Made an offer in South Tampa...having second thoughts (Westchase: sale, crime)

[jstong]

My husband and I just returned from a house hunting trip in Tampa. We looked at amazing houses in New Tampa but found out that the commute to MacDill AFB, where my husband would work as a contractor, would be about an hour and 20 minutes. That was too long for my husband so we made an offer on a house in South Tampa right by the base. It's a brand new developement but the area around it is quite seedy. The schools are not good and I'm wondering if we've made a mistake.

[Tampaman]

Why second thoughts? I love the area

[gypsychic]

What makes the area "seedy" - is it just run-down homes or do you see "undesirable" types hanging around? At any rate, not sure about your posting - could you still get out of the sale if you decided you had really made a mistake?

I haven't lived in Tampa for years, but I have always liked the South Tampa area. Lots more character around there and much more convenient to what is good in Tampa and also St. Pete.

You might want to check out the crimewatcher report for Tampa just to see how crime is in that area.

[tampa-chrissie]

We live in South Tampa, but North of Gandy. South of Gandy isn't as nice, but I wouldn't call it dangerous. And it's nicer the closer you get to the Bay. The public schools around us are some of the best in the state. I think overall S. of Gandy is really a good value and bound to see improvements.

With so many resale homes on the market there are some great deals. Get out of the deal if you're not confidient.

Originally Posted by gypsychic

What makes the area "seedy" - is it just run-down homes or do you see "undesirable" types hanging around? At any rate, not sure about your posting - could you still get out of the sale if you decided you had really made a mistake?

I haven't lived in Tampa for years, but I have always liked the South Tampa area. Lots more character around there and much more convenient to what is good in Tampa and also St. Pete.

You might want to check out the crimewatcher report for Tampa just to see how crime is in that area.

[jstong]

What do you know about School Choice? The schools for this house are Westshore Elementary, Monroe Middle, and Robinson High. I'm not real excited about any of them. Is it realistic that we could get our kids into other public schools or would we have to do private?

[Spree]

I think the school choice application is going on now? Here is the website w/more info : http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/choice/

There is school choice and special assignment, you might want to look into both. However, be aware you might need to provide your own transportation especially for special assignment. If a school is at capacity, you will have a harder time getting the kids in.

I do know that Plant High School is suppose to be excellent. I have a friend who has two children at the school, they love it. They sent their kids to private for middle school and then onto Plant for high school. I have heard also that the elementary school on base is suppose to be good as well. Not sure of their district zoned for that school.

[MortonR]

I work with folks who teach at both Westchase and Monroe, and they are both excellent schools.

The area you are in is an older, but very well established part of Tampa. Yes, there are seedy areas around it, but neighborhoods like Palma Ciea (sp?) and the likes are really "old money" in the area.

And don't use the state grading system to judge a school - it's very misleading. A good example is an elementary school in New Tampa that is very highly regarded - but a "B" school. Why? Even though they scored well above the requirements for an "A" grade, the lower level students did not improve more than 10%. Think about that - if your lower level students are at a high level already, they will never improve 10% a year, because there is no room for them to. . .

Anyway, don't let the looks of things or the state give you the wrong idea. The area is older, but very well established. You've got a really nice, short commute to MacDill, and you're close to the downtown area for all the activities that go on there.

You'll be fine. . .

RM

[jstong]

I appreciate all the information everyone. It definitely helps to make our decision.