Nieghborhoods within Tampa (Safety Harbor, Westchase, Odessa: estate, houses, rent)

[soonenough]

My family and I will be moving soon, we have visited the area but can not seem to settle on a neighborhood.

We liked South Tampa, but did not love it and are trying to find new areas.

Good schools are of course important. We don't necessary need a "family environment" though of course we need it to be safe.

We have one child and do not expect more and are not the types to bbq and go to the waterslides on the weekends. We would be more apt to be out dining, shopping, working out, travelling. I nor my wife enjoyed New Tampa when we visited the subdivisions. We would prefer to be much closer to the water, and in Tampa, not St. Pete or Safety Harbor or any of the other areas, as nice as they are.

My question- any suggestions on upscale neighborhoods (3-4 bedroom homes around 500K) within Tampa with good schools? Subdivisions are fine, just would like it to be near everything. My hopes are that someone might have the same perspectives and share an area they know of or currently live.

[TampaKaren]

Did you look in Odessa (Northwest Tampa area)? Maybe Eagles, Highland Park or Waterchase? Did you visit Westchase? People seem to either love it or hate it...it's similar to New Tampa. There's also an area in west Tampa around Hillsborough Ave, (just south of the Odessa neighborhoods above) called Bayport Colony...that might work as well.

Hope this helps!

[Keeper]

You might like Bayport as it is on the Bay.. Odessa area has a lot of lakes many are good for boating. I personally like Westchase better than New Tampa because the houses are different, although the lots are still small for the most part.

[soonenough]

Thank you for the feedback.

Is Bayport the only area on the Bay or are there other neighborhoods similar as well?

[C5Aprea]

Ive been looking in south tampa for months, and for $500K I cant find anything decent. Small 3br and 2 baths and Taxes are going to be over 10K on a 500K house. Or, 45 minute drive and crappy traffic with something newer. I regret moving to tampa from northern va, which was much more beautiful, decent taxes, great schools, and twice the house.

south of gandy and north of kennedy are beat

[Keeper]

There are a few others Imperial Estates and Dana Shores are both on the bay. Imperial Estates is further down Hillsborough. Dana Shores, I don't know what the houses go for in that area, but it is a very small community. I am sure TpaKaren can tell you.