Town and Country area, what do you know? (Tampa, Town 'n' Country: rental, crime)

[Maybarry]

Hello, hope you locals can give me feed back on the area called West Bay near the West Bay Club in the Town and Country area.

I have my eye on a very nice house and I'm not in a position to drive around the area at this time. I would appreciate some feed back from you all. Also any web sites that might help me understand the area better

I know this is a relative term, but is it a safe area? Looks like it's close to the bay and somewhat rural which is nice.

What do you think?
Thanks

[FloridaKash]

Safe, probably. Desirable, not really. Rural, nope.

I highly advise against buying any property here until you have at least visited. I would advise for you to live here for a year and than buy. Town and Country might be a good place to buy if you are looking to purchase a cheap rental property.

[ferret111]

Safe? Most likely.
Desirable? Probably more than a lot of T'n'C, but that isn't saying much.
Rural? Not in the least.

Town 'n' Country used to be a desirable place, but like a lot of inner-ring suburbs, its glory days are long over and a lot of it is dumpy/rundown. Of course, the neighborhoods on the water (southwest of Hillsborough and Memorial) have held their value and continue to be alright, but inland places (like along T'n'C Boulevard) aren't really good investment areas.

In short, if you're looking for suburban living, there are far better Tampa suburbs.

[Maybarry]

Sigh...
I thought it might be too good to be true. Thanks FloridaKash and Ferret111 for your feedback.

I'll keep looking for a house w/pool on some body of water in a better neighborhood. Something with a little character that doesn't look like a Monopoly neighborhood! Any suggestions at 350k and under?

[ilikepizza]

I think that's a great area to live. Its not rural at all and it is safe. You are very close to the water, shopping, bars, etc.
You are going to look at it of course before you buy, so don't eliminate it yet from your options.

Take a look at Bay Crest Park

[Maybarry]

Thanks, I'll keep it on my list, and check out Bay Crest Park.

Yes, of course I will personally view and thoroughly check out any areas of interest. I have been to Fla/Tampa many times but trying to fine tune my focus before my next visit. I never seem to have as much time as I'd like to look around.

[Keeper]

That subdivision is kind of isolated but it is like most nabs in Tampa with cookie cutter homes on small lots. It is close to Rocky Creek where you might see a manatee or fish but you will find very little boating on it. It is too shallow to get to the bay. Homes in Bay Crest are around 40 yo and some are pretty run down. There are some on canals though. You might want to check into Oldsmar or Safety Harbor if you are looking for something close to the water. Just remember you will pay much more for HOI.

TnC has gotten a bad rep but it isn't all bad. It is a very diverse area.

[LKJ1988]

You can always check out Danashores as it's close to TNC, but much higher class. You can get a home on the water for around 400k and up. Homes on the water in Baycrest were going for 250k back in 03, not sure what they go for now, maybe 150k or more.

[alphacoyle]

I lived in TNC 20 years ago and even then while it was nice enough, there was a lot of crime and bad stuff going on. Not as bad as a lot of Tampa. If you want to be in that part of Town go to Palm Harbor or Safety Harbor or even Carrolwood if you can afford it. IMO.

[Maybarry]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback. I know some areas of Tampa bay fairly well, others not at all. That's why I find feed back on this board very useful.

I'll look into all the areas you've suggested. I'll find the right place for me eventually.