Panther Trace or Fishhawk Ranch (or somewhere else) (Tampa, Bloomingdale: 2014, how much)

[Nyce_1]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are looking to buy our first home and we've settled on Panther Trace or Fishhawk. We love the family environment of both communities. Fishhawk offers more and we like the schools available to our 7yr old (and more in the future). As for PT, we seem to get a better value for a new construction home and it's closeness to the hwy. We're hoping to establish our roots as a young newlywed couple.

If given the choice, which would you choose and why? Any opinions and points to think about are greatly appreciated.

[NALEXAND]

This is a hard one, both are zoned to good schools, both are comprised of upper middle class folks. I think Fish Hawk is more upscale, has the best rated high school (Newsome) although Panther Trace's HS is Riverview High and its good as well. Both areas funnel into the same middle school @ Barrington, which is new and I hear its a good MS. Fish Hawk is newer but is further out towards a rural area and is not close to the highway. They both have amazing amenities such as pools, clubhouses, Panther Trace is a more walkable neighborhood and has sidewalks, tennis and basketball courts and is a very active neighborhood. I think I'd personally choose Panther Trace because the elementary schools there that my daughters attend is AWESOME and its closer to the highway and civilization. There was supposed to be a mall built about 2 miles south of Panther Trace that we are still waiting to see go up. Either way, you cant go wrong. Fish Hawk is amazing too.

[Nyce_1]

Thanks, NALEXAND. Is the elementary school in Panther Trace, and other schools in Fishhawk, only for residents or is it open to the surrounding areas for attendance? As for the drive to Fishhawk, I see they have started construction to widen the roads, any ideas when it is schedule for completion?

[TampaKaren]

I prefer Fishhawk hands down no contest. The trails are great, the community pools are awesome, the town center always has activities and just the aesthetics of the community in general are very nice. But you will pay more to live there (over PT).

The Panther Trace developer bulldozed almost all of the larger trees and then planted saplings so it's a little sterile looking. For now, it's more convenient to shopping and retail thanks to the widening of 301, but as soon as Boyette has been widened all the way, traffic will be much better for Fishhawk residents. I was stuck in 5mph after school traffic on Boyette last week and it wasn't fun.

I guess it will depend on your personal preferences. Both communities have their pluses and minuses.

[Nyce_1]

Thank you Karen.

I am leaning towards Fishhawk because of the reasons you listed, but my wife is pro PT because of location to highway and value of one of the homes we're looking at. CDDs are the same, and for what you get in FH, no brainer. Do you have any idea how long before the widening of Boyette is completed?

I appreciate all the info and opinions shared in this thread.

[TampaKaren]

Fishhawk is a master planned community by Newland. Continued improvements are scheduled out until 2014. Not so in Panther Trace. It will always be a subdivision where Fishhawk is a live, work, play concept community. Newland has another community planned for the Southshore area, Waterset. Here's a media article --> http://www.tampabay.com/news/busines...cle1214399.ece.

Were it me, I would choose a master planned community any time over a subdivision. IMO, the Panther Trace CDD is overpriced for what you get. But, I would add that when Momma's not happy, no one is happy, and if you're paying; you're picking.

Good luck and keep us posted on your decision.

[NALEXAND]

THe elementary school is inside of Panther Trace. It is for residents but outside kids can apply for admission. I am not sure when the road widening project will be complete but it is progressing.

Originally Posted by Nyce_1

Thanks, NALEXAND. Is the elementary school in Panther Trace, and other schools in Fishhawk, only for residents or is it open to the surrounding areas for attendance? As for the drive to Fishhawk, I see they have started construction to widen the roads, any ideas when it is schedule for completion?

[MortonR]

You can see the attendance boundaries for any school at the school district's Web site:

Hillsborough County Public Schools

You can also enter the address of the property to see what schools it belongs to.

As for schools, yes the school in Panther Trace draws from outside the area, as most schools will. The school is not "exclusive" to Panther Trace. Here is a link to Collins' attendance area:

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/schools/bound/0065.pdf

Working for the school district, and specifically for all of the schools in the Fishhawk area, I would choose Fishhawk if I had school age children and could afford it. Be mindful that there is a very clear caste system in Fishhawk, and where you live will clearly dictate your social status in the community - this even filters down to the kids in elementary school, sadly.

As for the widening on Boyette, don't hold your breath. This has been coming for many years, and is still a huge bottleneck for that area. Lithia Pinecrest is just as bad, and a great deal of traffic is forced on to Bell Shoals north to Bloomingdale.

This is not going to change for a long time due to the very limited funding available for new construction projects. If you choose Fishhawk, resign yourself to a lengthy commute if you have to drive outside of the area during rush hours.

RM

[bnepler]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

Fishhawk is a master planned community by Newland. Continued improvements are scheduled out until 2014. Not so in Panther Trace. It will always be a subdivision where Fishhawk is a live, work, play concept community. Newland has another community planned for the Southshore area, Waterset. Here's a media article --> Home building to begin at huge master-planned community in Hillsborough County - Tampa Bay Times.

Were it me, I would choose a master planned community any time over a subdivision. IMO, the Panther Trace CDD is overpriced for what you get. But, I would add that when Momma's not happy, no one is happy, and if you're paying; you're picking.

Good luck and keep us posted on your decision.

Definitely FH! I'd hate to live in Waterset if a hurricane hits. And they'll have that great view and smell of the power plant.

[wrbohen]

Can anyone tell me how much the CDD fees are in fishhawk? Thanks