do you like living in Historic Kenwood and/or Safety Harbor? (Tampa: wood floors, for sale)

[gypsychic]

I don't live in either neigbhorhood, but my opinion and preference would Safety Harbor by FAR. I know Kenwood has it's fans, but too much crime, IMO. Too close to a bad element. And I have to agree those old bungalows are a maintenance nightmare. I actually love Safety Harbor and considered living there at one time myself.

[CubsFan20]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I don't live in either neigbhorhood, but my opinion and preference would Safety Harbor by FAR. I know Kenwood has it's fans, but too much crime, IMO. Too close to a bad element. And I have to agree those old bungalows are a maintenance nightmare. I actually love Safety Harbor and considered living there at one time myself.

Yep, and Yep!!

Too close to South St. Pete and no thanks on the horrible plumbing, electric and a/c

[floridagirl777]

Originally Posted by ms murrr

So the other areas we're considering are Historic Kenwood and Safety Harbor. Both seem to us to be walkable, have terrific houses that aren't outrageously expensive, nice community, lots of trees, restaurants close by, pet friendly, properties out of the flood zone, the whole shebang.

If you live in either of these areas: Do you like it? What are the best and worst parts? Do you feel safe? Do you feel like there's a nice community of people around? Were there any unexpected surprises - good or bad - you found after moving there? Do we sound like the sorts of people who'd fit in well there?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

I live in Safety Harbor and absolutely LOVE it here! I grew up in the Tampa Bay Area, and have lived all over it. I enjoyed most of the areas in which we lived, but Safety Harbor has been my absolute favorite. We plan on retiring here that's how much we love it.

Yes, I feel very safe here. I feel safe enough to allow my kids to ride their bikes and walk around the downtown area with their friends.

Yes, there is a SUPER nice community of people here. That's one of the drawing points of the area. Safety Harbor is a tremendous community, and everyone is very friendly. We look out for one another here.

Here are the best parts of Safety Harbor:

• The houses are not cookie cutter. There are TONS of unique looking homes all throughout the area.
• The community has TONS going on. We are an involved community. There are festivals at least once a month, and people love supporting local businesses around town. The local library and community center are top-notch and provide all kinds of opportunities for involvement for people of all ages.
• It is very eclectic and diverse here. You'll find huge homes right beside smaller bungalows, and it's all good. We are known for being one of the wealthiest and most educated communities without all the pretense.
• We have one of the best downtown areas. It has excellent restaurants and is extremely walkable. It's quaint and quiet most of the time, but during events it is bustling with great activity.
• It is the most convenient place to live. Everything you would want is a short drive away. I can get to Downtown Tampa in just 25 minutes. I can get to the beach in 25 minutes. Countryside, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, St. Pete, Citrus Park, Oldsmar, Clearwater, South Tampa ... I can get to all of these places in about 20 minutes.

The worst parts of Safety Harbor:

• Some don't like that you can be driving along one block that is absolutely stunning with amazing homes, and then turn the corner and the next street looks a little dumpy.
• The public schools here are OK, but they aren't as good as what you'd get in Palm Harbor.
• It is VERY difficult to get in here. Houses don't stay on the market very long (unless there is something wrong with them), so you have to be prepared to act immediately on a property you are interested in.

[ms murrr]

Originally Posted by floridagirl777

I live in Safety Harbor and absolutely LOVE it here! I grew up in the Tampa Bay Area, and have lived all over it. I enjoyed most of the areas in which we lived, but Safety Harbor has been my absolute favorite. We plan on retiring here that's how much we love it.

Yes, I feel very safe here. I feel safe enough to allow my kids to ride their bikes and walk around the downtown area with their friends.

Yes, there is a SUPER nice community of people here. That's one of the drawing points of the area. Safety Harbor is a tremendous community, and everyone is very friendly. We look out for one another here.

Here are the best parts of Safety Harbor:

• The houses are not cookie cutter. There are TONS of unique looking homes all throughout the area.
• The community has TONS going on. We are an involved community. There are festivals at least once a month, and people love supporting local businesses around town. The local library and community center are top-notch and provide all kinds of opportunities for involvement for people of all ages.
• It is very eclectic and diverse here. You'll find huge homes right beside smaller bungalows, and it's all good. We are known for being one of the wealthiest and most educated communities without all the pretense.
• We have one of the best downtown areas. It has excellent restaurants and is extremely walkable. It's quaint and quiet most of the time, but during events it is bustling with great activity.
• It is the most convenient place to live. Everything you would want is a short drive away. I can get to Downtown Tampa in just 25 minutes. I can get to the beach in 25 minutes. Countryside, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, St. Pete, Citrus Park, Oldsmar, Clearwater, South Tampa ... I can get to all of these places in about 20 minutes.

The worst parts of Safety Harbor:

• Some don't like that you can be driving along one block that is absolutely stunning with amazing homes, and then turn the corner and the next street looks a little dumpy.
• The public schools here are OK, but they aren't as good as what you'd get in Palm Harbor.
• It is VERY difficult to get in here. Houses don't stay on the market very long (unless there is something wrong with them), so you have to be prepared to act immediately on a property you are interested in.

We went on the Kenwood bungalow tour over the weekend and feel madly in love with those houses - and now you're making me think perhaps Safety Harbor is the place for us. What you're describing is exactly what we're looking for - the eclecticism and community, plus safety.

[CubsFan20]

Originally Posted by ms murrr

We went on the Kenwood bungalow tour over the weekend and feel madly in love with those houses.

Till you own one and have to deal with the nightmares...

[ms murrr]

Originally Posted by CubsFan20

Quite obviously, but I think you are kidding yourself on a couple things



Fair enough. But let me say that most places in Gulfport do not have sidewalks. So by your definition, Gulfport is not walkable. I seriously doubt most of Kenwood has sidewalks too, it was built in the 20's. Central Ave does, 9th ave N does, every other side street probably dont. The "walkable" parts of Safety Harbor dont either. The newer parts of Safety Harbor do, but they are a mile + from downtown

I live in a subdivision in Tampa (Carrolwood). EVERY subdivision built since the 80's has sidewalks. Every one. Without exception, most residential neighborhoods in St. Pete DO NOT have sidewalks.

And how far is an acceptable walk for you? I can walk a mile from my house and be at several nice (albeit chain) restaurants. To me, in Florida, during 8-9 months out of the year, that's too far.



So where exactly are you walking to all the time? My friends life on Tifton in Gulfport, it's quite a hike to the bar / restaurant area by the Casino / "beach" in Gulfport, but we've done it. Parking is such a pain in the ass that you just about HAVE to. Where else do you walk to there other than the restaurants? The pier, the marina, the beach? Is that stuff THAT much of a draw?



See, I cook a lot, restaurant maybe 2 times a week, and to me, it's not a hassle to get in a car and drive somewhere.

Like I said, I know people there, and have been there a bunch, I don't think there is enough restaurants there (or off of Central Ave, or Safety Harbor, ESPECIALLY THERE) that I would want to make that a chief reason to live somewhere. Especially to compromise on an old, outdated, full of issues house...

To me "walkability" in Florida, is a myth. You HAVE to have a car, so it's not a thing to drive somewhere to eat.

Hi - sorry for the late reply; was off the computer for a couple of days.

No one said that we were getting rid of the car. Just that we'd like to be able to go some places without having to use it. I just really like to walk, Cubsfan - yes, even during the summer. I'm not asking you to adopt my preferences; you are free to remain incredulous that this is a preference that would factor into real estate choices. It remains my preference.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts. It seems like all these places would be good fits for us - Gulfport, Kenwood, and SH - and that a lot of this will come down to where we can find the right house at the right time.

[ms murrr]

Originally Posted by CubsFan20

Till you own one and have to deal with the nightmares...

Did Historic Kenwood steal your girlfriend or something? Why are you so dedicated to saying how much you hate it there?

[CubsFan20]

Originally Posted by ms murrr

Did Historic Kenwood steal your girlfriend or something? Why are you so dedicated to saying how much you hate it there?

Helping you make an informed decision on those crappy old houses. I know several people who have owned them and they are a nonstop cycle of headache after headache and money after bad money

not just in kenwood, but anywhere in florida, its an issue with all of those wood framed bungalos built in the 20's-30's.

but hey, dont believe me, go buy your cute, small house and find out all the shortcomings yourself

[sunigal99]

I bought a cute, old bungalow in Dunedin a few years back. I loved the area, withing walking distance of downtown and Pinellas trail. Yes, there were problems rehabbing it. But when I was done, it was beautiful. A job transfer forced me to sell it and move, but I would absolutely consider the downtown core of Dunedin. And as a plus, you can ride your bike to the beach if you live in Dunedin.

[Irishiis49]

Originally Posted by ms murrr

Did Historic Kenwood steal your girlfriend or something? Why are you so dedicated to saying how much you hate it there?

Holy cow I was thinking the same thing...My son is a current bungalow owner smack dab in the middle of Historic Kenwood...young professional couple they are not living in the hood nor is their 1920's home falling down around them...they walk to parks and restaurants and are not accosted...but if schools are an issue Safety Harbor is hands down the better place to live...and there are quaint homes within walking distance of the Main Street area...you will pay more but you get more in terms of education...I live in Palm Harbor I have no dog in this fight... but I have to speak up when someone has an obvious bias against a place that I know is untrue...