Relocating From Dallas Texas (Tampa, St. Petersburg: insurance, new home, established neighborhood)

[Terminal Nomad]

Hello all this is my first post so be kind

My wife 30, daughter 2, And I 36 are going to be relocating from Dallas Texas we are currently in an area called Lakewood near whiterock lake in north east Dallas. Current home prices are from 200k -700k in our neighborhood with the majority of houses built in the 50's with a lot of new construction going in. Very hot neighborhood.

We are self employed in the web development (e-commerce development and management) and auto dealer service (Glass repair) industries.

We have family in the Nokomis Area currently.

We would like to stay in an urban enviroment that is similar to our current neighborhood.

We would like to send our daughter when the time comes to a Lutheran Parochial school.

Where are some areas that are similar to our current enviroment that we should be looking at.

If not Urban I have read good things about Land o Lakes and St Pete as well.

Thanks for your replies in advance!
The Terminal Nomad

[Terminal Nomad]

21 reads and no replys?

Is it something I said or did not say?

Bwaaahaha

[JSnFla]

good family areas with brand new homes in land o lakes, wesley chapel, valrico, fishawk ranch in lithia, new tampa and lutz....st pete different ballgame over by the water, more expensive and kida congested but still nice

[Lakewooder]

Sorry you are leaving Lakewood - please come back home some day. And be sure to see the musical at Woodrow this weekend.

[cariad]

Originally Posted by Terminal Nomad

21 reads and no replys?

Is it something I said or did not say?

Bwaaahaha

Some of us just don't know enough about what you are looking for to say anything.
For example I think St. Pete is beautiful, especially Old Northeast, but I have no idea what your current neighborhood is like so I can't compare it or make a recommendation. And I have no idea where the closest Lutheran Parochial school is

[Spree]

There's a Lutheran school in the Brandon/Valrico area, called Immanuel Lutheran http://www.godsoloved.org/ This area is a very nice, family oriented suburban area.

I think the area you are looking for is more in the Tampa area. Try the Palma Ceia, Hyde Park or even perhaps the Harbor and Davis Islands area, depending on your budget. I am not familiar w/the private schools in Tampa but there are many. Here's a listing http://www.floridasmart.com/local/co...on_private.htm

Best of luck to you :-)

[Terminal Nomad]

Thanks ya'll

[jlovefla]

Originally Posted by Terminal Nomad

21 reads and no replys?

Is it something I said or did not say?

Bwaaahaha

I can only reply with news of St. Petersburg, Florida...I have lived here all of my life and have seen lots of changes. We have beautiful beaches, wonderful weather, and there are some wonderful people. There has been a wave of newcomers and the traffic though not as bad as other places has picked up in recent years. However, I really don't have anything negative to say about our fair city. I think it is a great place to live. I am in the field of education (ESE) so I can also comment on the schools...there are some really good schools. Do your research and best of luck. I am planning to relocate but not because things are bad but because I have lived here my whole life (35 years) and I need a change. One thing to mention is we are in the midst of an insurance crisis so please be prepared for that little bit of news. Best of luck!

[tampaguy03]

IM not sure what Lakewood is like, but if you looking for an urban environment to settle with a family in Tampa, i'd suggest South Tampa areas like Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Bayshore Beautiful, Bayshore Gardens, Palma Ceia, New Suburb Beautiful, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Ballast Point, Culbreath Isles and Culbreath Bayou, BelShores and Bel Mar.

[roaring-rox]

I lived in Dallas a while back and remember Lakewood. That was in the mid-1980s, so don't know how the Lakewood area looks now, since so many people are building McMansions in older neighborhoods. But from my memory, it was a very pretty traditional area with beautiful homes and yards. Dallas had so many upscale shops and restaurants then, so I think the Hyde Park/south Tampa area is the closest to that feel.

If you want traditional, more established neighborhoods and the urban experience, stay out of Land-o-Lakes---and focus on the areas people here already mentioned (Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, south Tampa and old northeast St. Pete). Land-o-Lakes is a far away congested commute from the urban core---many cookie-cutter subdivisions. A suburban area (Plans, Garland, Carrollton type of area, although still probably not the same since in a different state).