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Hallo - My husband and I moved to the area almost a year ago now (happy anniversary to us!). Having made it through our first Florida summer, we still love it around here and are now thinking of where we might want to buy a house in another year or so.
We are in our early 40s, work from home, no kids, lots of pets. We're in Gulfport now and love it, but are worried we might not find a house to buy when the time comes. (The husband has strong feelings about being outside of a flood zone, which narrows our choices; we also need a place that's big enough we can work in separate parts of the house during the day, otherwise, surely divorce is inevitable).
So the other areas we're considering are Historic Kenwood and Safety Harbor. Both seem to us to be walkable, have terrific houses that aren't outrageously expensive, nice community, lots of trees, restaurants close by, pet friendly, properties out of the flood zone, the whole shebang.
If you live in either of these areas: Do you like it? What are the best and worst parts? Do you feel safe? Do you feel like there's a nice community of people around? Were there any unexpected surprises - good or bad - you found after moving there? Do we sound like the sorts of people who'd fit in well there?
Could you expand on how / why you think Kenwood is "walkable". This term gets thrown around a lot, what does it mean to you?
You couldnt pay me to buy one of those old 1920's era crappy bungalo houses. They all were built with crappy lead plumbing, no electricity, no air conditioning, termite infested at some point. Small, poor layout.
You say you live in Gulfport now, I know someone who lives there, they say it's "walkable" too, but what does that mean? Does it mean you can stagger home after drinking too much at O'Maddys? You certainly arent walking to the grocery store, because there isnt a decent grocery store in gulfport. the nearest one is south pasadena publix... and does walkable mean you can walk to a couple restaurants and bars? How old are you? Are kids and schooling a concern? Gulfport and Kenwood is no place to raise a kid, the schools are horrid.
Hi Cubsfan - seems like we might have different ideas about what constitutes a nice place to live!
Walkable to me - and I think to most people? - means that there are sidewalks, that you can get to at least some things by foot, that you have places to walk around with your dog. That the area feels pedestrian-friendly; that it's a pleasant, safe place to go for a walk.
It's true that we don't have a grocery store walking distance from where we live in Gulfport - I wish we did! - but I don't think that not having the Publix that nearby means this isn't walkable. It might not be as walkable as you'd prefer, but you can still go lots of places by foot.
We don't drink much and we go to bed pretty early anymore, so stumbling home from a bar isn't the chief concern. Being able to walk to dinner is a much bigger thing. And schools don't matter to us, seeing as we don't have kids, except insofar as they may affect the stability of the housing market.
Hi Cubsfan - seems like we might have different ideas about what constitutes a nice place to live!
Quite obviously, but I think you are kidding yourself on a couple things
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Walkable to me - and I think to most people? - means that there are sidewalks, that you can get to at least some things by foot, that you have places to walk around with your dog. That the area feels pedestrian-friendly; that it's a pleasant, safe place to go for a walk.
Fair enough. But let me say that most places in Gulfport do not have sidewalks. So by your definition, Gulfport is not walkable. I seriously doubt most of Kenwood has sidewalks too, it was built in the 20's. Central Ave does, 9th ave N does, every other side street probably dont. The "walkable" parts of Safety Harbor dont either. The newer parts of Safety Harbor do, but they are a mile + from downtown
I live in a subdivision in Tampa (Carrolwood). EVERY subdivision built since the 80's has sidewalks. Every one. Without exception, most residential neighborhoods in St. Pete DO NOT have sidewalks.
And how far is an acceptable walk for you? I can walk a mile from my house and be at several nice (albeit chain) restaurants. To me, in Florida, during 8-9 months out of the year, that's too far.
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It's true that we don't have a grocery store walking distance from where we live in Gulfport - I wish we did! - but I don't think that not having the Publix that nearby means this isn't walkable. It might not be as walkable as you'd prefer, but you can still go lots of places by foot.
So where exactly are you walking to all the time? My friends life on Tifton in Gulfport, it's quite a hike to the bar / restaurant area by the Casino / "beach" in Gulfport, but we've done it. Parking is such a pain in the ass that you just about HAVE to. Where else do you walk to there other than the restaurants? The pier, the marina, the beach? Is that stuff THAT much of a draw?
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We don't drink much and we go to bed pretty early anymore, so stumbling home from a bar isn't the chief concern. Being able to walk to dinner is a much bigger thing. And schools don't matter to us, seeing as we don't have kids, except insofar as they may affect the stability of the housing market.
See, I cook a lot, restaurant maybe 2 times a week, and to me, it's not a hassle to get in a car and drive somewhere.
Like I said, I know people there, and have been there a bunch, I don't think there is enough restaurants there (or off of Central Ave, or Safety Harbor, ESPECIALLY THERE) that I would want to make that a chief reason to live somewhere. Especially to compromise on an old, outdated, full of issues house...
To me "walkability" in Florida, is a myth. You HAVE to have a car, so it's not a thing to drive somewhere to eat.
My 28 year old son and his wife to be (12/15) own a home in Historic Kenwood. He works for a law firm around Central and could walk to work if he chose but needs his car for court in Tampa and such. I would say at least 4 times a week they go out to eat and walk there and usually walk home but if not grab a Lyft! They did look at homes that had termite damage and of course didn't purchase those homes...but I guess coming from NYC where many homes were built in the 1920's and 30's this didn't scare him off...they own an adorable bungalow that has been fully renovated...just picture postcard adorable...It's not for everyone...schools are not good and I think their five year plan is to move back up to Safety Harbor when have school age kids.
Homes in New York City? Certainly there is a huge difference between a Florida bungalo and a NYC Apartment building / brownstone or whatever. There arent actually homes in NYC are there? Maybe some of the way-out burroughs or Staten Island?
At any rate, Florida homes of that era differ quite a bit from a Norther home.
1. retrofitted for air conditioning: makes a mess of the sub-floor. OR, if it was done with window units, causes structural issues / mold / water intrusion
2. Moisture: if it's original floors, they are going to be warped, all the original wood is shot, the roof is shot. Florida moisture is a lot worse and harder on structure, especially all-wood structures
3. Bugs: I don't have to elaborate on this. We have bugs you dont have up north (termites, roaches, palmetto bugs, etc). They infest, and since these homes were built BEFORE reliable pest control EVERY one of them has some kind of damage. Including the trusses and structure
So any "picture perfect bungalo" here has had probabally what amounts to a complete rebuild, or is 100% cosmetic "bondo" with a ton of issues hiding just below the surface
I know lots of people who have owned them in Seminole Heights and St. Pete, every one of them was a maintenance nightmare
I'm an unabashed Guflport fan and 2-year resident.
But yes, it took us almost 2 years to find a suitable house, though for most of the first year of our hunt we were living in AZ. You have an advantage by living here already. Don't hesitate to 'register' with local realtors who will tip you off about new listings before they hit the MLS. Don't hesitate to watch FSBO's at Zillow (that's how we bought).
We wanted 3BR, 2BA, min. 1700 sq. ft., upgraded kitchen and baths, good to excellent overall condition, no carpeting, interesting architecture, large screened porch, patios, off-street parking, larger lot than most (room for pool if we decide), on a brick street, easy walk to water, restaurants. We got exactly what we wanted and it was worth the wait and hassle and expense of several trips between AZ and FL.
Our second choice was Dunedin, but they too had at that time, a low inventory of what we wanted. Safety Harbor was on our short list, but we ruled it out as being too young family oriented (we like an edgier artsy vibe). We ruled out Kenwood because it wasn't walkable enough to restaurants, at least the streets we looked at.
Re: flood zone, there are many homes in the historic part of Gulfport that are not in flood zones, including ours.
Yes, there are homes in NYC. NYC is comprised of 5 boroughs and they are not very far from Manhattan.
They didnt have a/c when the houses in NYC were built either but many have central heat and air.
The floors in NYC have been there since the 20's and 30's and even longer. Yes, there are subterranean termites in NYC. What is called a "palmetto bug" here is known as a "water bug" in NYC but they are really American roaches. They also have large infestations of German roaches and rats.
Ive seen many houses, particularly in Orlando that date back to the 20's and had a few inspected when we were in the market. One had some serious plumbing issues but over all were far from needing renovation.
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Originally Posted by CubsFan20
Homes in New York City? Certainly there is a huge difference between a Florida bungalo and a NYC Apartment building / brownstone or whatever. There arent actually homes in NYC are there? Maybe some of the way-out burroughs or Staten Island?
At any rate, Florida homes of that era differ quite a bit from a Norther home.
1. retrofitted for air conditioning: makes a mess of the sub-floor. OR, if it was done with window units, causes structural issues / mold / water intrusion
2. Moisture: if it's original floors, they are going to be warped, all the original wood is shot, the roof is shot. Florida moisture is a lot worse and harder on structure, especially all-wood structures
3. Bugs: I don't have to elaborate on this. We have bugs you dont have up north (termites, roaches, palmetto bugs, etc). They infest, and since these homes were built BEFORE reliable pest control EVERY one of them has some kind of damage. Including the trusses and structure
So any "picture perfect bungalo" here has had probabally what amounts to a complete rebuild, or is 100% cosmetic "bondo" with a ton of issues hiding just below the surface
I know lots of people who have owned them in Seminole Heights and St. Pete, every one of them was a maintenance nightmare
Yes, there are homes in NYC. NYC is comprised of 5 boroughs and they are not very far from Manhattan.
They didnt have a/c when the houses in NYC were built either but many have central heat and air.
The floors in NYC have been there since the 20's and 30's and even longer. Yes, there are subterranean termites in NYC. What is called a "palmetto bug" here is known as a "water bug" in NYC but they are really American roaches. They also have large infestations of German roaches and rats.
Ive seen many houses, particularly in Orlando that date back to the 20's and had a few inspected when we were in the market. One had some serious plumbing issues but over all were far from needing renovation.
Don't you just love it when the ignorant think that the borough of Mahhattan is only NYC... and that NYC only consists of brownstones? I grew up in a free standing home and owned a home in NYC...for 35 years...there is nothing wrong with older homes...in fact I'd take an older home both here and nyc over many of these slapped up cookie cutter tract homes... Do your homework before buying inspect,inspect and inspect...if you chose Safety Harbor you can't go wrong on any level...but Historic Kenwood is also a great choice if schools aren't an issue!
Agreed!!!
I sand/finish hardwood floors for a living and have refinished A LOT of original heart-pine floors from the 20's.
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Do your homework before buying inspect,inspect and inspect...if you chose Safety Harbor you can't go wrong on any level...but Historic Kenwood is also a great choice if schools aren't an issue!
