Considering a Move to Florida (Tampa, Palm Harbor: rentals, condos, how much)

[Muhnay]

My wife got a job offer on MacGill AFB, and I have a couple options there as well. I was wondering if anyone can tell me a bit about the area.

We have 3 kids, ages are 15, 12, 9 and 3 small dogs.. so we need to know about areas that have good schools, and know a bit about dog friendly areas.

We looked on craigs list and found a couple places for rent.. what are these areas like?

24th @ 34th ybor city

Catalina Drive North

Thanks for your time.. and info.

[HigginsHerd]

IMHO (so others please don't attack me, because its only "my humble opinion")---STAY away from Ybor City. Even though they have been trying to revitalize Ybor for several years, its still got a long ways to go. You have to know the area REAL well to know exactly what is safe to live in and you may have to pass through areas that aren't safe coming and going to your home. It is truly PARTY CENTRAL for Tampa and a lot of visitors every weekend, so you can awaken to find a complete stranger passed out on your lawn, cans/trash/beer bottles all over the front yard and/or you can be sitting up late watching TV one night only to look out your front window and see some drunk taking a nature call on your azaleas. It is a difficult area to predict and the party crowds for holidays and observed city celebrations can potentially make you a prisoner in your own home. I contacted a realtor that I found on this site and was thrilled with he and his wife. They went into every situation with my best interests at the forefront of everything they did. I would refer anyone to them and know that they would be well taken care of. Moderator cut: recommendation I have found it difficult to trust a lot of realtors in this market because they are getting so desperate they tend to fudge a little, or omit items that were of particular importance to me and my wife. I didn't have time for that and had gone through at least 7 realtors in this area before I found one willing to put in the work, and they actually have a personality too. They are honest, genuine people that I would work with again at the drop of a hat.

Just and FYI- when I moved here with kids, I chose to live in Pinellas County so we could live ON the beach and the kids could enjoy and experience the true blessings of Florida at its best every day they walked outside. It kept them off the phone, from being hooked on video games and TV and it was a joy to share as a family. Its not that bad a drive from Pinellas Beaches to MacDill depending on which beach you chose. I know the beaches well, I was a Police Officer for a beach dept. I also know Ybor well because I had the same job title when I worked the Ybor area and that was the first time I drew my weapon when working the Ybor beat. I was also commuting from Pinellas every day for work in Tampa too, so it can be done.

Good luck and if you need further advice on the beaches of Pinellas, please just contact me directly.

Reg

[ferret111]

Both 24th and 34th Streets are in the middle of the ghetto. I certainly wouldn't move there. Catalina appears to be in a fairly nice suburban area.

I know that the South Tampa schools are very good, as well as some of the Westchase and New Tampa area schools.

Tampa has a few dog parks, namely one at Al Lopez Park and one near the Davis Island airport along the water.

[Muhnay]

Thank you all so far.. I look forward to more info from others.. but what you have given me so far is something to consider and think about. I am glad you filled me in on what those areas of town are like. I will be contacting you later today via DM Higgens to ask about the beach communities/areas. Do you know what the requirements are to become a Police Officer there?

[Keeper]

A reminder.. Realtor recommendations should be made via DM..

We have some really good realtors who frequent this forum who have helped posters find what they are looking for in a place to live. They also post valuable information free...to me that says a lot about character. They know the rules and follow them.

I too would not recommend Ybor for a family. There are other areas better suited for families. How much are you looking to spend for rent?

[Keeper]

Here ia link to Hillsborough county sheriff website. It says..'We are hiring'
HCSO

The one thing to remember is some police depts require you live in their county or city.

[spainbrit]

The previous poster who recommended Pinellas county has some good points, the beach, very free for children and its very safe neighborhoods close to the beaches. Great schools in Seminole,Palm Harbor, East Lake locations.
For access to MacDill - our neighbor was stationed there a couple of years back, and he drove daily to MacDill from our neighborhood and loved living at the beach (well half a mile behind it) and it was non evac zone too.
there are some nice condos to rent on Park Blvd nearby at Seminole, There are a lot of rentals in this area just now and I know that the condos in Seminole take small dogs, I have a friend with a small dog there.

[Muhnay]

I would like to keep my rent below 900 a month to start so I can get my feet wet as they say.. get to know my surroundings and what our finances will be like and what we can afford from there. Craigslist had many, and I mean many listings for house for that and below.. I just don't know what areas are safe and secure.

When I moved to Gulfport MS, my family and I rented a house online it was in an entirely African American neighborhood. I had a Police officer who saw me in my front yard come to a screeching halt, jump out of car, run up on me and ask me what in the hell I was doing there.. I said watering my lawn.. he said you live here, I said yes.. he said you must be one crazy SOB.. we need men like you on the force, come apply. So I don't want to make that mistake again.. I never had any problems, but from that day forward I always had a problem going to work at night with my kids and wife at home. I worked Casino Security in Biloxi.

I will look into those areas.. thank you all so much for the info and feed back.. the wife and I have some talking to do. =)

[Keeper]

Just be wary of craigslist as there have been reports of ppl renting vacant homes that were not theirs to rent out in FL. You can check who owns a home on the property appraiser's website, which might be a good idea if you aren't going through a realtor.

I know you can get a 3 bd house in S. Tpa for $1,000 a month, although it will be an older home but very close to MacDill.

Post the addresses here.. someone can give you an idea of the area. There are a lot of areas where east of a street is bad/west is good so it can be confusing.

[Muhnay]

Thanks Keeper I will do that.