Moving to Tampa, Need insider info on neighborhoods please. (St. Petersburg: short sales, foreclosures)

[MeinLI]

We are relocating to Tampa from NYC area. My husband and I have done a lot of online research but really are stuck on communities since a lot of the data is out-dated. We are looking for a family friendly safe community as we have 3 young children. Good schools are a must and the number one criteria. The communities that we would love more "insider" info on (pros,cons, major issues if any, property tax, CDD fees and HOA fees) are as follows.
Seven Oaks
Meadow Point
Cheval
Heritage Harbor
Trinity

Commute to Tampa hopefully no longer than 45 min. Home range 250 K-350K, preferably newer construction (after 2002).

I appreciate any info. Thank you in advance. :-)

[Dsutter]

I too am looking to relocate to the Tampa area with my family, and I'm looking at the same areas. I'd like my commute to be less than 45 minutes though, including exiting the neighborhood! Any advice would be appreciated.

I'd also like to know about the cost of living. I'll be taking almost a 15% pay cut to move there, and I don't want to be living check to check there too. Can someone tell me about property taxes, CDD's, homeowner's insurance, hurricane insurance, car insurance, utility rates.

Thank you!

[Dsutter]

Also looking at Watergrass -- seems a bit more affordable than Seven Oaks, but no amenities built yet. Anyone know how the schools for this neighborhood are?
WaterGrass Elementary School - (Opened August 2009)
Thomas E. Weightman Middle School
Wesley Chapel High School

[Keeper]

What area is your employment? If you live in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel and work at MacDill then your commute will likely be more than 45 minutes depending on the time of day.

My point is time of day and area make a big difference

[StEt0417]

We are also looking into moving into that area, We went up and looked at Meadow Point and seven oaks. We went to the playground in Meadow point and everyone we met at the playground was so nice and had nothing but good things to say about the neighborhood. One lady did say it was better to make sure your on the side of pasco county.

Ive done some research on the schools and they all seem good. Check out
momslikeme.com, theres is a forum for Tampa and there are some posts about meadow point/Wesley chapel

[MeinLI]

Thanks stet0417. I'll definitely check out that forum too.

[amstel78]

Have you checked out Safety Harbor? Great town with lots of parks for kids. Also very conveniently located to Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Property taxes are also quite reasonable versus some of the other neighborhoods mentioned.

[Dsutter]

Originally Posted by Keeper

What area is your employment? If you live in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel and work at MacDill then your commute will likely be more than 45 minutes depending on the time of day.

My point is time of day and area make a big difference

@Keeper: I'll be further north than MacDill, near the SE corner of Tampa Intl.

[trishbert]

Cheval and Heritage Harbor attend the same schools - McKitrick Elementary etc... Reputable schools. You can check schooldigger.com greatschools.net and Florida Dept. Education to access school information. Frankly, I'd stay away from the rest if schools are your top priority, as you've stated, although 7 Oaks is a great family neighborhood. The schools in Pasco County (which is where all of the remaining neighborhoods are located) are not as good as those in Hillsborough County. Taxes are a bit less expensive in Pasco County. But, those neighborhoods you've mentioned have had considerable build during the boom and therefore have a lot of short sales and foreclosures and potentially further price adjustments to come. CCD fees and HOA fees are different in each subdivision in each neighborhood so you have to research those costs yourself as you investigate neighborhoods. Homeowners Insurance is costly here, so get some advance quotes so you're not shocked by the number.