Which ones of these neighborhood/towns would you choose? (Tampa: 2014, construction)

[BLKelsey]

Originally Posted by annaegel

Where will your job be?

It'll be in downtown Tampa.

[BLKelsey]

Originally Posted by algia

$1200 on the good side of Lutz (Hillsborough County west of Dale Mabry) won't buy much, but an apartment.

Lithia - TOO Far You'd only have I-4 to commute...
Brandon - Ehh...
Valrico - Nah...
Lutz - Apartment or small 2 bdr house at best
Spring Hill - WAYYY too far...

Northdale, Carrollwood is where you'd want to be, however that means that you want to look on the west side of Dale Mabry between Fletcher and Northdale Blvd. On the east side is can be spotty, but there are nice patches, a RE would be able to sort that for you.

Yes, I was just looking into Carollwood just before I read your post. It seems like an ideal place for us. Now...if I could just find a 3br for no more than $1200.

Also, I just recently have included New Port Richey in my search. I saw a few suitable houses there, too. Wanted to say thanks to you algia for explaining the "why's" to my choices above. Helped me narrow it down.

[algia]

No problem at all.

Now NPR may "seem" affordable, but it's no commute to downtown, plus it is retirees central...I wish you could see it first.

On Northdale Blvd there are a bunch of 3 bedrooms in single family homes and also town homes. An RE could dig those up, some my not be listed. Moderator cut: real estate recommendations are not allowed

Originally Posted by BLKelsey

Yes, I was just looking into Carollwood just before I read your post. It seems like an ideal place for us. Now...if I could just find a 3br for no more than $1200.

Also, I just recently have included New Port Richey in my search. I saw a few suitable houses there, too. Wanted to say thanks to you algia for explaining the "why's" to my choices above. Helped me narrow it down.

[BLKelsey]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Thanks Annaegel.. That is what I was trying to ask. LOL

If you are working downtown and your hours are 8-5 then you will want to live in Brandon, S. Tampa, Seminole heights, Riverview, but if your hours are more flexible then you could can live in other areas and still make that a 30 min commute

Yes, it will be 8-5. Thanks for the heads up!

[BLKelsey]

Originally Posted by algia

No problem at all.

Now NPR may "seem" affordable, but it's no commute to downtown, plus it is retirees central...I wish you could see it first.

On Northdale Blvd there are a bunch of 3 bedrooms in single family homes and also town homes. An RE cModerator cut: real estate recommendations are not allowed

But all through that area there are a bunch of 3/2's, I am sure you'll find something.

Wow! I'm glad you told me about NPR being an old folks nest.

So I guess my new choices are:

Northdale/Carollwood
Riverview
Seminole

Any other quick suggestions to where I shouldn't be worried if I wanted to go jogging at night....or walk the dog?

You guys have been VERY helpful to me...THANKS!!

[Keeper]

I would not discount Valrico or Lithia area. Brandon also has some nice areas the drive would meet your requirement of 30 minutes.

Carrollwood and Northdale are nice however you will be pushing that 30 min commute time during rush hour.

There is also Citrus Park area which will also push that 30 minute commute time but you can probably find a house in your price range. If you can go 45 min commute you should check out New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

What about schools?

[BLKelsey]

Originally Posted by Keeper

I would not discount Valrico or Lithia area. Brandon also has some nice areas the drive would meet your requirement of 30 minutes.

Carrollwood and Northdale are nice however you will be pushing that 30 min commute time during rush hour.

There is also Citrus Park area which will also push that 30 minute commute time but you can probably find a house in your price range. If you can go 45 min commute you should check out New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

What about schools?

Keeper,

It looks like Valrico, Lithia, and Brandon are back in the equation now. Since I will be working in Tampa, kids going to school, wife left at home....she says she'd like a pool home so she can enjoy herself when left alone. We'll see. Since a "pool home" is part of the mix now, Carollwood/Northdale is out of the question since there's no way I can afford to rent a pool home there.

Hmm...Citrus Park? How is that area - neighborhood-wise, schools, property, etc. Is there a certain area I should look in there?

Where is New Tampa? I can't find it on any map. Wesley Chapel looked good. I did find a pool home there for $1200 but I want to keep my options open for other areas until I locate the best sq. footage for the money in a safe neighborhood.

Yes, schools will be an issue, too. I have 2 kids left at home (5th & 7th grades).

Thanks Keeper, ma'am, for keeping the thread going. You all are really helping me!

[algia]

Here are the maps, so you can get a better idea as to where to look:

Here is the proximity of these places to downtown. Wesley Chapel may be "cheap" but you'll make up for it in gas to get downtown every day. Too far, and little to do up there. Isolating, your wife will eventually have enough.
http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/From%20Citrus%20Park.jpg (broken link)

This is the area of Citrus Park where its nice and very close to Citrus Park mall, stay on the west side of Gunn Hwy and you should be OK!
http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/CP.jpg (broken link)


& Lithia, again, far...will increase your commute.
http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/Lithia.jpg (broken link)

When you live in a sprawl, you have to weigh in on what is important to you? time spent in traffic? going out to dinner? etc.

& Valrico too:
http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/Valrico.jpg (broken link)

Originally Posted by BLKelsey

Keeper,

It looks like Valrico, Lithia, and Brandon are back in the equation now. Since I will be working in Tampa, kids going to school, wife left at home....she says she'd like a pool home so she can enjoy herself when left alone. We'll see. Since a "pool home" is part of the mix now, Carollwood/Northdale is out of the question since there's no way I can afford to rent a pool home there.

Hmm...Citrus Park? How is that area - neighborhood-wise, schools, property, etc. Is there a certain area I should look in there?

Where is New Tampa? I can't find it on any map. Wesley Chapel looked good. I did find a pool home there for $1200 but I want to keep my options open for other areas until I locate the best sq. footage for the money in a safe neighborhood.

Yes, schools will be an issue, too. I have 2 kids left at home (5th & 7th grades).

Thanks Keeper, ma'am, for keeping the thread going. You all are really helping me!

[BLKelsey]

Algia,

This is awesome to have all the places on one page for me. It puts things in perspective. I was beginning to become familiar with the areas I've listed but circling them and condensing them like you did was great.

However, not much for rent in Citrus Park, at least I haven't came across a 3/2. One a good note, my wife and I are in agreeance with our likes of a house in Zephryhills at 6312 CHAPEL PINES BLVD. We like the style and it has an enclosed pool for $1195/mo. This is the style we are searching for.

[algia]

All homes look like that in FL (LOL)

There is a subdivision on Van Dyke rd called Reflections, I swear every house looks exactly like that.

Here is what shows up on Zillow for 33625 (Citrus Park Zip code)

http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/Region%20capture%2012.png (broken link)

Then 33624 Carrollwood:
http://www.commercialphotoservices.com/Region%20capture%2013.png (broken link)


If you're going to rent, rent closer to work, so you can get a true picture of what's the commute like, then when you're ready to buy, you can buy whatever, but you'll be able to make an educated decision as far as what's where etc.

Originally Posted by BLKelsey

Algia,

This is awesome to have all the places on one page for me. It puts things in perspective. I was beginning to become familiar with the areas I've listed but circling them and condensing them like you did was great.

However, not much for rent in Citrus Park, at least I haven't came across a 3/2. One a good note, my wife and I are in agreeance with our likes of a house in Zephryhills at 6312 CHAPEL PINES BLVD. We like the style and it has an enclosed pool for $1195/mo. This is the style we are searching for.