Moving to Florida...What should I know?

[Singleminnie]

I am looking to move to the Tampa area (have a house in Valico, Fl). Looking for a job in the area. Just wondering what are some major employers in that area? Also, does anyone know anything about the school district? I have looked on line, I have a 8th grader, 5th grader and a kindergardner.

Also, has someone moved long distances (from NE to FL)? What do I need to know about moving companies, etc.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My first suggestion is to land the job before you go.

If you already have a house the schools really dont matter unless you do a school if choice. But those tend to be lottery based and those begin early in the calendar year. Other than that, you are stuck where you are zoned. There should be something online to figure out what schools you are zoned for and the rating. Schools tend to market their best foot forward, so that may require some research legwork on your part.

I'm not a fan of Tampa. My husband and his family are graduates of Hillsborough High. We go to visit, but that is about it. His parents are close to Brandon and downtown Tampa.

All I can suggest is to have your gameplan before you arrive. We just did a move from Melbourne to Virginia and it was expensive even though DH's company picked up the tab. We used a mover known to his employer that is based out of Virginia and moves folks up and down I-95. So I can't recommend them as they wouldn't move from the Midwest to FL.

But ask around.

Also ask why you are moving to Florida? The dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you aren't prepared on the employment front.

We left because there was nothing. The economy hit Florida hard.

 

[Singleminnie]

Thanks, I am moving there to be near family, because I have none here. My brother is letting me rent one of his houses. I will definitely not move until I have a job there, I would be too scared to move without one! I have over 17 years experience working with local, state and federal government agencies. I have applied for 8 to 10 thus far and made it through the first hurdle on a couple. I figure most will wait till after the holidays.

My I ask why you don't like the Tampa area? I was wondering how hard it would be to get into a choice school?

 

[Ladybugsy]

You should know that Florida has amazingly high insurance rates...home, car, all of it. Totally ridiculous.

But I'll live here till I die

 

[Mom2KandK]

:::::lurker here::::

We moved to the Tampa area at the end of July from North Carolina.
We rented an apt in Brandon before buying our house here in Valrico. We love living in Florida. (Especially living so close to Disney.)

Since we homeschool I can't really tell you about the schools. According to Greatschools.org, the public schools in Valrico have ratings ranging from 7-10.
You can go to the City-Data forums and post a question on their Tampa board. Someone there should be able to give you info on specific schools.

As far as moving companies go, do as much research as possible and compare their quotes.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[SandrA9810]

Well Tampa is way cheaper on car insurance than Miami, but it's still high. It's hard as heck to get home insurance if you're too close to the coast. So watch out for flood zones, and also look into areas that were flooded during Fay (as new areas were discovered during that storm).

Pretty much all the schools are over crowded, but don't forget to look into the high school you're oldest will be going to. Most schools offer a certain specialty program. Like computer science or IB programs, if s/he is interested in doing it, you can go to that school within the disctrict. Tampa's also the host to the H.S. Theater State competition.

There's also some nice smaller communities a little further in off I-4.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My I ask why you don't like the Tampa area? I was wondering how hard it would be to get into a choice school?

I have never lived there, but my mom is from there as is my husband having both settled their on their father's last military assignment, so I frequently go there.

Miami/south Florida is my top place I won't live and Tampa is a close second.
My opinion--the drivers are maniacs and I feel unsafe. My mother had some rough stories growing up and while my husband doesn't share those stories, I'm not a fan of the crime. In later years, my in laws home has been broken into many times...usually when they are out of town. They now have video surveillance for it (and lots of signs on the house) and haven't had a problem since doing that.

Now--I live in DC metro area now. Far outskirts, but still there. I wouldn't have moved her voluntarily. But, I am extra vigilant and our home has an alarm system. I do things that make me feel safer. And the drivers arent as bad as Tampa.

I would move if I had to.


As for schools of choice. Typically it is a lottery system. So lady luck and the number of applicants determines how easy it is. There isn't anything that can be done to improve your chances. (That is the theme of the documentary, Waiting for Superman). It does seem Michelle Ri (sp?) is coming down there to work on the Florida school system. Apparently she did great things for the DC school system up here. I'm not familiar with the improvements, but read an article she wrote about them. If it was an accurate picture, then Florida schools will benefit from her intervention. So there is something postive.

Good luck with your job hunt!

 

[Metro West]

Thanks, I am moving there to be near family, because I have none here. My brother is letting me rent one of his houses. I will definitely not move until I have a job there, I would be too scared to move without one! I have over 17 years experience working with local, state and federal government agencies. I have applied for 8 to 10 thus far and made it through the first hurdle on a couple. I figure most will wait till after the holidays.

My I ask why you don't like the Tampa area? I was wondering how hard it would be to get into a choice school?

It's nearly impossible to get a job...even through a temp agency unless you are a resident...at least it's that way in Orlando. I can't imagine Tampa is a whole lot different but maybe it is.

 

[TifffanyD]

Hi OP! Welcome to sunny FL

We moved from NE Ohio to Tampa in August 2008. We love it here! We actually live in Brandon and work in Riverview (I used to work in south Tampa but my job was moved slightly).

I don't know much about the job situation as I transferred here and kept my current job. Car insurance is higher by up to 50%. We rent so I am not sure about property taxes and home insurance (although I know it can be a pain to find coverage - I had trouble even finding renter's insurance). Also good to know - there are no state or city income taxes.

We find there is a ton of stuff to do in and around Tampa. Being in Valrico you will be about an hour to disney (slightly further to Orlando). Downtown Tampa will be about 30ish mins (depending on where in Valrico), Clearwater and St Pete can be close to an hour. Sarasota is about an hour south. So tons of places to go within an hour away!

I see a PP commented on the crime. Not saying it doesn't exist, but we haven't had any problems (knock on wood). I know it used to be bad awhile ago (like, really bad), but the city has improved since then. I did lots of reading up before moving here and I do remember reading about bad crime about 20 years or so ago.

The traffic and drivers can be pretty bad. But it's like that all over Florida. And it's not any worse than Atlanta (used to live there, and that was WAYYYY worse).

Ummm...anything else? I don't know about schools cause we don't have kids. Good luck with your move!

 

[amyy]

I can't help you out as I have lived in Maine all my life. Just wanted to wish you luck. We would love to move to Florida but it probably won't happen until we retire...some 20+ years away.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My SiL lived in Clearwater for many years, and we visited often. I also have an office in Tampa and am there regularly. The economy is struggling there right now, but if you land a job before the move, you will be fine.

I really posted to comment about the schools. My SiL was not happy with the public schools and had her boys in private school. In her opinion, it was a necessity - she felt that the public schools were horrible in that area. So, IMO, you should factor in the costs of paying for private schooling before making a decision.

 

[lakelandgal70]

We live in a town about 40min away from Tampa. DH commutes everyday to downtown Tampa. Our next move will be to Tampa, hopefully, to be closer to his job. I like Tampa. Tons of stuff to do, nice beaches close by. Great places to shop and eat. Crime is everywhere so no matter where you live you can't get away from it. Not sure about the schools as we don't have kids. Everyone is commenting how bad the economy is and that is very true. But I guess that is everywhere however it does seem this state has been hit harder. And I agree wouldn't move down here till you have job in place. Good luck with the job hunt and I am sure you will enjoy the warmer weather once you get here!

 

[dejr_8]

one word - Snakes

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

one word - Snakes

And gators.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

And gators.

And sexual predators.

 

[joviroxx]

And gators.

and big ugly palmetto bugs (flying cockroaches)!! But then again, its 75 degrees out, sunny and beautiful blue, cloudless skies outside right now!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

and big ugly palmetto bugs (flying cockroaches)!! But then again, its 75 degrees out, sunny and beautiful blue, cloudless skies outside right now!!

Yes and I miss it!!!

But hey--I'm up in the 30s right now in VA.

I'll take Tampa over wear I am at right now.

 

[taylor1293]

Just like any big city there are great, good, and bad public schools. Tampa has both school choice and magnet school options if you don't like your assigned school. Our children have attended wonderful elementary, middle and high schools. Private schools are not necessary.

We moved to Florida about 7 years ago and can't imagine living anywhere else. Like someone else said, it's beautiful here today!!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions .

 

[IronmansTinkerbell]

Lucky! I LOVE Florida!