best place in fl to raise a bi-racial child (Tampa: apartment complex, foreclosure) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

tiff6500 · 03-12-2009, 02:23 AM

My husband and I are planning to move to Florida this summer; we have a bi-racial son who is 14 and will be starting high school. We want to relocate to a place where there is diversity, and not have to worry, as much, about racial issues. I want him to have the best high school and teenage years possible. For example, where we are now, there are not many girls he would be allowed to go out with because of his skin color. It really breaks my heart. He knows these issues are out there, but I just do not want him to have to deal with it.

So, we are looking for a good school and city/town that is diverse and fun. He is a pretty good football player, so good football schools would be a plus. Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Keeper · 03-12-2009, 07:00 AM

Tampa is a very diverse city. Since you didn't say what your budget was for a house it is difficult to tell you a good area, but Citrus Park is one area. Sikles HS, Gaither HS are 2 to consider

It has been a while since I had kids in HS but I seriously doubt your son will have any problems making friends in Tampa

tiff6500 · 03-12-2009, 07:06 AM

I would like to rent at first, until I get to know the area. I would like to find a house to rent for no more than 1600 - 1700/ mo.

Thank you.

tilli · 03-12-2009, 07:36 AM

I think a bi-racial teen would have a great experience in Tampa. The diversity here is truly fantastic, it's probably my favorite aspect of the city.

I would be very wary of renting a house in this market though. So many owners are facing foreclosure and trying to rent their properties and it seems that all too often they are not making their mortgage payments and the renter winds up evicted with little notice when the bank takes ownership. A corporate-owned apartment complex would be a much safer bet to stay in for a year or so in my opinion, and you wouldn't have to spend anywhere near 1600/mo to get a very nice one.

tiff6500 · 03-12-2009, 08:44 AM

Thanks for the info!!!! Have a great day!!!

Keeper · 03-12-2009, 09:36 AM

You didn't say where work was located which will make a difference in commute time. There are a lot of 'good' areas it really depends on how far you want to travel to get to work.

You do have to be cautious about renting a house now a days. I surely wouldn't give anyone a large deposit if you have to have a house and be sure the person who is renting the house is the owner and is not in foreclosure.

tiff6500 · 03-12-2009, 09:43 AM

I am not sure about job location yet. I am a nurse so i can be pretty flexible. An hour or less commute would be fine.

Any suggestions on schools or areas of tampa ? Do you know anything about seffner or lakeland?

Thank you

mquintana · 03-12-2009, 10:35 AM

Seffner is a crappy little area. The houses are old and so is the school. Though there will be no discrimination there, but the area isn't the greatest. It's like run down a bit. I'm not sure about lakeland, but it's out of the way and not a major metro area. Why don't you try Brandon instead of Seffner? It has newer parts and the schools are better than Armwood High in Seffner. Plus it has all the shopping and such that you would go to regardless-even if you did move to Seffner.

joelibyan · 03-12-2009, 11:55 AM

Racially, in the urban and suburban parts of Tampa you won't find a problem. I knew a few kids in your son's shoes. Lakeland is much more "country" (although it's changing), and you'll find the race lines a bit more marked. The highschools in Lakeland have great football programs, as does Armwood... But I concur with keeper, Carrolwood/Citrus Park is a good area to start looking around.

gypsychic · 03-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelibyan

Racially, in the urban and suburban parts of Tampa you won't find a problem. I knew a few kids in your son's shoes. Lakeland is much more "country" (although it's changing), and you'll find the race lines a bit more marked. The highschools in Lakeland have great football programs, as does Armwood... But I concur with keeper, Carrolwood/Citrus Park is a good area to start looking around.

I lived in Lakeland for a year and a half - there is diversity and bi-racial in the core of the town, the outskirts not so much. In fact there were several bi-racial families in my neighborhood. People would be surprised at how diverse the downtown area is. No one has a problem. You would just want to stay away from the outskirts of town, especially to the east.