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Old 09-25-2016, 02:10 PM
 
9 posts, read 20,151 times
Reputation: 15

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We are considering taking new jobs in the Tampa area and are driving up to explore for a weekend. Where would you suggest we look? We want to look at neighborhoods for potential homes and explore things to do/shopping/activities/etc.

About us: My job would be in Lakeland and my husband's job would be in downtown Tampa. We are in our 30s with a very young baby. We have two dogs and prefer to be outdoors. We want a safe neighborhood with good schools and our house budget would be $400-600k.

My research has initially led me to the New Tampa and Fish Hawk neighborhoods. Thoughts on these? Any other suggestions?
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Old 09-25-2016, 02:14 PM
 
4,948 posts, read 18,652,999 times
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New Tampa would suit your husband but for you it would be travel. I am in Wesley Chapel which has really grown as traffic.

Seven Oaks in New Tampa seems to be the place young people like to be.
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Old 09-25-2016, 08:14 PM
 
Location: Florida & Arizona
5,933 posts, read 7,278,490 times
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New Tampa would be unpleasant from a commute standpoint for both of you. Fishhawk not much better, but better, depending on where in Lakeland you need to go. It's also far more friendly from a outdoors standpoint.

You might want to consider looking in Plant City.

RM
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Old 09-26-2016, 03:07 AM
 
76 posts, read 107,977 times
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Make a list of your must have's:

Neighborhood - new / old / average income levels / city or country?
Conveniences - nearby shopping, access to highway
Commuting time - going into Tampa during rush hour means substantial delays, same on the return. Commuting to Lakeland not so much.

Between Tampa and Lakeland there are a lot of places that may suit you, take a look in Thonotosassa.

Good Luck.

Last edited by just_visiting 9; 09-26-2016 at 03:16 AM..
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Old 09-27-2016, 08:32 AM
 
9 posts, read 20,151 times
Reputation: 15
What is Thonotosassa like? I have not seen much information on that area. What about Plant City?

Some friends have recently recommended Brandon and Wesley Chapel. These seem to be more doable commutes.

I have spoken to a realtor about neighborhoods and she seems to be suggesting neighborhoods much farther from Lakeland (South Tampa, Temple Terrace, etc.).

I feel even more lost than before as to the two or three neighborhoods to narrow our search. Any help is appreciated!
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Old 09-27-2016, 09:59 AM
 
Location: Florida & Arizona
5,933 posts, read 7,278,490 times
Reputation: 7527
Quote:
Originally Posted by MidwestInMiami View Post
What is Thonotosassa like? I have not seen much information on that area. What about Plant City?

Some friends have recently recommended Brandon and Wesley Chapel. These seem to be more doable commutes.

I have spoken to a realtor about neighborhoods and she seems to be suggesting neighborhoods much farther from Lakeland (South Tampa, Temple Terrace, etc.).

I feel even more lost than before as to the two or three neighborhoods to narrow our search. Any help is appreciated!
Plant City and Thonotosassa would be good for your commute. Both are rural areas for the most part. Plant City is a somewhat small and conservative town mostly based around agriculture, primarily strawberry farms. It's a nice place but a bit rough around the edges and somewhat inclusive. There are some higher end areas there but they are limited.

The realtor is steering you to areas they like, not you. Unless you're looking for the hipster/millennial thing with bars and small restaurants, South Tampa is not for you. Temple Terrace isn't bad, it's a nice stable enclave surrounded by some sketchy areas. It's also somewhat dated, having been developed in the 1950s and 60s. The architecture reflects this, but there are some parts that are park-like and nice, I think.

Brandon doesn't really have areas that would fit your choice of home and is hit or miss as far as upscale living spaces.

Wesley Chapel would fit your home choice, but I question the commute to Lakeland from there. The area is seriously overdeveloped and as a result traffic is difficult even on the best days. I don't know if there is a "back way" to Lakeland from there, but going down I-75 and then east on I-4 would not be fun. At all.

Again, Fishhawk would be great depending on where in Lakeland you have to drive. If it's south or west it wouldn't be bad, maybe 40 minutes and mostly rural highway.

RM
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Old 10-02-2016, 05:56 AM
 
76 posts, read 107,977 times
Reputation: 102
Quote:
Originally Posted by MidwestInMiami View Post
What is Thonotosassa like? I have not seen much information on that area. What about Plant City?

Some friends have recently recommended Brandon and Wesley Chapel. These seem to be more doable commutes.

I have spoken to a realtor about neighborhoods and she seems to be suggesting neighborhoods much farther from Lakeland (South Tampa, Temple Terrace, etc.).

I feel even more lost than before as to the two or three neighborhoods to narrow our search. Any help is appreciated!

The down & dirty is, if you want to split the commuting distance equally then you'll be in the rural area. Lots of trailer parks and country folk. There are also pockets of upper income neighborhoods as well but practically speaking you'll be 20+ minutes from food stores. The smaller and older towns like Plant City are still suffering economically with all the associated problems.

However, all things are not equal on the commute, so locate yourself closer to Tampa. The rush hour traffic is heavy but going towards Lakeland it would be much lighter, same for the evening. 30 minutes in Tampa rush hour = 10 miles covered if you're lucky, 30 minutes going to Lakeland = you have arrived!

Take one of the newly built apartments in Brandon, off Falkenburg Road and close to the Selmon Expressway. You'll have good access to Tampa and be close to stores and the coastal areas. Just rent for a year and build your own new house, property values are rapidly appreciating.
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Old 10-03-2016, 10:19 AM
 
261 posts, read 259,415 times
Reputation: 194
I would suggest no where in Tampa Bay . Reconsider! Good access to Tampa and the coastal areas from Brandon, thats hilarious. Great advise if you want to sit in traffic for the rest of your life!
The rent in Tampa is getting more expensive faster than anywhere else in Florida, report says | Tampa Bay Times
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Old 10-03-2016, 12:32 PM
 
Location: Tampa, Fl
4,091 posts, read 5,987,963 times
Reputation: 3415
I wouldn't suggest the bay either... Yachts are expensive!
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Old 10-04-2016, 05:51 AM
 
Location: Land O Lakes, Florida
29 posts, read 36,116 times
Reputation: 28
Riverview area in one of the newer communities and travel the Selmon to downtown. The commute for you would be Hwy 60 or I-4 East which sometimes gets congested.

Budget wise you are good! that can buy you alot of house compared to Miami!
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