Western Pasco County

[mrs.coach]

Don't come to TX, then......EVERY ONE SMOKES. There are days I can't even sit in my own backyard without getting clouds of smoke from one neighbor or another. It is certainly not something unique only to FL, or even Pasco Co.

[Pasco Homeowner]

I am really surprised at all of the comments I am seeing about Western Pasco. I like living here more than when I lived in Palm Harbor (Pinellas County). There are only 2 things I prefer in Pinellas over Pasco: Road drainage and job openings. I have noticed a much higher chance of roads flooding in Western Pasco during a normal storm than there is in Pinellas and a majority of jobs are in Tampa, Clearwater and St. Pete. Almost all of them are easier to egt to from Pinellas.
Other than those things though, I really prefer Pasco over Pinellas. Things are a little calmer here and it is usually easier to get errands run, etc. It is true that it is a little more run down than parts of Pinellas, but if you look at the 2 counties with open eyes there really isn't much of a difference. Both counties have nice areas and bad areas. I have never run into the things that the above posters mentioned. I ran into those kinds of issues more in Clearwater than here in New Port Richey. It all depends on the area you choose.

[rich67]

If you are going to look at Pasco County, DEFINITELY stay away from Holiday and Hudson. Both areas are terrible, lower class (Hudson still has some OK areas, not too bad near Little and Hudson Ave.), and certainly nothing worthwhile.
I'd say stick with Trinity, Thousand Oaks, and pretty much anything along the 54 corridor from Little east out to the Suncoast and a bit beyond. Lots of newer homes, eating places and shopping in close proximity.
Although Pasco (particularly areas of Shady Hills and Moon Lake) could definitely be classified as meth areas, I think you'd be hard pressed calling it the meth capital of the US. Even Pasco can't hold a candle to Riverside County California and Fresno.
I always tell people to stick with this rule of thumb for house shopping in Pasco: stay east of Madison St., south of Ridge Rd., north of Trinity Blvd., and west of 41, and that's a pretty good area. North of Ridge Rd. you start seeing a lot of toothless people with their crack stems hanging out of their pockets, and west of Madison you see street walkers (yes, believe it or not, there is a lot of prostitution in Pasco...especially in Holiday -near Bonita Dr. and US19,- and up near the bridge and US19), and then anything out east may be too far away for you, unless you are interested in Wesley Chapel and some of the more eastern areas by I75.
Good luck, but PLEASE avoid Holiday and Hudson... Pasco isn't all that bad.

[Margel]

I live in Pasco County, 30 minutes north of Tampa, in Odessa. I am west of the suncoast off 54. I am happy with my choice. It is safe, clean, family oriented with decent schools. I have not traveled all over Pasco, but I bet the poster before me is correct. Every county or area in Anywhere, USA will have good parts to it as well as not so good parts. You need to do your research and really look for yourself. I always thought I would like to live in Clearwater until I got lost in the city part of it and had a big wake-up call. Do your research and visit for yourself, and you'll know what to do.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by rich67

If you are going to look at Pasco County, DEFINITELY stay away from Holiday and Hudson. Both areas are terrible, lower class (Hudson still has some OK areas, not too bad near Little and Hudson Ave.), and certainly nothing worthwhile.
I'd say stick with Trinity, Thousand Oaks, and pretty much anything along the 54 corridor from Little east out to the Suncoast and a bit beyond. Lots of newer homes, eating places and shopping in close proximity.
Although Pasco (particularly areas of Shady Hills and Moon Lake) could definitely be classified as meth areas, I think you'd be hard pressed calling it the meth capital of the US. Even Pasco can't hold a candle to Riverside County California and Fresno.
I always tell people to stick with this rule of thumb for house shopping in Pasco: stay east of Madison St., south of Ridge Rd., north of Trinity Blvd., and west of 41, and that's a pretty good area. North of Ridge Rd. you start seeing a lot of toothless people with their crack stems hanging out of their pockets, and west of Madison you see street walkers (yes, believe it or not, there is a lot of prostitution in Pasco...especially in Holiday -near Bonita Dr. and US19,- and up near the bridge and US19), and then anything out east may be too far away for you, unless you are interested in Wesley Chapel and some of the more eastern areas by I75.
Good luck, but PLEASE avoid Holiday and Hudson... Pasco isn't all that bad.

Great advice, I agree.

And Margel - I always thought you picked a great area - you really did your research and it paid off!

[poohcorner]

I also live in Odessa off of 54 right near the Suncoast. We did alot of research before buying making several trips from January until we found the home we liked and bought in August. Most of our focus had been in the Trinity area which is very nice although the houses seemed a bit closer then here where we settled. The best thing for you to do is make trips, search out houses on line and check out all the areas.

Rich has the right idea. I'd definitely stay within the areas he described and I'm sure you'll find something you like especially in the market right now.

Best of luck!

Pattie

[Margel]

Hey Pooh,
How are things going? I am glad that you still love Florida too. I think be both moved to a great area.