Safest town for family with 3 little girls Brandon, Ruskin, Clearwater, Tampa??? (Palm Harbor: apartments, rent)

[sandylive]

Hi! my name is Vicky and I my husband and I have 3 girls. Their ages are 17, 11 and one that is 5 months old that I am currently breastfeeding..trying to wean as we speak!.. Anyhow we are moving to the Florida area due to my job transfer and he is a OTR truck driver, so I am looking for a safe suburban residential are to live. We are looking to either rent an apartment, condo or a house before buying as I am unfamiliar with the area. Since my husband is gone 7 or 10 days out safety is of utmost importance..Which areas are close to the beaches and or shopping centers?..and do these communities offer good schools as well. I don't have a dog or a gun..so I have to feel safe at night and during the day with the baby and the girls. Looking online, Clearwater, Brandon, Braedanton, and Ruskin appear to be nice. Is there any town or communities or apartments that I should stay away from? Thanks so much!

[sandylive]

Lol!..I know rite!..because its on my mind because today is the second day I have been trying and it has been rough!..Anyhow as I have to return to work soon, it has to happen. So you are in the same boat eh?..Well I am coming from IL to Florida and we are excited about the move. I'm just looking for a decent place to live that is suburban because thats what I'm used to..I'm hoping to get some advise about unsafe neighborhoods to save me the anxiety and stress while taking care of the girls. Do you know anything about the area yourself?..Have you ever been to Florida?

[grammyR]

You mention quite a wide area of choices. Most of them have safer as well as not so safe areas, so difficult to compare. A gated apt complex may be a good start until you decide wher to buy. Fingin good schools may be the toughest. I do not care for Brandon ( highly populated w/fewer commodities. Ruskin is quite rural. Clearwater some areas are OK and other not. Scientology has taken over the downtown area. I like the Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Trinity areas< Westlake areas. Tampa is very sprauled out w/many different areas. I have lived in South Tampa which is considered kinda yuppy. Plant High School rated quite highly but I had no kids in school. It depends on your budget but I would maybe research the school district you want first and then go from there.

[DASULAR17]

Brandon is like new Tampa and is a good place to live Ruskin is more redneck. but more open and country My wife and I live in Palm Harbor more toward the west coast and love
it but Bradon is also very nice . Good luck!

[Kevin from Tampa]

If you are looking for ONLY safety...i.e. if that is your ONLY concern, then move to New Tampa/Wesley Chapel, or Trinity.

If you are asking ONLY which of those 4 areas is the safest, go with the nicer areas of Brandon.

[webster602]

I'm a mom of 3- breasfed all of them. But never posted about it on an internet forum, unless it was one that was geared to that subject. I thought it was very amusing, that's all.

[kdubose]

Originally Posted by webster602

I'm a mom of 3- breasfed all of them. But never posted about it on an internet forum, unless it was one that was geared to that subject. I thought it was very amusing, that's all.

I found it to be hilarious and totally random also! As for the OP, each city you mentioned has its perks and not so greats... Clearwater will be the closest to the beach, but doesnt have the best of schools. Parts of Tampa have great schools (S Tampa, Lutz, New Tampa) but they tend to be in more pricey areas. Im not really familiar with the Brandon area or Ruskin. As for Clearwater or Tampa, they both have very safe areas and not so safe areas...it really just all varies. Without really knowing what youre looking to pay, its kinda hard to help narrow the areas down. Good luck with your BF weaning

[the4inthevalley]

Put it this way they have their good points and bad points just like every other city in the US. Just have to find out what is best for you and your family and what you are looking for. Are you willing to drive to get to places or do you want them in close range.

[bman2011]

Originally Posted by sandylive

Hi! my name is Vicky and I my husband and I have 3 girls. Their ages are 17, 11 and one that is 5 months old that I am currently breastfeeding..trying to wean as we speak!.. Anyhow we are moving to the Florida area due to my job transfer and he is a OTR truck driver, so I am looking for a safe suburban residential are to live. We are looking to either rent an apartment, condo or a house before buying as I am unfamiliar with the area. Since my husband is gone 7 or 10 days out safety is of utmost importance..Which areas are close to the beaches and or shopping centers?..and do these communities offer good schools as well. I don't have a dog or a gun..so I have to feel safe at night and during the day with the baby and the girls. Looking online, Clearwater, Brandon, Braedanton, and Ruskin appear to be nice. Is there any town or communities or apartments that I should stay away from? Thanks so much!

I've been in the Pinellas County area - specifically Palm Harbor / Clearwater since last July and I can tell you both areas are pretty good as far as where we have lived so far. If you are looking for something in terms of moderate rent, good for family, and safe as well I would say in the Palm Harbor area which is about 10-15 minutes away from Clearwater, you would will find good places all around the area near Highway 19 N. That whole area is pretty family friendly, always nice people walking along the bike path on Belcher Rd and bikers, joggers, etc. If you want to look for a cheaper place than Palm Harbor, I've lived on Belleair Rd in Clearwater, it is mostly all older people and pretty laid back people all around. Haven't had any trouble, nice, and people keep to themselves. As long as you guys don't have loud parties or something and make it a night mare for people around you, you should be good. Hope this helps.

[sandylive]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply..I really appreciate all the feedback! All the information was quite helpful, especially about the neighborhoods and the different locations.

Thanks again!