coming to look around (Tampa, Cape Coral: to rent, how much, homes)

[Caa]

Hi y'all! In August my family and I are heading to the Tampa area to look around. Actually more like Palm Harbor and Tarpon Srpings. We want to look at a few neighborhoods, some stores(to see what is out there), kids play places and dance, drama, gymnastics places for our child and shops, some schools(even though they are closed) and just kinda drive around. Any suggestions as to how to go about this without getting into "nasty" areas or pricey areas(like 400,000 homes). I really don't want to contact a realtor as we will only hav a day(we used to live in south Florida and had checked the area out years ago, but want to again). Any one have any neighborhood suggestions or places to go so we can get an idea of the local people etc??

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by Caa

Hi y'all! In August my family and I are heading to the Tampa area to look around. Actually more like Palm Harbor and Tarpon Srpings. We want to look at a few neighborhoods, some stores(to see what is out there), kids play places and dance, drama, gymnastics places for our child and shops, some schools(even though they are closed) and just kinda drive around. Any suggestions as to how to go about this without getting into "nasty" areas or pricey areas(like 400,000 homes). I really don't want to contact a realtor as we will only hav a day(we used to live in south Florida and had checked the area out years ago, but want to again). Any one have any neighborhood suggestions or places to go so we can get an idea of the local people etc??

I think you should take more than a day to check out various neighborhoods.If you havent been to the area for a few years you will be amazed at how much its grown and along with it the traffic chaos.

[Caa]

Originally Posted by jambo101

I think you should take more than a day to check out various neighborhoods.If you havent been to the area for a few years you will be amazed at how much its grown and along with it the traffic chaos.

I know we should, but we have family in south Florida that we are also going to visit(it has been almost a year since our daughter saw her grandparents) and we really don't want to spend too much time in Tampa area as we only have 5 days there in Florida and we are driving from Louisiana. I am interested to see what and how much it has changed. Thanks for your reply!

[lavender]

agree with jambo you are going to struggle to even get a feel of how it is now. but wish you luck.

[Caa]

Originally Posted by lavender

agree with jambo you are going to struggle to even get a feel of how it is now. but wish you luck.

Thanks for the reply, I wish we had more time, but more than likely, we will stay here in Louisiana, we are just making sure that this is where we really want to be. Our family is in Florida(Cape Coral and Boynton beach) and we live so far that sometimes we feel guilty for missing family events, but we are really happy here...it is a hard choice to make, but at least we are going to check it out even for just a day-

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by Caa

Thanks for the reply, I wish we had more time, but more than likely, we will stay here in Louisiana, we are just making sure that this is where we really want to be. Our family is in Florida(Cape Coral and Boynton beach) and we live so far that sometimes we feel guilty for missing family events, but we are really happy here...it is a hard choice to make, but at least we are going to check it out even for just a day-

How long is the drive from Tampa to New Orleans? And how is the drive? Might be meeting up with family there this fall for another family reunion destination vacation.

[Caa]

Originally Posted by AlaskaKash

How long is the drive from Tampa to New Orleans? And how is the drive? Might be meeting up with family there this fall for another family reunion destination vacation.

Probably about 10 hours or so. New Orleans is a great place, we love going there despite the shootings that are common. It is a neat city with so much to do!

[Caa]

Is Palm Harbor nice, but snobby?

[Mar1lyn27]

Originally Posted by Caa

Hi y'all! In August my family and I are heading to the Tampa area to look around. Actually more like Palm Harbor and Tarpon Srpings. We want to look at a few neighborhoods, some stores(to see what is out there), kids play places and dance, drama, gymnastics places for our child and shops, some schools(even though they are closed) and just kinda drive around. Any suggestions as to how to go about this without getting into "nasty" areas or pricey areas(like 400,000 homes). I really don't want to contact a realtor as we will only hav a day(we used to live in south Florida and had checked the area out years ago, but want to again). Any one have any neighborhood suggestions or places to go so we can get an idea of the local people etc??

One day is not going to give you an accurate assessment of the area.
Schools were not an issue for me - my kids are grown - but being in a nice area and close to beaches, culture, shopping, nightlife was important.
Before I moved here I came down for a week and looked around different parts of Tampa Bay and I know I didn't cover all of it.

[FloridaKash]

From what I hear, Palm Harbor is a nice community with a fair amount of families. I have not heard that it is snobby.

I have thought about sending my wife down with a friend a week before our move date to look around, that was until I was informed it will take a minimum of 15 business days for our household goods to arrive. So, we'll have 3 weeks to get a taste of the Tampa Bay area and check out neighborhoods we may want to live in. I think we will spend the first week driving around, trying to become familiar with the areas. After that I hope we have a better feeling and will try to rent something in the areas we like ASAP. I'm picturing a week of sleeping on the kids' beds that we be buying when we get there. Hahaha, moving is such an adventure. I love it!!

Neighborhoods I plan on looking at:

Dunedin
Palm Harbor
Seminole
Oldsmar
Brandon
Riverview
Town 'N' Country
Carrollwood

I doubt I am going to find what I am looking for in the last two. But they are closer to my work.