Looking to retire to Tampa area (Clearwater, Dunedin: homes, new construction, subdivisions)

[SAINTSFAN834]

Wife and I are looking to retire to the area in a year or two. We have family that just moved to Riverview area. The few times we have visited, we liked the Dunedin area. We like the smaller feel and the golf car community style. We have heard that there are some really nice areas to live such as Dunedin, Westchase, Oldsmar, Clearwater and St. Pete. We enjoy the beach as well as Disney and hockey. We also have enjoyed St Pete Pier and of course, our family in Riverview. We are trying to determine the best places to look to live and still be in reasonable proximity to the things we like.
Anyone have any suggestions based on these locations?

[engineman]

We have lived in 5 different places, in Pinellas county over many years. Our kids grew up here, but now live in the Pacific northwest.

The last time we moved back here one of the considerations was the convenience of the airport for visitors to come and see us.

We have enjoyed the beaches, boating and the excellent county parks.

We have lived in 3 other states, but we are now here to stay.

[MortonR]

More importantly, what's your budget?

RM

[FL_Expert]

I suggest the Dunedin/Ozona/Crystal Beach area or Safety Harbor. Barrier to entry is about $500k, the higher your budget the closer you can get to the water.

[EngGirl]

Since budget was not mentioned, I think south Tampa should be considered. Centrally located to everything and nice area

[SAINTSFAN834]

Sorry, budget probably under $700k

[Lillie767]

Your price point is very doable for the areas you mentioned.

Dunedin has managed to achieve what many places are trying: to keep the downtown area vital, buzzing, and attractive. The very walkable downtown is full of people, shops, restaurants, and local breweries. Dunedin is an incorporated city in Pinellas County and has some of its own city services, separate from the county. Safety Harbor has also been working very hard on its downtown area and also has many restaurants, although they lack the breweries that Dunedin has attracted.

There are no city or county beaches in Dunedin, but Honeymoon Island is in Dunedin. Honeymoon Island is a state park with wonderful white sand beaches.

The Edgewater Trail is a lovely paved trail that runs several miles along the Gulf Shore. Also, the Pinellas Trail runs through downtown Dunedin.

Golf carts are allowed on many roads in Dunedin, but there are restrictions. https://www.dunedingov.com/live-work...und/golf-carts

[SAINTSFAN834]

Thanks for all the info. Is there a "better" place to live (as far as subdivisions) in Dunedin? When we drove around, there seemed to be a good bit of older homes. I assume Dunedin does not have many newer constructions?

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by SAINTSFAN834

Thanks for all the info. Is there a "better" place to live (as far as subdivisions) in Dunedin? When we drove around, there seemed to be a good bit of older homes. I assume Dunedin does not have many newer constructions?

Pinellas County was built out decades ago, so the likelihood that you'll find new construction or something built within the last decade is pretty slim unless it was a knock-down (very common in South Tampa.)

RM

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by SAINTSFAN834

Thanks for all the info. Is there a "better" place to live (as far as subdivisions) in Dunedin? When we drove around, there seemed to be a good bit of older homes. I assume Dunedin does not have many newer constructions?

Closer to the water is almost always better in Florida. I’d prefer the far western side, somewhere around Bayshore, if I were in Dunedin. Again, the communities of Ozona and Crystal Beach are well worth considering too and it’s all the same general area.