Relo to Tampa Area HELP

Updated on March 17, 2014
D.E. asks from Tampa, FL
4 answers

Hey mama's
Originally we had thought my husbands new possible position would give us options to move to Georgia/South Carolina. Turns out, if he gets this offer and accepts we need to be near Tampa/Brandon Florida. He would need to be in that area about two days a week so we don't want to be a very far commute.
We are both Ohio natives our whole lives. we are VERY excited for this chance to move to a warm, sunny state.But we are absolutely clueless where to start our search. We are looking to rent the first year or two, as we have a home here we will be renting out and would need somewhat of a down payment to purchase another home.
We'd like to rent in an area we plan on staying in. So here is the criteria important to us, and i'm hoping some Florida mom's can help me out!
School's are #1 priority. We are not sure we can afford private schools, so we'd like an area with good public school ratings. they don't HAVE to be 10's but thats a bonus :) 9's and 8's are good.
We'd like an area that is not congested and full of crazy traffic. More of a "smaller town" feel.
Ideally, I'd love somewhere that we could walk to a park, maybe some shops, restaraunts etc
We'd also like to be close to beaches. Short drive, of course walking distance would be dreamy although maybe not realistic...I don't know how Tampa is set up....so maybe this is too tall of an order???
We'd be comfortable paying up to $1200 a month in rent.Maybe more.
I have heard New Tampa is a good area.
is anyone familiar with Largo? We have a possible month to month rental available there, and if we liked it we would just stay. very open to suggestions as we are again CLUELESS!!! We have only visited Florida. So deciding where to move is a very daunting task!!!
I'd appreciate any and all help PLEASE!!!!
We'd like to be close to shopping as far as grocery and a Target/Walmart etc.
We like to be social, and live in a family friendly environment. Our school age kids are 5.5 and 3.
Thanks Ladies!!!!!

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C.S.

answers from Miami on

I am on the other side of the state but very familiar with Tampa because several of my college friends moved there and have families. New Tampa has good schools. Brandon not so much! Beaches are not close to Tampa - look at a map so you can see Tampa Bay and you will understand. But, compared to OH, they are close! Very accessible on weekends. You might be able to find most of what you want in New Tampa except for the rent price! I can't imagine that you will find anything bigger than a 2 bedroom for that price. I think you will need to be about $1500 per month if you want a house.

For finding schools, take a look at the county school board website. The State of Florida grades schools on an A - F scale. For elementary, you want an A or B school at minimum. Also, not sure when your 3 year old will turn 4 but if bday is before 9/1/2014 then that child will be eligible for free preschool, called VPK. You need to get a voucher in the county you end up in and find a preschool.

Good luck!

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F.C.

answers from Tampa on

Check out Fishhawk Ranch it is in Lithia just a little south east of Tampa and it has amazing schools and an outstanding community. There is a lot of military around and kids of all ages.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

D.,

I live in Texas, but I am familiar with the Tampa area. Last summer, we thought we were moving to Tampa, and we did a lot of research. Here's what I know: Lutz is good, Lithia is good (more expensive), Wesley Chapel I think is good, Palm Harbor is good, and Brandon - not so good.

I am grateful our Tampa move didn't work out, b/c I was very scared about something. Not to scare you (I'm sure I won't), but I am petrified about sink holes. Have you heard of sink holes? Over a year ago, a man got swallowed up by a sinkhole and died. He lived in Tampa (Seffler). I did a TON of research on sinkholes, and Tampa has the most. I call Tampa "sink hole city." Even though that man died, I realize it is very rare to get swallowed by a sinkhole and die, but sink holes in Tampa are VERY common. If you don't die from one, you will probably have a lifetime of submitting sinkhole claims to your insurance company. There are signs to look for that there may be a sinkhole on your property: indented foundation, and cracked floors or windows. If your backyard is on a slant, for example, there may be a sinkhole beneath you. Orlando also has a lot of sinkholes.

Because of this fear (and I realize that many people would call it an irrational fear - but I can't help what scares me), I told my husband I wouldn't live in any county in Tampa (all Tampa counties have a ton of sinkholes), and that we would have to live further South. There is a wonderful area about an hour South of Tampa called Lakewood Ranch. It is very close to Bradenton, and I believe a master planned community. It is a beautiful area that has good schools. My husband would have had an hour drive to work if we lived there, which he didn't like, but was willing to consider. The job didn't work out anyway, and we were both relieved.

If you do live in the Tampa area, you MUST make sure you have sink hole insurance, and be prepared to experience at least one sink hole on your property, and the mess, cost, and fear it will entail.

I'm sorry to bring you down like this (if I did). Just wanted you to be aware. Best of luck!

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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

I live in Tampa. Largo is not close to Brandon at all. If he had to work in Brandon, he would be stuck on the Crosstown expressway or the Howard Franklin Bridge...both suck for traffic. New Tampa is a very nice area and within easy commuting distance to Brandon - 30 minutes or so. However, it is not close to beaches. If you want beaches, you would have to go to Pinellas county which is a long commute to Brandon...

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