Relocating to the Tampa Area (St. Petersburg, Largo: real estate, apartment, rent)

[moboyle]

My family and I are relocating from Pennsylvania to the Tampa area. One of our biggest concerns is our 10 year old son. His education is very important to us and we are not sure what areas to be looking at. We will also be purchasing a new home and also are not sure of family style areas and costly areas. Can someone help atleast get us started in the right direction.

[bnepler]

I live in Pasco county, just minutes from Hillsbourg county. Taxes are lower in this county. We live in Wesley Chapel, far enough from the west coast to not worry about evacuation during hurricanes, forty-five minutes to the beaches and county here.
Home costs any where from $230,000 for a 3/2/2, 1100 sq. ft. to 275,000 for a 3/2/2, 2000 sq. ft..
Most 4/2/2/ and over sq. ft. are $300,000 ande higher. It all depends on what extras they have, pools, prime lots on water and up-grades in the home. I live in Meadow Pointe sub-division and we have an elementary, middle and high school in the communities or within several miles. Most kids do not ride busses to school. Homes are mostly new as well as the schools. We are presently selling our home and building further south because of employment further south. We have a large pond with wildlife, great sunsets and great neighbors but spend too much time on the road. We have no kids, if we did it would be worth staying here.

We also came from Pennsylvania. Chester county.

[moboyle]

What steps did you take when you were relocating?? How did you find places to look at. We currently live in the country but are only 10 minutes from the city. We have no clue on where to even start. Hopefully we can find a place where there are good school districts.

we are not locked in to the Tampa area. I will be working mainly in the Tampa area but that will change from time to time. I do not mind a 1 hour commute, it is more important to find a safe / clean location for my family with reasonable real estate. I do want to stay West of Tampa and North of Sarasota. Any help will be a big help

[bnepler]

West of Tampa would be St. Petersburg or parts of Pinellis county. You closer to the coast. Parts of Largo are nice but crowed. The closer you get to Rt. 19 that runs the coast line the more traffic and crowded it is.

Sites like Bay News 9.com. tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Online, and My Florida.com can help. They can give you crime stats by year and by recent months as well as school ratings. We had visited the area several times as well as my daughter lives here. We used New Homes America to look at different new homes and different areas/counties. The charge nothing and will drive you to the locations . They are paid by the realtors. They even go to settlement with you. Insurance costs are higher along the coast as well as the home costs. Wish you luck.

[moboyle]

I tell you, this is almost like a blind date. You have no idea what you're getting into until you get there. It is definely going to be a big change and adjustment since the area we live now is where my wife and I both grew up. I did work in Tampa 4 years ago and loved it, but I didn't live there and never saw the the areas outside of Tampa, exept YBOR City. This will be a big adjustment for my son leaving his friends and an excellent school. We are trying to not traumatize him more by finding a home with a not so good school district and where he will be uncomfortable. I will keep looking and pray for the best. If anyone else has ideas, please forward along. Thanks

[scamutz]

Originally Posted by moboyle

I do want to stay West of Tampa and North of Sarasota.

Wow, that really limits your options...and puts you in the realm of higher real estate prices, older communities and higher HOI (in most cases). Why do you want to stay west of Tampa?

[moboyle]

My wife really loves the beach and I am trying to get her as close as possible without going broke. Her dream was to always live close to the beach. I think if I can get within 1/2 hour, that would be fine. Any ideas???

[Bones]

Safety Harbor area.

[pixiewytch]

It may help to change your thread title then to "relocating to Pinellas area". Anywhere in Tampa is about an hour to the beach.

Also it helps to know specifically what your budget is like and how much you can afford. You probably know this already but living 30min. close to the beach is going to cost you more. Once people know what type of housing you want and how much you are willing to pay it will be easier to direct you to a specific area.

[fsi001]

I live in the Spring Hill area. Spring Hill is located 35 miles north of Tampa. I understand your concerns. Moving is a big move for your family, and a big change. If I could do it over again, I would do it differently. First of all I wouldn't have taken my 2 oldest out of high school. I would kept on renting down here. When I moved here, I got an apartment and left my family in New York for 6 months. Then I moved them down as soon as I found a house that I could rent. I took the 6 months to shop around the different areas looking for a house. I have 3 children myself. I moved here in Feb. 1997. I was really concerned about the schools here too. I took my kids out of high school and away from their friends. That was really very upsetting to my children. Their accomplishments up their didn't mean anything down here. Housing here as everywhere has gone very high. Doubled in most cases. Insurance and taxes are not as high as everyone makes it sound. 3-4 bedroom homes can be found from $150,000 to ????. I own 8 homes within a 30 mile radius of here. I rent with options to buy. I've been keeping track of whats going on. This area actually is the safest area that I've seen in Florida. This area has never been hit by an actual hurricane. We've gotten the winds and rain and have had some damage by the winds, but nothing dramatic. The area has never type homes too. Hope this helps you.