New Houses in Interbay (South of Gandy) + School Info Req (Tampa: insurance, condo)

[ts_ohio]

Y'all, this is a wonderful forum... I will be moving from Ohio to Tampa in Feb/Mar. (I havent been to Tampa and dont know much about the city)
Currently, I am looking for houses in the 33629 (North of Gandy in the Palma Ceia Area).
The houses are pretty expensive there, but the school district is wonderful.
but just 4 or 5 miles south of Gandy, there are plenty new construction and the prices are good (I am looking in the 500K range).
If any of our forum members can give me info on the following, i will be greatful..

a) How "family friendly" is the SOG area (south of Gandy) - We have a 3 yr old
b) I read that Chiaramonte Elementary School is not that good (http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...chool/fl/1327/) when compared to Dale Mabry Elementary... anybody here have kids going to Chiaramonte?
c)Are there any 'sub divisions' in the SOG area? I would like to be in a 'closed community' rather than a separate house on a street.
d) Does Verizon have FiOS in this area?

thanks for all your input...

[mquintana]

Try this link:
http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/schools/
It's a list of ALL schools in hills. Co. and also has the grade they are rated.

Try this link as well, this is reviews from people on schools in this area....
http://www.insiderpages.com/s/FL/Tampa/Schools

I hope this helps you!

one more thing, most places in the Bay area are "family friendly"

[ts_ohio]

Originally Posted by mquintana

Try this link:
http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/schools/
It's a list of ALL schools in hills. Co. and also has the grade they are rated.

Try this link as well, this is reviews from people on schools in this area....
http://www.insiderpages.com/s/FL/Tampa/Schools

I hope this helps you!

one more thing, most places in the Bay area are "family friendly"

Thanks for the info mquintana... those links are quite helpful...

[mquintana]

You're very welcome! I totally understand where you are coming from-glad to help!

[tampaguy03]

a) How "family friendly" is the SOG area (south of Gandy) - We have a 3 yr old
I have freinds that have small ones in the SOG area, it is hit and miss, but very up and coming. Areas around Port Tampa City are all brand new subdivisions(along the MacDill AFB border, west of Manhatten and south of Interbay Blvd), and very family friendly..Westshore Elementary is a good rated school. Over by Ballast Point area is also very family friendly(east of MacDill Ave to Bayshore Blvd), and there are some smaller subdivision type areas with about 20-30 homes.

b) I read that Chiaramonte Elementary School is not that good (http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/...chool/fl/1327/) when compared to Dale Mabry Elementary... anybody here have kids going to Chiaramonte?
Im not sure..sorry.

c)Are there any 'sub divisions' in the SOG area? I would like to be in a 'closed community' rather than a separate house on a street.
Just two I know of mentioned above(cant remember the names)

d) Does Verizon have FiOS in this area?
Yes

Also, here is a previous posting on this topic.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/tampa...-airports.html

[Keeper]

My grandkids went to Chiarmonte and they did well there, however that was a couple of years ago.
The one thing to figure in if you are considering buying a house in Tampa is HOI cost. Property tax is expensive also, but there is no state income tax so I guess that helps offset it a little.

[tonynorie]

Rather than repeat some of the information that some before me posted, I'd rather suggest that for 500k you can have your choice of many, many homes north of Gandy (and south of Kennedy). There is a large inventory right now and the prices have moderated substantially since they peaked a couple years ago.

I think you'd have no problem buying in the Wilson Middle School/H.B. Plant High School district.

Good luck in your search and pending move!

[mquintana]

Oops. I missed some of these...

a) How "family friendly" is the SOG area (south of Gandy) - We have a 3 yr old
Not sure, but I do believe it is a "family friendly" enviroment...
c)Are there any 'sub divisions' in the SOG area? I would like to be in a 'closed community' rather than a separate house on a street.
There are a lot of housing communities that are gated in the Bay Area....
d) Does Verizon have FiOS in this area?
There are a lot of areas that do have the FIOS, but some only have the phone and internet--not the cable--and some have nothing FIOS. I work in an apt. comm. here in Brandon and there are parts in Brandon and Riverview that do not have FIOS.

[ts_ohio]

Thanks for all the info... yup, I am quite surprised to see the difference in insurance and property tax. I read that there is a vote to bring down the taxes on Jan 29th. Hopefully, that will be helpful to guys like me who plan on moving there...
Most of the houses I have seen are still taxed at the rate in the 1990s... and they are a priced almost double now... so, new comers like myself will be hit with larger property taxes..

[Tampasteve]

I have lived SOG many times. There are very few gated communities, however, the Port Tampa area around the airforce base is at the end of the penninsula so as a result the area is quite (except for an occasional fighter jet/fuel tanker). Many of the streets in SOG are not active through streets so you can find a great community off the beaten path. There are also some great new communities going up off Interbay Blvd. Bayshore Point is a Condo/home community that is gated on the Bayshore side. Westshore Yacht Club is gated on the Westshore side. Fios is available in most areas SOG. As far as schools, the Plant HS district does get higher marks, however I have had people say they their kids were happier in Robinson's area. Dont forget to check out the section about 'school choice' programs.

Taxes can be estimated at 1.5 to 2% of the purchase price. The are calculated off assessed value. For more details on that go to hillstax.com

Good luck on the move,

Steve