South Tampa neighborhoods (Sunset, Parkland, Gandy: low income, best neighborhoods, rental homes)

[ejperryman]

So I am looking to buy a house in SoTa (400k-500k) but I am confused about all the neighborhoods. I thought that ALL of SoTa was desirable but I drove through some parts the other day that were so-so, to say the least (properties that looked like junkyards, 18-wheelers parked in the driveway, etc.). Can anyone give me a brief explanation or rating scale of the best neighborhoods in South Tampa (maybe list them from 1 to 10)? I really have no idea whether Sunset Park is better than Bel Mar Shores, for example.

Thanks!!

[TheCaptain]

I'm not familiar with the particular neighborhoods, though I'm sure someone else on this forum can help you. What I will say, is what you describe is Tampa in a nutshell.

ALL of Tampa is like that. You'll drive one block and feel as though you're in heaven. The next block, you're locking your doors and stepping on the gas. It's an oddity here, like seeing it rain on one side of the street and be sunny on the other.

[jessiesma]

large military base right there. that means a lot of enlisted folk who don't have a lot of money for family housing off base. so you're going to have some very modest places that dont' get a lot of improvement. that will attract a lot of other low income people. goodness, an 18 wheeler in the driveway? at least that guy is working although It's not the view I'd want from my 500K windows either.
Don't you think it's a tad inflated to pay that when you have F-16's screaming in at low altitude and you are next to a high priority terrorism target?
DOHS considers Tampa one of the primary targets because of the base and the port being I think 5th nationwide. But why put yourself right next to a potential "ground zero" if you can afford better?

Originally Posted by TheCaptain

I'm not familiar with the particular neighborhoods, though I'm sure someone else on this forum can help you. What I will say, is what you describe is Tampa in a nutshell.

ALL of Tampa is like that. You'll drive one block and feel as though you're in heaven. The next block, you're locking your doors and stepping on the gas. It's an oddity here, like seeing it rain on one side of the street and be sunny on the other.

[rtjr]

I live in Virginia Park and love the neighborhood - a lot of bigger, newer construction and I have never seen anything resembling an 18wheeler in anyones driveway. Other great S Tampa neighborhoods in my opinion:
- Hyde Park
- Palma Ceia
- New Suburb Beautiful
- Parkland Estates

[ejperryman]

Oh no (re: mcdill AFB). Is there a lot of airplane/military base type noise in South Tampa?

[rtjr]

Originally Posted by ejperryman

Oh no (re: mcdill AFB). Is there a lot of airplane/military base type noise in South Tampa?

Only if you live south of Gandy in proximity to the base. We are a few blocks south of Bay to Bay and never hear anything from MacDill

[jessiesma]

but yes at times. Uh, ya know, planes training for Iraq/Afgh. and a big air show once a year. any other type mil.necessity.
It is a primary AF base.

Originally Posted by ejperryman

Oh no (re: mcdill AFB). Is there a lot of airplane/military base type noise in South Tampa?

[BucFan]

I play golf at McDill AFB all the time - the only noise I hear is from commercial airliners taking off or landing (depending on the wind) at TIA. I don't recall seeing a lot of military jets flying around much.

[nitokenshi]

when I lived in apollo beach I heard and saw the planes but not often

[Keeper]

I have to agree.. you won't hear the planes unless you live south of Interbay or right outside the base. You might hear commerical airplane noise ocassionally, but normally the flights take off/land over the bay, unless there is a reason they don't fly right over S. Tpa.

It sounds like you were SOG close to Interbay. There are a lot of rental homes in that area, with a few areas that are undergoing gentrification.

There are so many areas..but the ones rtjr listed are very good, as is Bay to bay area.