Tell me about Tampa Bay? What do you know?

[BigRedChief]

I told the company in Phoenix thanks but no thanks. Now, I've got a job in Tampa Bay that I've interviewed for, past the tech screen and HR wants to talk. What do I need to know about the area? Which ones are nice? Avoid? etc. Looks like you get beachfront property for 1/2 of what it was worth a year ago. Has the area real estate reached bottom yet?

The job would be at a military base in the area on the bay.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Many, if not most of the schools in TB and surrounding areas are trash. My sister has lived there almost twenty years and had her daughter in private school until this year because of this. She has lived in Clearwater, Dunedin, and most recently Palm Harbor. She teaches in TB.

Definitely research the schools and choose your housing accordingly. Otherwise, figure in the cost of private education into your cost of living.

It's a very nice place to visit but I would never want to live there. At one time I did but not now.

My son graduated High School two weeks ago so which school district to attend is not an issue other than property values.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I told the company in Phoenix thanks but no thanks. Now, I've got a job in Tampa Bay that I've interviewed for, past the tech screen and HR wants to talk. What do I need to know about the area? Which ones are nice? Avoid? etc. Looks like you get beachfront property for 1/2 of what it was worth a year ago. Has the area real estate reached bottom yet?

The job would be at a military base in the area on the bay.

If a category 5 Hurricane hits it right, it's going to be just as bad as Hurricane Katrina was. That city's infrastructure is not built to withstand a huge storm surge to certain areas. It's just a matter of time

[RedNFeisty]

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

I'd like to see that happy butt sitting on a beach in Florida.

So, when are you going to invite me down??

[RedNFeisty]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

If a category 5 Hurricane hits it right, it's going to be just as bad as Hurricane Katrina was. That city's infrastructure is not built to withstand a huge storm surge to certain areas. It's just a matter of time

Have good insurance, because it is worth it!!!

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

My son graduated High School two weeks ago so which school district to attend is not an issue other than property values.

Mine did too, congrats!!!

Good to know that you don't have to find a good school but it does impact the property values as you say.

[CosmicPal]

Originally Posted by JD10367

The Rays don't draw because they're actually in St. Pete; if they played up in Tampa they'd draw more. Also, Florida suffers from a lack of public transportation; if someone invested in a good monorail system, to connect, say, Busch Gardens to USF to the University Mall to the Zoo to downtown Tampa (Ybor, Channelside) and then run it into St. Pete, they'd make a fortune.

Busch Gardens is right across the street from USF, and the University Mall is less than a mile away from USF, so there is absolutely no need for a light rail to connect those places together. Way too expensive to connect areas that people can walk to.

The state has been talking about a monorail system that would connect Tampa to Orlando down to Miami and back to Tampa. That would be the first phase of the monorail. And then it would go north to Jacksonville and Tallahassee and then Pensacola- thus covering the entire state.

[CosmicPal]

Originally Posted by RedNFeisty

So, when are you going to invite me down??

You're welcome to come down any time. I'll take you to what was just recently named the 2nd best beach in America: Siesta Key.

You'll have to hurry though 'cause if this oil doesn't get plugged up any time soon, that beach will be gone. And that will be a major shame.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by clyde05

lol, i wasnt serious about that comment of course the home team is going to have more fans, and i know not all bucs fans are garbage, it was just a point where i was making is that tampa bay doesnt support therr teams very good especially the rays and lightning but the rays fans are starting to come out of the closet, also i was reading in st pete times a while back where all the bucs games are going to be blacked out this year, i dont think that will happen. I wasnt trying to offend anyone so sorry if i did.

There will be blackouts.. but that is because the Glazers are turning into Hugh Culverhouse.... The Rays weren't even in existence when I lived there, but I know they are in St. Pete. I was just busting your chops a little.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

Many, if not most of the schools in TB and surrounding areas are trash. My sister has lived there almost twenty years and had her daughter in private school until this year because of this. She has lived in Clearwater, Dunedin, and most recently Palm Harbor. She teaches in TB.

Definitely research the schools and choose your housing accordingly. Otherwise, figure in the cost of private education into your cost of living.

It's a very nice place to visit but I would never want to live there. At one time I did but not now.

We're very glad you don't live here and we don't want you here.

[BigRedChief]

I'm looking at these condos from $50 - $80K. are they all BS? They look good on the internet for the price. Seems like a good investment and a place to live in right away? Correct or stay away? opinions?

[clyde05]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I'm looking at these condos from $50 - $80K. are they all BS? They look good on the internet for the price. Seems like a good investment and a place to live in right away? Correct or stay away? opinions?

you can get nice condos in that price range here, just make sure you ibquire about the extra fees such as taxes, insurance maintence fee etc... Dont be scared away because you think the price is too low to be true, the market is pretty bad right now so you should find some deals.

[BigRedChief]

Okay, looks like I'm going to rent a condo/apartment at least for the first few months in St. Petersburg. Over around the Grandy bridge.

Vantage Point:
http://www.vantagepointcondos.com/co...tion=community


Brighton Bay at the Coves:
http://www.move.com/apartmentsforren...?source=a20070

Anyone know anything about these? The neighborhood?

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Okay, looks like I'm going to rent a condo/apartment at least for the first few months in St. Petersburg. Over around the Grandy bridge.

Vantage Point:
http://www.vantagepointcondos.com/co...tion=community

Snell Island:
http://www.move.com/apartmentsforren...?source=a20070

Brighton Bay at the Coves:
http://www.move.com/apartmentsforren...?source=a20070

Bridgewater place:
http://www.forrent.com/apartment-com...le/1009681.php

Anyone know anything about these? The neighborhood?

Gandy bridge. Don't know anything about those particular complexes.

This place (http://www.udr.com/community304.htm) is close to the bridge and in St. Pete. I almost rented from here when I moved to the area but went with a different complex from the same management company.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Gandy bridge. Don't know anything about those particular complexes.

This place (http://www.udr.com/community304.htm) is close to the bridge and in St. Pete. I almost rented from here when I moved to the area but went with a different complex from the same management company.

looks good but also looks just like the others. Not a lot of difference in these places in St. Pete by the bridges.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

looks good but also looks just like the others. Not a lot of difference in these places in St. Pete by the bridges.

No, not really. If you're looking for a little nicer area check out apartments in Feather Sound or Carillon (they are right across the street from each other). It's still close to Gandy, but right off of I-275. It's nicer than St. Pete, IMO.