Tampa Bay area and 'burbs. Would you move there?

SeaNile said:
I'm a sales rep for a medical device company so I assume most of my work would be in the Tampa area. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area but am open to ideas and suggestions. Fishhawk Ranch looks nice because of the community and homes but not the location, it's too far from the bay and gulf for boating. Palm Harbor looks great because of the location and schools.

I really know nothing about Sarasota but will look it up for sure. Love the fact that most of these homes I've been looking up have a pool. At this point that would be a must!

Aside from the weather here and lack of boating, the 15K/yr in taxes and 1500 in HOA is getting old.
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I have been here for 28 years from the Baltimore/Washington area. Family still up there so I return once a year but don't want to stay more than a few days. Schools in general are not as good as in the Northeast. Check the areas closely, there are some good public areas but we choose private. Our kids did fine and went to college at Hopkins and UVA so you can get into great schools from Fla. After a while you take the great weather for granted. There are only a few days a year you can't play golf or go boating. Water temp at coldest around 60. I prefer being a few miles to the gulf by boat with clean water. TIA a great airport and good professional sports close by. Its a long summer but on the coast it barely gets above 90 but is very humid-you get used to it. In general I think its cheaper to live here then the NE.
 
"A few miles to the gulf by boat with clean water"

Now that sounds like heaven to me!
 
We've decided to take a family vacation sometime between Feb-May to check out the area. Probably head down for 5-7 days and spend 2 days at Disney. We'll spend sometime in Palm Harbor, Sarasota, St. Pete. etc., to see if we like what we see.
 
If you can make it down around March 28-30 the Grand Prix of St Pete will be going on. Always a great time! Let us know when you are coming down and I will see if we can get together and go for a ride on the boat.
 
Just so you know those girls are not working their way through med school.
 
I Too Have Considered moving to the Tampa Area from Pensacola... I have been researching the area for some time and have friends and family within a hour of the Bay.. would love the boating season (most likely 2 more months then P-Cola, the Pro Sports as P-Cola only has Double A baseball and A Hockey. Plus Yankees Training camp in Tampa (Big Yankees Fan). One set back is my commute to work, I am a captain on a Offshore Supply vessel that is Ported in Fourchon La.. The drive would be 12 hours plus every 21 days.. I would hate to fly (every time I fly I feel Like I cheated death). Maybe when I retire in about 5 years,,,
 
kevin27 said:
Just so you know those girls are not working their way through med school.
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You got that right Kevin:) Always thought what an oxymoron the term "Gentelman's Club" is:)
 
SeaNile said:
We've decided to take a family vacation sometime between Feb-May to check out the area. Probably head down for 5-7 days and spend 2 days at Disney. We'll spend sometime in Palm Harbor, Sarasota, St. Pete. etc., to see if we like what we see.
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That's an excellent idea! Back in 1986 we bought a map and travelled the whole loop around from Orlando down through the Everglades and back, marking off places we liked (know you don't have enough time for that) but it's good to see a few places and get a feel for them before deciding. I would also suggest that you buy the local papers for each town you like too to give you further insight. Also, don't forget that February can be our coldest month so bring sweaters and a jacket just in case:) Good luck:) P.S. Forgot to mention, in case you don't know, Tampa has the reputation of being the "sleeze capital" of the US for strip joints etc., (has more than any other US city I understand), excellent examples/roll models for young children to grow up around.
 
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sfergson727 said:
About the only thing I know about Tampa was when I used to fly corporately, I often flew with a fellow that insisted on dragging me kicking and screaming to a place called Mons Venus.....I always had a slightly better opinion of Tampa Bay after that, not sure if the admiral would agree though.
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Look like you don't even have to go in person any more:

http://monsvenuslive.com/main_stage
 
sfergson727 said:
I went with the guy, because it beat sitting in the hotel....but truthfully, I never saw the point of places like Mons...All they do is separate you from your money, and you still go home alone, so what's the point? Anyway, I'll always remember Tampa for that place, for better or worse.
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We believe ya....thousands wouldn't:)
 
sfergson727 said:
I went with the guy, because it beat sitting in the hotel....but truthfully, I never saw the point of places like Mons...All they do is separate you from your money, and you still go home alone, so what's the point? Anyway, I'll always remember Tampa for that place, for better or worse.
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Im in Tampa often,

That place is still there!!!
Haven't been in for years...not my bag either.

Mark.
 
Hi Seanile: Maybe you folks should look for a home or condo on the Intracoastal. That way your boat will be only seconds away, cocktail docking and maintenance can be easily accomplished. Checking into the quality of school systems is a must. Best of luck, Griff4
 
Actually we don't want a home right on the water, probably out of our budget to get everything we'd want on the water. Plus having two boys 5&9 I think we are a few years away from waterfront living.

Pretty sure we will head down sometime this winter, or at least before May to check out the areas.
 
sfergson727 said:
I went with the guy, because it beat sitting in the hotel....but truthfully, I never saw the point of places like Mons...All they do is separate you from your money, and you still go home alone, so what's the point? Anyway, I'll always remember Tampa for that place, for better or worse.
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The Mons has been in many rock songs as well. Regardless of what Kevin said, I belive the girls are single mothers on 1 and are putting themselve through college. I haven;t been there in years (probably 15+) but is still packed every weekend and after Bucs games. All nude but no beer or liquor so not that great of a place to relax.
 
For no real reason I have Palm Harbor in my mind. Seems like great school and a good overall location for everything. Ideally boat would be at a high and dry marina. Not into trailering or storing the boat at the house. As a general cursing area, is south of Tampa better, say the Bradenton area?


Found this on realtor.com. Seems like paradise to me!!


http://www.realtor.com/realestatean...a-Dr_Palm-Harbor_FL_34685_M52842-01609?row=12
 
SeaNile said:
For no real reason I have Palm Harbor in my mind. Seems like great school and a good overall location for everything. Ideally boat would be at a high and dry marina. Not into trailering or storing the boat at the house. As a general cursing area, is south of Tampa better, say the Bradenton area?


Found this on realtor.com. Seems like paradise to me!!


http://www.realtor.com/realestatean...a-Dr_Palm-Harbor_FL_34685_M52842-01609?row=12
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Seanile, what a small world. I'm a mortgage broker/Lloan officer and I typed up a pre-approval letter for a repeat customer on that exact house yesterday. That is a nice area. As far as your questions, I truley feel the water is nicer (more bluish hue) the farther south you go. It starts around Bradenton/Sarasota and gets better as you head south. Palm Harbour would put you boating around Clearwater. It's nice up there and palces to see/visit. You would be happy any place.
 
Met with my accountant today and ironically he brought up how expensive PA is compared to other states when it comes to taxes. So I asked him where is a good place and he said Florida. I like this guy!!
 
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