Is Apollo Beach really a bad idea? (Tampa, Brandon: homes, neighborhoods)

[bluemaddy]

What is Apollo Beach like? I drove through it, quickly. I was not impressed and just kept going. Did I rush it? Is it better than I thought? I really spent no time there. Does it have a downtown? The homes are new...so I am thinking good investment since the market is slowly, but surely coming back. Would I want to live there? What do people do for fun? Are there any restaurants? Is there a Jet Ski community? If anyone can help I would be interested in your feedback. Thanks.

[Ladywithafan]

Apollo Beach is built on filled in coastline. It got started about 10 years ago...between the Tomato fields and Tampa....Brandon is the closest town and they've got a huge mall.....

[beachblvd]

Excuse the lack of knowledge by the previous post, since Apollo Beach was actually named in 1959, and my husband has lived here since the 70's. Growth was slow throughout the 70-90's, but has recently experienced a boom and will continue to add services to the town as new housing developments are currently in progress (including one for 5000 homes between I-75 and Hwy 41).

The town has often been called a bedroom community for Tampa, which is difficult to reach with the increased traffic (and please don't succumb to realtor claims that it only takes 20 minutes to downtown, because the commute is more typically 45 min-1 hr). However, more residents are working in the area, and I-75 makes getting to/from a large shopping center in Brandon quite easy (really only does take 20 minutes). If you can work from your home or are retired, it is ideal for the boating enthusiast.

The major attraction to Apollo Beach is that many of the homes are built on Tampa Bay, or canals which lead to Tampa Bay. It's an active boating community, with good fishing in the area. Restaurants are currently few but varied, from fast food to lovely waterfront dining at Circles Lands End, and excellent pizza from San Remo Pizza, with more new restaurants finding their way to Apollo Beach very soon. I suggest you contact the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce for more information, and they have an excellent welcome/relocation pack.

If you are a considerate driver, you are welcome to jet-ski in our area

[cee]

i grew up in Brandon, but my father has been a physician with his own practice in the gibsonton/apollo beach area for the past 25 years or so. if you were driving from US41, you won't see much. most of the neighborhoods are along the channels leading to the bay, and to get to these neighborhoods, you have to drive down one of the sidestreets.

one of the big reasons why there isnt much develop is the fact that there is a lot of NIMBY-ism ("Not In My Back Yard"). i know this because most of these residents are patients of my father. a lot of these people have lived there their entire lives and have every plan on retiring there. It is the reason why a lot of commercial development gets voted down, to retain that Old Florida feel.

As morbid as it sounds, once these people begin to pass away, the property will more than likely change hands and I forsee apollo beach to boom.. greatly due to the location on the water and the easy access to I-75. Andalucia and Symphony Isles are already down there. they just need more commercial development.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by beachblvd

Excuse the lack of knowledge by the previous post, since Apollo Beach was actually named in 1959, and my husband has lived here since the 70's. Growth was slow throughout the 70-90's, but has recently experienced a boom and will continue to add services to the town as new housing developments are currently in progress (including one for 5000 homes between I-75 and Hwy 41).

The town has often been called a bedroom community for Tampa, which is difficult to reach with the increased traffic (and please don't succumb to realtor claims that it only takes 20 minutes to downtown, because the commute is more typically 45 min-1 hr). However, more residents are working in the area, and I-75 makes getting to/from a large shopping center in Brandon quite easy (really only does take 20 minutes). If you can work from your home or are retired, it is ideal for the boating enthusiast.

The major attraction to Apollo Beach is that many of the homes are built on Tampa Bay, or canals which lead to Tampa Bay. It's an active boating community, with good fishing in the area. Restaurants are currently few but varied, from fast food to lovely waterfront dining at Circles Lands End, and excellent pizza from San Remo Pizza, with more new restaurants finding their way to Apollo Beach very soon. I suggest you contact the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce for more information, and they have an excellent welcome/relocation pack.

If you are a considerate driver, you are welcome to jet-ski in our area

Touche....I was thinking of Andalucia, in Apollo Beach, where they filled in on Tampa Bay....just don't hit the Manatees!