Tampa commute- Lakeland, Brooksville, or New Port Richey (Orlando, Spring Hill: sales, apartments)

[court282]

I'm 27, from Atlanta, and have just been offered a job in the Tampa Bay area. I have my choice of 3 territories- Brooksville, Lakeland, New Port Richey/Hudson. Planning to visit next week and do some research, but was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding commuting from Tampa to any of these three locations? I'd rather live in a bigger city with more nightlife for someone my age. I think Tampa will be a better fit for me than living within one of the other towns. I'd love to hear advice on estimated commuting times and whether you think it's worth reverse commuting from Tampa. Thanks so much!

Courtney

[On-da-Beach]

Any one of those will be at least an hour during rush hour. I-4 (Lakeland), I-75 (Brooksville) or the Suncoast Parkway (either NPR or Brooksville) get very congested as you approach Tampa. So a lot depends on specifically where you are and where you're going.

[gypsychic]

Pick the Lakeland territory and then live near south Tampa - believe me it will be the easiest commute and I believe you will enjoy the territory more. Don't even consider the Hudson area, I don't think you would likt that AT ALL. Brooksville is the boonies and the commute from the north is terrible. The commute to Lakeland from downtown is pretty easy, it's just I-4 to the Polk Parkway, and it is much less than an hour, but will depend on traffic and where you are going. We lived in Lakeland for 1 and a half years, and hubby commuted to downtown Tampa every day (usually about 45 minutes, but a few times quicker, a few times longer)

Good luck!

[ASpicyOne]

I live in Brooksville, but I am currently doing a Master's Program in Atlanta. The commute from Brooksville can be 45mins to an hour depending on where in Brooksville you live. I live close to 41 and the Suncoast Parkway so it is not as bad for me as it is for people who live deep within the city limits. However, the commute from the north can be rough when you get to one of the toll booths with a serious merge in Hillsborough county in the mornings on the Suncoast and when you reach Land O Lakes HS on 41 in Pasco County due to merging of lanes and a traffic light that takes forever to change. However, many people from the Brooksville/Spring Hill area commute to and from Tampa for work.

Brooksville is a relatively quiet place and may seem boonie to some depending on what you're looking for. The housing is relatively cheaper here than in other parts of the Tampa Bay area and you can get new and spacious homes, condos, apartments. It is a very family oriented place-- great for people with young families and older couples. However, if you're not into that you may want to look elsewhere. With that said, the weekend or night commute into Tampa to enjoy the night life is fine.

My bf lives in Odessa which is in Pasco County and very close to the Suncoast Parkway. It is about 30 minutes south of Brooksville and will cut down your commute to Tampa if you choose to live there. It is a relatively up and coming area and has new housing and many new stores. I think it is a great location for someone who will be commuting into Tampa daily because the drive is not too long and you have a lot of newer and more affordable housing options than living in the more congested and older areas of the TB area. Not to mention, if you like beaches, living in one of the coastal counties as opposed to Polk county will make for an easier commute to the water.


The best bet is for you is to check out all the areas you've chosen and get a feel for your wants and needs.

All the best!

[k101608]

Originally Posted by court282

I'd rather live in a bigger city with more nightlife for someone my age. I think Tampa will be a better fit for me than living within one of the other towns.
Courtney

I'm not sure about the other two towns but Lakeland itself doesn't have much of a nightlife.

You would have to drive to get to a good club.

[Explorer Dave]

Lakeland is larger than either Brooksville or New Port Richey/Hudson and in my opinion much nicer than New Port Richey/Hudson. PLUS it's about midway between Tampa and Orlando not a bad commute to either. With Orlando much of the tourist stuff and nightlife is on the Lakeland (or west) side of the city. That's one reason I like Lakeland if I want to get out of town to a larger city I have my choice of two close by, same with beaches I could go east or west. There are also a lot of lakes, parks and trails in the area if you like nature.

[StarMasayume]

I live in the New Port Richey area and commuted for three years to Tampa for a job as a caricature artist at Busch Gardens. Commute on average was 45 minutes. My friends husband is local as well and has had a job in Tampa he commutes too. (It's ironic that the new local job I have in NPR, there's a guy from TAMPA commuting HERE). It is a decent drive and the time does add up.

Lakeland might be a good idea, or if you prefer the night life and larger cities, I think you may be happier just living in Tampa or somewhere on the fringes.

[House4Sale]

Lakeland over the others esp. at your age.

[Debb J]

LAKELAND!

[Danzjeepn]

Living in Tampa and commuting to one of these is not going to be bad. Most people commute to Tampa, not from Tampa. Lakeland is a growing area and probably the best for a Territory sales type position (Pharm sales and such). I don't know what your occupation is, might help if you disclosed that.