Wanting to move to Tampa area from South Florida (Miami: real estate, buying a home)

[Ann474]

I am trying to relocate out of the South Florida area and have looked at Orlando, which was a disaster and now from many recommendations from friends and my realtor down in South Florida I have been advised to look at Tampa, St Pete, Clearwater, and Largo. Can anyone please share you experiences with these areas? To give some insight on our needs, I have a son that will be attending a university to finish 2 years of college left, I will be going back to school to get my RN degree, and my significant other is a master boat mechanic for 30 years.

I think for my significant other he will have 0 issues in finding work, but for myself, I'm assuming there is plenty of work for an RN no matter where I go, and for my son we just want to be within 30 to 40 min of a university.

Lifestyle, we would like somewhere with trendy, but no snobby bars and restaurants (I currently own 2 bars now in South Florida that I'm in the process of selling, one is sold), and we like the water obviously, festivals, culture such as museums and the theatre, and we don't want to live a country lifestyle. This is the one problem we saw with Orlando. Orlando hub was ok, but moving anywhere north or south it was very destitute.

I'm originally from chicago and have enjoyed the Miami/Ft Lauderdale lifestyle, but it's time to move on. Job opportunities have become much less and housing is out of control expensive.

I have about 500K cash to put into a home and would like to pay as close to cash as possible. I would like 4 maybe 5 bedrooms and would like to be as close to the water as possible, intercoastal is fine too. I do not want to be in a McMansion, but I want to be in a unique and beautiful home at the same time.

Where should I begin looking? I see beautiful homes in Apollo Beach, but not sure if that is an area that suits our needs?

Any insight on good/bad/ and ugly would be great before I make the trip to look more in depth at homes.

[LKJ1988]

Danashores will do the trick at 500k.

[Ann474]

where is that at? If you could guide me to where that may be on a map for me to look online at some homes that would be great. I've never heard of it. Also, that's not a gated community is it? I would like to avoid one if possible. I have lived in a gated community for 16 years and it's no fun, I want more freedom and uniqueness. I also don't want some older one story ranch style home, I would like a fully upgraded unique home. I've seen some beautiful real estate in Apollo Beach, is there a reason I wouldn't like Apollo Beach?

[BucFan]

Buying a home before you have any idea where you'd be working is a very bad mistake unless you enjoy rush hour commutes.

If there are areas (like Apollo Beach) that interest you, I'd suggest searching the forum and reading threads about the place.

Good luck w/ your decision.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Ann474

where is that at? If you could guide me to where that may be on a map for me to look online at some homes that would be great. I've never heard of it. Also, that's not a gated community is it? I would like to avoid one if possible. I have lived in a gated community for 16 years and it's no fun, I want more freedom and uniqueness. I also don't want some older one story ranch style home, I would like a fully upgraded unique home. I've seen some beautiful real estate in Apollo Beach, is there a reason I wouldn't like Apollo Beach?

500k will get a Miami style home from the 60's on the water. It is right by Tampa airport. 800k will jump you up to a newer home that is bigger since many of the old homes have been torn down to cram a big house on a small lot. Lived there for 41 years and never any crime.

[LKJ1988]

Apollo beach is far from Tampa and a long drive to anywhere.

[Ann474]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Buying a home before you have any idea where you'd be working is a very bad mistake unless you enjoy rush hour commutes.

If there are areas (like Apollo Beach) that interest you, I'd suggest searching the forum and reading threads about the place.

Good luck w/ your decision.

I'm 2 years out from having to work again and my house is on the market in South Florida, so right now all I can go on is the lifestyle I want vs where I would be working.

[Sunscape]

I suggest Ozona, Tarpon Springs.
Do a search on them and you will see what you find.

Good luck on your search.

[justthe2ofus]

Which school will your son attend? If I'm reading this right, you and DH aren't so much worried about jobs, as marine and medical are everywhere.

If I had 500k budget, I'm might be looking in West Pinellas...Bellaire, Largo, Seminole, Gulfport. But if your son is going to UT or USF in Tampa, that's a huge commute for in person classes. If that's the case, maybe try Safety Harbor.

In 2+ years your son's commute may be over.

[Ann474]

Originally Posted by justthe2ofus

Which school will your son attend? If I'm reading this right, you and DH aren't so much worried about jobs, as marine and medical are everywhere.

If I had 500k budget, I'm might be looking in West Pinellas...Bellaire, Largo, Seminole, Gulfport. But if your son is going to UT or USF in Tampa, that's a huge commute for in person classes. If that's the case, maybe try Safety Harbor.

In 2+ years your son's commute may be over.

That is correct with his commute being over in 2 years, but I will be commuting for school as well. I do not have my RN, I am going to be going to school once I settle there. I know DH just wants to be on the intercoastal if possible and I really prefer a more beach town with trendy shops,really great bars and restaurants and also some culture of museums, festivals, and things to do. So you think safety harbor may fit this and still be close enough to a state university for my son?

Nevermind there is too long of a commute from safety harbor, geez over an hour?