Walkable areas of tampa

[dublincailin]

Hi smm5, although im not an expert on where to live in Florida, as we've not been in the country that long, but the specifics your looking for my husband also had those in mind when we where researching places to live,taking into consideration that i would not be driving for awhile.

We live in Land O Lakes, where i walk to school with our young son (15mins), walk to the libary & playground 15-20 mins, just passed the school, in the other direction, we have Publix, Walgreens,2hairdressers, Belk's,Chilies,Starbucks, & more, these are right beside us. Across the road is Winn-Dixi, doctors walk in clinic, garage (gas), across the road from that is K-mart where there is a gym, a few different eating places & more.
( i sound like an advertisement, sorry )

There are lots of young families in our apartment complex, and we have made some friends.

All in all we made a good choice moving to this area.
Before my son started school i thought that i would be the only parent walking their child to school, because everyone drives here, not the case,i see lots of people walking to school, or cycling.
As for churches,theres a few within walking distance, but havent seen a jewish one.

Hope this helps you.
Good luck with your search.

[annaegel]

I moved down here from Fair Lawn, NJ (at least 40% Jewish population) and grew up in NYC. You won't find a "Jewish community", BUT there are several synagogues to choose from.

Carrollwood area has stores (though I don't recall seeing too many sidewalks) and several synagogues to choose from, Hillel school, Jewish Family Services and a JCC is not too far. The JCC has a wonderful summer camp program. Chabad does a really nice community outreach program.

I live in Tampa Palms (New Tampa). There is a small and new synagogue in Tampa Palms. In my section, we have about 7 Jewish families (out of 80 homes).

If your wife (or you) play mah jongg, there are groups all over the place!

Coming down from NYC, with a good education system, and Tampa having a poor education system, you may want to consider private. However, if you send them to private, be very careful which private school you send them to. Paying for their education does not always mean they get a better education! My daughter's current teacher, taught in a private school last year that had 21 students in her class and they all had behavioral issues. She spent the whole year on class management. It was not a special needs school either. Would you want to pay $12k - $16k a year per kid on that???

I would also suggest renting for a little while. That way you won't be stuck down here if you don't like it, like myself. Tampa is not NYC. You may LOVE it here, or you may HATE it here.

Good luck! I hope you like it here. There are fun things to do and enjoy.

[TampaKaren]

I'd suggest that you also consider Carrollwood Village (Zip 33624). Here's a website for more info --> Welcome to Carrollwood Village.

[smm5]

Yeah, we would definitely be renting for the first year to make sure we would want to live in the region long term.

It seems like South Tampa and Sarasota and not terribly different, but I could be wrong...

I guess a big advantage to the Tampa area would be having a more international airport close by for when we would travel.

There also seem to be a good deal of affordable, yet nice communities for young families in South Tampa.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by smm5

Yeah, we would definitely be renting for the first year to make sure we would want to live in the region long term.

It seems like South Tampa and Sarasota and not terribly different, but I could be wrong...

I guess a big advantage to the Tampa area would be having a more international airport close by for when we would travel.

There also seem to be a good deal of affordable, yet nice communities for young families in South Tampa.

South Tampa or Sarasota are both nice places to live. Bottom line, do you want a bigger or smaller city, and/or closer proximity to beaches. Sarasota also has a very nice, albeit smaller, airport. My hubby loves flying out of that one, it is so easy and convenient.