New Port Richey, Palm Harbor or Dunedin (East Lake, Holiday: appointed, home)

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

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.

That’s why you go further North. Parking is free off the Dunedin Causeway.
Honeymoon Island Beach is NEVER packed.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

That’s why you go further North. Parking is free off the Dunedin Causeway.
Honeymoon Island Beach is NEVER packed.

I am talking about going on a party boat. None there where you listed.

[formerlynorthofnowhere]

Lived in NPR for more than a dozen years while raising kids. Now reside in South Pinellas county. Close to the beach, close to shopping, close to entertainment. Airport is only 30 min drive as is Amelie arena, Downtown St Pete. $360k will get you more space in Pasco but the important things are further south.

[formerlynorthofnowhere]

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.

How much space are you looking for. Are you looking at a single family home? What is really important. I'm in St Pete and am 15 min from the beach, theatre, Ruth Eckard Hall. 25 from Tampa airport. 25 from downtown Tampa (Hockey). DM if you have questions.

[Chickrae]

Single family home. I don't need a big yard

[Samme55]

Engineerman, you mentioned a senior condo, I got on this thread since I have a friend
living in Safety Harbor and am considering retiring in that area. I’d like to rent before buying a condo but would buy if there’s no way to rent. How would you suggest I go about finding senior friendly condos? I definitely want to be able to be near the water to walk but I’m ok with driving to get there if it’s 15 to 20 minutes.
My friend has lived in a house in Safety Harbor for decades and has no experience looking for housing. She has friends which could be helpful but considering your experience do you have any suggestions? I’m currently in Cincinnati, Ohio and am hoping to move sometime in 2023 after selling my home. It’s such a big move I’d like as much information as I can get. Renting first makes sense so I can make a good decision once I know the area.

[Schuttzie]

Originally Posted by Samme55

Engineerman, you mentioned a senior condo, I got on this thread since I have a friend
living in Safety Harbor and am considering retiring in that area. I’d like to rent before buying a condo but would buy if there’s no way to rent. How would you suggest I go about finding senior friendly condos? I definitely want to be able to be near the water to walk but I’m ok with driving to get there if it’s 15 to 20 minutes.
My friend has lived in a house in Safety Harbor for decades and has no experience looking for housing. She has friends which could be helpful but considering your experience do you have any suggestions? I’m currently in Cincinnati, Ohio and am hoping to move sometime in 2023 after selling my home. It’s such a big move I’d like as much information as I can get. Renting first makes sense so I can make a good decision once I know the area.

I would think searching for 55+ age communities would be a good place to start. We are in Dunedin and in a 55+ location and they have all sorts of things going on and everyone is mostly friendly.

[billl]

Originally Posted by Chickrae

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?

Crystal Beach is an area/neighborhood along the coast in Palm Harbor. It's a very nice area with older homes, but Im sure its also expensive given its proximity to the Gulf. Just north of there is Indian Bluff Island, which is similar.

Is East Lake an area in Lake Tarpon?

East Lake is a region of subdivisions east of Lake Tarpon along (of course) East Lake Road. There is a wide range of houses and subdivisions, some gated. It's a very large area - extends from Tampa Road to Keystone Road -- and very desirable.

East Lake/Trinity is in what city?

See above for East Lake. Trinity is north of East Lake in Pasco County.

The only beach I have been to is Clearwater with my friend as she said it was rated number 1 in the country.

Clearwater Beach has a great marketing team. If you want something like Miami Beach with lots of restaurants, hotels, commercialization, activity, tourists, and crowds, then you want Clearwater Beach. Locals tend to stay away from it because they want the exact opposite. Traffic is a horrific nightmare, and it can take you half a day just to get to the beach. On the plus side there are several great places to eat in Clearwater Beach. As someone else mentioned, if you go to the next island to the south you can head for Sand Key. Still hotels and condos, but the crowds are not as bad.

[Lillie767]

Regarding Clearwater Beach, as they say "Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded". (attributed to Yogi Berra)

I don't know any locals not living on the beach, who go to Clearwater Beach. Honeymoon Island is well worth the $8 per car admission fee. Easy parking right at the sand. And taking the boat to Caladesi Island State Park is a wonderful mini-escape.

You can also buy an Individual Annual Entrance Pass for Florida state parks for $60 which provides unlimited admittance for one year for an individual.

[Chickrae]

Originally Posted by billl

Crystal Beach is an area/neighborhood along the coast in Palm Harbor. It's a very nice area with older homes, but Im sure its also expensive given its proximity to the Gulf. Just north of there is Indian Bluff Island, which is similar.




East Lake is a region of subdivisions east of Lake Tarpon along (of course) East Lake Road. There is a wide range of houses and subdivisions, some gated. It's a very large area - extends from Tampa Road to Keystone Road -- and very desirable.




See above for East Lake. Trinity is north of East Lake in Pasco County.



Clearwater Beach has a great marketing team. If you want something like Miami Beach with lots of restaurants, hotels, commercialization, activity, tourists, and crowds, then you want Clearwater Beach. Locals tend to stay away from it because they want the exact opposite. Traffic is a horrific nightmare, and it can take you half a day just to get to the beach. On the plus side there are several great places to eat in Clearwater Beach. As someone else mentioned, if you go to the next island to the south you can head for Sand Key. Still hotels and condos, but the crowds are not as bad.

thank you for answering all my questions. I want to check out Trinity and East Lake Areas.