Also moving to Tampa....Advice on where to live if working at USF and near Airport? Schools? Etc.? (Clearwater: short sales)

[gfrommjr]

I have read several threads regarding people asking for advice on where to settle in the Tampa Area. These have been really helpful, but I thought I would also ask for advice.

My wife and I and our young daughter are thinking about moving, and will be working at 1. USF and 2. Near the airport. We would like to buy and we can afford approx 175-225k. Since we are not very familiar we were thinking about renting for 6 months first though. We are coming from upstate NY where both of our commutes to work are ~15-20 minutes. We would like to live somewhere we can afford a nice house (newer, min. 2000sqft, possibly pool), great schools, and have a reasonable commute in the range of 20-30 minutes. I lived in Clearwater for 1 year, but am not very familiar with Tampa, although I have heard bad stories about the traffic.

Can anyone offer advice on some places to live that are within 30 min to USF and the airport, have great schools, and are within that price range for houses? We have heard good things about Lutz, Land o'lakes, and Odessa. How long of a commute would these be to our work? What about Wesley Chapel, Northdale, Carrollwood, West Chase, or Citrus Park?

[annaegel]

I think Northdale and Carrollwood and maybe even Citrus Park would be a central location. Lutz isn't so bad either. Odessa, West Chase would take 30 minutes to USF. Wesley Chapel and LOL would be too far for the airport. It would be around a 35 minute drive. These times are without traffic. Some would be tolled roads. If you are traveling in high traffic times, you must add many more minutes, maybe even double the time.

Northdale and Carrollwood are older sections. You may not find "newer" homes there. I am not sure you can get everything you want for a budget of $225k. Look for short sales or foreclosures. You can check out another website: Moderator cut: realtor website


As far as schools, you can check out a website: www.greatschools.net. You type in the area and it will lists the schools and rates it as far as their standards and parent standards, some with parent, student, and/or teacher reviews.

Good luck.

[bentlebee]

I live in Wesley Chapel and it depends on where you live in Wesley Chapel but mostly I drive to the airport in 35 min. So I agree with the pevious poster about that, but the schools are great over here, nice communities and you will find great deals in communties as Seven Oaks, which has a great clubhouse as well (tennis courts, 3 pools, fitness, etc) and newer homes. So you can live in a house that will be over 2000 sqft for $ 175 K or if you are buying a bankowned you can even find a bigger home for that amount.

Property taxes are lower in Wesley Chapel than in Carrolwood, Tampa,etc. since Pasco has lower property taxes than Hillsborough county and the property taxes might go up, so think about that...it comes back every year! Most communties are newer and have reclaimed water so your utility bill will be lower and from St. Rd 56 it is only 15 min. to USF. You can go on I-75 and go south so fast and to the airport there are different ways to get there. (I-275 south, all the way to the airport or you can almost take any exit and take an alternate route....non of them are toll roads!)

So you have to ecide if you want to live in lower property taxed areas with newer homes and reclaimed water and good school or closer by and pay more...btw Pasco recently opened a new mall 2 min. from Seven Oaks and all major retail is located over there.

Good Luck in making a decision!