Heard crime was very high in tampa! (Orlando, Palm Coast: mortgage, property taxes)

[tracyintpa]

I have lived in South Tampa for 30 years and have never felt that it was a high crime area. We live in an older home c. 1958. Our taxes are around $2300 (keep in mind, we have no pool, no garage, no extra amenities or land, its a modest 1900 sq foot home), our homeowners runs around $3500, and we have to carry flood insurance at $1500. I don't know if thats high compared to other areas of the country or not. I"m guessing it is a little high, but I would not live anywhere else in Tampa. South Tampa is the best location, you can hit the Gulf beaches in about 30 minutes, Busch Gardens in 20 minutes, all the major malls are w/i a 20 minute drive or less, 10 minutes to the interstate, 5 minutes to 2 major toll roads, 60 minutes to Disney World. IMO S. Tampa is safe and worth every penny it costs to live here, we have character, lots of independantly owned businesses and restaurants and history. I have never, ever felt unsafe in my 30 years here in Tampa, including while driving through some of the "less desirable" looking areas.

[Floridaobserver]

I feel very safe in the Tampa area, and we've lived here for 12 years. I volunteer with the sheriff's office and have found that most victims of violent crimes were involved in risky behavior, such as sex with strangers, drugs, gangs and other types of illegal activities. So ... if you keep your nose clean and keep your doors locked, you'll be fine!

By the way, the police departments around here seem to be very diligent when good areas of town begin to turn bad ... or when something bad bad happens.
But unfortunately it seems that in some of the "bad" areas around town, the residents do nothing to help themselves - they do not cooperate with police, which only hurts their communities.

[Eyesys]

crime is high anywhere, as long as u dont move in the hood, near the hood, or venture off into the hood you will be fine. crime isnt as high in tampa as it is here in Savannah. It all relative to where u are in that city.

[JSnFla]

there are so many areas in hillsborough county that u have to stay away from and some of the so called good areas are surrounded by really bad areas.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

there are so many areas in hillsborough county that u have to stay away from and some of the so called good areas are surrounded by really bad areas.

Can you explain what areas you are referring to?

I can name a few areas Suitcase City near USF, some parts of East Tampa and a small area near Ybor City near downtown, I wouldn't live in Suitcase City, but I have lived near Ybor City and delivered Meals on Wheels in Suitcase City and I am a female. Parts of East Tampa are nice but I wouldn't want to live in other parts.

Where are the so called good areas surrounded by bad areas you are referring to?

[JSnFla]

any area near 275 going north borders bad areas (ie-carrollwood) as east of 275 is mostly bad...channelside borders into ybor and all those bad areas....south tampa below gandy is not good and above kennedy is not good....westchase, citrus park and the general region over there borders into town and country and other questionable areas considered tampa. tampa beneath carrollwood by all the strip clubs is so so at best....the entire stretch on hillsborough ave out to the hard rock is bad....basically any good area is not far from an area u would not want to be in...IMO

[Keeper]

Well you are entitled to your opinion, and I would agree anything near I275 is suspect . I also agree with East Hillsborough near I275. Maybe we just disagree on what a 'bad' area is.

However, Carrollwood is no where near the strip clubs on Dale Mabry. The area east of Carrollwood is not a bad area just older homes in Forrest Hills. The area S of Carrollwood is not really bad until you get to Drew Park near the stadium.

I lived in TnC for 15 years, with only one problem when some kids went around breaking windows for fun. There are a few 'hot' spots for trouble in TnC mainly near and east of the Jr. HS but not the whole area.

SoG is not all bad but I wouldn't want to live close to the projects there. East of Manhattan SOG is not all bad either, homes built in the 50-60s. Again, some hot spots on S. Dale Mabry especially drug activity. There are several new developments being built around Westshore SOG.

Of course, that is JMHO

[faina00]

Taxes....yes they are outrageous...ours are $11,000 annually.

But, crime? I do not see it....its the same as everywhere else, stay away from the bad areas, and driving around I seesome, but not too many. We moved from a large midwestern city with much worse crime stats than Tampa, and I was never a witness to crime there either.

[Sharon2226]

Insurance is high, indeed. But I have high limits, and a newer car, and GEICO has really come through with just $40 higher per month than I was paying up north, in Pittsburgh. But, I also had 2 months off in Pittsburgh, without paying, and here, it is year round payments. But....that's because of the high accident rates here, and theft of vehicles. With homeowners, it's obvious why that is higher...just a higher incident of hurricanes here. Plus, theft as well. More people from all walks of life moving to a state, the higher the insurance. But, I would recommend GEICO, and their commercials are oh so cute, no?

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

any area near 275 going north borders bad areas (ie-carrollwood) as east of 275 is mostly bad...channelside borders into ybor and all those bad areas....south tampa below gandy is not good and above kennedy is not good....westchase, citrus park and the general region over there borders into town and country and other questionable areas considered tampa. tampa beneath carrollwood by all the strip clubs is so so at best....the entire stretch on hillsborough ave out to the hard rock is bad....basically any good area is not far from an area u would not want to be in...IMO

Regarding South of Gandy, one of the nicest neighborhoods is Ballast Point, and along Westshore Blvd are beautiful condos/townehomes and million dillar single family homes, and in Port Tampa City, there are some beautiful older historic homes in that area next to brand new single family homes...now in between it all hits and and miss, but I dont see alot of crime happening down there.