Looking for great family area moving to Tampa (Valrico: homes, neighborhoods)

[Kevin from Tampa]

I love south Tampa but I wouldn't say it's a great family area...I wouldn't let my kids run around the south Tampa neighborhoods...not that I think they're inherently unsafe, but lots of traffic, not a lot of other families, and it would be easy to snatch a kid off the street in south Tampa.

[juliemdillon]

Just read your post. I was just up in the NOVA area this past week as we are moving from Tampa area to NOVA in about a month. (We are from that area but it has changed a bit in 6 years!) We have lived in Valrico/Brandon area in a neighborhood called Twin Lakes. We bought 3 years ago and have loved the neighborhood. We have a 10 year old daughter who has gone to Lithia Springs Elementary (10 rating on Great Schools website) and I have been active in the PTA. Great school and my daughter is very sad to leave it! I also have friends in the Fish Hawk neighborhood and love it (more of a planned community that are similar to many in the newer planned communities in NOVA area.) The schools are also great..Schools for middle and High School are the same for Twin Lakes and Fish Hawk. When we moved here we chose Twin Lakes due to the larger lot size and the fact that all the homes were built (no construction)..prices at that time were also a little less here for what you got in the home. After looking at homes in NOVA last week, you will be very pleased with the pricing of homes! Great time to buy here, especially with interest rates. (BTW, we are selling our home if you would like additional info let me know (We Have loved it for 3 years and it is only 8 years old!..we have a pool/hot tub/fenced yard, etc.). Let me know if you want additional info on the area. We will miss it here!

[CandCsmom]

Hi, I'd love to chat with you more about Twin Lakes - and possibly your house! (Twin Lakes is one of the areas a friend of a friend also highly recommend we look at). Also, love to talk to you about NOVA. Where did you live last time? We're in Mantua in Fairfax and I can't say enough great things about the neighborhood, people, school etc. I also have a terrific realtor referral if you need one. How do we direct message?? (sorry kinda new at this)

[ISOnewplace]

Hi C and C,

We moved to Florida from NoVa a few years ago. We are in South Florida now which is a whole different story than Tampa and we too will be moving to the Tampa area soon. However, Florida as a whole is nothing like NoVa especially with respect to schools, older family communities and lifestyles in general. We are hoping to find something more similar in Tampa (maybe Sarasota) but we have our expectations in check this time (nothing bad...just different)

You will find wonderful things here in Florida that you do not have in NoVa but I would encourage you to accept that it will be much different. Knowing that in advance, will help your transition. I would also encourage you to consider private school which should be doable given the price ranges you quoted. I am absolutely NOT a private school snob but if your standard is Fairfax CPS, you might want keep that as an option.

Good luck with your move and I hope you find a neighborhood that suits you. Maybe we'll be neighbors

[CandCsmom]

Thanks, ISO. I'm getting the feeling that things will be different in FL! Its ok - I'm always resistant to any move then always love it when we get there! Like you said, just different. Where are you all looking? We'll probably try to stay focused on the areas with the better elementaryschools - just prefer public over private... and its all what you make of it anyway we'll only be there 3 years. good luck, too!

[rangersfan]

Another South Tampa opinion! Just moved from NY and it was all about the schools followed by desire for older more established (not cookie cutter like you said) neighborhoods. Little pricey down here but have a 4BR with inground pool for $500 less than your budget and we are in the Palma Ceia area (33629). Have a second grader entering Mabry - which was my first choice based on my research - and also one in middle and one going to Plant HS. We are minutes from the base, so that's a bonus. Also minutes from most anything! We are very happy with our decision - FYI I work in the Brandon/Riverview area and would not have been happy over there. Very suburb, strip mall, chain restaurant feel and we are really more happy with the older more urban yet neighborhood feel here. Lots of independent places to eat, tons of family owned places. Just our preference! Good luck!

[CandCsmom]

Thanks, Rangersfan! I really appreciate your feedback and opinion. Sounds like - from one New Yorker to another (I grew up on Long Island) - its an area we definitey need to investigate!

[Spree]

Bloomingdale East as well as Twin Lakes in Valrico as well as River Hills in Valrico and you already know about Fish Hawk, lol. I really like River Hills if you don't want to go all the way south to Fish Hawk. I have heard that they are re-doing the Lithia Pinecrest (major north-south road leading to Fish Hawk and runs by the front gate of River Hills) road and that might cause some headaches, traffic wise in that area.

Fairfax Co has some of the better schools in the nation, you might not find that quality of instruction in Tampa. I do know that Bevis elementary in Fishhawk is one of the more academic elementary schools, very highly rated. I also had heard that they don't have a recess time, not sure if that changed or not.

[juliemdillon]

Sorry, just read your message..I am new at this too! I would love to talk to you more as well. When will you be coming to look at houses? Ours has been on the market for about 10 days now. Here is link to Virtual tour. 2843 Mossy Timber Trail, Valrico, FL | TourThisPlace.com
Regarding NOVA, we are originally from there and lived in Barkley community right across the street on Rt. 50 across from Mantua. We ended up buying a home in Farrcroft in the City of Fairfax. I loved Manuta but couldn't find a home in there that worked for us. Would have loved your schools! I sent a "befriend" request to you if you have more specific questions.

[CandCsmom]

Hi Rangerfan just checking up on how you are liking S. Tampa? We ended up putting an offer on a home in River Hills in Valrico and really regretting not waiting it out for more inventory to come up in the Mabry or Gorrie schools in S. Tampa. When we got here everything was gone or horrible and started feeling desperate. Now that I know the area I do really like the Hyde Park and Palma Ceia areas. It still seems very hit or miss though one street from the next. Would you say your street is family friendly i.e. kids playing outside, riding bikes etc? Rentals are still very far and few between - except for some $3500 + way too high for us in Hyde Park. Having been here for awhile now can you recommend any good family sections affordable and nicer homes in Mabry and Gorrie school zones? Thank you!