Family of 4 possibly moving to gulf coast - advice please! (Tampa: to rent, condo)

[txspamom]

We are a family of 2 adults, 2 children. We are considering moving from the Dallas Ft. Worth, TX area to the Florida Gulf Coast in summer of next year. At that time, My son would be going into 6th grade (middle school) and my daughter would be entering 4th grade.

I lived in Belleair Beach, FL when I was in middle school for about a year and a half. I absolutely loved it. But, my parent's financial situation changed and we had to move back to Texas.

Since then we go back almost yearly to visit the area and now our entire family just longs to live there.

My question is....which areas of the Gulf Coast are suitable for families like ours? We would like something within a 30 minute drive to the beach (closer is better). Something in a real nice neighborhood. We are wanting to rent for a few years. Preferably a house but we might consider a condo if it has enough room for us. We have 2 dogs as well.

Also, how bad are the schools? I hear over and over that Florida schools are bad. Really? How bad are they and WHY are they bad?

I have a year to do my research but this is a big move so we're not jumping into anything.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you.

[LoganFL]

If you want to be that close to the beach, that pretty much rules out anything not in Pinellas County. There are definitely some "nice neighborhoods". Old Northeast in St. Petersburg will give you a very residential feel while at the same time being conveniently close to the beach as well as city life. Largo might work for you as well. St. Pete Beach might be a good fit as it's very laid back and idyllic. If you have a lot of money to spend, then you might want to look into Tierra Verde. Safety Harbor is a little further from the beaches but it's a nice area. What kind of budget are you looking at?

[txspamom]

Yes, I am familiar with Largo -- I actually went to a private school there when I was in 8th grade! That's a good area for us.

Right now we pay $1550 a month to rent a 3 bedroom (no pool) in the city we live in...Flower Mound, TX.

We would like to be able to spend a little less in Florida, and from what I have seen on Craigslist it looks like it would be possible.

We had also considered moving inland a bit -- like towards Ocala or something between Tampa and Orlando, but I don't know anything about the cities and neighborhoods there.

We are beach lovers and would be in heaven to be able to go for an ocean stroll in the evenings and weekends without having to drive too far.

[lavender]

Close to the beach, good state schools, Seminole, Tarpon and East Lake a little farther from beach. St Pete is not that close to the beach, Largo is not good for the schools particularly, St Pete Beach, Tierra Verde both not so hot for schools, unless to try for magnet programs and if you are not already here, that can be tricky I think.

[Sunnydee]

You can check out school ratings at greatschools.net. On your budget you'll be able to rent a nice home or condo and there are lots to choose from. Best wishes!

[xlabel]

I grew up in Clearwater and have always liked the neighborhoods just south of Clearwater High School near Plumb Elementery and the neighborhoods adjacent to Belcher Rd in between East bay and Gulf to Bay. They don't seem to have changed much over the years and are still well kept, nice neighborhoods.

living in that general area would probably put your 6th grader in Oak Grove Middle School and your 4th grader in Plumb or Belcher Elementary. I went to Belcher and Oak Grove over 30 years ago, they were nice then and I'm sure they still are. Old Oak Grove was torn down a few years ago and replaced with a new middle school. I went to Belcher and my son attended Belcher and we both liked it.

[txspamom]

That is great advice -- thank you! Would it be better to live in the Tampa Bay area or more inland towards Lakeland....Orlando...etc....?

We really want to be near the beach but could sacrafice a drive if it meant a better environment for our kids to grow up in.

Right now we live in the middle of suburbia.....kids playing outside every night in big groups....ice cream man truckkin down the street....soccer games every weekend etc....

We'd like to keep that type of atmosphere only because it is what our kids are used to.

They are very involved in soccer....how are the kids' soccer programs in the Tampa Bay area??

[lavender]

Soccer in Pinellas county is huge. Hillsborough too, but Pinellas has the most clubs.
One even has affiliation to an English Premier League club. I think you would like Seminole.
Largo has a problem once you are past elem schools.
Seminole caters to all ages.
You will see kids everywhere and as they get older they go to the beach together - we are a soccer family and it's the right environment IMO

[goi_cuon]

It will be cheaper to live inland and in the smaller towns like Lakeland or Ocala vs. Tampa/Pinellas.

My advice to you is the same that I would offer anyone else: Don't move without having a job to go to.

Best of luck to you!