Housing close to MacDill AFB (Tampa, Pinellas Park: apartments, how much, house)

[ruby429]

Hi Tampaguy! We're Considering A Move To Your Area(from Long Island) My Husband May Get A Job At Macdill Afb, What Are Some Family Friendly Neighborhoods Near Ther? Any Input Would Be Appreciated!

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by ruby429

Hi Tampaguy! We're Considering A Move To Your Area(from Long Island) My Husband May Get A Job At Macdill Afb, What Are Some Family Friendly Neighborhoods Near Ther? Any Input Would Be Appreciated!

If you can afford it and manage with 2 bedrooms for around $1500/mo I'd say Hyde Park, SOHO (kinda of more trendy, yuppie tho). Between there and the base can be either mega bucks or grungy. Palma Ceia is nice to buy but $$$$$$$. Good schools in that area. If you go further north out of the peninsula part of Tampa the commute will be horrible.
Unless you have the sort of income for Palma Ceia or Hyde Park, I'd say live in Pinellas county and let him commute. It will actually be an easier ride for him from N.E. St. Pete or one of the smaller communities like Pinellas Park. Lots of nice apartments in what's called "carrilion" area of SP and easier for you to get around for shopping etc.
South Tampa is more of a city feel and SP is more suburban with strip malls, big box retailers etc. but you're closer to beaches and just as easy a drive to Busch Gardens etc. Getting around Tampa can be a nightmare. WE lived by USF and just getting to I-275(look at the map. it's about 4 mi.) to go downtown took 20 minutes and we're not timid on the road. Expect to get rear-ended at least once the first year you're there. Drivers are very aggressive.

[Keeper]

Are you looking for a house or apt? How much do you want to spend? Are schools important?