Moving to Tampa/ Commute to Spring Hill? (Miami, Citrus Park: apartments, condos)

[michigan_girl]

Hi! I am a teacher in the Miami area, considering a prospective job in North Pasco (Shady Hills area). I am single and in my early 30's, and would rather live closer to Tampa where there is more to do. (Just having trouble getting into Hillsborough Schools.) Where would be a realistic location to rent an apartment within 45 minutes or less? (It is just off the Suncoast Pkwy) I'd like to live in an area that is close to shopping, restaurants, starbucks, movies, etc. rather than in the country. The Trinity area on SR 54 really seems to have some possibilities. Are there any other areas that might fit my description? Would Citrus Park be really far? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I really want to get out of Southeast Florida! Can't wait to hear from you!

Thanks so much!!

[the_pines]

Shady Hills is right next to Spring Hill. It isn't any closer to Tampa. But by all means get out of Miami and come to the area. Tampa Bay has everything to offer Miami does. Don't listen to the naysayers. Its a solid place. There is also some neat places up here on the nature coast.

The area around Shady Hills would be Brooksville, Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Hudson, Masaryktown, Land O Lakes, and possibly Lutz(Tampa suburb). There are no apartments in Shady Hills. The town is a spread out urban area mostly field with bigger lots and mobile homes. Overtime people have removed more and more mobile homes and built houses on their property. Spring Hill has some newer apartments right next to County Line RD where Shady Hills starts. Now there are some newer housing divisions in Shady Hills towards Moonlake and Tampa.

Shady Hills also has Crews Lake Park which is gorgeous and filled with huge Florida oaks draped in Spanish Moss, with walking trails, playground, picnic areas, a tower and stuff like that. If you're in Shady Hills you're also in between Hudson Beach and Pine Island(Spring Hills beach). As well as some clear rivers where you can swim or rent boats and stuff. Its a mighty fine area indeed. I think you would be crazy to stay in Miami and pay those prices over the Tampa area.

Tampa isn't that far from Spring Hill either. You can get there from US 19 or the newer Suncoast Highway. On the Suncoast toll rd its about a thirty minute drive to get in to Tampa. This area is less expensive than Tampa, and it has smaller beaches. A lot less jobs. But okay shopping and suff. Shady Hills doesn't have anything of its own though as far as that goes. Only gas stations. Its basically an extension of Spring Hill. Kinda like the country area of Spring Hill.

Someone else could probably help you better with the areas along the way if you're taking the back roads to Tampa. Ive traveled them a lot but I tend to use visualizations to know where im going rather than street names. So im not good at giving directions.

[michigan_girl]

thanks for the advice. sounds nice there. if i'm offered the job, i'll take it! the position requires teaching 1 day a week in land o lakes, so i thought if i found an apartment off 54 near trinity, i would be half way in between... then i could have the best of both worlds.

[TampaKaren]

Citrus Park is not that far away provided you stay around the Veterans Expressway aka Suncoast Parkway. Personally, I think your instincts are good in that you're looking to drive against the majority of the commuter traffic. I think there are also some relatively new apartment/condos near the Suncoast and Hwy 52, but there's not a lot of retail around there yet, but it's coming in the future!

[Minniemom]

Hi. I live in SH in Hernando county and my BIL actually lives off of Shady Hills Road. It is still considered SH, but in Pasco county and it takes him about 15 minutes or so to get to me. I live near 50 (cortez) where most of the shopping is located. (Aside from 19) Whenever he wants to go to Starbucks or Panera, he comes all of the way over by me because there is no shopping over near him (he is off of 52 if that helps). Citrus park is about 30-35 minutes away, but right off the suncoast, so it is a straight run. My DH drives to work everyday right near the Tampa airport. It takes him 45 minutes door to door. SH is huge! Good Luck.

[michigan_girl]

I just have one question.... WHERE ARE ALL THE PALM TREES? i was in St Pete a week ago and drove up to spring hill (very long drive), but the further north i got, the more scarce the beautiful palm trees were. in miami they are in every median, in every yard. i felt like i was in georgia

on another note, does anyone think st pete is run down, or was that just my view off the expressway? Seemed like there were lots of buildings boarded up. are there nice areas in st pete too? (besides the beach!)

[KMSFLA]

Originally Posted by michigan_girl

I just have one question.... WHERE ARE ALL THE PALM TREES? i was in St Pete a week ago and drove up to spring hill (very long drive), but the further north i got, the more scarce the beautiful palm trees were. in miami they are in every median, in every yard. i felt like i was in georgia

on another note, does anyone think st pete is run down, or was that just my view off the expressway? Seemed like there were lots of buildings boarded up. are there nice areas in st pete too? (besides the beach!)

I live in Trinity and have an office in St. Pete. Actually, IMHO, downtown St. Pete. has improved greatly over the years.

[House4Sale]

If you are a young, hip, cosmopolitan type who likes culture, book stores and fashion, Spring Hill is not the place for you. It is a pretty town but lacking in the areas I just mentioned. Don't know about the rest but S.H., Brookesville, Masaryktown are more country so I would try to stay closer to Tampa where there is more of the above. Hope that helps.

No palms up that way either. :-/

[Tom in Spring Hill]

Originally Posted by michigan_girl

I just have one question.... WHERE ARE ALL THE PALM TREES? i was in St Pete a week ago and drove up to spring hill (very long drive), but the further north i got, the more scarce the beautiful palm trees were. in miami they are in every median, in every yard. i felt like i was in georgia

on another note, does anyone think st pete is run down, or was that just my view off the expressway? Seemed like there were lots of buildings boarded up. are there nice areas in st pete too? (besides the beach!)

Palm trees are native to south Florida. Not North Central. They are here, but they are all imports from the south. Gets a little chilly up here sometimes for the palms.

[glastron_79]

Originally Posted by michigan_girl

I just have one question.... WHERE ARE ALL THE PALM TREES? i was in St Pete a week ago and drove up to spring hill (very long drive), but the further north i got, the more scarce the beautiful palm trees were. in miami they are in every median, in every yard. i felt like i was in georgia

on another note, does anyone think st pete is run down, or was that just my view off the expressway? Seemed like there were lots of buildings boarded up. are there nice areas in st pete too? (besides the beach!)

Palm trees exist in Spring Hill, but from what I've seen, there are more beautiful shade trees in that area. That's one of the characteristics about Spring Hill that my husband and I always liked. Had more of a country feel to it.

Can't answer the St. Pete inquiry. I rarely go down there.