New Port Richey and points south (Tampa, Palm Harbor: real estate, houses, living in)

[BigDot2]

I'd like to move to the Tampa Bay Area, from the SF Bay Area where I've lived for many years, to be close to relatives in New Port Richey. I feel pretty positive overall about living there, but I'm concerned about finding a home that's near my relatives but a bit more urban (less suburban). I've gone over maps and various real estate sites to get a general sense of the nearby communities, but so far I'm not finding anything that really works for me, and there may not be anything quite right, I realize.

In any event, I like to live near enough to a town center of some sort that I can walk to, and that has at least some local character and variety. (I suspect that I'd need a place like St. Pete, but that's way too far from New Port Richey.) I also like old houses very much, especially classic bungalows, and I'm surprised at the number of "little box" houses in that area -- cheap housing for retirees, I suppose.

Tarpon Springs might be a good spot, if it weren't virtually at sea level. I've already checked out the storm surge maps -- color-coded disaster maps are a familiar sight to me. I was sort of hoping to get away from that, but whatever, at least there's a warning.

So any thoughts appreciated -- Is it possible to have character, older homes, a cute little town center, and still be at a reasonable elevation, all within reach of New Port Richey? Thanks!

[Gatornation]

Not really possible. NPR is the opposite of a town with character.

[bleulynx]

Dunedin has some of what you are looking for, a lot of walkers downtown.

[clevelandguy]

Safety Harbor has a really nice (small) downtown area with small restaurants, shops, and nice atmosphere with many festivals during the year. It has a very artsy feel to it, but not on the scale of San Fran!

It would be about a 40 to 50 minute ride to New Port Richey.

When you look up URBAN SPRAWL in the dictionary, there is a picture of the Tampa Bay Area!

Downtown St. Pete has many things that remind me of San Fran, but it might take an hour and a half to get to New Port Richey from there. It all depends on how close you want to be.

Hope this helps.

[BigDot2]

Thanks for the info.

On NPR: I suspected as much, which is why I'm asking here, so as not to sound critical to my relatives.

On Dunedin: I'll check that out online, it might be a reasonable choice. I should check out Palm Harbor too. Holiday looks pretty reminiscent of NPR despite the name.

On Safety Harbor: I've already seen bits and pieces on that, and it definitely sounds like a nice place to me (plus the name is reassuring). I think it's too far from NPR, tho, unfortunately. I need to get straight on distances, as I think I'm underestimating that. One thing, tho, living in another "bay area" helps with the basics, like bridges and bottlenecks, and the kind of tie-ups that can occur.

So thanks again for your help.

[BigDot2]

And yes, San Fran is artsy up the yin-yang, and I guess I could live w/ a little less, but I still need something, a book store, a Thai place w/ good Thai ice tea, a decent produce market. I haven't been there yet and the relatives are telling me to make plans asap, so I look forward to seeing it.