Tampa from Pittsburgh, single dad with son, need advice... (Jacksonville: apartments, for rent)

[svbusdriver]

Hi,

This is my first post. I am a single dad with custody of his 16 year old son. We are planning a move to the tampa in the near future. I hold a CDL B and hold a PA school bus instruction certificate. Hillborough schools may be interested in me, as is HART. However, I have a few questions...

1- My son has a PA learners permit. should we wait until January and let him take his test here so he can have his license before we come down?

2- Hillsborough Schools seem to be fine to me. Anyone work for them? How are they?

3- Are there reasonable prices for rent or even purchasing a mobile home? Just to get a start.

4- Does Tampa in general have to worry about hurricanes as much as say...Fort Lauderdale?

5- And last, How does Tampa compare to Jacksonville, as there and Port Orange were two other potential locations. I believe Tampa is the winner at this point.

I really appreciate any help or suggestions anyone may have.

Shawn

[Playball40]

You are right about the CDL B being useful. HCS need drivers.
I don't know the difference with your son's license though. I would check the FDOT website.

As far as high schools, there are many decent programs. What is your son interested in? If he is strong in academics he can try for one of the IB Magnet Schools. If he is in to the Arts, Blake Performing Arts School is the way to go. There are many options, thank goodness.

There are several decent mobile home parks close to where I live in NW Tampa. PM me and I can give you the names. Avoid being to close to the water or you will be stuck evacuating a couple times a year.

Hurricanes are a fact of life for Floridians, but the panhandle historically is the most vulnerable. Tampa has been really VERY lucky and has avoided any direct hits for decades. Preparedness is the best we can do. As a Hurricane Andrew survivor (I was living in S. Dade at the time), I can tell you the little wind storms we've had blow through in 03 and 04 were...NOTHING.

Personally I prefer Tampa to Jacksonville. There is just more to do.

[summergal]

It would be wise to do some research on the income levels here in the field you are considering. The pay is low compared to PA and not keeping up with the cost of housing. The city I live in is planning "affordable housing" apartments/condos for teachers, policemen, firemen etc. since they are finding it very difficult to afford a home and are starting to leave the area. We moved down here from just outside of the Burgh many years ago, but are now looking at moving back home or maybe someplace in GA. It was a big culture shock for us for the first few years LOL

Just curious... why Tampa?

[svbusdriver]

To be honest, right now I am making 9.00 a hour here, and the job has zero growth potential. I have been offered considerably more in Tampa. I explored Orlando, Jax, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Orange... I really like all that the tampa bay area has to offer.

Not only that, I am to the point where I HATE snow... I own my home here, so I can sell it and buy a fixer upper there like I did here. I wouldnt even mind a mobile home. I have been in some of the newer ones, and what a difference from the old ones...

Shawn