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For the last year, I lived around the TB area, I returned to Pinellas again 3 months ago and now I ended up in Largo and been there the last month.
Positives: It is a real good location, closer to beaches than where I was in St Pete, a lot of places to eat on the cheap or dive bars. The scene is overall more favorable to me than it is in St Pete. Belleair Bluffs is like a hidden jewel and that's right down the street from me. It reminds me of some parts of Bradenton Beach area.
Negatives: Some bad pockets next to really good ones, traffic problems from East Bay to Clearwater mostly. I think the traffic issues overall in the area from there to McMullen Booth is some of the worst I seen in the area next to the Tampa area. I am still not 100% sure with all these negatives that this will be a long term place for me or not. I am still feeling everything out though.. If I find work, I'll stay longer but if not, oh well.. onto my next plan to maybe move back to Manatee County. I don't think I could relocate to Pasco after all or even further north, just doesn't seem like my cup of tea at all. Dunedin definitely not. Palm Harbor, maybe tough call but Manatee is still home to me deep down.
What are some of your experiences living in Largo? I am sure some people on this forum had to of lived there. I surprisingly see few threads on it so I want to start a new one up.
Some of the neighborhoods south of West Bay Dr are Largo addresses, all the way down to 102nd Ave(around Walshingham Park or west of that). Many areas are unincorporated Pinellas. There's nice neighborhoods as long as you stay within 1-2 miles from the intracoastal, from Belleair Bluffs all the way down past Park Blvd by Millenium Park (advantage: IRB/Indian Shores are 5-10 mins by car, some good schools, i.e. Oakhurst Elem, Seminole High close by, good parks, shopping and many areas are mostly in a non-evac/flood zone). It's pretty quiet for the most part, so it boils down to what people value, be close to the beach or in a vibrant area(i.e. DT St Pete or such). It's too far to drive to Tampa but if you're gonna live in FL, might as well be close to the beach.
I think you don't see a lot of info on CD because it's mostly retirees or families that live in those areas.
Largo, Fl. I hate going back there. Went to middle school there in the mid-90's. Tons of racism towards asians and so much violence. I am so glad my parents moved to tampa; they saved my life in a sense.
Largo, Fl. I hate going back there. Went to middle school there in the mid-90's. Tons of racism towards asians and so much violence. I am so glad my parents moved to tampa; they saved my life in a sense.
My question to you is.. who is most racist toward Asians around there? It actually wouldn't shock me if it was members of the black community there who were the most racist. Even though theres nice areas around me, I still see ratchet blacks around here and wouldn't surprise me if they engaged in that. I don't see a lot of whites giving a damn to be honest or calling Asians racial names.
Also I do see Chinese restaurants in the area from Seminole to Largo. I think theres an Asian presence, it just might be hidden.
Some of the neighborhoods south of West Bay Dr are Largo addresses, all the way down to 102nd Ave(around Walshingham Park or west of that). Many areas are unincorporated Pinellas. There's nice neighborhoods as long as you stay within 1-2 miles from the intracoastal, from Belleair Bluffs all the way down past Park Blvd by Millenium Park (advantage: IRB/Indian Shores are 5-10 mins by car, some good schools, i.e. Oakhurst Elem, Seminole High close by, good parks, shopping and many areas are mostly in a non-evac/flood zone). It's pretty quiet for the most part, so it boils down to what people value, be close to the beach or in a vibrant area(i.e. DT St Pete or such). It's too far to drive to Tampa but if you're gonna live in FL, might as well be close to the beach.
I think you don't see a lot of info on CD because it's mostly retirees or families that live in those areas.
In my experience, Belleair Bluffs is great and those Largo/Indian rocks areas too are. The ones kinda near Park.. Yes those are good imo. I think near Largo center is ok. Some of it is a work in progress, it has potential but the urban influence is there in pockets too with down and outers. I dread the idea of taking a right to walk out my door. It reminds me of someplace like N Florida Ave in Tampa. In fact less people bothered me when I walked around there as funny as that sounds. Theres just a lot of losers imo if you take a wrong turn but then if you go in the other direction, its nice as hell. The surprising close proximity to the beach makes it more worth it though. Do I like it better than Bradenton though? no I would say I don't. In my experience so far, the Largo police are HORRIBLE and they show up now and then by where live. Its as if they have a rainbow coalition going and protect the bad people. I had a few dealings too. I just feel like theres times where if I am not careful, I will get in a fight and get myself in trouble so I try not to walk in certain directions. I am not politically correct either and will say what I think if pushed.
In my experience, Belleair Bluffs is great and those Largo/Indian rocks areas too are. The ones kinda near Park.. Yes those are good imo. I think near Largo center is ok. Some of it is a work in progress, it has potential but the urban influence is there in pockets too with down and outers. I dread the idea of taking a right to walk out my door. It reminds me of someplace like N Florida Ave in Tampa. In fact less people bothered me when I walked around there as funny as that sounds. Theres just a lot of losers imo if you take a wrong turn but then if you go in the other direction, its nice as hell. The surprising close proximity to the beach makes it more worth it though. Do I like it better than Bradenton though? no I would say I don't. In my experience so far, the Largo police are HORRIBLE and they show up now and then by where live. Its as if they have a rainbow coalition going and protect the bad people. I had a few dealings too. I just feel like theres times where if I am not careful, I will get in a fight and get myself in trouble so I try not to walk in certain directions. I am not politically correct either and will say what I think if pushed.
I can see this in that area, which is why we prefer the area from Safety Harbor to Countryside to Oldsmar to Palm Harbor and even a little into Trinity. Just seems like there are a lot more "well balanced" people in this area, compared to some of the other areas which are still gentrifying.
I can see this in that area, which is why we prefer the area from Safety Harbor to Countryside to Oldsmar to Palm Harbor and even a little into Trinity. Just seems like there are a lot more "well balanced" people in this area, compared to some of the other areas which are still gentrifying.
Wow great way to see it there. I thought gentrifying was mostly a S St Pete thing but I guess they consider Largo to be gentrifying also. Largo shouldn't really be an urban area though so much as a suburban one. I thought a lot of its main parts are like the suburbs of the northeast I grew up in. The close together areas remind me of urban living though and have urban problems. Its amazing though how I even found that on N Florida Ave in Tampa, I got hassled even less at times than in this area and I never ran into cops either like I did here. I think you're onto something when you say Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar have less problem people. I was looking at some of those but decided on this one here due to location and cost. Largo IMO still beats a place like New Port Richey though.
Tell me something NPG, how do you rate Pasco County? I have a friend who lives there kind of set back from 19 near the ABC. Its a nice part of it but the rest looks kind of old. It also doesn't seem too desirable in a place like Brooksville I know that.
Wow great way to see it there. I thought gentrifying was mostly a S St Pete thing but I guess they consider Largo to be gentrifying also. Largo shouldn't really be an urban area though so much as a suburban one. I thought a lot of its main parts are like the suburbs of the northeast I grew up in. The close together areas remind me of urban living though and have urban problems. Its amazing though how I even found that on N Florida Ave in Tampa, I got hassled even less at times than in this area and I never ran into cops either like I did here. I think you're onto something when you say Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor and Oldsmar have less problem people. I was looking at some of those but decided on this one here due to location and cost. Largo IMO still beats a place like New Port Richey though.
Tell me something NPG, how do you rate Pasco County? I have a friend who lives there kind of set back from 19 near the ABC. Its a nice part of it but the rest looks kind of old. It also doesn't seem too desirable in a place like Brooksville I know that.
I am only familiar with the west part of Pasco County and I am definitely not a fan, overall. Seems things drop off quite quickly when crossing into Pasco, with the notable exception of Trinity. Trinity is nice and a lot of things are in the works there. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Still, the areas I mentioned in the previous post seem like they would be very solid and nice for decades to come. You do not see a ton of turnover here. People have it good and I think they realize it. Commute times to certain locations is really about the only issue and that really depends on where one works and if they have flexible hours.
I am only familiar with the west part of Pasco County and I am definitely not a fan, overall. Seems things drop off quite quickly when crossing into Pasco, with the notable exception of Trinity. Trinity is nice and a lot of things are in the works there. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Still, the areas I mentioned in the previous post seem like they would be very solid and nice for decades to come. You do not see a ton of turnover here. People have it good and I think they realize it. Commute times to certain locations is really about the only issue and that really depends on where one works and if they have flexible hours.
Places that seem to have high turnover in this area are Gateway even as nice as some parts are, Largo, Old Tampa for sure. Carrollwood seems to have fewer turnover, maybe even Valrico and Brandon. But for Pinellas ya, I wouldn't be shocked if the area you're in has less turnover. It seems like better people are drawn over there overall. Some in Largo too but some of it clearly doesn't either. What actually drew me to Largo was I noticed it was a more working crowd than a posh snobby one and the fact many migrants from the Northeast where I am from moved there too. That drew me to Largo partially. LOTS of pizza places and Italian restaurants also. More than St Pete. More places to get cheap drafts on beer too.
Now its in my opinion that the Clearwater Largo Rd N corridor was very bad 3 yrs ago or so I was told even 1 yr ago it was. Its gotten better in one year I guess but still has more work to go. These are the reports I am getting. Now all the undesirables hanging out on the ungentrified parts of the road will probably be pushed to Pasco once the whole thing gets gentrified wouldn't you say? That's where it seems like the new dumping ground will be for an improved Pinellas who wants to drop their junk off somewhere.. what do you say?
The only time I see a treacherous commute from where you live is if one travels to Clearwater or St Pete. If they work closer to home, they probably face very little or if they know the backroads.
Places that seem to have high turnover in this area are Gateway even as nice as some parts are, Largo, Old Tampa for sure. Carrollwood seems to have fewer turnover, maybe even Valrico and Brandon. But for Pinellas ya, I wouldn't be shocked if the area you're in has less turnover. It seems like better people are drawn over there overall. Some in Largo too but some of it clearly doesn't either. What actually drew me to Largo was I noticed it was a more working crowd than a posh snobby one and the fact many migrants from the Northeast where I am from moved there too. That drew me to Largo partially. LOTS of pizza places and Italian restaurants also. More than St Pete. More places to get cheap drafts on beer too.
Now its in my opinion that the Clearwater Largo Rd N corridor was very bad 3 yrs ago or so I was told even 1 yr ago it was. Its gotten better in one year I guess but still has more work to go. These are the reports I am getting. Now all the undesirables hanging out on the ungentrified parts of the road will probably be pushed to Pasco once the whole thing gets gentrified wouldn't you say? That's where it seems like the new dumping ground will be for an improved Pinellas who wants to drop their junk off somewhere.. what do you say?
The only time I see a treacherous commute from where you live is if one travels to Clearwater or St Pete. If they work closer to home, they probably face very little or if they know the backroads.
I think you are pretty much spot on. I worked briefly in Largo and we were told to have an escort to our cars. The problem in some of those areas is you can have really nice spots, but trashville is right next door. It reminds me of when we moved to NC, as they were going through the same thing. Trashy trailer parks, with million dollar homes right next door. Gentrification takes time and I do not have the time or the want/need to wait it out in such areas. I agree that as an area gentrifies, the "less desirables" and also the simply economically less fortunate get pushed out to other areas....unless the area can go up...and even that sometimes just means expensive condos and such.
When we moved here, we wanted to make sure we found an area which is completely void of transitioning zones. We wanted something much more stable and time tested. However, for some younger folks with time on their hands and a pioneer spirit, there are certainly some excellent choices which could pay off nicely over time.
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