Advice on where to live in Tampa (Brandon, Temple Terrace: safe, commute to)

[LianeJamason]

If you live in Brandon you can just go right up I75 to USF which would be less congested (unless there is an accident or something of course). Brandon is a good more central location to both USF and Tampa General. To get to Tampa General you'd just hop on the Crosstown Flyover Expressway and be there in 15-20 minutes in the mornings.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by weinberg angle

Which is the best library in Tampa? North Tampa Public Library? Germany Public Library? Wesley Chapel Public Library?

The Germany Public Library is the Main Library and is huge. All other branches I have been to are about the same. There are branches all over Tampa Bay, some may be a little smaller than what you are looking for but there is another one not too far away usually

[weinberg angle]

Liane Jamason: Thanks for the tips. Brandon sounds like a good place to be, for someone in my situation. I say some townhomes for rent in Brandon, 2Br/2Ba, for about $1000... at this price range, are the neighbrhoods decent? Thanks.


Keeper: Thanks for the info about libraries. I'm a big library buff. How would you rate the Brandon Library. Thanks.

[Keeper]

Check out Riverview too for a townhome to rent. Not far from Brandon and most of the homes are newer.

Sorry I never went to the Library in Brandon.. maybe someone here has though.

[Kathleen1971]

Originally Posted by weinberg angle

Liane Jamason: Thanks for the tips. Brandon sounds like a good place to be, for someone in my situation. I say some townhomes for rent in Brandon, 2Br/2Ba, for about $1000... at this price range, are the neighbrhoods decent? Thanks.


Keeper: Thanks for the info about libraries. I'm a big library buff. How would you rate the Brandon Library. Thanks.

The Brandon library is all right. They used to be a lot better years ago but they transferred a lot of their best staff and it shows. It does have limited parking and is quite loud as the days of being quiet in a library seems to be a thing of the past. I am an avid reader but have developed an in and out attitude when it comes to spending time there. Thankfully I can order everything online and go in and pick it up.


Keep in mind that if you do move to Brandon, be prepared to spend a lot of time in traffic whether it's going on the interstate or just driving up to your corner store. Brandon has everything you probably need but patience you must provide for yourself. It took me years to figure that out lol!

[weinberg angle]

Keeper: I need to commute to Tampa General Hosp and USF, do you think the commute times from Riverview would be about the same as from Brandon?

Kathleen 1971: Is Brandon very congested? What do you estimate the "door-to-door" time to be from
1. Brandon to Tampa Gen Hosp
2. Brandon to USF

Thanks.

[Keeper]

I think it would be about the same mainly because of traffic and lights in Brandon. Hopefully someone who lives in Riverview can tell you.
Kathleen is right the traffic in Brandon is almost always heavy. I am not sure how it is during rush hour if you take the Crosstown Expressway to Tampa General you are going to have to deal with downtown traffic.

Really it depends on what kind of lifestyle you are looking for. Riverview is more rural, Brandon you drive everywhere and S. Tampa is an older area and more expensive but there are areas where you can walk from your house to a restaurant or shops.

[weinberg angle]

Keeper: Between S Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview, where would you say is best combination of: Library/Jogging/Walking your dog/Tennis/Safety


Thanks again.

[Tampa87]

I really think that Wesley Chapel is a lot nicer than Brandon. It is really up and coming. The commute is mostly high way driving to TGH, but it is not bad and if you are getting to work at 7am the traffic shouldn't be bad at all. You should miss most of the traffic. Brandon you can get over on the Crosstown Expway. Another place to look into is Temple Terrace. It has its sketchy areas but it has really nice areas too. That would put you right near USF and you could just jump on 75 to get downtown fairly quickly. Good luck! Tampa area is a really a great place to live.

[weinberg angle]

Tampa87: Wesley Chapel was appealing, but I became intimated by the potential commute every morning to Tampa Gen Hosp. I do have to be there by 7AM, what do you think the "door to door" commute time would be from Wesley Chapel to Tampa Gen Hosp?

Thanks.