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Old 10-27-2021, 11:22 AM
 
25 posts, read 19,634 times
Reputation: 38

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Hello everyone,

My girlfriend and I are quite seriously thinking about buying a house in one of these areas and would be most appreciative to hear anyone's preferences and/or opinions about them. One of us will have a job, but the other will need to find gainful employment once we're down there. Our major considerations are crime, employment opportunities, potential house appreciation and air quality (i.e. not living near a major highway). Our budget would be in the sub $500K range.

Thank you in advance to everyone that takes the time to respond.
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Old 10-27-2021, 11:41 AM
 
101 posts, read 170,550 times
Reputation: 239
Hello

The below thread will have a lot of info for you on this subject and is very recent as well.
https://www.city-data.com/forum/tamp...r-dunedin.html

You don't mention where your girlfriend is working, which I would think is a consideration (unless it is home based, of course). If it were me, I would choose the Tarpon Springs area as it is close to Clearwater for jobs, has a 2 great historic areas (Sponge Docks and Main Street), and unique homes. Also, Fred Howard Park and Sunset Park (beaches) are right in town and not "tourist" beaches.

Here are my rankings on your criteria, from most to least desirable:
Crime- Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo
None are particularly "bad" areas, though Clearwater is the biggest city our of the bunch and has some less than desirable sections.

Employment opportunities- Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin
Clearwater has a lot of businesses, Palm Harbor is relatively close to Tampa if you are near Tampa Rd., Largo is closest to St Petersburg and Feather Sound.

Potential house appreciation- Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo
Unfortunately in Florida, prices have skyrocketed in the last two years, so buying now might be the high of the market- or not, who knows. Dunedin & Palm Harbor would be the most desirable in this criteria.

Air quality (i.e. not living near a major highway)- To be honest, I'm not sure any area in Pinellas County would be particularly known for its air quality, though I also don't think it's poor quality either. I guess the closer to the beach the better?

Budget in the sub $500K range- Clearwater, Largo, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor
Sun- $500 is enough for a home in any of these areas, but the pricing will vary with the size you will get. Also keep taxes and insurance in mind. Stay out of a flood zone for the lowest insurance and in you can get a home in an unincorporated area of the county that will give the lowest taxes as municipalities add property tax on top of the base.
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Old 10-27-2021, 11:57 AM
 
Location: Flawduh
17,115 posts, read 15,334,522 times
Reputation: 23707
Re: Pricing: I live in East Lake, gf lives in Palm Harbor (pretty much the same city) and we were browsing houses in the area just yesterday. Looks like newer builds anywhere from 1,900 sqft to 2,500 sqft range in the $500k-$750k range, which is kind of insane if you ask me. You can find something cheaper in the older parts of town, I'd guess along US 19 around Alderman.
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Old 10-27-2021, 12:12 PM
 
25 posts, read 19,634 times
Reputation: 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by fajitajamboree View Post
Hello

The below thread will have a lot of info for you on this subject and is very recent as well.
https://www.city-data.com/forum/tamp...r-dunedin.html

You don't mention where your girlfriend is working, which I would think is a consideration (unless it is home based, of course). If it were me, I would choose the Tarpon Springs area as it is close to Clearwater for jobs, has a 2 great historic areas (Sponge Docks and Main Street), and unique homes. Also, Fred Howard Park and Sunset Park (beaches) are right in town and not "tourist" beaches.

Here are my rankings on your criteria, from most to least desirable:
Crime- Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo
None are particularly "bad" areas, though Clearwater is the biggest city our of the bunch and has some less than desirable sections.

Employment opportunities- Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin
Clearwater has a lot of businesses, Palm Harbor is relatively close to Tampa if you are near Tampa Rd., Largo is closest to St Petersburg and Feather Sound.

Potential house appreciation- Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo
Unfortunately in Florida, prices have skyrocketed in the last two years, so buying now might be the high of the market- or not, who knows. Dunedin & Palm Harbor would be the most desirable in this criteria.

Air quality (i.e. not living near a major highway)- To be honest, I'm not sure any area in Pinellas County would be particularly known for its air quality, though I also don't think it's poor quality either. I guess the closer to the beach the better?

Budget in the sub $500K range- Clearwater, Largo, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor
Sun- $500 is enough for a home in any of these areas, but the pricing will vary with the size you will get. Also keep taxes and insurance in mind. Stay out of a flood zone for the lowest insurance and in you can get a home in an unincorporated area of the county that will give the lowest taxes as municipalities add property tax on top of the base.
Thank you! My girlfriend would be working remotely. It's me that would have to find a job.
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Old 10-27-2021, 12:41 PM
 
Location: USA
9,110 posts, read 6,150,521 times
Reputation: 29874
I would not buy a house right now. I would rent a house in the area and find a job. Do not buy a house until and unless you already have a job. The commute in the Tampa Bay area can be a nightmare. You want to live where you have a decent commute. If you work in north Tampa, you don't have to cross the bay and that helps your commute. If you work in Clearwater, north Pinellas is convenient. If you work in south St. Pete, the drive from north Pinellas gets tiring.

So, I repeat, don't buy a house until you have a job. Rent. Get to know the neighborhoods.
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Old 10-27-2021, 12:52 PM
 
101 posts, read 170,550 times
Reputation: 239
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lillie767 View Post
I would not buy a house right now. I would rent a house in the area and find a job. Do not buy a house until and unless you already have a job. The commute in the Tampa Bay area can be a nightmare. You want to live where you have a decent commute. If you work in north Tampa, you don't have to cross the bay and that helps your commute. If you work in Clearwater, north Pinellas is convenient. If you work in south St. Pete, the drive from north Pinellas gets tiring.

So, I repeat, don't buy a house until you have a job. Rent. Get to know the neighborhoods.
I would second this advice. If/ when the market drops, then great for you! Also, you will be free to accept a job anywhere in the area you want. We live in Tampa, Carrollwood area, and it is only 45 minutes to an hour to any of the beaches and 15 to downtown or Seminole Heights. My job is in Carrollwood so for me, living 5 minutes away is just perfect. I don't mind driving 45 minutes to get to the beach once a week, but I would HATE to drive 30 minutes each way for work, every day. Pretty much anything I do on a regular day is within 15 minutes from home and tons of weekly or monthly activities are within an easy hour.
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Old 10-27-2021, 03:46 PM
 
Location: Florida
2,327 posts, read 2,274,762 times
Reputation: 3592
Northern Pinellas County is a great place to live, but it’s not the best place for jobs. Tarpon Springs to downtown Tampa or St. Pete are going to be north of a 1hr commute. If I were going to move here without a job I’d have to be somewhere centrally located like South Tampa or Northern St. Pete. Feather Sound is a good community you might take a look at. Still, if you got a job in Brandon you’d still have a long commute so it’s probably best to have a job before you buy.
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Old 10-30-2021, 02:25 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
108 posts, read 145,214 times
Reputation: 129
I’m in Westchase. 22 minute commute to my job on Kennedy (Westshore). Your budget works here and our house has appreciated about 30% in two years. I know it won’t go on like this forever, but since I’m not going anywhere, it doesn’t really matter. I moved from NY so a long commute was normal. Depends on what you’re used to!
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Old 11-21-2021, 07:20 PM
 
Location: Here and there
346 posts, read 307,957 times
Reputation: 220
Palm Harbor and Seminole should get the top 2. NORTH St Pete near Gandy. Belleair Bluffs.



Pinellas Park over Largo and Clearwater in general.


Most awful on the list, Largo hands down.



Palm Harbor >> Dunedin as its like higher working class. Dunedin seem to get yuppies so does Clearwater.



I recommend more regular but central places and for Pinellas, even though I am in Hillsborough, I recommend those first.
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