Brandon, Riverview questions- (Tampa, Bloomingdale, Valrico: HOA fees, insurance, new home)

[nyrnwriter]

I think we may have decided to go to the areas of Brandon or riverview to live- will be working in the tampa area.
Can you tell me how these areas are? we are in late 40s with grown kids and both work. Want a nice home with a pool, decent neighborhood and safe.
can you suggest any other areas?

[Spree]

Look at Twin Lakes or River Hills in Valrico.

[mquintana]

There are many housing communities in the area. I would suggest Riverview because of all the new communities out that way. If you are not opposed to HOA fees and possibly CDD fees (although I have found out a lot don't have these) then you can try Moss Landing, Rivercrest, and South Fork. There's also a really nice housing community that my in-laws live in off of Rhodine Rd. but the name seems to escape me at the moment. These are all for new homes. The housing communities in Riverview are pretty nice, I have looked at a few of them myself. There isn't a whole lot around there but it's close to Brandon so you aren't to far from shopping and such. Brandon is getting a little over crowded so I think it would be nice to escape to a home out in Riverview. It's an up and coming community.

[tampaguy03]

My Aunt and Uncle live on the Border of Riverview and Brandon(off Bloomingdale Ave). They have been there over 20 years, and love it there..and I have some friends in Riverview(off Big Bend Road)its Suburbia and relatively safe. A quick 20-25 minute commute to downtown Tampa via the Crosstown/Selmon Expsy.

[km6807]

I second the River Hills/Twin Lakes suggestion above. Also see Canterbury Oaks, small community just outside RHills. We just moved from there (due to job transfer), great neighbors, quiet community...good luck to you.

[Floridaobserver]

Hi! Welcome to the Brandon area. We live in Buckhorn, a neighborhood of about 700 homes between Bloomingdale and Miller Road. We've lived here for about 12 years and feel very safe (we're also in our late 40s). One thing I like about it is the HOA fees are only $25 a year, and the community development fees are very low.

The neighborhood has deed restrictions, but they're not as strict as in some neighborhoods (Riverhills and Twin Lakes are very nice, but they have tough deed restrictions that are enforced.) It all depends on what type of atmosphere and environment you want.

Do you have a Realtor yet? I'm not one, but can recommend one.

[Fodder]

Wow, good to hear the suggestions!! We just signed a purchase agreement in Twin Lakes this past Monday. Nice area, feels secluded, but still close to everything. There are quite a few homes available in Twin Lakes - large homes, large lots, seem to be a good value.
One caveat, we are having some difficulty with property insurance as many companies are not writing in the area right now.

[Keeper]

Anytime there is a hurricane near FL insurance companies won't write policies. That is a PIA for those trying to close on a home.

[Spree]

I think you'll really like Twin Lakes, we lived there for 6 years and it only got nicer (we moved because of a job relocation). I miss my walking path - I would walk into River Hills from the back gate, down to the 2nd-4 way stop and back to Twin Lakes, circle once around the lake once (or twice :-) and back home. River hills has mature trees and is nice and shady. Twin Lakes is a nice community, no CDD fees and it also has reclaimed water for your yard sprinkers, which made economic sense as well as being easy on your wallet.

[nyrnwriter]

Thanks to everyone who commented- where is twin lakes? is it in a town or is it a community- and I do not have a realtor so if anyone knows one, I would be happy for the referral!
Keep the comments coming- they are fantastic!