Convincing arguments for moving to Tampa (Jacksonville, Brandon: low income, crime, neighborhoods)

[titaniummd]

I am a physician, and I have a job prospect for the area. I currently live in Fleming Island (Orange Park, south of Jacksonville). My wife hates it here in the Jax area due to the lack of diversity and culture. She desires moving to DC which has a low income potential, high cost of living and high "Time Poverty".

I already know, myself, the diversity that Tampa has to offer with the major sports teams, mutliple restaurants, golf, shopping and museums.

How about safety? Crime? Safer neighborhoods or zip codes to live?

Quality of school systems? Best schools?

Nightlife?

Nice neighborhoods on the beach or waterfront property (in close proximity to excellent schools without endemic drug or crime issues)?

I realize that this is a broad range of questions. I thank all of you for any input.

[Strel]

Excellent schools?

You're looking in the wrong part of the state.

[ferret111]

Originally Posted by Strel

Excellent schools?

You're looking in the wrong part of the state.

There are plenty of good schools in the Bay Area, and he'll find them in most, if not all, of the nicer family neighborhoods.

[BBI]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

Nice neighborhoods on the beach or waterfront property (in close proximity to excellent schools without endemic drug or crime issues)?

I think what you want is the above with some access to nightlife. Two questions: (i) where would you be working/what length commute would you endure, and (ii) are you willing to pay for private schools?

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by BBI

I think what you want is the above with some access to nightlife. Two questions: (i) where would you be working/what length commute would you endure, and (ii) are you willing to pay for private schools?

University Community Hospital (Fletcher & Carrollwood), Tampa

Brandon Regional Medical Center, Brandon

Community Hospital New Port Richey, New Pt Richey

South Bay Hospital, Sun City Center

Lake Wales Medical Center, Lake Wales

Physicians Regional Medical Center (Collier & Pine Ridge), Naples

1) Commute : 35 minutes
2) Yes. Education is first and foremost the highest priority.

[ferret111]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

University Community Hospital (Fletcher & Carrollwood), Tampa

Brandon Regional Medical Center, Brandon

Community Hospital New Port Richey, New Pt Richey

South Bay Hospital, Sun City Center

Lake Wales Medical Center, Lake Wales

Physicians Regional Medical Center (Collier & Pine Ridge), Naples

1) Commute : 35 minutes
2) Yes. Education is first and foremost the highest priority.

The hospital in Brandon would leave you with some neighborhoods in Riverview, Fishhawk, and that area. I'm not too familiar with that area, so I can't comment on schools. Theoretically, you could still live in South Tampa and take the Crosstown Expressway into Brandon, which would be quick and mostly a reverse commute.

Palm Harbor and East Lake might be doable if you work in NPR. I don't think it would take much longer to get there from those areas.

Sun City Center is somewhat out of the way and would leave you with the same neighborhoods as the Brandon hospital, though you might be able to include some of the Manatee County subdivisions.

You can't live in the Tampa area and work in Lake Wales and especially Naples. Lake Wales would be a tedious drive each day and Naples is a few hours away one-way.

[ferret111]

Forgot University Hospital:

You could probably get there from Lutz, Odessa, and maybe New Tampa in about thirty-five minutes. You could also look around parts of Carrollwood and Northdale, though some of the schools might be hit-or-miss.

[annaegel]

I live in Tampa Palms (New Tampa) and I can get to UCH (Bruce B. Downs and Fletcher) during rush hour in 20 minutes. The schools are better than most. However, like Strel indicated, it is not terrific. My kids are in middle school and high school. both in all honors classes and they are a joke. My middle schooler is getting all A's and does very little homework and she goes to an A rated school. I know she is smart, but not brilliant.

If you choice private, be very selective. You don't always get a better education because you are paying $12,000 per year. A good resource is www.greatschools.net. It gives parents/students/teacher reviews as well as basic information.

Tampa Palms has fairly low crime rate.

Lutz has a brand new high school (George Steinbrenner High School) that is suppose to be pretty good. You could possibly get to either UCH from there within your 35 minute commute.

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by ferret111

The hospital in Brandon would leave you with some neighborhoods in Riverview, Fishhawk, and that area. I'm not too familiar with that area, so I can't comment on schools. Theoretically, you could still live in South Tampa and take the Crosstown Expressway into Brandon, which would be quick and mostly a reverse commute.

Don't get suckered into moving to Brandon. Or Riverview. Or Seffner. Look into Town and Country and go for the hospital there. You'd be IN Tampa, close to Hillsborough Ave (which has a whole bunch of cool stuff on it... Including, if I'm not mistaken, a drive in theater), a bowling alley, multiple restaurants, etc. That'd be my advice. Take it or leave it.

[algia]

Look, if your wife has DC in mind, there are no "convincing" arguments available! There is no comparison and I, just like her would choose DC on short notice any given day.

Go to DC and enjoy it, it is a gorgeous city with lost to offer.