Tampa area in the country? (Lutz, Zephyrhills: renting, chapel, homes) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

Lilycakes · 08-19-2011, 07:58 AM

DH and I have been talking about moving out of the city and into the country. He's lived here his entire life, mostly, but I'm new to FL altogether, so I'm not exactly sure where the country actually is around here.

Does the Tampa Bay area have any country, or will we have to go outside Hillsborough Cty. to find it?

Any recommendations on a small, quiet town to raise kids in?

Kevin from Tampa · 08-19-2011, 08:29 AM

How rural do you want to get?

The scale in this area runs from Lutz, which is semi-rural, to areas in far eastern Hillsborough, which is very rural.

Lilycakes · 08-19-2011, 10:45 AM

We do greatly prefer very rural, as in cows and farms sort of rural. I grew up in a little town of 10,000 people where everyone knew everyone else, and there was a cow farm only a minute's walk from where I was raised. I love the small town lifestyle, and DH is very much the same way. A place with a nice, conservative Southern feel would be absolutely wonderful for us. DH doesn't mind commuting as much as an hour to work, and we're pretty flexible in the areas so long as the nearest grocers isn't an hour drive as well!

We're currently looking to start out renting until we save up the money to buy our own property somewhere out in the country, if that helps any more.

gypsychic · 08-19-2011, 11:07 AM

I recommend San Antonio/Dade City, about 30 miles north of Tampa in eastern Pasco County. Lived in this area for 12 years. Very beautiful with rolling hills, lots of pastures and cows, great small-town atmosphere. My DH used to commute to Tampa, it's a good hour with traffic, but doable.

Lilycakes · 08-19-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I recommend San Antonio/Dade City, about 30 miles north of Tampa in eastern Pasco County. Lived in this area for 12 years. Very beautiful with rolling hills, lots of pastures and cows, great small-town atmosphere. My DH used to commute to Tampa, it's a good hour with traffic, but doable.

Thank you for the advice! We've driven up 301 through Zephyrhills and into the southernmost part of Dade City before, but we didn't go very far into it. We found the area of Z-hills to be very charming, although my understanding is that it's more of a retirement town than one for a growing family.

While I wouldn't have a problem living in a quiet community such as this, I'd hate for my son to have no one to play with at the park. How many kids will be in his school and the quality of town education isn't much of an issue, as we homeschool.

gypsychic · 08-19-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilycakes

Thank you for the advice! We've driven up 301 through Zephyrhills and into the southernmost part of Dade City before, but we didn't go very far into it. We found the area of Z-hills to be very charming, although my understanding is that it's more of a retirement town than one for a growing family.

While I wouldn't have a problem living in a quiet community such as this, I'd hate for my son to have no one to play with at the park. How many kids will be in his school and the quality of town education isn't much of an issue, as we homeschool.

Lilycakes, I don't like Zephyrhills at all, it's too retirement oriented around there and just doesn't have the vibe I think you want. Drive up the other way, heading north from Tampa on 275 get off at the exit for San Antonio and drive around the little park there where the school is. Then continue on up the Highway 52 and up the big hill where St. Leo Univeristy is. You can then just continue until you get to the road that goes into Dade City. You should explore all around this area, I think it is what you are looking for. To me one of the most beautiful rural areas of Florida yet not from from amenities at all. Wesley Chapel is only 15 or 20 minutes to the south with lots of shopping, and Tampa about 45 minutes away. A lot of people from Tampa don't even know this exists believe it or not.

Have fun exploring!

Lilycakes · 08-20-2011, 10:49 AM

Thanks again! I'll be sure to do a bunch of research then we'll try and make a trip up there to check out the surrounds. When we're ready to move, we'll probably be using craigslist to find a place, so I'll start peeking through there too. Ideally, DH would like to get a job more local to where we move, but like I said before, he doesn't mind the commute if it's necessary.