Tampa has a handful of good areas and the rest are rundown or hood. Why is this? (Palm Harbor: house prices, construction)

[MortonR]

If you want to see something really wild in that regard, look around Beverly Hills (Crystal River area) or south between Ft. Myers’s and Naples. There are literally thousands of developed lots with streets and everything in place that have been abandoned.

I presume these were part of a past “land boom” that failed, probably in the 50s or 60s.

RM

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by MortonR

If you want to see something really wild in that regard, look around Beverly Hills (Crystal River area) or south between Ft. Myers’s and Naples. There are literally thousands of developed lots with streets and everything in place that have been abandoned.

I presume these were part of a past “land boom” that failed, probably in the 50s or 60s.

RM

LOL. I've seen those... To think some have that much money to waste...

[LongLeggedOne]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

I see what you mean. The bad areas seem like a disproportionately large part of town compared to other Florida cities… For what it’s worth, areas north of Kennedy, Port Tampa, Tampa Heights, and Riverside Heights have all improved dramatically over the past decade. TNC has gotten worse unfortunately.



Technically no, but Westchase still uses a Tampa address. I’m not sure why because it’s really not close to the city limits.

Westchase seems too much like Lakewood Ranch. Master planned fake communities.

[Downtown Dave]

Originally Posted by dozener

...a large swathe of the city and region is undesirable. Probably missing a few but it’s generally the same theme all around

I spent a few months in Tampa on two separate occasions back in 2016 and 2019. I came to the same conclusion:

"Tampa metro has islands of nice areas in a sea of sketchiness."

I was surprised at the willingness of the "pioneers" to buy homes in Seminole Heights. While in a good geographical location, it looked dangerous to me.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Downtown Dave

I spent a few months in Tampa on two separate occasions back in 2016 and 2019. I came to the same conclusion:

"Tampa metro has islands of nice areas in a sea of sketchiness."

I was surprised at the willingness of the "pioneers" to buy homes in Seminole Heights. While in a good geographical location, it looked dangerous to me.

Not anymore for the most part. If you get around the fringes, maybe.

RM

[LongLeggedOne]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Not anymore for the most part. If you get around the fringes, maybe.

RM

Sulphur Springs seems like its the worst area within Tampa. Very very spotty. But a rental around there for just a small room and a shared bathroom in a home with 3 other people went for ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.. In that crappy part of town where the neighborhood wasn't fixed up, even if the home itself wasn't that bad. It was still overpriced for that area big time. Thats still very deep south over there. Very dirty deep south in the Sulph. Not very desirable for that price. Seminole Heights even used to be cheaper than that. My god. I see parts of Seminole Heights as nice still, like very nice next to Sulphur Springs even if its questionable at times.

[lluvia]

Can't imagine any place around here spottier than Suitcase City in NE Tampa.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by lluvia

Can't imagine any place around here spottier than Suitcase City in NE Tampa.

HA!!! I remember hearing about this when I was at USF around 2010-2013... And then having explored the area a bit during my years studying there. Yeah... It was quite rough... Odd that all of this was blended in with wealthy students, and the Indian and Arab-owned businesses nearby... But yeah... A particular Marathon gas station on Fowler always gave me the creeps.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by lluvia

Can't imagine any place around here spottier than Suitcase City in NE Tampa.

That’s probably the roughest part of town now that Ybor and West Tampa have benefitted some from gentrification.

[redboat961]

I think a lot of florida is like this. Fort lauderdale is basically the same except for the area near las olas and the areas on the beach.