Where to look for a condo... (Tampa, Clearwater: relocating, showing, for sale)

[nefariousmuze]

...will be relocating from Weston FL (Ft Lauderdale area) to Tampa in January and am planning to rent for a while until I get to know the area.

Will be working in the Temple Terrace area, so I'd like a commute that's less than 45mins, if at all possible

Ideally, I'd like a water view - a two bedroom condo would be fine (it's just me with occasional visits from a college-attending daughter), close to nightlife without being smack in the middle of it

Any suggestions?

Nef

[AZ_680]

The area of Tampa called "New Tampa" would match your criteria perfectly mind the water view. (That is if you don't count a 5000-square-foot, 3-foot-deep retention pond as waterfront.)

Living in Pinellas County (Clearwater and such) would stretch your commute to around 35-45 minutes, but you'd be able to get a nice waterfront condo there.

I would suggest something on Tampa Bay, but all the areas in Hillsborough County that have Bay coastline are in the middle of Channelside, which seems to be the premier nightlife district in Tampa.

Finally, there's the Westshore area of the city near the airport -- that's a somewhat "happening" place with a waterfront. I'm not sure how pricey the condos are, however.

Hope somebody can help you more.

[TampaKaren]

You should have no problem finding a nice condo on the Hillsborough River which would put you within 10-15 minutes drive to work in Temple Terrace.

[Keeper]

TampaKaren is right.. The hillsborough river condo would be perfect. The river is very serene with some boat traffic on the weekends.

[talzz2]

There are some great condos right off bayshore blvd or in South Tampa area that are close to downtown and close to St Pete which will also put you 5 mins away from south Tampa area, channel Side the Famous Ybor City... However, the price of the condo for the sq footage is not that Great but is a very NICE AREA for renting..

[tampaguy03]

Renting with water views, within 45 minutes to temple terrace, and close but not in the middle of nightlife....i would suggest checking out rentals on Harbour Island, Davis Islands, condo towers along Bayshore Blvd.

There are some Camden properties off Westshore Blvd on the Bay south of Gandy Blvd and also on the Bay just west of the Airport off Memorial Hwy and Hillsborough Blvd, and lastly the Rocky Point area, but with each of those last mentioned areas you'd be pushing the 45 minute commute to Temple Terrace.

[BucFan]

Temple Terrace has a ton of condos for sale north of USF. Shouldn't have a problem finding something there.

[nefariousmuze]

Thanks for the feedback I'll be in the area tomorrow looking at units in Channelside (The Place, Skypoint, Towers at Channelside, and Grand Central).

Also going to see units at Ventana, Park Crest and 'Residences at Franklin St).
Not sure where these are (I have a realtor who is showing the units to me) but I'm guessing they are in or around Channelside.

Also going to see a few units on Harbour Island( Harbour Court A) and one at "Hawthorne Point".

Wish me luck Would also appreciate any feedback on the developments that I've named.

Nef

[roaring-rox]

There are some new Mediterranean style townhomes on the Hillsborough River that are very nice. They have had to come down in their pricing some because of the slump.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by nefariousmuze

Thanks for the feedback I'll be in the area tomorrow looking at units in Channelside (The Place, Skypoint, Towers at Channelside, and Grand Central).

Also going to see units at Ventana, Park Crest and 'Residences at Franklin St).
Not sure where these are (I have a realtor who is showing the units to me) but I'm guessing they are in or around Channelside.

Also going to see a few units on Harbour Island( Harbour Court A) and one at "Hawthorne Point".

Wish me luck Would also appreciate any feedback on the developments that I've named.

Nef

Nice, all downtown, you are an urban pioneer! Harbour Island is fully developed island with multi million dollar waterfront homes, also condos and apraertment towers, there are several convenience shops, a few very good restaurants and some office buildings on the island, best part is you have access to all of downtown(Forum, Channelside Entertainment Complex, Tampa Theater, Performing Arts Center, Aquarium, Hillsborough River, Bayshore Blvd...)all in your backyard! And the interstae is just a few minutes away, roughly 25 minutes to Temple Terrace with no traffic(you will be gogin opposite traffic flow).

The others you mentioned are all new residences downtown, college buddies of mine developed the Towers at Channelside, very spacious, amazing views, LOTS of amenities.

Skypoint is a new Residence Tower across from Curtis Hixon Park and Hillsborough River downtown. Downtown is transforming into an Urban Oasis sort of speak...small restaurants and bars are popping up. Its still kind of quiet in the evenings, unless there are events at the Performing Arts Center, Tampa Theater, Convention Center or Forum. Channelside section of downtown is busier.

Here is a great preview of what you will be seeing:

http://www.hilifetampa.com/