Clearwater,FL questions??

[dizny4us]

DH is going to Clearwater this week for a job interview and I would love to know what the area is like?! best area to live? family activities? schools(public/private)? Any input is GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank you!!

 

[Lewski709]

There used to be a chain store named GAYFERS. It changed to HUDSONS. When I was younger, we visited my Aunt who lived in Clearwater and there seemed to be a ton more elderly people who lived there. We began to call them GAYFERS. I lived in Orlando, not as many there. Other than that, the beach is great.

 

[Crankyshank]

I used to live in Clearwater , right on the Largo line. It was very nice. Not terribly expensive ($600/month for 2BR/2BTH apt). There's a mall nearby and lots of shopping on US 19. I was about 25min from the Clearwater Beach area, which is very popular for tourists. I was actually closer to Tampa and St Pete.

Family activities? There's the aquarium and lowry park zoo not far away and of course the beaches.

i'm not sure about schools, but I had friends that complained about lack of text books and overcrowding and schools not as competitive as they are up north.

http://www.clearwater-fl.com/

http://www.sptimes.com/

 

[DocRafiki]

I moved from Largo a little over a year ago. I don't know much about Clearwater except about the junky clinic where I periodically filled in there. I always thought Clearwater was an upscale area, but I found out the hard way that that is not entirely the case. There are lots of little towns around there that all blend together and can quickly be traveled through, so don't think you have to limit yourself to living in Clearwater. I lived in Largo and drove through Pinellas Park to work in St Pete, and it only took me 10-15 minutes to get to work.

I would recommend staying away from Pinellas Park, aka "Pennyless Park." I lived on the edge of it in a not-so-nice area. There were ~4 strip clubs within walking distance to my apartment, which was $625 for a 2br/2ba (and not a nice one at that). My drive to work through PP was quite unsightly (as was the area where I lived). US 19 is a horror (complete with billboards picturing the grim reaper saying "will you be next?" ); try to avoid having to commute on it.

The areas obviously get nicer as you move closer to the water. I was smack in the middle of the peninsula. There are plenty of really nice areas in Pinellas county. The drive across the bay is gorgeous, and I loved being able to smell the gulf even from the center of the peninsula.

 

[Micca]

I think the original Hooters restaurant is in Clearwater. DH might want to stop by for a plate of wings

 

[bsnyder]

Micca is correct, about the original Hooters. It's located on Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater.

Here's the Pinellas County schools website:

http://www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/

There are many nice areas to live....all depending on taste and budget. But, as Doc said, you don't have to limit your home/school search to Clearwater. Lots of folks live in Tampa or St. Pete and commute to Clearwater, or visa versa.

Here's a link to a real estate company, that has offices in Hillsborough and Pinellas County. I know they have a good, solid reputation. they have a Tampa site and a St. Petersburg site, and descriptions of the different neighborhoods, schools, etc. It should at least get you started:

http://www.smithandassociates.com/

Good luck to DH!

 

[Kallison]

I was not impressed with the public schools. Spending per student is about half what our school district spends. Plus looking at a middle school with empty library shelves really scared me.

 

[Pig Pen]

I graduated from Dunedin High School - Dunedin is just a bit north of Clearwater and a little quieter than Clearwater.

I remember cruising the strip from Clearwater Beach to "19" on Gulf to Bay Blvd. We used to go to Shakey's Pizza after football games and get pitchers of beer (drinking age was 18 then, but we were only 16! Naughty, naughty).

I LOVED living in Florida and we are planning to move back this year. Clearwater was beautiful back then, but I haven't been back for a few years. You should look around Dunedin, Tarpon Springs as well. It may be a bit more to your liking if you find Clearwater too congested.

 

[dizny4us]

WOW! Thanks for all the great info!!
As it turns out, I will be meeting with a realtor(arranged by the interviewer) while DH has his interview. You have given me great info to get started with though!

I did find out that the public schools are "choose your school" on a first come first serve basis?! Sounds like we may have to look at some private schools .

Micca, I'll let DH know about the Hooters!

 

[FOJMO]

I live in Oldsmar, FL, which is at the top of Tampa Bay between Clearwater and Tampa. Oldsmar is a VERY up and coming area with lots of new housing. It is home to the new Nielsen Media Research headquarters. The nearby towns of Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor are very good also.

Our DD18 is graduating this year from Palm Harbor University High School which is one of the newest high schools and is also what they call a "magnet" school. She is in the medical magnet program. Several high schools have medical magnet programs, IB programs, arts programs, etc. Yes, there is school choice here. We weren't affected by it, as our DD was already in HS by the time they initated it. Her school is WONDERFUL!

Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Super Bowl winners last year) and has Ybor City which is a great place for restaurants, clubs, shopping, etc. We have LOTS of wonderful beaches and state parks.

Our DD is going to be attending USF (Univ of South Florida) in Tampa this Fall. Tampa has the Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo and MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry). We have several stadiums (Sun Dome, Tropicana Field) and the St. Pete Times Forum (large convention center, home to many events). We have Ruth Eckerd Hall and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for theatre and arts.

AND possibly the best of all -- we're only about 1-1/2 hrs from WDW!

Good luck to your DH on his job interview.

 

[Kallison]

Fojmo - I had heard that is a good h.s. The problem is when you move in brand new to the area it seems impossible to get into the good schools.