Any suggestions on places to live? (Tampa: condo, employment, universities)

[SeasideStudio]

My husband and I want to move to Florida in a few years.
We are young 50's. Kids will be grown up. We want to easy
access to beach areas, safety, and will need to work so employment
opportunities need to be good. My husband would probably
work at a college or university. I can work anywhere. We'd like
to find a somewhat artsy, or at least not too conservative
community that is not really pricey. Maybe 2-3 bedroom
condo in the $300,000. -$350,000. range. Any suggestions
on where to start? Thanks.

[BucFan]

What's this artsy thing all about? Do you mean art galleries, craft markets, music bars?

I suppose everything you mention can be found on Harbour Island or along Bayshore/Hyde Park. U of Tampa nearby or USF up 275. There are a lot of threads about Harbor and Davis Islands (use search), as well as Hyde, and Bayshore Blvd. Beaches aren't closeby, though - possibly Eckerd College or USF St Pete.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by SeasideStudio

My husband and I want to move to Florida in a few years.
We are young 50's. Kids will be grown up. We want to easy
access to beach areas, safety, and will need to work so employment
opportunities need to be good. My husband would probably
work at a college or university. I can work anywhere. We'd like
to find a somewhat artsy, or at least not too conservative
community that is not really pricey. Maybe 2-3 bedroom
condo in the $300,000. -$350,000. range. Any suggestions
on where to start? Thanks.

I don't understand your post - you want to move in A FEW YEARS? Why are you asking now, in this economy there is no telling where we will be - right now employment here is awful all over the state, but to some degree depends what line of work you are in. Don't know when employment will be "good" here. Also, areas with easy access to the beach are almost always worse for employment. What is "easy access to you? As far as employment at a university, all state jobs have been SEVERELY cut, and they are even looking at a pay cut after years of no raises. Well, that's where we stand right now, maybe things will change when you are actually ready to move. All of us who live here now certainly hope so.

I hope I don't sound to harsh, I do like to be upbeat in my posts, but I guess the economy is worrying me these days, and I know plenty of state workers at the colleges and universities who have lost their jobs, and the ones left are looking at a big paycut right now. If I were you I would take a wait-and-see approach on where to go. At this point, I would say Tampa area would be one of your better bets, maybe around South Tampa for "artsy", etc.

[TB Fla]

I agree with Bucfan. South Tampa has "artsy" stuff. Univ of Tampa is close. its a gorgeous urban campus. Nice employment opportunities. Not to close to the beach, but close enough. You would be surrounded by water though.