Move to Apollo Beach? (Jacksonville, Tampa: sales, foreclosures, homeowners insurance)

[rachliz23]

Hello all,
My fiance and I are looking at a lot in Mira Lago community in Apollo Beach, Florida close to Tampa. My fiance lives in Orlando at the moment, I am in Jacksonville.
We are wondering more about Apollo Beach and if anyone one knows more about this small town. What are the pros and cons that you know about ...FACTS, not hear say please.
This will be both of our "first" home, big investment along with getting married next OCT when I get back from China.

Lots going on. Can you help us?

Thank you,
rachliz23

[TampaKaren]

Mira Lago is located in a rural (remote) area which can be a good or bad thing depending on your lifestyle. I'm fairly certain that it's in Ruskin, not Apollo Beach. If it means anything, I know three builder's sales agents who live there. You can get a lot of house for your $$, but location is the trade off.

[wiltznucs]

I've lived in Apollo for two years in the Harbour Isles community. Apollo is a quiet community that two years ago was set for substantial growth. The soured economy stymied that, and were likely many years from getting back. Apollo is generally quite dull with a lack of eateries or entertainment. But you do have the luxury of being slap in the middle of St. Pete, Tampa, and Bradenton. The nearest community Ruskin, is largely of migrant workers. Ruskin's population appears to have declined as I expect many workers have returned to their native country or simply went elsewhere to find work. In many areas it simply looks abandoned.

Mira Lago isnt a bad community. It is gated which is a plus, however, dont buy into the notion that there is security in any gated community in this area. In many cases the thugs you are trying to avoid are living in a rented home next door. I know this to be the case as I have friends who live in Mira Lago. Homeowners insurance may be high as the community is quite close to the shoreline. Another consideration is to ask about the CDD situation in the community. With foreclosures high and developers cutting and running, many communities arent generating monies and community amenities and maintenance is suffering.

[CollegeProf]

I lived in Apollo Beach and the post by wiltznucs is accurate. Apollo Beach is a quaint waterside community (with many homes on canals leading to the bay) but there are few stores or shops unless you travel north to Tampa or Brandon. One thing I didn't like was that if I worked late and left Tampa after 8pm, I had to remember to stop for food in Tampa as Apollo Beach stores were closed by 9. This may have changed, but it's probably still fairly accurate. If you are looking to be close to downtown and want to be closer to the city, I'd recommend South Tampa (33606, 33602, 33609, 33629) or even parts of Brandon. The commute from Apollo Beach to Tampa took about 35 minutes but a lot can change that (traffic accidents on 75 or trains on 41). Apollo Beach is a great place to live if you are retired but it's a hard commute (to Tampa and shopping and the airport). With the current housing market crash you could find a great deal in either location, South Tampa or Apollo Beach. Hope this helps...

[Town&Country]

The only thing Apollo Beach has going for it is the fact that they have, handsdown, the best meat market in WCF.

[BucFan]

Witznucs is very accurate in his/her discription. Apollo Beach/Ruskin is very slow, imo. Very rural. Not much there-

[wiltznucs]

Originally Posted by Town&Country

The only thing Apollo Beach has going for it is the fact that they have, handsdown, the best meat market in WCF.

Apollo Meats is great...

[cmor]

I feel like I'm on the outskirts of Tampa and I'm a good 15 minutes north of Mira Lago. However, we have friends out there who love it. They love the smell of the sea on their doorstep and it is a nice community - very well taken care of. On the down side, outside of the gates of Mira Lago, people are struggling a bit.

Appolo Beach is a fairly quint sea front community as you've heard. Definitely plan on going to Tampa for night life/shopping/entertainment. Luckily, the commute is easy and pretty quick via I-75.

There are spots of new development around. For example the South Shore Library openened up this year and is great (I drive 10 min. south or so becuase it's better & newer than most in Tampa). There's a new superwalmart on the Sun City exit (also the Mira Lago exit I believe) out there and lots of pockets of new homes in the area. There should be a mall opening up on I-75/Big Bend about 15 min N. of Ruskin next year with a theatre.

The best part will probably be you'll be close (er) to the Bradenton beaches than other Tampon-ians. And they are by far the nicest beaches around.

Good Luck - welcome to Tampa.. sort of!

[MissingATLinFL]

I live in Apollo Beach, moved here in 03, just like most of the posts, the area is very calm and peaceful for the most part, which I do enjoy. The area has changed a lot in the 5 years I have lived here. Its slowly getting more places to eat and I hate to be silly, but moving from a city with a Starbucks on every corner, I was very happy when starbuck opened in the area. Did you happen to move in the area? jlm67@msn.com Til later Judy