Looking to Move to Tampa w/ Large Family (Clearwater, Tamarac: apartment, rent)

[CNTLOSE]

We are a family of 6 with children between the ages of 2 and 7. We are from an area between Dayton and Cincinnati Ohio which is a good combintation of rural, city, and everything in between. I am looking at employment with the City of Tampa and would like to know some good areas to look for a residence with good schools.

I had grandparents living in Tamarac, (Ft. Lauderdale) FL and the public schools down there were like prisons. High fences with barb wire...just like a prison. From what I have gathered reading prior post on this site St. Pete, Clearwater, and South Tampa seem like decent to good areas. Can anyone suggest certain neighborhoods that are in a good school district? Also can anyone suggest certain areas to stay away from.

Thanks!

[willow wind]

Can you offer more information ? Are you looking to buy or rent ? If renting are you looking for a house, condo or apartment ? For buying or renting, what is your budget? It may help the forum to suggest areas that you will find both satisfactory and within your means.

[jambo101]

You seem to be placing employment with the City of Tampa as a given, unless you have some specialty that the city is looking for i wouldnt be so sure you are just going to move to Tampa and get a job with the city.
You might want to think about a few plan-B's,
Coming to Fla on a whim with a family as large as yours would benefit from one of the working adults to have a job already set up to go to Or have some one in the family move to Fla,get the job,rent the apt. then call the rest of the family down.,if things dont work out your user name may become just wishful thinking..
Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[MortonR]

Most areas within Hillsborough County will have good schools, some better than others. Unlike the area where you currently live, we have county-wide school districts here, not smaller township or city-based ones. Hillsborough County Schools have around 190,000 students enrolled, if my memory serves me right. (I know the area you are in well, as I grew up in Mt. Healthy, OH.)

As the previous poster mentioned, you better come with a job or income source already in place, as things are still quite tenuous down here relative to the job market.

More details will make the information you receive here far more valuable.

RM