Relocating from Ohio in June (Tampa, Clearwater: real estate, to rent, houses)

[cincykev4]

Hello, My father and I will be relocating to Tampa in early June, for he will be relocating for a new job. We are looking to buy a house and have already looked at several realtor sites. What are some good areas we should be looking into. Houses to buy we are looking in the range of $190K-225K. Which seems to be the same size and quality as houses that are on the market for $400K up here in Ohio.

Also since we are obviously new to the area, except we vacation in the Indian Rocks Beach area each year, we are looking for some places to check out bars, sports, anything that will get us use to the area and make the move easier.

Any other comments would be welcomed as well.

Thanks!

[jambo101]

As you know very little about the area wouldnt it be in your best interest to rent for 6 months before locking yourselves into a house purchase in an area that may turn out to be not as good as you thought.
Renting gives you the opportunity to get the lay of the land so to speak,and get advice from friends and co workers,,
Happening places? i'd start at Johns Pass..

[Sunnydee]

We moved from Cincinnati last June and we love it here. The weather is amazing and the natural beauty of this place is awe-inspiring. Plus the people are just so nice. I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised. Welcome.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by cincykev4

Hello, My father and I will be relocating to Tampa in early June, for he will be relocating for a new job. We are looking to buy a house and have already looked at several realtor sites. What are some good areas we should be looking into. Houses to buy we are looking in the range of $190K-225K. Which seems to be the same size and quality as houses that are on the market for $400K up here in Ohio.

Also since we are obviously new to the area, except we vacation in the Indian Rocks Beach area each year, we are looking for some places to check out bars, sports, anything that will get us use to the area and make the move easier.

Any other comments would be welcomed as well.

Thanks!

With most houses in Ohio i assume you'd be getting a full basement and a attic.Thats a lot of useable space. Most houses in Florida are on slabs and have trussed roofs with very little useable storage space there. Many garages end up so full of junk there's no room to park the vehicles.Theres a big difference between a $400K house in Ohio and a $200k house in Florida. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

[BucFan]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tampa...ad-before.html

[grammyR]

Definitely check into Pinellas County real estate. You should find plenty in your price range right now. Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Tarpon Spings all near the coast. Wher I live its full of transpanted Ohio retirees. FYI in this area there is no real need to put your car in the garage sinceit never really freezes here. Carport is nice when it rains ( and it does a lot in the summer )

[djames59]

If he's working in Tampa, check out WestChase and West Tampa, Not East tampa. If he's working in St Pete/Clearwater check out Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs.

My 2 cents