Moving to FL Tampa area (Sarasota, Bradenton: real estate, homeowners association, condo)

[nvans]

Looking for a family friendly community to raise young children maybe Tampa area, close to shopping areas. I have a friend who lives in Valrico and loves it but the homes seem very dated. I know most areas have association fees which I'm not against but I want to make sure its a good association with events that will go on with in the community. Looking from Tampa- Sarasota areas with a 400k budget.

TIA

[FLKitties]

What size home are you looking for? Pool, no pool? Working and will need to find a job to commute to, work from home, or retired? These kinds of things will help people narrow things down a bit for you.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by nvans

Looking for a family friendly community to raise young children maybe Tampa area, close to shopping areas. I have a friend who lives in Valrico and loves it but the homes seem very dated. I know most areas have association fees which I'm not against but I want to make sure its a good association with events that will go on with in the community. Looking from Tampa- Sarasota areas with a 400k budget.

TIA

Depends on what part of Valrico they live in. Some areas are quite old, many are less than 10 years old.

If you like this part of the county, I would suggest taking a look at Bloomingdale East or Fishhawk Ranch. Both areas have homes in and below the amount you mentioned.

As the previous poster mentioned, more information is ideal, especially if you're commuting. Traffic is nightmarish here.

RM

[nvans]

Husband is a contractor, so not sure how much commuting will be going on. Hoping to build business in the area. Pool would be ideal Im just looking for somewhere, where there's lots to do for kids. I know this is going to sound crazy but I want neighborhood where kids come to trick or treat on halloween. I live in an area where no one answers the doors for tick or treaters and its really upsetting.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by nvans

Husband is a contractor, so not sure how much commuting will be going on. Hoping to build business in the area. Pool would be ideal Im just looking for somewhere, where there's lots to do for kids. I know this is going to sound crazy but I want neighborhood where kids come to trick or treat on halloween. I live in an area where no one answers the doors for tick or treaters and its really upsetting.

Bloomingdale East. YMCA and little league in the community, lots of families, plenty of Trick or Treaters.

Good place to start:

Bloomingdale Homeowners Association

RM

[FLKitties]

Originally Posted by nvans

Husband is a contractor, so not sure how much commuting will be going on. Hoping to build business in the area. Pool would be ideal Im just looking for somewhere, where there's lots to do for kids. I know this is going to sound crazy but I want neighborhood where kids come to trick or treat on halloween. I live in an area where no one answers the doors for tick or treaters and its really upsetting.

If you're willing to go as far south as Sarasota, you'd definitely like GreyHawk Landing in eastern Manatee County (east of Bradenton, just north of Lakewood Ranch) if you're looking for things for the kids to do. Very family-friendly community. Trick-or-treaters welcomed by many homes in the neighborhood. They also have a Halloween costume party each year for adults and kids. Some people even go all out with their Halloween displays.

More info on GHL: GreyHawk Landing Lifestyle and video at https://vimeo.com/84476041

If you're looking for something closer to Tampa, Fishhawk Ranch would probably be most comparable: https://www.fishhawkranch.com/whats-here/

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by FLKitties

If you're looking for something closer to Tampa, Fishhawk Ranch would probably be most comparable: https://www.fishhawkranch.com/whats-here/

Only problem with Fishhawk, as nice as it is, is the caste system that exists in portions of it as well as the schools. I worked in the schools in Bloomingdale and never encountered behavior like that.

I've related my experiences with the schools and the kids referring to the "ghetto", which in reality is the first section of Fishhawk that was built.

Some "ghetto". :roll eyes:

RM

[nvans]

so the students refer to this section of Fishhawk ghetto? which section is this? how do I know which areas are more desirable than others. I also want a home that will hit all the marks for the next buyer. I know some areas are tainted with stigmas that don't appeal to all buyers.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by nvans

so the students refer to this section of Fishhawk ghetto? which section is this? how do I know which areas are more desirable than others. I also want a home that will hit all the marks for the next buyer. I know some areas are tainted with stigmas that don't appeal to all buyers.

With HOA and CDD fees, at a budget of $400k you're going to be on the very bottom end of Fishhawk Ranch properties unless you're looking for a condo.

Again, look at Bloomingdale East - a wide range of homes that are well within your budget, excellent schools, a YMCA , little league and community parks. Plenty of shopping and restaurants close by as well and an easy drive to I-75 and Tampa.

RM

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by nvans

so the students refer to this section of Fishhawk ghetto? which section is this? how do I know which areas are more desirable than others. I also want a home that will hit all the marks for the next buyer. I know some areas are tainted with stigmas that don't appeal to all buyers.

If I were you, I would take Morton's advice very seriously. He's lived in the area for many years. He's worked in both the public and private (or semi-private) sectors in the Tampa Bay area. He's raised a family here. He's bought and sold real estate in the more eastern part of Hillsborough County. He's a realist, not a cynic. He doesn't have an axe to grind. (at least, not that I know of) He's a wealth of knowledge and experience. He likes to help people and give them realistic information. He does this on his own dime.

I realize, that as a new poster on the board, you would have no way of knowing his background and experience. So that's why I'm telling you. And no, he's not paying me to sing his praises.

If he says Bloomingdale East, you can take it to the bank.