Any more liberal, progressive or hippie areas in Tampa? (Ellenton: buy, closing)

[thethinktank]

Hey ISO,
I couldn't tell you much about Kenwood other than a few things that I've read. The only thing to note about Seminole Heights is that while the neighborhood itself is safe, self-policed and very family-friendly, it borders some tough spots in Tampa's big picture. The same is true about Kenwood and NE St. Pete-- and the same is true of pretty much any desirable neighborhood in any urban setting throughout the U.S.

I wouldn't let that discourage you-- but I'd suggest visiting each area for a while before making a decision.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by thethinktank

Hey ISO,
I couldn't tell you much about Kenwood other than a few things that I've read. The only thing to note about Seminole Heights is that while the neighborhood itself is safe, self-policed and very family-friendly, it borders some tough spots in Tampa's big picture. The same is true about Kenwood and NE St. Pete-- and the same is true of pretty much any desirable neighborhood in any urban setting throughout the U.S.

I wouldn't let that discourage you-- but I'd suggest visiting each area for a while before making a decision.

I agree - Also, SOME parts of Seminole Heights I would not consider all that safe. Also, it is not "walkable" in the sense that you indicated that you would like in your other thread. For instance, the neighborhood in Sarasota that I recommended (Laurel Park) is walkable to Sarasota's downtown, which has all the things you indicated you wanted: i.e. Whole Foods, farmer's market, cafes, beautiful library, Bayfront Park, movie theaters, bakeries, etc. You would pretty much have to drive to most things from Seminole Heights.

I know downtown St. Pete is walkable and has some nice amenities (although IMO it doesn't compare to Sarasota's downtown) but not sure how easily walkable or safe to walk it is from the neighborhoods. Parts of St. Pete are nice, but it has a pretty high crime rate overall, and a very large contingent of the homeless there.

No city is crime free, but basically St. Pete and Tampa are much, much larger cities that Sarasota, so they have a lot more crime overall. Sarasota has some crime too, but it's mostly concentrated in the area just north of downtown and east of Tamiami Trail. One of the reasons my husband and I prefer to live in Sarasota despite the fact that he commutes to downtown Tampa (and I am originally from Tampa) is that Sarasota is a small city, easy to get around in, yet has big city amenities, some that cities many times its size does not have. We just don't like dealing with with a lot of busy traffic and sprawl, and living here makes us feel like we are always on vacation. Of course others thrive on the city-like atmosphere in Tampa/St.Pete, so it all depends on what you like.

Of course, there is nothing like seeing all these areas in person to know if something is right for you. Each has it's pros and cons.

[ISOnewplace]

you guys (and gals) are the best! I am really looking forward to spending some time there in August.

Gypsy, thank you for the heads up on Laurel. Any other "hoods" we should look at with great family appeal. If it is NOT walkable, are there any areas with big properties, mature trees, woods, etc.

I guess I like the settings on the extremes LOL. Either coffee shop walkable or a big country house in the boonies where we could camp out in our backyard. We'd prefer to stay away from new developments but understand that there are advantages with that as well.

I have such fond memories of growing up in my hometown (in both settings...small town and then an old Victorian style farmhouse) and I want the same for my son. I want a place where we can play, run around in the rain, jump in puddles, have block (or porch) parties and neighborhood theater...awww...but I digress into a time passed.

looking for something close...

[Liza54]

UPDATE- We made the move about 6mos ago and ended up in Fishhawk Ranch. Now coming from a very walkable city to out in.....Lithia (!) was a big change. I never thought I'd survive such 'country' living until you get into FHR. It's like Mayberry! A family mecca! there's tons of kids playing, riding bikes, a skate park, awesome pools and water centers for kids of all ages.. there's trails ( and people use them!) for walking and biking or dog walking, A rated schools..I can honestly go on and on. I love it. However, to get my hippie 'fix' I do tend to go to Sarasota. I go to drum circles whenever I can and explore the more eclectic restaurants there ( and in Tampa). I guess I haven't found the right area yet in St. Pete, except for one of my favorite little vegetarian places - 'Consciousness Blooms'. At least in Ybor it seems a little more open minded. Overall, I will say that Tampa is nothing like SoCal. And I knew it was a long stretch to think it would be. I have found the feel more stereotypically 'hicky' with folks a bit behind on fashion, etc., church a bit too 'heavy' for me here, etc. (not looking to offend, now! )Thank God there's a place for everyone. I will enjoy my time here in Tampa and see where I end up a few years from now. Perhaps SRQ someday ( but I want a NEW home)! Good luck and feel free to send me a message.

[DoctorRain]

Originally Posted by Liza54

UPDATE- We made the move about 6mos ago and ended up in Fishhawk Ranch. Now coming from a very walkable city to out in.....Lithia (!) was a big change. I never thought I'd survive such 'country' living until you get into FHR. It's like Mayberry! A family mecca! there's tons of kids playing, riding bikes, a skate park, awesome pools and water centers for kids of all ages.. there's trails ( and people use them!) for walking and biking or dog walking, A rated schools..I can honestly go on and on. I love it. However, to get my hippie 'fix' I do tend to go to Sarasota. I go to drum circles whenever I can and explore the more eclectic restaurants there ( and in Tampa). I guess I haven't found the right area yet in St. Pete, except for one of my favorite little vegetarian places - 'Consciousness Blooms'. At least in Ybor it seems a little more open minded. Overall, I will say that Tampa is nothing like SoCal. And I knew it was a long stretch to think it would be. I have found the feel more stereotypically 'hicky' with folks a bit behind on fashion, etc., church a bit too 'heavy' for me here, etc. (not looking to offend, now! )Thank God there's a place for everyone. I will enjoy my time here in Tampa and see where I end up a few years from now. Perhaps SRQ someday ( but I want a NEW home)! Good luck and feel free to send me a message.

Your saying that you think Sarasota has a better hippie population than Tampa or St Pete as far as going to drum circles or driving all that way to get your hippie fix?
I myself would rather build my life in Tampa Bay than Sarasota in general.

[ISOnewplace]

Congratulations Liza! I am so happy to hear you found a place. It sounds fabulous. We will check it out.

Since you live there now and visit Sarasota, how would you compare it? I know you like FHR but do you think you would like to live in Sarasota as well for what YOU are looking for. What are the primary differences in your opinion between the area of Tampa you are in and Sarasota/St. Pete?

BTW, what is SRQ?

[ISOnewplace]

Originally Posted by DoctorRain

Your saying that you think Sarasota has a better hippie population than Tampa or St Pete as far as going to drum circles or driving all that way to get your hippie fix?
I myself would rather build my life in Tampa Bay than Sarasota in general.

Regarding progressive attitudes, we are definitely looking for green-minded, open-minded, organic eating, diverse, generally centrist leaning, want the world to be a better place kinda folk.

I wouldn't exactly call us hippies though as we are a middle class, middle aged professional family who enjoys dressing up and going to the theater as much as a last minute picnic in the park. We would like an abundance of nature trails, parks and bike paths. We are creative free spirits at heart and enjoy the occasional drum circle but aren't after the "hippie" lifestyle. (although, after watching the documentary "commune" it sure would be nice to just "check out" of society).

We basically want to surround our selves to the extent possible with like minded people, predominantly families, who enjoy the outdoors and aren't too conservative and overly materialistic.

In that regard, which areas do you recommend? Thanks

[Liza54]

well! that's us in a nutshell!!! And we, too, wanted to surround ourselves with likeminded people. Even at work, gay lifestyle fires up a lot of issues ( forget gay marriage), religion alternatives (don't diss the Bible) seem foreign, and eating..well, clearly fried food and big portions reign here. Not necessarily downtown, but Brandon,Lithia, Riverview, Valrico- the places I see regularly are NOT about healthy eating. In fact one trip to Walmart will be all you need when you're kids get the usual array of overweight, smoking, fashion backwards folks. Are they nice? probably, but again, how would you discuss the hopes of opening an organic, (aah!) vegetarian cafe nearby? Or that your friends- a gay couple- want to go on a yoga retreat. Or that perhaps the Bible is just a story and you've been talking to your kids about Wiccan beliefs. Right...
If you can't go to San Diego ( my favorite place on Earth!) like Encinitas, Carlsbad or North Park- then check out Sarasota. Or, I guess, St. Petersburg where others recommended. As I said, Fishhawk Ranch is a dream come true for families, but beyond that I'd have probably done better in areas like Hyde Park or Ybor or Sarasota areas....

[Liza54]

ooh, and I'm a nurse in the area, so perhaps I've been jaded w/ my disappointment of how uneducated (?) people are in healthy living. I DAILY get smokers ( no matter if they're there for lung problems, sitting with young children, pregnant ) with horrible dental care, terribly obese, uncompliant w/ medication or lifestyle change orders, and more than not, without insurance. So...I've worked at inner city hospitals that were similar, but again, coming from SoCal where the majority of patients arrived showered, non smoking, exercisers that took interest in their bodies - well, you can imagine the change it's felt like.
I wonder if it were the opposite - a hicky FL resident going to SoCal- if they'd feel the same...(noone smokes! no good fried food places, everyone walks or runs---environment this, environment that.... they're kooky!)

[matt_sfl]

Originally Posted by Liza54

ooh, and I'm a nurse in the area, so perhaps I've been jaded w/ my disappointment of how uneducated (?) people are in healthy living. I DAILY get smokers ( no matter if they're there for lung problems, sitting with young children, pregnant ) with horrible dental care, terribly obese, uncompliant w/ medication or lifestyle change orders, and more than not, without insurance. So...I've worked at inner city hospitals that were similar, but again, coming from SoCal where the majority of patients arrived showered, non smoking, exercisers that took interest in their bodies - well, you can imagine the change it's felt like.
I wonder if it were the opposite - a hicky FL resident going to SoCal- if they'd feel the same...(noone smokes! no good fried food places, everyone walks or runs---environment this, environment that.... they're kooky!)

The high cost of living out there filters out the trash.