Moving to Clearwater (Tampa, Largo, Palm Harbor: spring break, apartment complexes, rental)

[Beck]

A friend is looking to relocate to Clearwater/Largo/Dunedin and is wanting to know some information about the area, locations to avoid or stay away from regarding safety, etc. or locations to recommend. Any suggestions or advice?? THANK YOU!

[DunedinDragon]

A significant part of Clearwater and Largo are not really great areas to live in. Dunedin is great, but it has some drawbacks in terms of a large retired population and some small town politics. For the most part if you confine yourself to the east side of US 19 in either Clearwater or Largo you'll be in a pretty nice area.

One significant issue right now is that many apartment complexes are being turned into "condos" so rental space is becoming limited. Housing prices are also pretty high but seem to have leveled off.

[Bones]

Hi,I live just south of Safety Harbor and it's a nice neighborhood.

[pioneer8]

I lived in Clearrwater for 34 years and I could attempt to answer your question if I knew more about your finances. There is alot to say about these areas, but since they are rather bustling -there is something for each income bracket. I guess off the top of my head, I'd mention downtown Clearwater being a large scientology headquarters... Do with that what you will. I would not buy there. Clearwater has some nice residential neighborhoods, I was raised there and I think I have a good grasp on it's character and such. Dunedin is a bit more quaint. In my opinion, Largo is shedding some of it's old image- which wasn't very good. Tarpon Springs is a large Greek population and the spongedocks are very charming. You could live happily in any of these cities if you have money... I suppose, that's like most places. I could never afford to live on the beach. To me, that would have been incredible. My family left for North Texas 7 months ago, but our parents and brothers and sisters are all still there (Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin) and enjoying living there. Anyway, I would try to be more helpful. but I can't give you details without more details. Know what I mean?

[JerseyGirlGoinSouth]

What do you think of the Palm Harbor area? How is the commute to Tampa?
Thanks!

[summergal]

Commuting between Tampa and Pinellas County can be a real kicker. It is usually pretty slow going, but if there is a wreck (very often with all the road rage and crazed drivers here) it can be maddening and add an extra 40 minutes of sitting still to your commute. During spring break, you can't get around at all... just gridlock everywhere lol

Palm Harbor has nice areas and not so great areas, just like most of Tampa Bay. Clearwater has some very nice neighborhoods, it all depends on how much you can afford and what you like. Bellaire Bluffs is great, Safety Harbor is super, lots of really decent neighborhoods all over in pockets. Also pockets of "not-so-nice' ones all around too. The best advice I think is to come down here and spend time here, get to know your "areas", talk to locals, talk to realtors, read our newspapers daily, watch our news casts daily (online) and you will maybe get a feel for certain parts.

If I were y'all, I would definately consider renting a place here for a good while before jumping into any homeowner situation. The first couple years here, we rented and moved about twice a year and were always amazed by the difference a mile or two could make in travel time, traffic snarls, community attitude, even temperature (more trees & less pavement=cooler feeling). Each few blocks is a different "community" and has it's own flavor. Some areas are very rapidly changing in development or ethnic demographic.

[feelnyankee]

I'm getting ready to move there next month with a couple of friends. We were just there, 15th thru 18th, to look for a place to live. Unfortunatle we were not very organized and we haven't found a place. We still managed to find some neat areas. We got lost several times but you can't drive to far in most directions without hitting water. I hear it gets really, no REALLY HOT during the summer. I was perspiring most of the visit and loving every minute of it, can't wait to get there.

[Bones]

Feelnyankee, yes it does get hot. If you're closer to the west or east side of Clearwater it's cooler because of the water. You can also go to the beaches.