Tampa Bay seems really redneck (Palm Harbor, Dunedin: neighborhood, school districts, college)

[Maggi07]

Tierra Verde, Pass-A-Grille, Maximo, The Pink Streets.

Where do you live now? It sounds like maybe Lealman?

[newtopinellas]

I have the ability to live where I would like in Florida, although Tampa Bay would be more practical. I am open to mostly anywhere in Tampa Bay. I would really like to hear about the areas that would be the best fit, not taking into account commuting.

I am not in Lealman. I am in the city of St Petersburg. I would prefer not to give out my neighborhood but I am in a lower income area that is north of downtown and on the eastern side of 4th street.

[newtopinellas]

Originally Posted by ferret111

That's the first time I've heard that about Tarpon Springs. Not to say that it's a bad or undesirable area, but it's just a pretty average city with pretty average (though decent) neighborhoods.

I did go through Tarpon Springs and it did not seem like a fit, although it probably seemed a little closer. I also went through Palm Harbor and that seemed like I fit in a lot better.

I am looking for somewhere with good public schools (we will be using them soon). I would also like to be somewhere that is at least more liberal than conservative. We place an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and enjoy daily exercise and eating healthier food.

I am open to hearing about all areas in Tampa Bay and not just Pinellas if it turns out that Hillsborough would be a better fit.

Thank you all very much for helping. I do appreciate it. I think there are areas that are better suited for some people over others. I am trying to find that place for my family.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by newtopinellas

I am looking for somewhere with good public schools (we will be using them soon).

The best public schools in the Tampa Bay area are the East Lake and Palm Harbor districts.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by newtopinellas

I'm shocked to hear others don't see the things I see every day. It must just be the area I'm in...several miles north of downtown St Petersburg.

We see it, but try to ignore, pretend it's not there. We know exactly what you're referring to. Unfortunately, that's part of living here.

[newyorker24]

You should really take a look at some of the nicer subdivisions in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel (Hunter's Green, certain areas of Tampa Palms and Seven Oaks, Saddlebrook, Brookside). These are areas with strict HOA rules, expensive houses, and generally a more educated/higher income population. This keeps out even the "white trash" type of people with money because they are not allowed to keep their campers, boats, collection of old cars/huge trucks, ATVs, etc parked on their front lawn.

[BucFan]

Outstanding points - HOAs get a lot of bad posts on this message board, but they do serve a purpose as you've pointed out.

[num1baby]

Originally Posted by newtopinellas

I just moved to Pinellas County. I know Florida is in the south but I didn't expect it to be so redneck here. I've been a lot of places in Pinellas already and I see the same things: raised pick-ups, guys driving without shirts on, conservativeness, tacky stickers on cars, southern accents, etc.

Now, let me say, people can and should live how they want to. I just don't feel like I fit in at all where I am right now. I need to be somewhere that I fit in better. I'm loving the weather. I'm just not connecting with the people.

Are there places in Tampa Bay that are more liberal and educated? Or, am I SOL in Pinellas County for that sort of thing? I'd really prefer to stay in Pinellas and not go to Hillsborough. Does it exist anywhere in Pinellas? To be clear, I'm not looking for an ultra liberal town. I'm sure that doesn't exist in Tampa Bay. I am, however, looking for an area with more young professionals and less of the "redneck" vibe.

Maybe I am reading this wrong, but I normally don't see conservatives driving without a shirt on.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by newtopinellas

I agree and I am not looking to start an argument. I did some digging and found out the area I am in has a much lower rate of high school graduation and college degrees. I would like to surround myself with educated professionals like myself. I do not think there is anything wrong with that.

So I guess it sounds like South Tampa and maybe Carrollwood or Palm Harbor.

Sorry if I sounded argumentative. I was only saying that, if you are looking for open-minded, liberal neighbors, you might move into the nicest, upscale community and end up with the Palins on one side and the Nugents on the other.

By the way, there are several other threads on this very subject. Here are a few of them.

Any more liberal, progressive or hippie areas in Tampa?

Liberal cities?

Gulf Coast city that is most liberal, diverse?

[Maggi07]

Originally Posted by num1baby

Maybe I am reading this wrong, but I normally don't see conservatives driving without a shirt on.

No, me neither, and I also wouldn't lump "southern accent" and "redneck" together. I know plenty of extremely intelligent, very NON redneck people with southern accents.

I'm not a fan of the raised pickups (especially when someone is sitting on a chair in the back! ), or the tacky stickers, but those sorts of things certainly don't seem like the majority to me. Maybe I live in a bubble.