Places in/near Tampa Bay with character/"Old" or "Natural"-Florida feel? (Palm Harbor: hair salon, rentals)

[ph142]

I'm looking to relocate to the Tampa Bay area and wondering if there is a place that, roughly speaking, meets some or all of these criteria:

-Within a reasonable (for daily commute) driving distance of downtown Tampa or St Pete

-Less strip malls and national chain stores/restaurants; more local businesses. Perhaps a 'downtown' or 'Main Street'-type area with local businesses and charm and character and/or that is walkable

-Some of that "Old Florida" or "Natural/Wild Florida" charm -- trees draped with Spanish moss, houses with porches, Palmetto scrub, easy access to underdeveloped, "natural" park or conservation areas... Somewhere where at night you would be able to see lots of stars due to low light pollution and hear the crickets/insects/frogs as opposed to nearby traffic... etc...

-Maybe, but not necessarily, a place with a sort of rural or semi-rural character to it. Think LaBelle, for those who have been, or maybe the towns around the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee.

Thanks!

[SeaSpur]

First two places that come to mind: Dunedin & Safety Harbor.

Each has their own downtown away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby highways, if transported to their downtown you wouldn't be able to guess there are millions living around you. Lots of trees, parks, and charm...very inviting feel. Local businesses, lively downtowns that are walkable, a "community" look. Yet with all of that, easy access to busy urban cores like St Pete and Tampa.

I think light pollution is going to be an issue anywhere in Tampa Bay metro area.

I live in West Tampa but Dunedin and Safety Harbor would be my top 2 choices to live if I were to move if I think about it.

[tgtguy111]

Ditto on Dunedin and Safety Harbor. Great towns..Maybe add Ozona and the downtown part of Palm Harbor...Both are small but have that "old Florida vibe".

[floridagirl777]

Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and Ozona ... love all three of those places!

[ph142]

Thanks everyone for your responses!!

[gypsychic]

While I love both Dunedin and Safety Harbor, they are not rural enough to see lots of stars, hear crickets etc, IMO.

We used to live in Dade City, and that area along with San Antonio seems to fill the bill. The downtown is very small, but if you want LOTS of natural beauty and countryside, along with stars and fireflies, this is the place. Not to mention lush rolling hills, woods and lakes. We live in Sarasota now, but I still miss the beauty of this area.

[dothetwist]

Your criteria was OUR criteria a few years ago. At that time we needed to relocate within 30 minutes of Tampa Airport (I can make it there from my Gulfport home in exactly 23 minutes, not speeding). We often go to DTSP (Downtown St. Pete) for lunch...it's a 14 minute drive.

We spent 2 winters alternating rentals in the downtowns of Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Gulfport. Gulfport won our hearts. We've lived here over 2 years and still enjoy our daily walks to the water, restaurants (a dozen NON-chain)....live under tall oaks with Spanish moss on a brick-lined street. Life is good, no make that GREAT here!


Check this website for activities:
Gulfport Merchants Association
Gulfport Merchants Association


Here's what we can walk to in under one-half a mile:

The Beach
The Fishing Pier
Library
12+ Local restaurants (all independent, no chains)
Retail shops
Car Repair
Yoga Studios (2 private) in addition to City classes at Rec Center which sits waterfront
Post Office
5 Parks (3 parks, plus 2 dog parks)
City Tennis Courts
Public beach volleyball courts
Dance Ballroom (City Owned, also the venue for art shows, galas and private weddings/parties)
Live Theatre
Churches
City Rec Center
City Government Offices
Senior Center
City Museum
City Marina
Convenience stores (2, one has Greek fresh food carryout)
Baseball field
Weekly Daytime Fresh Farmers Market
Twice a month evening Art Walks

What we can walk to between one-half mile up to one mile:
Grocery Store (SaveALot, not my fave but it's handy in a pinch)
Fresh Produce Stand open 7 days a week (use this more than SaveALot)
Vet
Dollar Store
Drug Store (Walgreens)
5+ More restaurants
More stores (Auto parts, hair salons, etc)
Banks

I'm sure I left some places out!

[SeaSpur]

You know, Gulfport is a great suggestion and I would pair it right along with Safety Harbor and Dunedin in terms of feel. Hate I forgot about it when posting. Great restaurants there and a nice downtown. I feel like the homes (and the average age) are a little older than maybe Safety Harbor or Dunedin, but I could be wrong on that.

[ph142]

Originally Posted by dothetwist

Your criteria was OUR criteria a few years ago. At that time we needed to relocate within 30 minutes of Tampa Airport (I can make it there from my Gulfport home in exactly 23 minutes, not speeding). We often go to DTSP (Downtown St. Pete) for lunch...it's a 14 minute drive.

We spent 2 winters alternating rentals in the downtowns of Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Gulfport. Gulfport won our hearts. We've lived here over 2 years and still enjoy our daily walks to the water, restaurants (a dozen NON-chain)....live under tall oaks with Spanish moss on a brick-lined street. Life is good, no make that GREAT here!


Check this website for activities:
Gulfport Merchants Association
Gulfport Merchants Association


Here's what we can walk to in under one-half a mile:

.....

Great. Thanks for all the info!!

[ph142]

Once again, thanks to everyone who responded. This has given me some good ideas and places to further check out. Thanks!