I was wondering about all the talk about affordable housing in Tampa Bay area. (St. Petersburg: low income, sale)

[bobisinthehouse]

There is a lot of talk about how Tampa Bay area needs affordable housing everywhere, because of all new development of high priced Apartments being built in just about all areas.

What does affordable housing look like in an area that has never had it before?

[LKJ1988]

Looks like nothing since it has never been there.

[LKJ1988]

OP had to be drinking.

[Concert D Major]

Because we're becoming the next San Francisco. It's happening right before our eyes. The housing inflation has been bad. Whenever you do see a new apartment complex built, it's usually a high-end expensive luxury place, or a government project for the impoverished. Nothing in-between for everyday workin' folks other than all the older complexes built in the 70s that are hangin' by a thread. So many apartments from the 70s. That must have been an awfully great time to shop for apartments in this town.

[Debra Grimes]

Yes all they build are luxury apartments So to hell with low income,they live on the street

[Alfiehurt]

Originally Posted by Concert D Major

Because we're becoming the next San Francisco. It's happening right before our eyes. The housing inflation has been bad. Whenever you do see a new apartment complex built, it's usually a high-end expensive luxury place, or a government project for the impoverished. Nothing in-between for everyday workin' folks other than all the older complexes built in the 70s that are hangin' by a thread. So many apartments from the 70s. That must have been an awfully great time to shop for apartments in this town.

Would you say the "same phenomenon" is happening downtown St. Petersburg?

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Alfiehurt

Would you say the "same phenomenon" is happening downtown St. Petersburg?

I would say especially downtown St. Petersburg (and also Sarasota). Not so long ago it was a very affordable city; but not anymore sadly. We used to want to move there, I would only live there if I could be downtown, because honestly I don't care much for the rest of St. Pete. But downtown became waaaaay out of our price range. It's OK because we are happy in Lakeland now.

Of course again, anything can happen real estate wise, so by the time you are ready to buy it may be a whole new market. Plus you will come down with more money from your sale up north so might work out ok for you.

[Alfiehurt]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I would say especially downtown St. Petersburg (and also Sarasota). Not so long ago it was a very affordable city; but not anymore sadly. We used to want to move there, I would only live there if I could be downtown, because honestly I don't care much for the rest of St. Pete. But downtown became waaaaay out of our price range. It's OK because we are happy in Lakeland now.

Of course again, anything can happen real estate wise, so by the time you are ready to buy it may be a whole new market. Plus you will come down with more money from your sale up north so might work out ok for you.

I am not an expert on this but it would appear to me that Real Estate in South Tampa and DWTN St. Pete is growing at a faster speed than it is in Manhattan, at least uptown Manhattan.

I have seen on zillow, Realtor, etc. a few properties whose appraisal values and even just most recent selling prices went up anywhere from 30% to 100% in a matter of a couple of years! Even within one year some properties value just went up at least 25%

My hope is that eventually construction will expand west of Central Ave, perhaps? south of Central Ave? and new construction will curb the spike in prices, satisfying the high demand

[Eeko156]

Originally Posted by bobisinthehouse

There is a lot of talk about how Tampa Bay area needs affordable housing everywhere, because of all new development of high priced Apartments being built in just about all areas.

What does affordable housing look like in an area that has never had it before?

It looks like closed wait lists for 1-2 years.

It could never come close to helping the number of people who need it.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Alfiehurt

I am not an expert on this but it would appear to me that Real Estate in South Tampa and DWTN St. Pete is growing at a faster speed than it is in Manhattan, at least uptown Manhattan.

I have seen on zillow, Realtor, etc. a few properties whose appraisal values and even just most recent selling prices went up anywhere from 30% to 100% in a matter of a couple of years! Even within one year some properties value just went up at least 25%

My hope is that eventually construction will expand west of Central Ave, perhaps? south of Central Ave? and new construction will curb the spike in prices, satisfying the high demand

Your observations are correct. Even in my neighborhood in Lakeland prices are up by the same ratio (my neighborhood is the equivalent of south Tampa.)

It will probably take a few years, but once the fallout from the "pandemic' settles down and supplies are available to build, you will probably see some of those areas you mention start to fill in and satisfy this huge demand. I do think though that there will be more of that type of building in and around the downtown Tampa area. St. Pete is becoming more and more "exclusive" in the downtown area. Tampa is way more urban, honestly I think you would enjoy it more in the long run. It's easy enough to get to St. Pete if you want to go there.

ETA: Alfiehurt I found this article from 2019 about ways to get around downtown Tampa. Maybe you have seen it; but if not here it is:

https://tampamagazines.com/7-ways-ge...a-without-car/