Small Family/Low income moving to Tampa Area (Orlando, Lakeland: best towns, apartment complexes)

[bobimichelle]

We are a small family in our twenties (my fiance, my 9 month old, our miniature doxie, and myself) are planning on moving to the Tampa Area within the next year. We do not want to live in Tampa but a suburb. I just have so many questions.

1. Are there any good apartment complexes in the area? We need one that accepts small dogs.
2. What are the best towns in the area (not too big)?
3. I am an English Education teacher and he is a Diaylsis Tech, so I am just wondering how the job situation is down there?
4. How much does daycare usually run? He will be in there full time and about 18 months at that point.
5. How about crime? We want somewhere where we can feel safe. Indiana is a really safe place.

I can't think of anymore, but I may post more. Thank you so much.

[Tim Tim Tim]

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

We are a small family in our twenties (my fiance, my 9 month old, our miniature doxie, and myself) are planning on moving to the Tampa Area within the next year. We do not want to live in Tampa but a suburb. I just have so many questions.

1. Are there any good apartment complexes in the area? We need one that accepts small dogs.
2. What are the best towns in the area (not too big)?
3. I am an English Education teacher and he is a Diaylsis Tech, so I am just wondering how the job situation is down there?
4. How much does daycare usually run? He will be in there full time and about 18 months at that point.
5. How about crime? We want somewhere where we can feel safe. Indiana is a really safe place.

I can't think of anymore, but I may post more. Thank you so much.

How low income are we talking? if your a teacher and your wife works full time too I Cant imagine it being too low. Do you know what area your looking to be in? The Tampa area is pretty large and we can recommend a million places that would fit what you have described.. Just as a quick suggestion, I would peek into the citrus park area. Its a middle class area with fairly low crime and located in a nice spot so that everything is close by.

[bobimichelle]

My fiance was thinking the north because it is closer to Orlando where our family time shares every year.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

My fiance was thinking the north because it is closer to Orlando where our family time shares every year.

Orlando is to the East. What are you wanting to pay in rent? Lakeland is cheap and half way between Orlando and Tampa. Not much around there.

[gumbyfly]

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

1. Are there any good apartment complexes in the area? We need one that accepts small dogs.

Plenty. Of course it depends on what area you are looking to move to.

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

2. What are the best towns in the area (not too big)?

There are a lot of nice areas in the greater Tampa area. Do you have a preference: close to work, closer to beach, closer to suburban amenities? Traffic here is fairly busy, so close to work tends to be the norm.

Moderator cut: snip

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

5. How about crime? We want somewhere where we can feel safe. Indiana is a really safe place.

Check this map out: http://www.tampagov.net/appl_police_...ps/mappage.asp

[bobimichelle]

Thanks for all the replies...we are getting better are searching. If only there weren't so many possibilities.

Is there anyway ya'll can estimate the cost of daycare, full-time, for an 18 month old?

[newyorker24]

Originally Posted by bobimichelle

Thanks for all the replies...we are getting better are searching. If only there weren't so many possibilities.

Is there anyway ya'll can estimate the cost of daycare, full-time, for an 18 month old?

Google to find websites for daycares. Many of them have prices listed. The ones in my area charge $175-200 a week for an 18 month old.