Researching moving to Tampa area (Temple Terrace: low crime, middle school, tornadoes)

[Lillie767]

Originally Posted by PNW_Guy

Closer to South Tampa. My son-in-law is based there in the Airforce.

Does he live on base or South Tampa or someplace else? Look at the map and figure out where they are. If they live off base, you won't be visiting MacDill.

[PNW_Guy]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

This is generally true. You have to stick with an urban/suburban area. To be within an hour you’re limited to one of the communities around Tampa Bay or Sarasota (an hour without traffic.) South Tampa is probably your best bet because they’ve got the best schools in the area. The downside is it’s expensive relative to the rest of the area.

Thank you. That is good information.

[PNW_Guy]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

Look into FishHawk - Lithia. Good schools, within an hour of Tampa, and someone easy access to Polk County if your job will be that way. Or even Hillsborough Community College campuses. I have two friends teaching there full time and really enjoying it.
But if you will have to commute to Tampa (depending on location but centrally) for work daily you might not enjoy traffic much as it's a nightmare to get in and out during peak hours.
South Tampa is very nice but expensive.

This is all very good and gives me some jumping-off points. I appreciate it.

[PNW_Guy]

Originally Posted by castlechurch

I would also recommend looking into the Fishhawk-Lithia-Riverview area as well as up in Wesley Chapel and maybe even Dade City. The schools are decent and the drive to where your other children are is not that bad at all, easily within the hour range most of the day. The only issue is those are not really "towns", but rather suburbs. That may not even be an "issue" for you, but if you are looking for a "small town feel" then you would be better to look a bit further afield, perhaps Lakeland or Plant City. You should look into Charter Schools in the area, generally they are better than the local public school, but they are also free.

All very good information. A suburb is fine. I just don't want to be living within the urban core. Too fast-paced for me.

[PNW_Guy]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

Does he live on base or South Tampa or someplace else? Look at the map and figure out where they are. If they live off base, you won't be visiting MacDill.

Yeah, they live off-base about 5 mins away in South Tampa.

[gypsychic]

Take a look at Lakeland - the city where I now reside. It has a small town charm and feel while being a small city. Very friendly, especially family friendly. Many beautiful parks, preserves and recreational facilities, way more than most towns of this size. And location: a relatively easy drive to Tampa, well under an hour depending where you are and time of day. My hubby used to commute to downtown (40 minutes) before he retired. For schools, the best are in south Lakeland also know as Lakeland Highlands, but there are good private schools as well. And of course, a very easy drive to Disney!

ETA: Lakeland has some small colleges including Florida Southern College (named most beautiful in Florida by Princeton Review - it is all Frank Lloyd Wright architecture) Southeastern University and Florida Polytechnic University which is ranked the #1 college in the south.

Good luck!

[Charlie Allnut]

Originally Posted by PNW_Guy

My wife and I are looking at moving to the Tampa area from coastal Washington. This is her idea, and I know little about the area besides the two week-long trips I have made there in the past few months.

What I am looking for is a smaller-ish town within an hour of Tampa that has a decent cost of living, lower crime and decent schools as I have a 10 year old. My plan is to continue working in higher ed, most likely at a community college in the area.

Any suggestions of communities I should investigate? Being within a short trip to Tampa is key as she wants to be near her children living there.

Check Temple Terrace. Nice well-established city with suburbs designed around an historic golf course. Close to the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College. Also, home to the private Florida College. Quick and easy access to MacDill via interstate/expressway. Incorporated City with own Police and FD.

I would not recommend any Hillsborough Public school, but there are many highly rated public funded charter schools as well as some very good private schools to look into

[EngGirl]

Temple Terrace location is good but schools... Only if private school is considered!

[PNW_Guy]

Originally Posted by Charlie Allnut

Check Temple Terrace. Nice well-established city with suburbs designed around an historic golf course. Close to the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College. Also, home to the private Florida College. Quick and easy access to MacDill via interstate/expressway. Incorporated City with own Police and FD.

I would not recommend any Hillsborough Public school, but there are many highly rated public funded charter schools as well as some very good private schools to look into

Awesome! Thank you. This is the information I needed. It's discouraging to hear everyone point away from public schools. I'm not interested in private schools and not a fan of charter schools, but I may have to rethink my stance.

[hawk55732]

One place to check out is Hernando County. Depending on where you live there you can be to Tampa in a hour if you take the express way. There are also good private and charter schools there. Its suppose to have higher crime rates but we havent experienced it nor do we know anyone that has. Youll see the occasional homeless person but youll see more in Tampa.