Possible new job in Tampa -- need help!

[manning]

My aunt lives in Spring Hill and her daughter in Temple Terrace. Spring Hill is north of Tarpon Springs. The drive time is about an hour, but that would be on the toll road. I don't think the toll is that cheap.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Another Lakelander here! Many people commute to Tampa from Lakeland...a typical commute can take anywhere from 45 min-1 1/2 hours depending on traffic. The north side is very conducive with easy access to I-4...l live on the south side and use the Polk Parkway to get to I-4; less traffic but it is a toll road.

Lakeland is continuing to develop, develop, develop. It seems like every time I turn around there's another new subdivision. Having said that, there are some areas outside the city limits that might have what you're looking for. I'm not super familiar with north Lakeland.

 

[ilovefh]

It took me a few days, but I finally asked my coworkers.

The ones who live in Lakeland said South Lakeland is better. They said North Lakeland has pockets of nice areas but on the whole south is better.

In South Lakeland she recommended Cleveland Heights and the Scott Lake area.

 

[mommasita]

Long time no see. I hope you are all doing well. It seems so.

Good luck, and you seem to be getting lots of helpful information.

 

[Witch Mountain]

I live in North Lakeland and commute to Tampa. It's not a bad drive, most mornings 45 minutes and the maximum has been an hour. When we had the sinkhole on I-4 last year, I would use Knights Griffin Road to get home at night.

There are a couple of really nice developments up this way. Two off of Gib-Galloway, Bloomfield Hills and I forget the name of the of other one, but it's less than a mile from that one. Then there's Tierra Largo on Sleepy Hill Road that is also very nice. I've been looking at houses in Bloomfield Hills and compared to two years ago, some of those houses are a bargain.

Downtown is really nice, a lot of quaint shops. The first Friday of every month, there's first Friday, where the streets are blocked off, Munn park has vendors, people bring their classic cars, too. It's great to walk around and grab a slice from Palace Pizza or a coffee from Mitchell's if the evening's a little brisk.

The nightlife is a little blah, but a short trip to Tampa or Orlando and you're good to go.

 

[CathrynRose]

Per Google maps, the office location shows to be in the Temple Terrace area -- so northern Tampa. I'm looking for suggestions of GOOD, SAFE towns to live in within a decent distance. I'm also looking for towns to stay away from. I've been advised to stay AWAY from Plant City due to sink holes.

Land O Lakes is Sink Hole-y, as well. When we lived down there, we heard about them there, very often.

I'd prefer not to be right on top of Tampa, as I'm not really a "city girl" -- I like suburbs.

The way I chose my towns was by selecting about a 30-40 mile radius of Tampa and working from there. Gotta have a starting point! South of Tampa looked difficult due to having to get around the water to get to Tampa...figured that would be a pain in the butt.

We lived in Wesley Chapel. And being a "city girl" I didn't like it at *all*. It seemed too removed from everything, for me. However, this was...heck 2004. It might be different now. But, if it is like it was - this might be a good place for your family.

Good luck to you.

 

[Pilar322]

I will also put in a good word for the Countryside area (Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Ozona). My DH, DS3 and I love it!

 

[Mikelly1221]

It took me a few days, but I finally asked my coworkers.

The ones who live in Lakeland said South Lakeland is better. They said North Lakeland has pockets of nice areas but on the whole south is better.

In South Lakeland she recommended Cleveland Heights and the Scott Lake area.

I would tend to agree. In fact, I was trying to picture areas that fit your criteria and I thought about neighborhoods off of Hallam, which is a street coming off of Cleveland Heights. That's in the south end of town.

I would also agree about downtown..it's not super exciting but it has some nice local restaurants.

 

[Witch Mountain]

Pasco County, where Wesley Chapel is located, is considered one of the fastest growing counties in the US. It's changed a lot in just the past three years.

There's a HUGE outdoor mall, Wiregrass, that is really nice. Penney's, PotteryBarn, Body Shop and a bunch of other shops in it. Then there are a bunch of restaurants nearby. Actually, if he's going to be working in Temple Terrace, that might be a good place to look because there have been a lot of nice developments built up that way. If you go a tiny bit north, into Hernando, it's rural and the houses are VERY inexpensive.

As far as s. Lakeland goes, off of Hallam is pretty nice. Old Scott Lake has some very nice houses, too.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I work in Tampa-from your list - Apollo Beach, Wesley Chapel, Land O Lakes and Lutz are good bets. Check out the FCAT sites to see school rankings. Although FL is cheaper now than 4 years ago-150K wont buy a ton of space in a really good area-but doable.

My recommendation is Temple Terrace itself or New Tampa. Town and Country is another 'area' within Tampa. Close, decent to very good schools, near the Interstate, not far too from downtown.

Areas like Auburndale and Lakeland are farther away (and spotty in my opinion). Tarpons Spring, etc is a VERY tough commute - forget how long-it is all stop and go!

Good luck

 

[mom2aredhead]

I actually looked at Palm Harbor this morning and there was nothing in the price we were looking for. Goal is to have minimal mortgage after selling our NJ home. We CAN go higher, but I'd prefer not to.

I'd heard good things initially about Lakeland and used that as my starting point. I know someone who lived in Lakeland and worked in Tampa, so I figured the commute must not have been awful.

I've learned to look for homes built after 1994 for more stringent hurricane codes. I've learned to check the flood plains to avoid flood insurance if possible.

I'd prefer not to be right on top of Tampa, as I'm not really a "city girl" -- I like suburbs.

The way I chose my towns was by selecting about a 30-40 mile radius of Tampa and working from there. Gotta have a starting point! South of Tampa looked difficult due to having to get around the water to get to Tampa...figured that would be a pain in the butt.

I don't know first hand, but when our office in NJ closed a lot of people relocated to the Tampa office and quite a few live in Wesley Chapel and love it.
What they have said after being there for a few years is:

houses are cheaper
car insurance is cheaper
homeowners insurance is A LOT more
gas is more
there no home heating costs, but electric bill is much higher due to AC
property taxes are cheaper but rising
many of them have HOA or some other kind of similar fees

So net out of their pocket is less, but the "savings" decreases every year because they have not received a pay increase since they moved there. They brought their NJ salaries to FL with them and because of the way the company calculates the the cost of living, they need to wait for all of the FL salaries to "catch up" before they're eligible for any increase.

More than a few people came back - they found it difficult living there without their family support system close by, they didn't like the heat/weather, and they didn't like the fact that they were working their behinds off getting the new office up and running and would receive no pay increase for about 5 years.

I didn't make the move. For my family we felt it would be better for me to have to find a new job in the NJ/NY metro area than it would for my husband to try to find work in FL where the salaries generally are much lower and work is harder to find. The only time I regret it is a day like today when I am staring at snow outside!

 

[PrincessV]

I'm sorry, I can't give any better advice than what's been given, and this is a tad OT, but just had to comment... you guys are KILLING me with a 45-minute commute between Tampa and Lakeland! I'm in Pinellas... it often takes me 45 minutes to get home from work... a FIVE-mile drive.

 

[HeatherFeather]

Hey SingleMinnie,

I have sent you a PM.

 

[sweet angel]

They gave the job to someone local -- I'm totally crushed. We were SO looking forward to moving and a fresh start.

 

[lakelandgal70]

They gave the job to someone local -- I'm totally crushed. We were SO looking forward to moving and a fresh start.

I am so sorry. Hang in there I am sure there will be more opportunities for you. Ya know that saying one door closes another one opens.

 

[sweet angel]

Thanks. That was really the one shot. We can't afford to be flying back and forth for interviews. We can't buy there without a job. We can't rent with 3 large dogs. That was it. We're stuck here now unless something really magical happens.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Thanks. That was really the one shot. We can't afford to be flying back and forth for interviews. We can't buy there without a job. We can't rent with 3 large dogs. That was it. We're stuck here now unless something really magical happens.

Well keep postive and we will hope for something magical to come you guys way!

 

[Robinrs]

Thanks. That was really the one shot. We can't afford to be flying back and forth for interviews. We can't buy there without a job. We can't rent with 3 large dogs. That was it. We're stuck here now unless something really magical happens.

Hang in there, nothing is IT. Stay positive, something good is coming. Who knows, this may have been the door you might've hated to go thru and you were saved!

A few years ago I was offered a good job in Boise, Idaho. Went thru the house hunting, getting everyone ready and the job fell through. I was so bummed, then my aunt became deathly ill (she's like my sister and we grew up together). So many times my son would remind me "what if we had to fly back from Boise?" It would've been a nightmare. My sister also became ill and her daughter lost her job and everyone's life was turned upside down within a year. I ended up getting a job that I LOVE 5 mins from home and across the street from my son's house. Your blessing is coming.

 

[zalansky]

OP - I know you are bummed and I know its cliche, but everything happens for a reason. I FIRMLY believe that. And try and remember, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. When we are sweltering down here in Tampa with 100% humidity this summer, just remember that! Hugs!

 

[Missy1961]

I'm so sorry the job didn't work out.