Tampa, FL area - The Hull Truth

fulltilt · 03-01-2004, 02:00 PM

Can anyone please give me some information on the Tampa, FL area? There is a chance I might be moving there in the next few months--if all goes well with my interview this week.
Although I am from FL originally, I am from the east coast. I did spend a year in Bradenton, so I know a little about the west coast, but not much.
If I do get the job and get to move, it would mean I am that much closer to getting a boat...finally.
I sincerely appreciate any info and all comments! Thanks.

jsherman · 03-01-2004, 04:32 PM

well, i personally love it down here. but, i'm not sure what you want to know specifically about tampa area.

i'm sure it depends on where you want to live down here...but this area is great. i've lived in the Oldsmar area (old tampa bay) and now i live in New Port Richey, which is a little further north of tampa, i work in Dunedin, which is next to clearwater.

fulltilt · 03-01-2004, 05:34 PM

The job would be at USF, somewhere in the vicinity of the Temple Terrace area...I guess I am interested in knowing if there are specific areas to avoid when looking for housing, and that type of thing. Like if there are areas that are known to be higher priced than others, or areas that "might" be considered more unsafe, etc.
I do not have any kids, so I'm not concerned about schools.

Thanks for the input.

dpdash · 03-03-2004, 07:01 PM

Traffic certainly hasn't gotten any better since you were here. Temple Terrace has got lots of cars. Seems development has exploded north, with the Veterans Expressway a parking lot into town in the am. Lots of good areas. Talk to a realtor and spend a day or two driving around.

fulltilt · 03-05-2004, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the info. I was just there yesterday...that was a wicked 30 hours...fly down, interview, fly back. The traffic did seem a bit heavy. Of course the "snowbirds" are still around. Didn't really get a chance to see anything, perhaps early this summer. Thanks again.

Dave M · 03-05-2004, 09:28 PM

If you were in Tampa that was normal traffic the snow birds are mostly in Pinellas county. I work close to USF out on Fletcher expect bad traffic getting to work in the morning and going home but its worth it.I live 13 miles from work and it takes me 45 minutes.

Walt_S · 03-05-2004, 10:36 PM

Tilt, in the meantime you could do some research on www.realtor.com

We've been looking off and on for a couple of years. Prices have definately gone up . Looked at a place on the water a couple of years ago, the realtor didn't show for an open house, so we wandered around the outside anyway. I found a fire ant nest with my foot. YEOWWW! S O B!

fulltilt · 03-06-2004, 01:35 PM

Got to watch those fire ants! I know what you mean...as I was born and raised in FL. I also know that housing costs are going up, up, up. Seems they are everywhere. I'm currently in Lex, KY and you cannot find anything but a "fixer-upper" for anything less than 120k.
Of course, I just interviewed, and there is no guarantee I'll get the job. Anyway, we would probably want to rent the first year, just to make sure all was going well.
Once again, thanks for the input.

Peace.

chorn24 · 03-09-2004, 11:09 AM

Come down and rent for 3-6 months, I dont think Houses are moving as fast as a year or two ago, you need to spend some time really looking to see what you like, I think you have time on your side, people are going to have to back off some of there pricing to move.

fulltilt · 03-09-2004, 02:08 PM

Are there any specific areas to avoid when looking for a place to live? I would like to be relatively close to USF.
I will probably rent for at least a year. To many other issues to consider during and just after the move to even think about it sooner than that.
Thanks for the info!

Peace.