Waters Edge, New Port Richey,Fla (Miami, Tampa: HOA fees, homeowners insurance, crime)

[vconnie]

Hi everyone!! I just "heard" about a sub-division called Waters Edge, in New Port Richey. It looks nice on the web, does anyone know anything about this place? Would appreciate any and all info on it and the surrounding area. Would greatly appreciate info on schools, shopping, the "feel" of the area. All info, good and bad would be of great help!!! Thanks to all who reply!!

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by vconnie

Hi everyone!! I just "heard" about a sub-division called Waters Edge, in New Port Richey. It looks nice on the web, does anyone know anything about this place? Would appreciate any and all info on it and the surrounding area. Would greatly appreciate info on schools, shopping, the "feel" of the area. All info, good and bad would be of great help!!! Thanks to all who reply!!

Nice subdivision but surrounding areas not that nice.

Not sure what schools it is zoned for.

Not too far from Bulfview Mall which is a decent sized mall and also not that far from Citrus Park Town Center which is a very nice mall.

[BUBBAboyTM]

Hi... I am very familiar with the area. Just moved from there. Take note... home insurance in Pasco is EXTREMELY high! Look into that before taking the plunge. The homes they are building in the Moon Lake area are beautiful. It is kind of out of the way though and is NOT in New Port Richey proper as they would make you believe... it is in unincorporated Pasco and the lack of services in some areas show it. Most new communities there if not all have a guarded entrance. The lake is beautiful and very clean. Bad part is that it is kind of out of the way and getting to the main arteries can be difficult. Also as Mike mentioned, the area around it can be scary. I don't know how to put it delicately other than I have been told that the KKK is active in that area. The area on the other side of the street is mainly trailers and lots of dirt roads and most people are on well water versus city water (this is where the lack of county services comes in). There are some scattered nicer older homes on the other side (mostly around the smaller lakes) but there are miles and miles of not so nice trailers. I don't have a problem with trailers... I only have a problem with trailers that are not well kept with cars up on blocks in the front. Although I cannot confirm this, I was also told that the schools that service that area had quite a bit of racial tension. NPR is actually a beautiful town and I miss it so much... I had to move because of family reasons... but I would never have left otherwise. I lived in downtown NPR. But NPR proper (cute downtown, older homes... parades and picnics) is quite a ways away from Moon Lake. Lets put it to you this way... I am hispanic. Not "obviously" so as I have very light skin, light eyes and no accent. I was told in confidence that in no way should I move to the Moon Lake area as my spanish surname would make me "unwelcome". I didn't really appreciate that kind of atmosphere and steered clear away from that area. But of course, this was on the "other" side... not where the new homes are being built. I would personally pay a visit and see for yourself. I would have no problem living across the street from the trailers as long as I am in my community... I would have more of an issue with my kids attending school with the mentality that is prevalent on the other side. If you have any more questions, please let me know... would be glad to help!

[vconnie]

Originally Posted by BUBBAboyTM

Hi... I am very familiar with the area. Just moved from there. Take note... home insurance in Pasco is EXTREMELY high! Look into that before taking the plunge. The homes they are building in the Moon Lake area are beautiful. It is kind of out of the way though and is NOT in New Port Richey proper as they would make you believe... it is in unincorporated Pasco and the lack of services in some areas show it. Most new communities there if not all have a guarded entrance. The lake is beautiful and very clean. Bad part is that it is kind of out of the way and getting to the main arteries can be difficult. Also as Mike mentioned, the area around it can be scary. I don't know how to put it delicately other than I have been told that the KKK is active in that area. The area on the other side of the street is mainly trailers and lots of dirt roads and most people are on well water versus city water (this is where the lack of county services comes in). There are some scattered nicer older homes on the other side (mostly around the smaller lakes) but there are miles and miles of not so nice trailers. I don't have a problem with trailers... I only have a problem with trailers that are not well kept with cars up on blocks in the front. Although I cannot confirm this, I was also told that the schools that service that area had quite a bit of racial tension. NPR is actually a beautiful town and I miss it so much... I had to move because of family reasons... but I would never have left otherwise. I lived in downtown NPR. But NPR proper (cute downtown, older homes... parades and picnics) is quite a ways away from Moon Lake. Lets put it to you this way... I am hispanic. Not "obviously" so as I have very light skin, light eyes and no accent. I was told in confidence that in no way should I move to the Moon Lake area as my spanish surname would make me "unwelcome". I didn't really appreciate that kind of atmosphere and steered clear away from that area. But of course, this was on the "other" side... not where the new homes are being built. I would personally pay a visit and see for yourself. I would have no problem living across the street from the trailers as long as I am in my community... I would have more of an issue with my kids attending school with the mentality that is prevalent on the other side. If you have any more questions, please let me know... would be glad to help!

BubbaBoy and Mike,
Thanks for the info. As both you and Mike said the area and homes look beautiful, but that alone is not enough to move a family on. I kind of figured that the surrounding area might not be that "good". A family member (elderly) found this subdivision for us and wants us to move down to be closer to them. We are Italian American, and our last name clearly says so, olive complected we could pass for hispanic also. This said I am not sure how "welcomed" we would be either. As far as tension in the schools(especially JHS and HS)do not want any of it!! To much pressure for the kids on top of a move from NY. We were looking to make our life more "peaceful" so to speak. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!!! I was also told by the same relative about a place called Grey Stone (I think) close to tampa and another sub-divison in Spring Hill across from a golf course. Thanks again!!

[BUBBAboyTM]

Hi... I liked Spring Hill... it is right up the highway from New Port Richey. But it tends to have an older population... so not much to do. You have to balance peace with things to do as I feel that kids get into trouble when they are bored. I think you would feel very much at home in NPR as there are a lot of New Yorkers that have moved there... I just would personally move into the actual city itself and not in the outskirts. You can find some very nice houses within the city for $150k or less. NPR has veterans day parades... july 4th picnics... its really like living in a little time warp! LOL I loved it... would never have moved if I didn't have to. Neighbors actually know each other.... stop to talk when walking the dog... grab a cup of coffee and come over to your porch to sit and talk. I have NEVER in my life entrusted my house keys to a neighbor until I moved to NPR. That says a lot.... particularly from a suspicious Miamian such as myself. LOL NPR is just so natural... and it is right on a beautiful wide river (which does NOT flood) that goes out to the ocean... many beautiful parks and a city maintained boat ramp for your boat. I used to have tons of birds and squirrels in my back yard... and I could actually hear crickets at night. That may not be a big deal for most, but I am from Miami and I think the last cricket here took the flag with it in 1979. LOL There is another area that I liked that is called Holiday... this one is right before NPR on US 19. This neighborhood is actually on the Pinellas County - Pasco County line. As far as "value", the closer to Pinellas County you are, the more desirable the property. The Tampa area is hit and miss... some good areas, some not so good areas. NPR is different... there is not a single area in NPR that I did not feel safe in... other than the Moon Lake area for the reasons we discussed. With that said, I would investigate the quality of the schools in NPR online... I think that would speak to me more than the neighborhood across the street, etc. The biggest drawback for me for any property in Pasco county is the homeowners insurance. My house went in one year from $1200 to $3500... we are talking a small two bedroom house here! That was the final straw that encouraged me to just sell and move on for now.

[Mike Peterson]

Spring Hill / Weeki Wachee is a very good area and a bit less expensive than New Port Richey.
Crime is not a problem except in some areas but every county will have some bad areas.
Most schools up here are good, when you are looking for a home just make sure of what school it is zoned for and you would be fine.
As far as the kids staying busy, there are all the regular sports such as little league and soccer but the YMCA has programs too.

[emmaljunga]

Hi, we are also looking at Waters Edge, any additional information on the are would be wonderful.

Thanks.

Emma.

[donnaluv]

Hi! I live right down the block. Waters Edge is expensive, the HOA dues are high & there are a lot of restrictions. For example: you cannot have leave your garage door open, you're only allowed to hang an American Flag(no sports flags), & there are also other charges when you first buy. I know someone who just purchased in there. The elementary school is Cypress & the middle & high school is River Ridge. Hope this helps.

[COACHSAM]

Originally Posted by vconnie

Hi everyone!! I just "heard" about a sub-division called Waters Edge, in New Port Richey. It looks nice on the web, does anyone know anything about this place? Would appreciate any and all info on it and the surrounding area. Would greatly appreciate info on schools, shopping, the "feel" of the area. All info, good and bad would be of great help!!! Thanks to all who reply!!

i also would like some info on wateredge

[victoriam]

I currently live in Water's Edge. We are very happy with the sub-division. Houses are well made and now are at very low prices. The neighborhood itself is very family friendly. Sidewalks for walking, a large pool with a children's splash pool, a couple of parks with play equipment, two docks accessible to residents on the large lake, and a very nice clubhouse with fitness center are some of the amenities. We use them quite often, and some of the home owners have started different clubs that are held in the club house. There is a buisness owners club, a book club, a stay at home mother's club, and a garden club so far.
As for the schools in the area. I am a sub and have been to all the elementary and junior high schools that service the west pasco area. I would say that they are above average schools, some better than others. The two elementary schools that serve the Water's Edge area are Moon Lake elementary and Cypress Elementary. They are both good schools with great staff. The middle school and high schools are River Ridge Middle and High schools. They are only a mile or so from the sub-division but are tucked away off the main road so you would not even suspect they were there. Pasco-Hernando Community College is also just a few miles away on River Ridge road. I have not witnessed any racial tension in the schools. I not sure were that is coming from.
We do have HOA fees. They cover cable, lawn water and garbage pick-up. CDD fees cover maintenance of all public areas. The fees aren't any higher than any other new gated community. Keep in mind, it's always possible when you purchase a home in Water's Edge to ask the seller to pay the CDD's and HOA's for the first year, as part of the contract. Also, I have never had any problem with harassment from HOA in regard to leaving our garage door open or anything like that, nor have I heard that from anyone else.
As for the surrounding area. I have not witnessed any of the negative activity listed in other e-mails.
Hope this helps.