relo to gibsonton? (Tampa, Apollo Beach, Fish Hawk: rental, HOA fees, new house)

[vabeach2tampa]

i'm relocating to tampa area from va. renting at first. found a rental house in kings lake subdivision, which is off of big bend rd (on the N side) halfway between i-75 & s tamiami tr. have elementary age kids. any insight into the area is greatly appreciated before i decide to accept this house. some of the comments i've seen on other threads have made me think twice. help!

[deckardc]

I grew up in VA and spent many summers in Va Beach.

I personally would never move to Gibsonton especially with kids. It's a little downscale if you get my drift. It's a little remote and pretty far from the beaches. Weirdest of all, it is sort of a carny circus town. Years ago it's where the circuses and sideshows used spend their winters. You could live next door to the Monkey Girl and the Human Penguin. A lot of the circus people have passed on but there is still some of that element there. I guess, to be blunt, it's kind of redneck. I don't mean to sound like a snob but it's not where the average middle class family would want to live.

Are you working in Tampa proper or elsewhere? Is there a reason for that particular location?

[bnepler]

Travel east on Big Bend to Rt 301 and you'll find plenty of nice sub-divisions and it's a growing area for a family. The previous thread is correct.

[San72]

I don't have kids my own but from what I've heard, Apollo Beach Elementary school has a good reputation.

[Townie]

there are definitely better alternatives than that subdivision. but it's close to the interstate and there is some development going on on big bend ( I used to live over in that area in riverview so I know the development you're speaking of. I'm not sure what your situation is and why you would move to that area or what type of person you are. but I'm sure you could find a nicer place elsewhere at the same price.

[kwk722]

These threads are funny, living next to the monkey girl...
Thats how it is, redneck, trailer ridden, plain ol' ugly.
There are newer areas built up nearby but I would create some distance.
Just my opinion of course.

[ma_denicourt]

I would also be very careful renting there. I believe you can find many other communities with much better schools for them. I don't have kids and where I live they just built a nice elementary school. However, in regards to East Bay High School, I've heard it's not the best High School and if you are going to buy this house, I think this High School might be in your district.With this market, there are many places you could rent-to-own. I know Harbour Isles will rent (not to own ) to you ( brand new houses )in Apollo Beach. But also Fish Hawk seem to have great schools too. Ideally, coming back one more time before you relocate might be a good thing for your family...

In regards to appreciation, I know we are getting a Mall at the corner of 75/Big Bend so that will increase our value. We are also getting several offices for lease,etc...I used to live in Frederick,MD and the community where we were, we paid more HOA fees but at least the community always looked impeccable. We now live in COvington Park and although we live on one the best streets, I would take a good look around the community and see if overall it is well maintained. I've come to the conclusion that even if it's a pain paying higher HOA fees, at least it seems to go hand-in-hand with the overall value of the house...

Good luck...

Originally Posted by vabeach2tampa

i'm relocating to tampa area from va. renting at first. found a rental house in kings lake subdivision, which is off of big bend rd (on the N side) halfway between i-75 & s tamiami tr. have elementary age kids. any insight into the area is greatly appreciated before i decide to accept this house. some of the comments i've seen on other threads have made me think twice. help!