Considering a move (Tampa, Clearwater, Largo: rent, houses, buying)

[FloridaKash]

Getting from Seminole to I-275 will take 20 - 30 minutes... without traffic. How do I know? I lived in Seminole for a year. There are great areas near Seminole that will fit your price range. Do yourself a favor... rent a house first so you become familiar with the areas.

Seminole has some good neighborhoods... no need on looking elsewhere.

This neighborhood is in Seminole and their lights are amazing. Obviously there is a great sense of community and there are some very nice homes with lots of kids.

http://lightsoflakepark.com/


Another good place with kids and good schools is right around Oakhurst Elementary.

[PhotoProIP]

I think the key for being under an hour and having access to the new home communities of North Tampa (Westchase, Cheval, Lutz, LoL, even Connerton) is using Veterans Expressway prior to 7am instead of I-275/75/4 corridors.

WOW.... Just wow...the only way to have smooth access between New Tampa and Seminole is to own a helicopter. Veterans is a parking lot at rush hour. Soon, it will have construction on it too...so be mindful of that.

There is no common sense about living north of Tampa and work in Seminole unless someone is looking to inflict pain on himself. Palm Harbor would fit this bill the best. You may not find a 5 bedroom home, but kids can share.

Yes, I agree 100% with FloridaKash: Rent first, and drive around to see for yourself.

[unicorn1209]

You can find a home in the Oldsmar, Dunedin and Clearwater area. There are 5 bedroom homes in that area if you know where to look.
Also Trinity is a nice area but I'm not so sure I'd want to drive US 19 everyday. New Tampa might take you more than an hour even at 7 am. If you don't want to live in Pinellas county I'd check out Odessa, Westchase, Trinity. Or even northwest Tampa (Carrollwood/Northdale) and Lutz.

[FloridaKash]

I would avoid US 19 at all costs. What a mess. Maybe they'll have it finished around 2025?

[DWMachineshop]

I live in Seminole and it takes me 20 to 30 minutes to get to the Howard Frankland Bridge at 3 AM. Daytime NOT rush hour 30 to 45 minutes and rush hour (7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm)45 minutes to an hour+ easy. And this is to the Bridge that goes to Tampa.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by FloridaKash

I would avoid US 19 at all costs. What a mess. Maybe they'll have it finished around 2025?

2015...... They say. The completed parts are much better......but I still avoid it for the most part.

[dystopian]

This is very discouraging. We haven't been able to find any homes that interest us anywhere near Seminole. The closest has been Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, West Chase, Lutz but all of these seem so far.

If I am commuting between 6am - 7am, which is worse Palm Harbor down Rt 19 or Lutz down Veterans Expressway?

I am really surprised at the lack of home options of such a giant geographic area.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by dystopian

I am really surprised at the lack of home options of such a giant geographic area.

It has not been a buyers market for months now. It was like a light switch was flipped and it happened right at the time we were buying last year. Good homes in good locations going in a matter of three to four days. I believe people who purchased at higher prices and don't have to sell are holding onto their homes, waiting for prices to continue to increase. Investors are buying the lower end homes for rentals and future flips, but they pay cash. That leaves precious few for regular buyers.

It "should", in theory, balance out down the road when prices go high enough for people to list their homes, but get capped by the flood of inventory at that time. "Should", in theory.....being the key part. In the meantime, it is very aggressive out there now.

[Stewabby]

Originally Posted by dystopian

This is very discouraging. We haven't been able to find any homes that interest us anywhere near Seminole. The closest has been Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, West Chase, Lutz but all of these seem so far.

If I am commuting between 6am - 7am, which is worse Palm Harbor down Rt 19 or Lutz down Veterans Expressway?

I am really surprised at the lack of home options of such a giant geographic area.

The good news is that your work location is already pretty close to the water and beaches. Usually someone is posting that they are working in New Tampa and want to live near the beaches. You're posting that you are working not too far from the beaches and want to live in New Tampa.

[dystopian]

So, if you had to make a choice between Palm Harbor and rt19 or Lutz and Veterans Expressway which would you choose?

If I have to be at work at 7am, will I miss the rush hour?

Originally Posted by Stewabby

Usually someone is posting that they are working in New Tampa and want to live near the beaches. You're posting that you are working not too far from the beaches and want to live in New Tampa.

Does that mean I will be going the opposite way of the traffic?