Palm harbor (Tampa, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs: condo, crime, neighborhoods)

[azurewater]

Anybody out there live or have good info about Palm Harbor? Is it a nice place to live? How does it compare to Tarpon Springs? I hear the traffic is bad? What is there to do when not going to the beach?

[cariad]

Tarpon Springs,and Palm Harbor are bordering communities and very nice areas. Each offers slightly different and some similar attributes-choice comes down to personal preference, schools, neighborhood,etc.
Tarpon Springs downtown is heavily reflective of its Greek Heritage. It also has a few areas considered by some to be less safe than the general Palm Harbor area.
Yes, traffic is heavy on Rt 19, but can be avoided, depending on where you live.
Besides the beach there are many parks with nature trails and picnic areas;bike trails-especially the 65 mile Pinellas trail, Lake Tarpon and boating; fishing; horse racing and poker at Tampa Bay Downs; and of course the sponge docks. Clearwater has the Jazz Festival, aquarium,baseball spring training. There is golf everywhere!
Palm Harbor has easy access to Tampa and all it's attractions-Busch Gardens, Aquarium, Ybor, Raymond James Stadium and the Bucs, etc.
Equally easy access to St.Pete, the Pier, Dali museum,Tropicana Field and Rays baseball.
There are many more things to do, something is going on all the time, somewhere within a short ride!

[mmovesalot]

cariad, do you happen to know where the areas are in Tarpon Springs that may be considered less safe?

[cariad]

I'm not really comfortable with labeling specific neighborhoods though you could google tarpon springs crime areas. There are also some areas near the Pasco line with a reputation for drug activity, according to friends who live in Tarpon.

[mmovesalot]

Thanks, that's at least something to go on.

[slim44]

Just my 2 cents, cause I have family that live in both. I would say that P.H. has a more family oriented feel. Both are nice places to live. I lived in T.S. for 20 years and loved it. I would most definitely recommend both cities to anyone. You will find more expensive communities east of us19 than west.. unless you get really close to the gulf, then they will skyrocket again...

Not sure if an area is less safe because of property values, but just west of us19 in tarpon is probably the least valued in the northern parts of town.

I own a condo in Eastlake Woodlands (Oldsmar/P.H.) that has the best of everything... easy drive to the beaches, easy access to the malls and a straight shot to Tampa. SO much to do in the surrounding areas, location is the most important.