How Much Cheapter is the Cost of Living of Tampa...... (Brandon: commute, distance)

[algia]

Carrollwood is great as long as you stay between Northdale Blvd and Fletcher. Between Fletcher and 275, and even more going south passed Henderson rd is sketchy and ugly.

Originally Posted by DecisionYear

Why not Carrollwood, which is closer to Dale Mabry?

[DecisionYear]

Originally Posted by algia

Carrollwood is great as long as you stay between Northdale Blvd and Fletcher. Between Fletcher and 275, and even more going south passed Henderson rd is sketchy and ugly.

What do you mean Brandon is red-neck? It's not like ghetto-dangerous or dangerous in any way, right?

[algia]

It has its "areas"...but it is just ehh, I don't know, we didn't like it at all. You have to see it in comparison to the other areas.

I'd say if you choose McDill, live in one of those apartments by the International Plaza Mall for 6 months and from there you are pretty much half way of all of the above mentioned, and then once you see them all, you can decide which on is better for "you" personally. Visually, people, distance.

The area closest to McDill is Palma Ceia, it is spotty, ran down, old and ugly. MY opinion.

I think the ONLY true advantage of choosing Homestead would be that you could swing to Key West on weekend basis. Key West is about 7 hours from Tampa. Other than that, I really don't see another reason to live there unless you're making 7 figures.

[DecisionYear]

Originally Posted by algia

I think the ONLY true advantage of choosing Homestead would be that you could swing to Key West on weekend basis. Key West is about 7 hours from Tampa. Other than that, I really don't see another reason to live there unless you're making 7 figures.

Another advantage for me is distace to family.

Homestead: 1.5 hour drive

Tampa: 4 hours drive

However, I don't mind driving long distance, when it's only once every month or every other month or so.

[algia]

We have family in Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, so...we are in the same boat, but we also have kids and there is no way we'll raise them in SoFla as sad as that makes me because I love it down there, but it has gotten so bad people wise that we no longer fit there.

We take 75 down to Alligator Alley and that's that. If it doesn pour, it is really a fast drive.

Originally Posted by DecisionYear

Another advantage for me is distace to family.

Homestead: 1.5 hour drive

Tampa: 4 hours drive

However, I don't mind driving long distance, when it's only once every month or every other month or so.

[DecisionYear]

Originally Posted by algia

there is no way we'll raise them in SoFla.

Why?

I was raised in South Florida.

[DecisionYear]

Originally Posted by algia

It has its "areas"...but it is just ehh, I don't know, we didn't like it at all. You have to see it in comparison to the other areas.

Although I am kinda educated (think advanced degrees), I lived (not travel) in third world countries, so I don't think Brandon would bother me much as long as it's not ghetto and dangerous.

[algia]

So was my husband, and my brother's been living there for some 35 years, teaching at University of Miami no less...But its not what it used to be...hell, its not what it used to be when I lived there back in 2001/2003...too much crime, few "English" jobs left, and education is left to unafordable private schools.

We like Tampa way better, much calmer in general. Just different people. Don't get me wrong, Tampa has its share of Jerks, but not as much as down in SoFla.

Originally Posted by DecisionYear

Why?

I was raised in South Florida.

[algia]

Getting from Brandon to McDill will suck you dry on tolls. That expresway is insane with tolls every half mile it seems.

Or, you can hike on i-4 to 275 to Dale Mabry.....

I am thinking commute wise. Frankly the BEST place would be that Westshore Yacht Club, it has homes, and townhomes and it is very close to the base, you keep driving down westshore to interbay and poof you're at McDill. If I had to work there, that's exactly where I'd live because that would allow me to avoid highways, tolls and a whole mess of traffic I'd rather avoid if I could. Check it out, it is really nice.

Originally Posted by DecisionYear

Although I am kinda educated (think advanced degrees), I lived (not travel) in third world countries, so I don't think Brandon would bother me much as long as it's not ghetto and dangerous.

[DecisionYear]

Originally Posted by algia

Getting from Brandon to McDill will suck you dry on tolls. That expresway is insane with tolls every half mile it seems.

Really? I thought Brandon would be a much easier for commute compare to Westchase due to the distance and the tollway.