be short so don't want to rent something just to get there and then look around and move later on. Lastly, the commute time for my husband is secondary (his words not mine) for the right community! Thank you!

[clevelandguy]

I moved to Safety Harbor with my wife and 2 boys ages 8 and 5 about 2 1/2 years ago and we just love it. My wife did the research and we chose this location because of the great schools located nearby. My sons go to Leila Davis Elementary and the school has high marks in my book.
Safety Harbor is a very family orientated small town/city. Both boys play soccer and little league and both programs here have hundreds of children enrolled.
Safety Harbor is also located an equal distance between Tampa and St. Petersburg allowing us to easily attend events in either city. Safety Harbor is also in Pinellas County and it is only a 15/25 minute ride to the beaches. We currently rent a 1500 sq. ft. 3BD 2BA home in a 1980's built development for $1,200.00 per month. Be careful when talking about established development in Florida. In my opinion most of the construction pre-1980 doesn't appear to be built with the best of standards that we enjoyed in the rest of the U.S.

Hope this helps!

[Stewabby]

If you are willing to spend up to $3,000 definitely check out South Tampa. Look north of Gandy and South of Kennedy. Very established, non-cookie cutter neighborhoods with good schools. If I were you I'd look in Hyde Park and Palma Ceia.

[MortonR]

Check out Bloomingdale East in Valrico. Fantastic schools, great community, easy commute to MacDill (including express bus) and lots of military folks.

RM

[TXRyan23]

Try Fishhawk (near bloomingdale/valrico.. )

[CandCsmom]

Thanks, all! I've heard and read enough about Fishhawk now to know it should for sure be on our list of areas to look at. Also will check out Bloomingdale and very intrigued to also scope out South Tampa area and Pinella County.

[It's Cin!]

I would second South Tampa. We have been planning a move to Tampa and Husband would be at Macdill. Great Schools, a great house with a pool, not a cookie cutter neighborhood, not far from the beachs were also on our list. We (as in *I*) did a lot of research on communities and narrowed it down to South Tampa. Most of the houses were a bit over our budget, but would fit perfectly into yours. The location was perfect for the commute to MacDill, the beachs, downtown, Busch Gardens, Disney, etc. There is a website for military members that sell or rent their homes. It is called militarybyowner dot com. You might find something to your liking on there.

[CandCsmom]

Have a recommendation on an elementary school in South Tampa? Again, I can look up a rating but like to have an idea from someone who knows the area.

[TampaKaren]

A good friend of mine has taught at Mabry Elementary for 20+ years. She says it's all about the kids and wouldn't teach anywhere else. Her two boys went there as well. I have another friend with a special needs daughter who goes to Gorrie Elementary. She moved from a really big new home with pool at River Hills in Valrico to a small Davis Islands ranch house so her daughter could attend. I have no personal experience with these schools, so please do your research.

I think one challenge you may face is finding a South Tampa home with a pool. Sadly, there aren't that many.

[countrysidecats]

i grew up in NoVa. Fairfax has some of the highest % of college degreed professionals. if you liked NoVa, you will want South Tampa for a quick commute or New Tampa for a longer commute. both are neighborhoods with higher incomes and more professionals.