Relocation Seeking Advice (Miami, Tampa, Lakeland: to rent, house, buying)

[amtravels]

Hello,

My husband and I plus our two small dogs are relocating from the northshore of Boston. We mostly work from home; however, we need to be within a 90 mins commute to downtown Tampa and would ideally like to be within 60 mins.

I am trying to figure out what might be the best community or town for us and appreciate any and all suggestions.

What we are trying to find:
- Part of this move is a lifestyle change for us as we want to have a gentleman's farm
- Min of three acres up to 10 or so
- Ranch house preferred
- Near a vibrant small town downtown area with independent shops, cafes and activities
- Min of 3 bedrooms and 2 baths
- Decent to great school system
- Price under $350,000
- Everything else is fairly negotiable

I am coming down in early March for a relocation visit and plan on driving and checking out any potential communities. And then making a decision on where to rent for 6 months and then we will be buying.

Thank you so very much for sharing your insights.
Anne-Marie

[tinytrump]

have a gentleman's farm--three acres up to 10
Near a vibrant small town downtown area with independent shops, cafes and activities
Decent to great school system
I dont know of anywhere like that around here. this is Florida?

[Stewabby]

I can't think of any areas that have all 3 of those things. The downtown area you are describing sounds like Dunedin, but no farming areas close to there.

Acreages near Fishhawk may be zoned for Fishhawk schools, which are great, but no downtown area.

I'm not familiar with Lakeland, maybe something close to there?

[kbrkr]

Try looking at Plant City. It's only 30 minutes or less to Tampa and it has a mix of Gated Communities and Farm/Agriculture.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by kbrkr

Try looking at Plant City. It's only 30 minutes or less to Tampa and it has a mix of Gated Communities and Farm/Agriculture.

That's a good suggestion, as well as perhaps Zephyrhills or Dade City which have somewhat thriving downtown areas.

[PhotoProIP]

What's a "gentleman's farm"?

No such thing as 10 acres next to a "vibrant small town"! Small towns here are NOT Vibrant at all! but then again, we each consider different things to be "vibrant"!

The only city that qualifies for "Vibrant" on the west coast is Sarasota. Besides that, you need to go to Miami....the word "vibrant" and Tampa don't go together at all....of course that's my opinion since I draw from Miami.

[rezfreak]

Good luck with that list. You realize this is florida right?

[amtravels]

Thank you to those of you that have already provide suggestions.

By gentleman's farm, I am referring to a hobby farm. In that we are not going to produce large amounts of food, grain, or livestock for any markets. And will not rely on the farm as a source of income but rather for growing some of our own food and a source of pleasure.

For some additional context, my use of vibrant downtown more so means not falling apart, empty buildings, run down parks and only chains or fast food restaurants. Perhaps I should have said a downtown with character and that has been kept up and invested in.

[Stewabby]

Check out areas surrounding Dade City. I don't know about the schools, but it might have the other things you want.

[kyle19125]

Besides Dade City and Zephyrhills you might also consider Bartow which is within an hour of Tampa, as well as Arcadia which is an hour and 15 minutes away.