Tampa Heights in 2024 (Jacksonville, Seminole: crime, townhomes, neighborhoods)

[NonStationary]

Hi,

I have been poking around the forums but now I figured I might as well ask directly. We are moving to Tampa Heights most likely but not sure yet. I was wondering how is the area? We have driven through and felt OK, there is a ton of construction going on with beautiful new homes and townhomes going up. Is the area within 4-5 blocks surrounding Armature Works to West Columbus safe? What is it like to live in that area? Any input is appreciated.
I do understand, living in Chicago and Jacksonville in the past, that being close to the city you gotta have common sense but was wondering if it's like a nogo area.

Thank you

[FL_Expert]

It’s mostly safe. Some unsavory characters will pass through on occasion, but as a whole I’d say it’s okay. Riverside Heights just to the north is about the same, maybe a little better. I like both but the schools are bad.

Surprisingly, some industrial smells will waft over from the port in Tampa Heights which you might not expect given the distance.

[Samantha Atkinson]

The area around Armature Works is nice, especially with all the new homes and townhomes. Safety-wise, it's like any city, you just gotta use your noggin, especially coming from big cities like Chicago and Jacksonville.

[MortonR]

I used to work in the Armature Works building when it was still an active business. At that time, the neighborhood was ultra-sketchy to the point where we had someone come into the office one day and hold the employees up at gunpoint!

But now, the area has gentrified significantly, and as long as you stay west of Florida Ave. you're probably OK.

I just had lunch at the Armature Works the other day, and I was clearly not one of the "beautiful people" who frequents the area. It bordered on creepy.

RM

[NonStationary]

Thank you. I definitely appreciate the responses so far. Feel like I am having to make a decision quicker than I would normally due to circumstances, so wanted to get as much info as I could.

[sinatras]

I would never buy property in Tampa Heights or Seminole Heights for that matter. It's too run down in too many areas; homeless population and crime are up. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to some of the Tampa Heights and Seminole Heights Facebook and other forums/groups and read about what goes on. It's pretty frightening.

[kbtoy7891]

I used to go out that way quite a bit to shop at Oceanic Market. I still do when I'm in the area. I... would not live there. Too many weirdos walking around. And some strong, strange smells.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by kbtoy7891

I used to go out that way quite a bit to shop at Oceanic Market. I still do when I'm in the area. I... would not live there. Too many weirdos walking around. And some strong, strange smells.

Always been a bad area.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I would never buy property in Tampa Heights or Seminole Heights for that matter. It's too run down in too many areas; homeless population and crime are up. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to some of the Tampa Heights and Seminole Heights Facebook and other forums/groups and read about what goes on. It's pretty frightening.

Got to agree. Even though parts of those neighborhoods look charming with their historic homes, and Tampa Heights proximity to downtown and Ybor, there is just too much of the unsavory element. I would never feel safe.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Got to agree. Even though parts of those neighborhoods look charming with their historic homes, and Tampa Heights proximity to downtown and Ybor, there is just too much of the unsavory element. I would never feel safe.

I was at Armature Works the other day for lunch, and I didn't feel safe. However, that was because I clearly was not one of the "beautiful people" who apparently frequent the place. It was borderline creepy.

Having worked in the building when it was still a business, I can "see" a lot of things no one would ever see or notice today. I guess Bubba is happy, though.

RM