New Port Richey, Palm Harbor or Dunedin (Miami, Tampa: to rent, condos)

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

East Lake could be worth looking at too. Definitely a good area, just further from the beach.


Countryside is pretty good, it’s basically the same as Palm Harbor. Safety Harbor is good too and has a nice waterfront, but it’s getting further from the gulf beaches.

East Lake and Safety Harbor are further from the beach so I didn’t suggest them earlier, but they’re good areas. Being further east isn’t necessarily bad either because it puts you closer to Tampa and the Westshore district in particular. I still like Crystal Beach the most, but honestly most places in NW Hillsborough and N Pinellas are pretty good provided you’re west of Sheldon.

I live in East Lake, and the extra distance to the beaches (compared to Palm Harbor West of Lake Tarpon) is fairly negligible. Takes me 15 minutes to get there by car, 40-ish by bike. It's quieter than that side of Palm Harbor, and still close to everything. It's not cheap however.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

You’re going to want to be in Dunedin or Palm Harbor. NPR has a lot of crime, not a lot to do, and no real beaches. It’s not all bad, but a lot of it is and western Pasco in general is pretty bad. I don’t like pointing out the negative things in places so I advise just ruling it out.

Dunedin is relatively expensive so I think Palm Harbor is probably going to be your best option. Tarpon Springs really isn’t bad either so you might consider it too.

Crime Rate: 1. Dunedin, Palm Harbor (tie) 2. Tarpon … 10. NPR
Beaches close by: 1. Dunedin 2. Palm Harbor 3. Tarpon 4. NPR
Cost of living: 1. NPR 2. Tarpon 3. Palm Harbor 4. Dunedin
Things to do: 1. Dunedin 2. Tarpon 3. Palm Harbor 4. NPR

This is all the same general area so I don’t think it matter that much which you choose between Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Tarpon. I like the Crystal Beach area a lot personally so you might look into that part of Palm Harbor.

Ok so I will rule out NPR. I come from a very small safe city so worried about crime. I have been looking on Zillow and Dunedin seems to be too expensive for my budget. I was also looking in Pinellas Park as my friend lives in the Mainlands. HOA seems high though. Is Crystal Beach a city or an area or Palm Harbor?
Thank you for taking the time to put the cities in order to the things I listed.

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

I agree with the above. I’d rule out NPR as a whole, and focus on Tarpon, Palm Harbor and Dunedin. As said, the three are pretty much the same area.

So they are pretty much within distance of each other I assume. Another no for NPR

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Homes are 3 time cheaper for a reason in west Pasco.

I was wondering why you got so much more house for the money and they seemed a little newer and nicer in NPR

Originally Posted by billl

Rule out New Port Richey and focus on the others. Also, you should know that "Palm Harbor" will include neighborhoods east of Lake Tarpon whereas the others won't. There's nothing wrong with that area -- called East Lake. In fact, some prefer it since the neighborhoods are newer. But they are a little further from the beach (which you listed as one of your criteria). So you may see something listed in Palm Harbor, but it is still almost 30 minutes from the beach.

Is East Lake an area in Lake Tarpon?

Originally Posted by engineman

There are some nice looking places in the Countryside area of Clearwater. I have no knowledge of prices, I live in a seniors condo.

I too would advise avoiding NPR. Dunedin and Palm Harbor are both nice. Safety Harbor is a bit different, but give it a look online.

You can learn a lot looking at realtor.com or Zillow.

Clearwater is also an option. I have looked a lot on Zillow in the Palm Harbor area. Safety Harbor may be out of my price range.

Originally Posted by fajitajamboree

OK- Personally, I would probably avoid the NPR area as Palm Harbor and Dunedin are nicer and safer, plus are closer to the beaches. However, There are areas in NPR that are totally fine and I might consider them- a good realtor should be able to help with those pockets.

In the vein of others though, I think that East Lake/ Trinity is a good place to consider as there are lots of amenities and fine neighborhoods and they are still relatively close to the beaches. You'll find that most locals don't really go to Clearwater Beach but choose the others like Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach, both of which are in Tarpon Springs, which is a favorite of mine too and I would really look into that town.

Safety harbor is a great little town too, right in the area you're looking in. That would be a spot I would consider too.

Your budget is aggressive, but not for a smaller home with not much of a yard- which if you are retired may be appealing anyways.

East Lake/Trinity is in what city? The only beach I have been to is Clearwater with my friend as she said it was rated number 1 in the country. We did go to one close to Pineallas Park too and I can't remember the name but you didn't have to walk very far from parking. I can probably go higher than what I am budgeting if I wanted but i am trying to pay off a house so no mortgage just taxes (which i heard are high)

Originally Posted by billl

True. Altho ... Fred Howard is a great beach but not such a great place for swimming due to the weeds. Honeymoon Island is another local favorite, despite the $8/car admission. But the best beaches are the ones you can only reach by boat: Caladesi Island (especially the northern end) and Three Rooker.

Oh that is good to know. I will check that out.

[Chickrae]

Thank you so much for all your responses. This really helps out. Are there areas that are higher taxes than others? Or what is a lower tax area I should ask? That should of been one of my criteria listed. I am used to 1,000 a year but I know they are much higher. Does anyone know much about the Mainlands in Pinellas park? It seems to be the area i keep seeing houses in. I just don't know if I want to pay an HOA of 350-388.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

So they are pretty much within distance of each other I assume. Another no for NPR

Is East Lake an area in Lake Tarpon?


East Lake/Trinity is in what city? The only beach I have been to is Clearwater with my friend as she said it was rated number 1 in the country. We did go to one close to Pineallas Park too and I can't remember the name but you didn't have to walk very far from parking. I can probably go higher than what I am budgeting if I wanted but i am trying to pay off a house so no mortgage just taxes (which i heard are high)



Oh that is good to know. I will check that out.

East Lake is technically part of Palm Harbor (my address says Palm Harbor) but has zip code 34685 vs 34684, differentiating the two mainly due to the Lake Tarpon divide in between. 34684 is on the West side of Lake Tarpon, East Lake is (aptly named) on the East side of the lake.

Trinity is further North, but no longer in Pinellas County. There is a noticeable change in vibe/feel pretty much the minute you cross counties.

So, to answer you, yes, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs are all within very close distance to each other.

[fajitajamboree]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

Thank you so much for all your responses. This really helps out. Are there areas that are higher taxes than others? Or what is a lower tax area I should ask? That should of been one of my criteria listed. I am used to 1,000 a year but I know they are much higher. Does anyone know much about the Mainlands in Pinellas park? It seems to be the area i keep seeing houses in. I just don't know if I want to pay an HOA of 350-388.

Property Taxes- In our state, counties and municipalities can charge taxes so they can vary quite a bit area to area. HOA and also special tax districts are also part of that equation. The lowest areas in Pinellas County are the unincorporated county, Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor & Seminole (a town to look at too, I think), all with a county rate of between $2- $2.50 per $1,000. Trinity is in unincorporated Pasco County, which is almost half of Pinellas at $1.04 per $1,000. However, there are a number of deductions that are available including homestead, veterans, senior, and disability. I wouldn't be scared of the taxes- just aware. Additionally, be cautions of being in a flood zone as that will raise your insurance responsibility considerably.

Beaches- Clearwater is beautiful, no doubt! It just gets crowded and can be expensive/ stressful to find parking, a quiet spot, etc. There are many beaches stretching from Clearwater in the north to St Pete Beach in the south, all along Gulf Blvd. North of this are Fred Howard and Sunset and south of St Pete Beach is Ft Desoto Park. Everyone seems to have their favorite and for different reasons!

Crystal Beach- This is an area of Palm Harbor now, though it at one time was its own little town. It is likely above your budget, but is a great area to visit!

Mainlands- I've driven through, but don't know anybody who lives there. It looks pretty nice, but that is a fairly steep monthly fee. For $100 a month you can have a lawn crew come every week and another $80 a month have a pool company (if you have a private pool). Full disclosure though, I don't care for Pinellas Park. I think there are better areas of Pinellas County for less $, though that is, of course, subjective in nature.

Houses- I have lived in two houses from the 1950/ early 60's, which much of the stock in Pinellas is as well (we live in Tampa). You'll want to know if the plumbing, electrical, roof, etc have been updated, when they were, and if it was permitted. If moving, you don't want to be staring at a $10K unexpected re-pipe of your house (happened to me). Also age of AC and roof. In Florida, a roof is good for about 20 years and an AC about the same.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

Thank you so much for all your responses. This really helps out. Are there areas that are higher taxes than others? Or what is a lower tax area I should ask? That should of been one of my criteria listed. I am used to 1,000 a year but I know they are much higher. Does anyone know much about the Mainlands in Pinellas park? It seems to be the area i keep seeing houses in. I just don't know if I want to pay an HOA of 350-388.

Lowest taxes are in west Pasco and cheapest homes. I almost bought one for 40k for a flip. These homes were going for 20k a few years back. Most everywhere else in the state is super high.

[engineman]

Clearwater Beach has become very commercialized. Over the bridge, Sand Key is a very nice beach/county park.

In years gone by we have had 3 sailboats and a motorboat. They were all on trailers when not in the water. We could hitch up and go boating anywhere from Ft De Soto to Tarpon Springs. The very first time we took the first sailboat out, we launched at Phillipe Park. A porpoise came along kept us company, swimming along next to the boat. Wonderful memories.

[LKJ1988]

Traffic is insane around Clw beach and life is no beach there.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

I was also looking in Pinellas Park

I’d be careful about Pinellas Park. It has a bad reputation, but I’ve been there a number of times and I’ve never actually seen the bad part of it. If you’re considering areas in central Pinellas I’d look into Largo and Seminole. All things considered, I still think Palm Harbor is your best bet.

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

Traffic is insane around Clw beach and life is no beach there.

Yeah, I can’t imagine living in Clearwater Beach, the traffic just getting on and off the island is terrible. Its bad to some degree in all of the Pinellas beach communities. Last time I went to St. Pete Beach I never found a parking spot and eventually just gave up.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

I’d be careful about Pinellas Park. It has a bad reputation, but I’ve been there a number of times and I’ve never actually seen the bad part of it. If you’re considering areas in central Pinellas I’d look into Largo and Seminole. All things considered, I still think Palm Harbor is your best bet.



Yeah, I can’t imagine living in Clearwater Beach, the traffic just getting on and off the island is terrible. Its bad to some degree in all of the Pinellas beach communities. Last time I went to St. Pete Beach I never found a parking spot and eventually just gave up.

I just hate to go fishing offshore anymore from there. Parking is $10 a day and can't ever find a place to park after around 10am and traffic is clogged in the afternoons. And forget spring break jake.