Does anyone live in the Clearwater area? (Tampa, Palm Harbor: crime rates, safe area)

[missy126]

We are moving from Ohio to the Clearwater area soon and I'm wondering if I could get some comments on which areas I should avoid. I'm researching and have conflicting reports on crime rates in the area. Would love to hear from anyone living in that area and what they think.

[sunigal99]

You're right, Clearwater is a big, spread out city with lots of different neighborhoods. It also has some of the worst traffic. Live near your workplace, if you can.

Best places to live would be Countryside and Clearwater Beach. Of course they're also the most expensive. Downtown Clearwater is not really nice. Lots of uniformed Scientologists and some sketchy neighborhoods. They keep trying to rehab it, but it's a slow process. I used to live off of Sunset Point Rd in the Keene Road area. There are some nice subdivisions there. US 19 has a lot of apt complexes along it, but that road is a nightmare. After you learn the area, you find other roads , like Belcher or McMullen Booth to take as alternates.

You also might consider the small towns bordering Clearwater, like Dunedin, Safety Harbor or Oldsmar. All very nice.

If you have questions about a specific subdivision or area, you can message me.

Welcome to the area! I've been here 33 yrs and still love it!

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by sunigal99

You're right, Clearwater is a big, spread out city with lots of different neighborhoods. It also has some of the worst traffic. Live near your workplace, if you can.

Best places to live would be Countryside and Clearwater Beach. Of course they're also the most expensive. Downtown Clearwater is not really nice. Lots of uniformed Scientologists and some sketchy neighborhoods. They keep trying to rehab it, but it's a slow process. I used to live off of Sunset Point Rd in the Keene Road area. There are some nice subdivisions there. US 19 has a lot of apt complexes along it, but that road is a nightmare. After you learn the area, you find other roads , like Belcher or McMullen Booth to take as alternates.

You also might consider the small towns bordering Clearwater, like Dunedin, Safety Harbor or Oldsmar. All very nice.

If you have questions about a specific subdivision or area, you can message me.

Welcome to the area! I've been here 33 yrs and still love it!

Ditto on everything. Also consider Palm Harbor.

[missy126]

Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it!

[sunigal99]

Yes, Palm Harbor or even East Lake are really nice.

Missy126, will you be working, a student, with a family or retired? That will make a difference in the area you choose too.

[missy126]

My husband is retired. Our son will be with us but he is 24. I may work not sure yet but am considering going back to college. I want to make sure we don't come to an area with a high crime rate. We lived in Palatka years ago so we are familiar with the weather in Florida. We wanted on the Gulf side where there are plenty of things to do for fun.

[sunigal99]

I would recommend Safety Harbor. It's like Mayberry on Tampa Bay. Small, safe, artsy. To the west is Clearwater, to the east is the Bay, and to the south are the 2 bridges that make it convenient to go places. Bayside to St Pete and Courtney Campbell to Tampa. It's close to 2 airports. The only thing missing is a good beach, although Clearwater Bch is probably 20 minutes or so.
If you want Clearwater, probably Countryside area has something for everyone.
Good luck!

[floridagirl777]

Originally Posted by sunigal99

I would recommend Safety Harbor. It's like Mayberry on Tampa Bay. Small, safe, artsy. To the west is Clearwater, to the east is the Bay, and to the south are the 2 bridges that make it convenient to go places. Bayside to St Pete and Courtney Campbell to Tampa. It's close to 2 airports. The only thing missing is a good beach, although Clearwater Bch is probably 20 minutes or so.
If you want Clearwater, probably Countryside area has something for everyone.
Good luck!

Oh my goodness … I totally second this! Safety Harbor just rocks. We love it here! It is so convienient to everything, yet I seldom ever want to leave it because it really has everything my family needs.

[Wwanderer]

I hesitate to recommend Dunedin because I don't want to ruin it with a huge influx of folks, but it's very nice, and closer to the beaches than Safety Harbour.

[Loretta M Castorini]

Originally Posted by missy126

We are moving from Ohio to the Clearwater area soon and I'm wondering if I could get some comments on which areas I should avoid. I'm researching and have conflicting reports on crime rates in the area. Would love to hear from anyone living in that area and what they think.

Avoid East of 686 and Anything along from MLK Greenwood ave area, from (60) Gulf to bay to Myrtle Ave... not a good or safe area...

If you move to Clearwater I highly recommend the area of East Of Mc Mullen booth road... well anything in Safety Harbor South of the RR tracks, and down town... if you must have Clearwater... Anything near the Countryside HS is good. That's 580 or Main Street... Dunedin is very nice too.... Nothing on Drew Street area... to Mc Mullen booth... its areas are strange to tell you great locations... I have a lot of family in these areas... so I can tell you where to live... Enterprise Road, 590 East... is good... Anything East of US 19 is good... till you get to Palm Harbor great locations too... East Lake Woodlands is the Best place ......

Island Estates is wonderful too... crime is everywhere you can not avoid it. be diligent and keep your doors and cars locked that's all