Best place to buy a home - tough question to answer I am sure. (Tampa: apartments, crime)

[Negotiator75]

Hi everyone! I have been looking at a lot of cities in the Tampa Bay Area in order to make a decision of where to buy a home for my family. I plan on flying to the area soon to scout things out, but I first would like to make a list of places to go see without getting overwhelmed. I think I am good to earn between $60 to $70k in some IT/Support, Web Development or Telecom field - who knows though these days.

Here is what I am after:

• Elementary schools with great feedback from parents, low free-lunch costs, not so crowded classrooms. Like 18-22 students per class.
• 4/2/2 2000sq ft+ single story homes no older that 15 years - under $250k that are within walking distance to those good schools.
• Nearby supermarket, Hospital, Walgreens, Costco/Sam's Club, Home Depot.
• 20-30 minute commute to work.
• 20-30 minute easy access to beaches, parks, fun-stuff, restaurants, etc.

Here are some thoughts on the cities I researched.

• Tarpon Springs - Seems like a peaceful place, access to lightly populated beaches, easy drive to Palm Harbor for work, nice homes. Good elementary schools. I think I would add it to the list.
• Clearwater - Congested, plenty of jobs, found nice homes in Groveland neighborhood and even a few good elementary schools like Plumb Elementary, Leila Davis and McMullen Booth. Possibly with lots of jobs paying $60-$70k for like IT, Tech Suppport, Telecom, Web Development. Good homes seem to be finadable for under $250k walking distance to mentioned schools. I think I would add it to the list.
• Palm Harbor - Love the areas around East Lake Rd, though homes seem pricey for me - like $300k+. Commute for work seems like it could be heavy going towards Tampa or Clearwater - like MORE than 30 minutes to get there. Some good elementary schools seem to be all around the city. Also, lots of Publix stores and big name stores, etc. I think I would add it to the list.
• Safety Harbor - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Dunedin - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Largo - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• St. Petersburg - older city, also possibly with lots of jobs paying $60-$70k for like IT, Tech Suppport, Telecom, Web Development - not so many homes that are new? City does give alot of interesting vibes though, but its hard for me to get an idea of it's like in the way I did with Palm Harbor. I think I would add it to the list.
• Tampa - Decided to steer clear from it. Nice areas surrounded by bad apartments, trailers etc. Maybe a few decent elementary schools in the North side. But overall, hearing about all the crime, gangsters, wanna be's, break-ins. Though I am sure some of the crime is related to people needing to survive - I can understand hating the system, etc but I just dont want my kids influenced like that.
• Town n Country - Seems to me its very much like the adjacent Tampa.
• Oldsmar - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Pinellas Park - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.

What do you think? If you can, provide give me a name of a good elementary school so I can use as a reference to the neighborhood, other criteria I mentioned. Also are any of those cities considered dangerous or have dangerous areas? Thanks!!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

Hi everyone! I have been looking at a lot of cities in the Tampa Bay Area in order to make a decision of where to buy a home for my family. I plan on flying to the area soon to scout things out, but I first would like to make a list of places to go see without getting overwhelmed. I think I am good to earn between $60 to $70k in some IT/Support, Web Development or Telecom field - who knows though these days.

Here is what I am after:

• Elementary schools with great feedback from parents, low free-lunch costs, not so crowded classrooms. Like 18-22 students per class.
• 4/2/2 2000sq ft+ single story homes no older that 15 years - under $250k that are within walking distance to those good schools.
• Nearby supermarket, Hospital, Walgreens, Costco/Sam's Club, Home Depot.
• 20-30 minute commute to work.
• 20-30 minute easy access to beaches, parks, fun-stuff, restaurants, etc.

Here are some thoughts on the cities I researched.

• Tarpon Springs - Seems like a peaceful place, access to lightly populated beaches, easy drive to Palm Harbor for work, nice homes. Good elementary schools. I think I would add it to the list.
• Clearwater - Congested, plenty of jobs, found nice homes in Groveland neighborhood and even a few good elementary schools like Plumb Elementary, Leila Davis and McMullen Booth. Possibly with lots of jobs paying $60-$70k for like IT, Tech Suppport, Telecom, Web Development. Good homes seem to be finadable for under $250k walking distance to mentioned schools. I think I would add it to the list.
• Palm Harbor - Love the areas around East Lake Rd, though homes seem pricey for me - like $300k+. Commute for work seems like it could be heavy going towards Tampa or Clearwater - like MORE than 30 minutes to get there. Some good elementary schools seem to be all around the city. Also, lots of Publix stores and big name stores, etc. I think I would add it to the list.
• Safety Harbor - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Dunedin - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Largo - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• St. Petersburg - older city, also possibly with lots of jobs paying $60-$70k for like IT, Tech Suppport, Telecom, Web Development - not so many homes that are new? City does give alot of interesting vibes though, but its hard for me to get an idea of it's like in the way I did with Palm Harbor. I think I would add it to the list.
• Tampa - Decided to steer clear from it. Nice areas surrounded by bad apartments, trailers etc. Maybe a few decent elementary schools in the North side. But overall, hearing about all the crime, gangsters, wanna be's, break-ins. Though I am sure some of the crime is related to people needing to survive - I can understand hating the system, etc but I just dont want my kids influenced like that.
• Town n Country - Seems to me its very much like the adjacent Tampa.
• Oldsmar - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.
• Pinellas Park - Dont know much about it, but would like some input.

What do you think? If you can, provide give me a name of a good elementary school so I can use as a reference to the neighborhood, other criteria I mentioned. Also are any of those cities considered dangerous or have dangerous areas? Thanks!!

I can't weigh in with a lot of particulars, but I will tell you what cities/towns I like, and what I would cross off the list for various reasons, keeping in mind that as a Florida native, this is only my peception.

Favorites:

Tarpon Springs - small town with lots of character, things to do, easy drive to other nice towns, beaches etc.

Palm Harbor - very nice, clean town, newer feeling, commutable to other towns, etc. DRAWBACK - heavy traffic, slow commutes.

Safety Harbor and Dunedin - Both very small but quaint and charming, easy commutes to other towns, Safety Harbor on Bay, Dunedin on Gulf.

St. Petersburg - larger city feel than the others, beautiful beaches, some great neighborhoods, will be harder to find a newish home, mostly older neighborhoods here.

Towns not to consider:

For your purposes I agree on crossing off Tampa, and also Town and Country - from your post I don't think you will like them, unless you go to a suburb of Tampa such as Westchase, New Tampa, etc. A lot of this depends on where you will be working.

I also don't care for Clearwater - this town is VERY congested, and hard to get to beaches, also has the Scientology presence downtown which bothers some people.

Largo - I haven't heard too much good about Largo but can't speak from personal experience.

Places I don't know too much about are Oldsmar, and Pinellas Park.

I think you are pretty spot on with what you are considering so far, and maybe we can weigh in better when you tell us where you will be working? I am sure that will be a big factor in where you choose to live.

[mquintana]

I wouldn't recommend Pinellas Park or St. Pete, but that's just me (I hear too many things from people who moved out of there-and people who worked there). I have never heard anything bad about Palm Harbor.

Schools with low/free lunches?? Not with the income you are bringing in...I know for sure (I have a daughter in elem) that Elem. lunches are $2.25. It's higher for High School-like $2.75 or something and I am not sure about middle.

Have you looked into New Tampa, Riverview, Valrico, Wesley Chapel? All nice areas, all in Hillsborough County. Riverview/Valrico is about 30-40 mins. north of some of the best beaches on the west coast of Fl. (Siesta Key for example) as well as about 30 mins. or so from Ellenton (the outlet mall). Brandon would be the place to shop and eat at (if in Riverview/Valrico) and there's plenty here (Brandon mall and lots of resturants).

I couldn't tell you if it was close to your job, you never mentioned where you are working (location wise).

[mquintana]

Oh, one thing-we have a Sam's, Costco, Super Walmart's, a Super Target, Publix, and more...here in Brandon.

[jencarpeneto]

One of the town's you missed is Trinity. It is the newest, most beautiful town just north east of Tarpon Springs/ East Lake Palm Harbor. It is commute friendly to Clearwater as well as parts of Tampa. A 2000 sq ft house thats under 9 years old will cost under $200,000. Trinity is booming right now and it's where I plan on buying my house.

[Stewabby]

Also check out South Tampa (don't just rule out all of Tampa), Riverview, Westchase.

You're looking into a lot of touristy/retirement areas on your list. You won't find great elementary schools there.

Honestly, find the 60-70k job first. Then we can help you figure out the best places to live.

[Annie of Oldsmar]

East Lake is in Oldsmar and next to Palm Harbor. It is a GREAT place to live.
But like the previous poster suggest, get a job first and then we can help you with all the nice places to walk to school. Oldsmar is one of them.

[KMSFLA]

I live in Trinity (go north on East Lake Road). Trinity Oaks has houses in that price range I believe and it's a short walk to Trinity Oaks Elementary. Same with Trinity Elementary in the Foxwood area of Trinity.

[Negotiator75]

Thanks for the great replies! Does anyone know any more GOOD neighborhoods like in Brandon, St Pete, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, etc?

I would describe a good neighborhood as having homes that are kept nice year round & clean, lawns mowed, most cars parked in the drive way and NOT taking up the street.. no trash on the streets, no chain linked fences in the front yard or bars on the windows, etc. No RV's, large boats, Buses, Harleys, Bobtails or NASCAR trailers parked on driveway. Away from apartments or trailer parks (not that they are all bad or anything - just my pref). Also, no people hanging out late at night walking around, idleing in the car, talking loud at night, etc.

Just places where people respect each other...

Also I would not be interested in those neighborhoods that are all filled with mercedez, bmw's, jaguars, escalades... no stick up the *** neighbors!

These *might* be close:

• Brentwood Hills in Brandon
• Groveland Neighborhood in Clearwater
• East Lake in Oldsmar

If you know of any neighborhoods like that please let us all know. I know its a very hard thing to know, you may not be able to... but it would be a great resource for all of us learn about more of those before we visit!!

Thanks!

[Keeper]

Honestly, I don't think anyone would want to recommend an area without knowing where you will be working. An example would be if you worked in New Tampa and lived in Palm Harbor.. that commute would be horrible and take probably 2 hours each way.