Commute from South Tampa (Orlando, Brandon: 2013, apartment, renting)

[Wildflower2013]

Good morning,
My husband and I are relocating to the Tampa Bay area - he will be on the road every day traveling the area and also to Orlando 1-2 times per week. We will be renting an apartment for at least a year or two and were thinking of the South Tampa area.
1) How is the commute from South Tampa to Orlando and other areas?
2) Other areas we should consider? We want to be as close to the water as possible (shocker, I know).

Thank you!!

[sinatras]

Good choice. South Tampa is the most desirable place to live in Tampa Bay for many reasons, one of which is the fact that it is accessed by several freeways and centrally located to all the major destinations. It's kind of in the middle of everything, so you are not driving huge distances. And if you live in South Tampa and commute elsewhere (North, East or West of city of Tampa), you will have a reverse commute and deal with next to zero traffic.

However, the commute to Orlando will not be fun from South Tampa or from anywhere else in Tampa Bay, because I-4 is a nightmare a lot of the time.

[NHborn]

Yeah I wouldnt consider the Orlando commute when picking an area, its gonna suck wherever you are. I second the above poster in that South Tampa is pretty central to everything else though, plus a really good area to live and the best schools if you have kids.

[thethinktank]

This year, a new road construction project will be complete which connects the Crosstown Expressway with I4. The Crosstown runs from Brandon to Downtown Tampa and right through South Tampa with several exits. Depending on the time of day, it's simple and quick to get on / get off and get out of town. It'll make getting to I4 easier than it has been, and will probably be your husband's route of choice.

As others have said, getting to Orlando from anywhere can be a pain, especially during travel season. But if you have to do it, the new Crosstown Expressway will make it as easy as it can be from South Tampa.

More info:
Interstate 4

An image of the raised Crosstown Express section:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications...ages/stru6.jpg

[Wildflower2013]

Thank you, everyone, so much. We really appreciate the expert help!!!!
Getting really excited for our move! Have a great day!

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by Wildflower2013

Thank you, everyone, so much. We really appreciate the expert help!!!!
Getting really excited for our move! Have a great day!

My wife works out of her Orlando Office twice a week. We live in South Tampa, in the morning going through I-275 is fastest, in the afternoon she gets off on the 50th st exit on i-4 and cuts across the crosstown, what you want to avoid is the 275/4 interchange going west in the afternoon or morning really, its really have to be like 3 am for that intersection to be clear going west. Like many posters said once the i-4 to crosstown connection is ready it will be a lot easier. I would say this as much as the commute stinks, its definitely a lot faster than if you were commuting from Westchase, Carrolwood, New Tampa, Wesley chapel and forget about pinellas, from pinellas to tampa that is its own 30 min ordeal in the morning. Maybe NE St pete, theoretically can be in the crosstown in 15 min and you would be closer to the beaches. Another area to look at can be brandon, it puts you right on i-4 closer to Orlando, its 45 min to the bradenton/sarasota beaches, in S. Tampa you would be 20-30 min to the St pete beaches but further from Orlando. Those are the 3 locations i would consider.