Decision: South Tampa or the Northern Burbs??? (Cleveland: for sale, 2009)

[Sean33606]

While you may pay higher property taxes in S.Tampa it's probably worth it if you have 2 kids. Anywhere else in Tampa you will want to use private schools. Property taxes run about 2% of the value of your home, about $7500.00 on $375,000 and don't forget insurance around $8000.00.
Florida has a serious problem with property taxes, we need to have a tax revolt like they did in California in 1979 when they passed proposition 13 which limited property tax to a maximum of 1% on the cash value of a home.
Unlike California, Florida government workers have a very strong lobby that fights any type of tax reform, they don't want to get laid off. Our so called Republican Gov Charlie Crist has shown no leadership or initiative in shrinking our government and lowering property taxes to a reasonable amount. Taxes and insurance are the number one thing choking the Florida economy.

[BGF]

Here's the SOCOM evacuation map:

http://www.socom.mil/Hurricane/Maps/...-%209.35MB.pdf

Someone was kind enough to link it in an old thread. I hope it helps. It's a large file, so I would download it and view it in a separate PDF viewer so that I can zoom in to the specific areas of interest.

[mark9989]

Is anyone posting here about Tampa familiar with Celebration Fl and Baldwin Park, both in Orlando? Are there any communities like that around Tampa or burbs? I dont like the cutter cutters, but those places are so nice! I love the architecture and community. I'm still an old neighboorhood tpe, but am willing to consider something different.

[Keeper]

If you like old neighborhoods S. Tampa or Seminole Heights would be the place to look. You can also check out Old Carrollwood, homes built in the 70s. Temple Terrace might also be an option.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by mark9989

Is anyone posting here about Tampa familiar with Celebration Fl and Baldwin Park, both in Orlando? Are there any communities like that around Tampa or burbs? I dont like the cutter cutters, but those places are so nice! I love the architecture and community. I'm still an old neighboorhood tpe, but am willing to consider something different.

Maybe Westchase and Fishhawk Ranch?

[SouthTampaSurfer]

I would recommend South Tampa. I live in South Tampa and commute to north tampa (fletcher and dale mabry) for work. It takes me 25 minutes everyday. Zero traffic.

[jdvalle]

I'm thinking about first renting in So. Tampa for a while, to make a more informed decision. Problem is, I really don't see any affordable houses in that area. 350K seems to buy you a tiny peice of poop in So Tampa... and that's WITH the dropped prices!! Someone here said that a good realtor could show me "GREAT" So. Tampa homes in my price range. Frankly, I'm not seein' it. I check the MLS all the time and the 300-350K homes are run down, outdated, tiny, and poorly kept.

How hard would it be to rent a nice 3 bedroom condo/townhouse in that area for around $1200-$1400? IF we could do that it seems like my family could get a better feel for the area and the housing prospects. Then maybe we could buy after prices drop even more.... say in summer 2009.

[TampaKaren]

Originally Posted by jdvalle

I'm thinking about first renting in So. Tampa for a while, to make a more informed decision. Problem is, I really don't see any affordable houses in that area. 350K seems to buy you a tiny peice of poop in So Tampa... and that's WITH the dropped prices!! Someone here said that a good realtor could show me "GREAT" So. Tampa homes in my price range. Frankly, I'm not seein' it. I check the MLS all the time and the 300-350K homes are run down, outdated, tiny, and poorly kept.

How hard would it be to rent a nice 3 bedroom condo/townhouse in that area for around $1200-$1400? IF we could do that it seems like my family could get a better feel for the area and the housing prospects. Then maybe we could buy after prices drop even more.... say in summer 2009.

A 3 bedroom rental in SoTa between $1200 and $1400 will look like the tiny piece of poop you've already seen in the $350K sales price range. If you want to lease a nice three bedroom, you can expect to pay between $1800 and $2500+ and those that are well-maintained with decent square footage go quick. Understand that many of the properties sold in this area during the boom went between $400K and $600K+, so payments are high and the rents have followed.

When leasing anywhere, be cautious. Look up ownership and mortgage information on public records and try to learn as much about the landlord as possible. A lease will survive a sale, but not a foreclosure. Sorry, if this is too harsh, I'm just being truthful.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

A 3 bedroom rental in SoTa between $1200 and $1400 will look like the tiny piece of poop you've already seen in the $350K sales price range. If you want to lease a nice three bedroom, you can expect to pay between $1800 and $2500+ and those that are well-maintained with decent square footage go quick. Understand that many of the properties sold in this area during the boom went between $400K and $600K+, so payments are high and the rents have followed.

When leasing anywhere, be cautious. Look up ownership and mortgage information on public records and try to learn as much about the landlord as possible. A lease will survive a sale, but not a foreclosure. Sorry, if this is too harsh, I'm just being truthful.

Good advice from TampaKaren. I don't live in Tampa now, but was recently checking real estate prices in S. Tampa before we decided on Sarasota - have to agree that those houses in the 300Ks were tiny with not much to offer - too overpriced for my taste. But the fact is, this is just about THE most desirable area in Tampa, so I guess people are willing to pay the price. I got such a much better deal in Sarasota.

Anyhow, please take TK's advice and learn about your landlord - you don't want to get into a high price lease only to be moved out by the bank if the home forecloses.

Good luck to you.

[Keeper]

If you have a family, you might want to check out Carrollwood. S. Tampa is recommended here a lot for good reason, especially if you are young and single.

Carrollwood is a good area, with the downside being rush hour traffic but you have everything you need in that area.

TK can probably tell you if you can find something in Carrollwood to rent for your price range.