Best Suburbs for Relocating (Tampa, Clearwater: renting, HOA fees, condo) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

Darruy · 10-22-2011, 10:18 AM

Yes, I know the popular meme is to disparage suburbs, but I'm really not hip that I need to live in an area that's potenially high-crime or even bordering on a high-crime area.

I'm considering a job offer in what I'm assuming is downtown Tampa area, but I'd prefer to live in one of the suburbs.

Rent wise, I'd like to stay around $1200 per month for a 2 bedroom, preferably not too close to the college. Nothing against students, but I'm a bit too old to have neighbors throwing parties until 3am.

I'm assuming Tampa is much like Minneapolis in there are better parts of town and "less-than-good" areas of town.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

GoRays813 · 10-24-2011, 11:28 AM

I'd recommend Westchase, Carrolwood, and some parts of Town n Country (just do your research) if you want to stick to the suburbs. They're all located within driving distance of downtown and far enough away from USF. For that price, you should look in S. Tampa as well or may even a condo in downtown. These two aren't the stereotypical "suburbs." If you really want to get 'burb-ish, you can look out at Brandon or Riverview but the drive would become a pain in my opinion.

crazynip · 10-24-2011, 08:24 PM

Northdale, Carrolwood, Westchase, parts of South Tampa. Avoid New Tampa unless you like congestion and a ****ty drive to work every day, avoid North Tampa, West Tampa, pretty much ANYWHERE within the city of Tampa city limits except parts of South Tampa, avoid Town and Country completely. A novice will not know what to look for and make a bad mistake in picking a place. Once you have been here a while you can find a place there that is decent, but you really have to look.

user8 · 10-24-2011, 08:28 PM

westchase and the northwestern portion of town n country are nice. carrolwood's mostly nice. citrus park.. same. safety harbor has some nice neighborhoods.

or you could drive across the bay and look in NE st. pete. stay east of 4th.

sarahz627 · 10-25-2011, 11:54 AM

What are your thoughts on Land O Lakes??? Anyone? My husband works in Town n Country. We are relocating from North Florida in a month. Our main concern is schools, quality of life, and affordability. Seems the homes in Land O Lakes give the most bang for your buck. I'm just concerned we're going to feel removed from everything. I wish the beach was closer. What the culture like there?

ferret111 · 10-25-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahz627

I'm just concerned we're going to feel removed from everything. I wish the beach was closer. What the culture like there?

There is no culture there. It's just bland, sprawly suburbia. They've got that new outside mall on Florida 56 just east of Bruce B. Downs, but that's about it.

crazynip · 10-25-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahz627

What are your thoughts on Land O Lakes??? Anyone? My husband works in Town n Country. We are relocating from North Florida in a month. Our main concern is schools, quality of life, and affordability. Seems the homes in Land O Lakes give the most bang for your buck. I'm just concerned we're going to feel removed from everything. I wish the beach was closer. What the culture like there?

Nothing wrong with Land O Lakes, but no real infrastructure (shops, restaurants, etc) and its far as hell from downtown, or pretty much anywhere else. No easy way to get to anywhere...

Keeper · 10-26-2011, 08:19 AM

I like Land O lakes but if your DH is working in TnC why not live close to that area? Check out Citrus Park Carrollwood, Northdale, Country Way or Oldsmar. All much closer to TnC. I like Safety Harbor too because it has a quaint small town feel

FloridaKash · 10-26-2011, 11:08 AM

There are two parts to Land O Lakes. One is the newer part on HWY 54 and there is the old part on Land O Lakes Blvd. Either way you will do a decent anoutn of driving for a limited amount of shopping and entertainment. I haven;t lived there, but we look at a lot of homes and became familiar with the area while house shopping. Most of the CCD taxes in Land O Lakes is sky high as well. So, yes.... homes are cheaper... but your monthly mortgage will be larger.

Since you are looking at LOL I am assuming you are looking for the most bang for your buck. Nice thing about Land O Lakes is there is a lot of new homes.... bad thing... a lot of sinkholes too.

Town N Country is no place to live. If working in Town N Country I would suggest the following areas.

Carrollwood (some very nice areas, some not so nice areas), Citrus Park, Northdale. Higher end on price would include Westchase and Cheval and some of Lutz.

All of these areas would be an easy commute to Town N Country. All have decent school's but you will want to verify which school assigned to if moving to Carrollwood, Citrus Park or Lutz.

sarahz627 · 10-27-2011, 08:52 AM

Thanks for your input. We will be renting so the CDD and HOA fees will translate, although the prices and amount of home you get for the money still seems to be better then the surrounding areas. And the amenities in these neighborhoods are quite nice.

I have been looking at St. Pete, Clearwater, Largo, and Safety Harbor online. What is the commute like from there? Mapquest says it's about 30 minutes, with traffic what are we looking at?

Are there weekly farmer's markets and live music local to any of these spots?

Thanks again for your input:-)