scientology in tampa bay (St. Petersburg, Clearwater: car insurance, construction, college)

[washingtonia]

I live in Tampa at the moment, but I'm considering moving to Pinellas County to be closer to the beaches, and because the car insurance is noticeably less on that side of the bay (hopefully because of less stupid drivers). My main concern is the Scientology crowd. After seeing some of the cults inner-workings as a result of my job, I'm determined to keep a safe distance. So my question to everyone is: what cities in Pinellas have more or less of a Scientology presence. Obviously Clearwater is off my list, but what about other cities?

thanks.

[D-R-B]

Clearwater (downtown) is where 95% of them are.....

I am shocked that car insurance is less in Pinellas than in Hillsborough.....

I assure you......

It is NOT because there are "less stupid drivers"......

In fact, I would say the driving is worse in Pinellas than it is in Hillsborough.......

Think about it.......

More densely populated (very crowded) and WAY MORE tourists due to the beaches and other attractions

Nothing but red lights that are timed worse and are of longer duration than anywhere else in the country I've ever been....

Especially North Pinellas.

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by D-R-B

Clearwater (downtown) is where 95% of them are.....

I am shocked that car insurance is less in Pinellas than in Hillsborough.....

I assure you......

It is NOT because there are "less stupid drivers"......

In fact, I would say the driving is worse in Pinellas than it is in Hillsborough.......

Think about it.......

More densely populated (very crowded) and WAY MORE tourists due to the beaches and other attractions

Nothing but red lights that are timed worse and are of longer duration than anywhere else in the country I've ever been....

Especially North Pinellas.

You nailed it, especially about ill timed lights in N. Pinellas. Actually, with the exception of St. Petersburg proper, S. Pinellas is pretty bad, too. I think the main objective of County Traffic Control is to create as much gridlock as possible.

[tinytrump]

I moved from Clearwater -because I work in Tampa.. it's very nice over there but the traffic is BAD so much construction n visitors. Now as for the local religion... I only ever seen 2 or 3 but almost daily spending a lot of $$ -- they keep to themselves as far as I know, they are very protected in that city . that's all I'm going to say on the subject.. forget them and move where you want!

[roadtrip75]

The only bad things about Scientology are arguably worsening the lives of some members and unquestionably killing the tax base of Clearwater. There is no reason for a non-member to avoid being physically near them.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by D-R-B

Clearwater (downtown) is where 95% of them are.....

I am shocked that car insurance is less in Pinellas than in Hillsborough.....

I assure you......

It is NOT because there are "less stupid drivers"......

In fact, I would say the driving is worse in Pinellas than it is in Hillsborough.......

Think about it.......

More densely populated (very crowded) and WAY MORE tourists due to the beaches and other attractions

Nothing but red lights that are timed worse and are of longer duration than anywhere else in the country I've ever been....

Especially North Pinellas.

It probably has to do with the higher number of uninsured drivers in Hillsborough, more propensity toward lower income households, a high number of college students/younger drivers, more highways and worse traffic overall with lots of aggressive drivers. In terms of traffic lights they're all about the same in Florida, especially when stating one section of one county is worse doesn't really hold any water in terms of logic or argument.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by washingtonia

I live in Tampa at the moment, but I'm considering moving to Pinellas County to be closer to the beaches, and because the car insurance is noticeably less on that side of the bay (hopefully because of less stupid drivers). My main concern is the Scientology crowd. After seeing some of the cults inner-workings as a result of my job, I'm determined to keep a safe distance. So my question to everyone is: what cities in Pinellas have more or less of a Scientology presence. Obviously Clearwater is off my list, but what about other cities?

thanks.

The Scientologists do more or less keep to themselves so I wouldn't let sensationalist stories get in the way of reality. In terms of areas of focus I would recommend Safety Harbor, Countryside, East Lake or Oldsmar. As an FYI, the less reliance on US19 the better. I find the McMullen Booth Road/611 thoroughfare while still busy, much less congested overall and easier to navigate. Anywhere from SR590 north on up to East Lake Woodlands a mile either direction of McMullen Booth/611 is best in my opinion.

[spbbound]

I've got several friends in Clearwater and am down there regularly; I can't say I've ever had any interaction with scientologists. They're certainly far less annoying than the people who walk up to you in Publix and ask if you know what would happen if you died today, or that come to your front door and try to give you pamphlets that remind you Jesus died for you. Sure you can see them walking around in groups in downtown but it's not like they come up and try to convert you; avoiding Clearwater for that reason alone makes no sense when there are far more annoying people.

I agree on the car insurance; a friend works at Progressive in Tampa and she said rates are a bit lower in Pinellas for whatever reason. Perhaps it's because nearly every street seems to have a stupidly low speed limit coupled with lots of Buicks traveling 20 mph below the speed limit.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by spbbound

I've got several friends in Clearwater and am down there regularly; I can't say I've ever had any interaction with scientologists. They're certainly far less annoying than the people who walk up to you in Publix and ask if you know what would happen if you died today, or that come to your front door and try to give you pamphlets that remind you Jesus died for you. Sure you can see them walking around in groups in downtown but it's not like they come up and try to convert you; avoiding Clearwater for that reason alone makes no sense when there are far more annoying people.

I agree on the car insurance; a friend works at Progressive in Tampa and she said rates are a bit lower in Pinellas for whatever reason. Perhaps it's because nearly every street seems to have a stupidly low speed limit coupled with lots of Buicks traveling 20 mph below the speed limit.

LOL, generalize much. Hardly...

[marcopolo]

Originally Posted by spbbound

............I agree on the car insurance; a friend works at Progressive in Tampa and she said rates are a bit lower in Pinellas for whatever reason. Perhaps it's because nearly every street seems to have a stupidly low speed limit coupled with lots of Buicks traveling 20 mph below the speed limit.

Oh, now that is REALLY unfair.

Some of the cars are Mercurys.