Dunedin

[jessiesma]

the thing with Pinellas is that we are going to a neighborhood assignment plan. no more school choice. My DH and I are originally from NY and don't have kids at home but he substitutes in Pinellas schools. I also need to say that he wears his yarmulke everywhere. He has had some problems. Actually got a hate message and death threat aimed at Jews handed to him. It was not dealt with properly by the school or the police in that jurisdiction. You can dm me for the school. On the other hand he has been in schools like Palm Harbor where teachers have invited him into their classes to speak about the Jewish experience in some relevant ways and in some of the schools the kids are curious in a respectful way. The best have been Palm Harbor, Seminole and some people at St. Pete High.
I realize this may not be your issue but it is indicative of what goes on. You will have to check your areas carefully.
What exactly is a "troublesome kid?" You know, when I was growing up, and I realize that was the stone age, there were kids I was forced to be with but my parents told me they "just didn't like so and so." They didn't slam them or their parents, they just said I was not to play with them or interact in any way. We've got to get over this idea that every one is ok. They're not and our kids don't have to be "popular." They have to learn to get along in forced situations and be civil but they have to be true to the values you are trying to instill in them. In other words, "popularity" is a choice and sometimes it just isn't a good one if the others don't share your values whatever they are.
There are lots of private schools of all sorts so that may be an option.

Originally Posted by sunshine421

Thank you so much for replying. . . I really appreciate it!! Can you tell me what exactly I should be concerned with as far as the Pinella's County schools? Are they bad, like trouble making kids, is the education bad? Can you tell me anything like that? I know that Florida can not beat the education that we have in NY, so I knew that was the only downfall. . . but I'm just worried about them going into a "bad" school. I have one boy and two girls. . . 10, 7, and 1 year. Thank you for the link you provided. Any other info on the schools would be greatly appreciated. I did check out their stats, but I am also concerned with "troublesome" kids.

[sunshine421]

hi dunedingirl you have some very helpful info in your post. I was hoping u can answer some questions for me. . . my husband and our 3 kids are hoping to move down south by next year. we are from upstate ny, so it's a huge move, and needless to say a scary move!! When I was young my grandparents owned a home in Dunedin and I remember it was lovely, but that was a long time ago. Is it a good place for people in there 30s and young children? 10, 6, and 1 yr. I want to live in a quant little town that is safe for my kids, and also be able to do things too. We are also concerned about how fast we can get a job. My hubby works in mental health, but is open to do anything. And, I will be pursuing my education in Social Work. As of right now I have an associates degree in Human Services and work with behavioral children, and adolescents w/ substance abuse problems. We are looking to rent an apt. or house. . . any suggestions? I would appreciate any helpful info you can give me, and I am open to any suggestions you may have. DOes Dunedin sound like the right place for me, or maybe Tarpon Springs??
Thanks so much

[Bob Muir]

Originally Posted by ntfeldman

Dunedin is a great area, *** There are quite a few 55+ communities there and they are well maintained and you can get a condo here for $65K to $110K. But I'm going to tell you that I'm 43, and I consider 55 very young still and I wouldn't even consider living in one of those communities until I turned 70 - if ever. Young here lasts a lot longer!

They are all inclusive communities usually and well maintained but at 55 you might still have enough going on in your life that you'd rather not share with every neighbor. Just my two cents - worth what you paid for it. : )

Welcome to Florida!

We are considering purchasing a winter home in Dunedin and are concerned that the home be secure and the grounds maintained while we are away. What would you recommend if we did not live in 55+ community? Thanks!

[annadenise]

Dunedin is beautiful. We live in northwest Hillsborough county in Waterchase, and after looking around realtor.com and driving around Dunedin, I am surprized how much cheaper it is than where I live. I grew up over in Harbor Bluffs in the Belleair/Largo area and have been going to Dunedin since I was a kid. Can't wait until the real estate market settles down some so we can sell this house and move over to Dunedin. We don't need 3,300 sf any longer, or the CDD fee's. The pool's, tennis court's, etc. were great when we first moved in, but with the kid's away at college, my husband and I do not use the common ground's we are paying for. Our home is only 4 year's old, so we do want to get a half way decent price for it. Luckily we are not upside down on our mgt. like so many are. However, we have not listed it yet with the price's so low right now. With the kid's in college now, they would not care if we stayed here or were in Dunedin, so we are starting to get antsy to move to the Dunedin area sometime in the next year or two.

Can anyone recommend any subdivision's or area's of Dunedin either on the water or close to it as regards home's around 2,000-2,500 sf or nice townhome's to start looking at?

[dahlvilla]

Good evening everyone,
I am currently living abroad on a beautiful tropical island with my family. We are moving back to America and have decided on the Tampa area. We will settle somewhere between St. Pete and Dunedin. We are looking for the 'walkable" experience as well the beaches. Dunedin seems perfect, but I do have some concerns and am hoping for some candid advice. We are a mixed family...husband is a black Rastafarian from the West Indies and I have two (white) teen boys that I home school. I don't want to set my family up for a harsh experience. I know that we will always face the comments, stares and conflict, but I also know that certain areas are worse/better than others. Where does Dunedin fit into the picture?
Much Mahalo!

[Mrs. P]

Ok lots of info on 55 plus communities, to either buy a condo/manufactured home etc.

What about apartment complexes? Any 55 and older complexes in Dunedin (let you have a little dog)? I just want to rent and not be tied down.
A previous poster listed something about the dog beach and that sold me. This area has been recommended to me several times by other posters.