Traffic from Carrollwood or Citrus Park up to Odessa (and into Tampa?) (Temple Terrace: apartment)

[jackacc]

I am going to be working in the Odessa area but my wife's career will more than likely keep her closer to Tampa so we have been looking in the Carrolwood and Citrus Park areas among others in the middle.

How would traffic be for me going up to Odessa? I have heard most of the traffic is going into Tampa so I might be ok. But I worry that my wife will still have a decent commute from there. We were trying to stay somewhat neutral and keep our commutes similar.

We originally were thinking Wesley Chapel but people I work with used to commute into Ybor from WC and it took them and hour and 20 mins nost days .

I commute in NJ now and was really hoping to cut down on our time in the car once we are in FL.

Thanks!

[jackacc]

Noone commutes north away from Tampa?

Then how do the northbound sides of the highways look when you are all sitting in gridlock?

[Keeper]

Northbound traffic is always much lighter than south during rush hour.
Not sure where you will be working in Odessa but Citrus park or Carrollwood would be a good choice. Citrus Park depending on where you live might be a little heavy during rush hour on Gunn Hwy until you get to the express way. Schools could also slow you down depending on the hour.
Carrollwood is a nice area and I know TampaKaren said she lives there so maybe she can shed some light on that area. There are several different ways to get to Odessa from Carrollwood which is good if there is an accident. You might even find a place off of Van Dyke or Gunn Hwy to live.
Are you looking to buy or rent?

[jackacc]

Thanks!

We are ooking to buy. And our main concerns are to be in a safe area with good schools as we are planning to start the family once we move.

I'll be working in Odessa about 2 miles from Gunn highway. My wife will be applying to work at schools like USF, Tampa U, and a few other private schools in the area, wherever she can gain employment in admissions. Most of the schools seem to be located in Tampa itself. Otherwise we'd probably look up closer to Odessa. That would be an awful commute for her from out there.

I have heard many good things about Carrollwood so far in regards to it being a nice safe comminuty with great character. And it seems to be centrally located and relatively close to highways. Both our parents are retired (one set in South FL one set in North FL) so we'll be hitting the highway quite often!

[Keeper]

Depending on where your wife gets a job even then the traffic from Carrollwood wouldn't be as bad as from WC or New Tampa.
I like Carrollwood as it is older and you have trees which you won't find in some areas. Lots of restaurants and shopping too.

Good luck..

[starbuckstasty]

Hi, I'm also looking at a job in Odessa, and we were wondering what apartment communites are nice around that area, we were also looking at the Citrus Park area to live. Thanks!!

[jessiesma]

you can just go up Dale Mabry to Erlich and then the Veterans to Van Dyke to Gunn Highway. It's pretty easy and your wife won't have it too bad going the opposite way on DM although I don't envy her. still a lot better than from WC or even Citrus Pk, for your wife. CP would be a snap for you. I used to live in Temple Terrace and horseback ride in Odessa and from there, North Tampa or WC is over an hour. For you, getting cross county is the hard part. There are country roads but again going downtown WC is a nightmare. Being a Jersey girl myself, I would choose Carrollwood for the commute and a lot of other reasons.

The schools in Carrollwood area are good. You also have Carrollwood Country Day, The Jewish Day School and other faith based ones. There are all sorts of churches and a variety of synagogues and Citrus Park abuts Carrollwood so for mall shopping, the Y or JCC activities, it's convenient.
There are newer subdivisions going up as you go towards Van Dyke.

Originally Posted by jackacc

I am going to be working in the Odessa area but my wife's career will more than likely keep her closer to Tampa so we have been looking in the Carrolwood and Citrus Park areas among others in the middle.

How would traffic be for me going up to Odessa? I have heard most of the traffic is going into Tampa so I might be ok. But I worry that my wife will still have a decent commute from there. We were trying to stay somewhat neutral and keep our commutes similar.

We originally were thinking Wesley Chapel but people I work with used to commute into Ybor from WC and it took them and hour and 20 mins nost days .

I commute in NJ now and was really hoping to cut down on our time in the car once we are in FL.

Thanks!