Tampa Bay neighborhoods (Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando: foreclosures, insurance, crime rates)

[geos]

I'm planning a move from this God forsaken frozen tundra in upstate NY by fall before I slash my wrists! If I never see snow again it'll be too soon. It's down to Vegas, Reno or the Tampa area. I wonder if someone would be nice enough to give me a rundown of neighborhoods to avoid. I want something cheap but not looking to live in a war zone. I'm pretty flexible but a yard would be nice. Jobs & schools are not an issue. I just basically want some peace, quiet & safety but not too far from city amenities (1/2-3/4 hr is ok). My idea of excitement is tennis, swimming & kayaking and I'm really into experimental airplanes which are big in the Lakeland area. And I would like to be somewhat near some senior citizen activities for my 100 y/o pops (I think he's past the dating stage but who knows!) who'll be living with me. In particular I'm checking out some houses online in Tampa around the E. 98 Ave & N 20s Streets area. I've been to St. Pete a few times but basically pretty naive about the Tampa Bay area. Thanks for any advice.

[Negotiator75]

I looked that the homes in that intersection and around that area and they seem OK and probably affordable. Also, it seems a lot of neighbors like to park their cars on their front lawn.

Just some info.

[FreshStart09]

Not that I have anything to add to the Tampa area (since I don't arrive until May) BUT I did live in Vegas for 5 years ('95-'00) and if I had to decide between the 2 it would definitely be TAMPA!! Just to top it off, I'm a single 31/M so that should tell you that if I would choose Tampa over Vegas the latter may not be what you want! I say that only because Vegas simply becomes tiresome, plus I hate being landlocked! In my opinion, Vegas is a great place to visit but I wasn't to thrilled with the long-term deal, neither were several of my co-workers. However, you never know, could be what you want. It's changed a lot in the last 8-9 years but all that means to me is it is a great place to VISIT. I will say there are some great neighborhoods out there though, but in the end the sun, sand (no beach), and casinos get the better of you and make you want to move.

[ferret111]

In the neighborhood you're talking about, 22nd Street would be your main neighborhood thoroughfare. It's a sketchy street, but it's alright along that stretch. I actually broke down one night a few blocks ahead at the blinking four-way stop. I felt absolutely safe and secure, though seedy-looking people are nearby, usually on their way to the Xnax Food Store.

You'd be a mile or so south of University Mall, which is an experience in its own right. The closer you get to there, the sleazier the neighborhoods become.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by geos

I'm planning a move from this God forsaken frozen tundra in upstate NY by fall before I slash my wrists! If I never see snow again it'll be too soon. It's down to Vegas, Reno or the Tampa area. I wonder if someone would be nice enough to give me a rundown of neighborhoods to avoid. I want something cheap but not looking to live in a war zone. I'm pretty flexible but a yard would be nice. Jobs & schools are not an issue. I just basically want some peace, quiet & safety but not too far from city amenities (1/2-3/4 hr is ok). My idea of excitement is tennis, swimming & kayaking and I'm really into experimental airplanes which are big in the Lakeland area. And I would like to be somewhat near some senior citizen activities for my 100 y/o pops (I think he's past the dating stage but who knows!) who'll be living with me. In particular I'm checking out some houses online in Tampa around the E. 98 Ave & N 20s Streets area. I've been to St. Pete a few times but basically pretty naive about the Tampa Bay area. Thanks for any advice.

Why don't you just consider moving to Lakeland? Lakeland has the most beautiful public tennis courts I have ever seen, hundreds of lakes for water sports, and of course you mentioned the experimental airplanes. The areas to check would be around downtown such as Lake Morton, Lake Hollingsworth or over near the Lakeside Village open-air mall. These areas are clean and beautiful with all the amenities you want nearby. The area of Tampa you are considering is not very nice, IMO, and I don't think you will like it there.

Just a thought.

[Keeper]

I would be leary of that area of Tampa because one street is fine and the next is street is run down with a lot of drug activity. University mall has a bad rep for being over run with teen troublemakers and the last time I was there albeit many years ago, it was run down. There are senior centers all over the city so that should not be a problem. There are also senior daycare programs.

What is your price range?

There are better places than the area you are considering.

I agree with Gypsychic.. you should check out Lakeland. Small town feel but not too far from Tampa or Orlando.

[geos]

Thanks for the Lakeland tips. Looks like a nice location strategically placed between the west coast beaches, lake country and Mouseland however the crime statistics are off the chart! Detroit-like! Wow! Sup widdat (as they say in the hood)?

[SirenSong71]

Originally Posted by geos

Thanks for the Lakeland tips. Looks like a nice location strategically placed between the west coast beaches, lake country and Mouseland however the crime statistics are off the chart! Detroit-like! Wow! Sup widdat (as they say in the hood)?

Yeah, if you're looking at the Gibsonia zip code 33805...it's a cesspool, judging by the stats. Lakeland is beautiful, we will most likely be moving there instead of Winter Haven or Davenport tis May. gypsychic is right, stay south in Lakeland, look in the 33813, 33812, 33815, 33811 zips...stay far away from 33805 (which is Gibsonia...don't really know what's going on there that the crime is so dang high, but it is ) also stay away from Kathleen, which isn't too bad but it's right next to Gibsonia, that zip would be 33809.

Been reseaching Lakeland, Winter Haven and Florida in general now for the past five years . We're FINALLY going to pull the trigger and move down, I'm glad we didn't do it sooner. The house prices have come down quite a bit.

[geos]

Originally Posted by FreshStart09

Not that I have anything to add to the Tampa area (since I don't arrive until May) BUT I did live in Vegas for 5 years ('95-'00) and if I had to decide between the 2 it would definitely be TAMPA!! Just to top it off, I'm a single 31/M so that should tell you that if I would choose Tampa over Vegas the latter may not be what you want! I say that only because Vegas simply becomes tiresome, plus I hate being landlocked! In my opinion, Vegas is a great place to visit but I wasn't to thrilled with the long-term deal, neither were several of my co-workers. However, you never know, could be what you want. It's changed a lot in the last 8-9 years but all that means to me is it is a great place to VISIT. I will say there are some great neighborhoods out there though, but in the end the sun, sand (no beach), and casinos get the better of you and make you want to move.

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's my cost benefit analysis:

FL:
Negatives-
Heat & humidity 6 months, bugs, alligators stalking you, mold, mildew, hurricanes, tornadoes, high insurance rates, high crime rates in many areas, kamikaze elderly drivers.

Positives:
Great beaches, lots of water sports and variety of leisure activities year round, 6 months of great weather, lots of elderly services.

NV:
Negatives-
Blistering heat for 3 months but no humidity, no hurricanes or tornadoes but possible earthquake, drab, dusty environment, limited leisure activities outside casinos.

Positives-
No humidity issues, low taxes, home prices cheap and dropping by the minute, less crime on the outskirts, lots of year round free tennis, some water sports on Lake Mead, Yosemite a nice day trip away.

And of course the great variable in this brave new world we live in: who will be the winners and losers in the financial meltdown. Vegas may blow away in the dust or may become the solar power capital of the US. Florida? Tough call and tough choice. I'll have to flip a coin.

[FreshStart09]

Originally Posted by geos

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's my cost benefit analysis:

FL:
Negatives-
Heat & humidity 6 months, bugs, alligators stalking you, mold, mildew, hurricanes, tornadoes, high insurance rates, high crime rates in many areas, kamikaze elderly drivers.

Positives:
Great beaches, lots of water sports and variety of leisure activities year round, 6 months of great weather, lots of elderly services.

NV:
Negatives-
Blistering heat for 3 months but no humidity, no hurricanes or tornadoes but possible earthquake, drab, dusty environment, limited leisure activities outside casinos.

Positives-
No humidity issues, low taxes, home prices cheap and dropping by the minute, less crime on the outskirts, lots of year round free tennis, some water sports on Lake Mead, Yosemite a nice day trip away.

And of course the great variable in this brave new world we live in: who will be the winners and losers in the financial meltdown. Vegas may blow away in the dust or may become the solar power capital of the US. Florida? Tough call and tough choice. I'll have to flip a coin.

You definitely have some great positives and negatives there. I lived in Melbourne, FL (directly due East of Tampa on the Space Coast) for 4 years ('03-'07) and loved it. That is where I actually tried to get back to but Tampa was a great second option for me. One of the positives that I believe many underestimate is you basically have the entire state at your disposal meaning you don't just have Tampa, but you also have (in no particular order) Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, the Keys, Jacksonville, Pensacola, etc. I would say mostly within a 6-7 hour reach, which makes for great weekend getaways!

For me, the heat was an issue at first but wasn't really a factor after my first year. I was playing golf every weekend in the middle of the afternoon with no issues. You simply become acclimated, of course, some days are always worse than others.

As far as housing goes, yes Vegas is a lot cheaper right now. They expanded WAY too quickly similar to areas of Florida (like the Space Coast) and are now left with far too many empty houses plus, as in California, they charged a mint for the houses and now people can't afford their mortgages...so there are inevitably many foreclosures. However, I also believe that many just do not want to live in Vegas as well. As in many large cities I think you'll find the negatives are always the same in certain areas with crime, poverty, traffic, crazy drivers (Let me tell you, Vegas had some of the worst cases of road-rage I have ever seen), and boat loads of tourists (Vegas is the worst).

As you said, in the end it is probably a toss up BUT I have a feeling that after being in Florida a while you will probably be glad you chose it. Have you visited both yet?