Possible new job in Tampa -- need help!

[sweet angel]

We currently live in NJ and DH has an interview for a position in Tampa, Fl. I'm trying to gather info in case he is offered the position and my biggest thing is where to look to live.

My not-so-short list at the moment is (in no particular order):
Spring Hill
Lakeland
Winter Haven
Tarpon Springs
Apollo Beach
Wesley Chapel
Dade City
Auburndale
Land o' Lakes
Lutz

Can anyone suggest other towns to check out or stay away from? We'd like to be within a reasonable commute to Tampa, and are looking for something along the lines of 3bd/2bath pool home on SOME land (more than a postage stamp), at least 1600 sq. ft., where fences are not prohibited (3 dogs) and reasonably priced (say under $150K).

Interview is Monday and we'd like to check out some areas while we're there. DIS'ers know everything, so I thought this was a great place to ask!

 

[LuvOrlando]

No advice just bunches of good luck wishes!!!

 

[zalansky]

We currently live in NJ and DH has an interview for a position in Tampa, Fl. I'm trying to gather info in case he is offered the position and my biggest thing is where to look to live.

My not-so-short list at the moment is (in no particular order):
Spring Hill
Lakeland
Winter Haven
Tarpon Springs
Apollo Beach
Wesley Chapel
Dade City
Auburndale
Land o' Lakes
Lutz

Can anyone suggest other towns to check out or stay away from? We'd like to be within a reasonable commute to Tampa, and are looking for something along the lines of 3bd/2bath pool home on SOME land (more than a postage stamp), at least 1600 sq. ft., where fences are not prohibited (3 dogs) and reasonably priced (say under $150K).

Interview is Monday and we'd like to check out some areas while we're there. DIS'ers know everything, so I thought this was a great place to ask!

The only towns I would consdier when looking in Tampa, off your list, would be Wesley Chapel, Apollo Beach, Lutz and Land O' Lakes. All of the others are way too far. I will PM you a great site I love looking at houses on. Good luck to your DH!

 

[sweet angel]

Great, thanks! That makes things easier!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If the job is in Tampa I would suggest picking up a map. Comments about locations.

Lakeland is about halfway between Tampa and WDW. Auburndale and Winter Haven are both East of Lakeland; commute would be terrible (but closer to WDW).

Lutz is a bit North of Tampa, Land O Lake a little further North, and Wesley Chapel Northeast of LOL and Dade City even more NE of Wesley Chapel.

Tarpon Springs is way North of the city on the Gulf and Appollo Beach is way South of the city.

For commuting, Lutz is probably best as far as closeness, but I would also suggest looking at Brandon or Plant City.

But really what you should do is find out where his office would be located and work from there; Tampa does cover a lot of territory and it is not the best area for commuting..

 

[sweet angel]

If the job is in Tampa I would suggest picking up a map. Comments about locations.

No need to be snarky. I HAVE looked at a map, which is where I got the town names from. Unfortunately, maps don't tell you whether the town is a GOOD town or not.

Lakeland is about halfway between Tampa and WDW. Auburndale and Winter Haven are both East of Lakeland; commute would be terrible (but closer to WDW).

Yes, I'm aware of the location. His commute currently is 80 miles one way and about an hour and a half on a GOOD day, so even those towns are probably a "reasonable" commute for him. Although they wouldn't be FIRST choice due to distance.

Lutz is a bit North of Tampa, Land O Lake a little further North, and Wesley Chapel Northeast of LOL and Dade City even more NE of Wesley Chapel.

Tarpon Springs is way North of the city on the Gulf and Appollo Beach is way South of the city.

For commuting, Lutz is probably best as far as closeness, but I would also suggest looking at Brandon or Plant City.

But really what you should do is find out where his office would be located and work from there; Tampa does cover a lot of territory and it is not the best area for commuting

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.

 

[momof1princess]

one of my DH's uncles and his wife live in wesley chapel, and they LOVE it there. now, bear in mind, they're in their early 70s and live in a sort of retirement housing development, but it is very nice and they love the area. they moved there several years ago from the east coast of FL, after DH's uncle retired from NASA, so if they'd leave the beach, it must be a nice place, lol. GOOD LUCK to your DH!

 

[sweet angel]

Thank you!

 

[sbsteel]

Cheshire wasn't being snarky, there's quite a distance between Auburndale and Tarpon Springs and even I wondered if you looked at a a map or were just going off real estate listings of places you liked.

Now that you've updated with what part of Tampa where the job is located and what commute he can tolerate, people will be better equipped to help you.

We live in Palm Harbor which gives my husband a 25 minute commute to his job in Tampa and about 1 hour 20 min commute to WDW (driveway to parking lot). We love this area and find it convenient to many things, but the prices might be higher here than what you'd like. Lutz is nice and Wesley Chapel is growing and obviously anything further will be cheaper, but then you'll be be spending mre on the commute. Good luck with your search!

 

[sweet angel]

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.

 

[woodkins]

About 2 years ago we traveled to a softball tournament in Winter Haven & it did not seem like a very safe area in my opinion. (Just saying the experience I had). We stayed on a main road & the hotel desk clerk told us that we should "be careful" etc.

 

[sweet angel]

About 2 years ago we traveled to a softball tournament in Winter Haven & it did not seem like a very safe area in my opinion. (Just saying the experience I had). We stayed on a main road & the hotel desk clerk told us that we should "be careful" etc.

Interesting. Okay. Thanks for the input.

 

[phorsenuf]

I live in Clearwater, up near the Safety Harbor line. It's a great area, easy commute to Tampa and a very pretty area. You might want to check out this area. Some of the towns are Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Countryside.

 

[sweet angel]

I just googled the addresses of the two houses I really liked in Lakeland (from Realtor.com) and their distance from the prospective job. They are 39 minutes and 41 minutes commute. That's not awful.

I do think, based on what I'm hearing about Lakeland though, is that it's a bit too built up for my taste.

 

[sweet angel]

I live in Clearwater, up near the Safety Harbor line. It's a great area, easy commute to Tampa and a very pretty area. You might want to check out this area. Some of the towns are Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Countryside.

Thank you.

 

[phorsenuf]

Actually, you might want to think about renting before jumping in to buy a place. That would give you more time to see all the different areas and make a better decision. See how the commute really is, what traffic is like and such.

 

[sweet angel]

Actually, you might want to think about renting before jumping in to buy a place. That would give you more time to see all the different areas and make a better decision. See how the commute really is, what traffic is like and such.

Considered that option, but with 3 large dogs, it's probably really not an option. When I moved to this town 11 years ago, I was able to get a really good feel from driving around. Plus, I just moved about 2 years ago...I don't want to pack and unpack and pack and unpack.

 

[ibidforit]

I live in Tampa in the area called "New Tampa". It is just south of Wesley Chapel in Hillsborough County

My husband commutes to the USF area in about 20 minutes.

Lutz, LOL, and Wesley Chapel are all great areas to live. Commute to Temple Terrace would not be that bad.

Gretchen

 

[sweet angel]

I live in Tampa in the area called "New Tampa". It is just south of Wesley Chapel in Hillsborough County

My husband commutes to the USF area in about 20 minutes.

Lutz, LOL, and Wesley Chapel are all great areas to live. Commute to Temple Terrace would not be that bad.

Gretchen

Thank you.

 

[sweet angel]

I really like one particular house in Lakeland. It shows as being 35.1 miles from the job and 41 minutes drive time. What would that conceivably be in real time rush hour traffic?