• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Moving to Tampa/St Pete, FL - tell me the bad.

T

TXHokie

Platinum Member
After 14 yrs in Dallas, I'm uprooting the family and planning on moving to FL for retirement (ok not really but just wanting to get a head start). Job transfer is all lined up. I did a recon trip in December for 4 days and really liked the area. I'll be working/living close to Clearwater which seems to have really beautiful beaches. Anyone live near the area and can give me more insight into what it's like living there that I wouldn't be able to tell from such a short visit? Don't know anyone there personally but to me a big change is half the fun in life. The few big things I'm prepared for is the humidity, lots of bugs, high home insurance, and older/smaller homes. Otherwise everything seems comparable to where I'm at now cost of living wise except it'll be a lot closer to the beach. Also if you live where people go to for vacations, where do you go for vacations?
 
It's been quite a while since I lived down there, back in the mid-1980's. I lived in Largo/Clearwater for 1.5 years and Tampa for 2 years.



Not a bad area, if you like sand, flat, and old, old people who cannot see but drive anyway. Honestly, I'd do what I could to stay out of St. Pete. The 90 year olds there will kill you with their cars in a heartbeat.
 
BoomerD said:
Just watch reruns of Cops. You'll learn a LOT about the area...

At least it's not Jacksonville...
Click to expand...

I love that show! Tho I've watched Cops in Dallas and DC where I've lived before and it really doesn't represent the area, maybe just represents the idiot criminals specific to the area.
 
I live here.

I love florida for the most part. Driving can be bad depending on when and where.
I'm not a huge fan of clearwater because of scientologists and traffic on the beach.

everything is really spread out so there are many area to look at to live which is nice.

Is there anything in particular you are looking for?
 
What exactly are you lookiing for.

The good, many years will pass before you have seen enough to take a vacaation out of state/driving range.


The bad, a lot of the roads bbeing put up/upgraded are going toll.
 
lupi said:
What exactly are you lookiing for.

The good, many years will pass before you have seen enough to take a vacaation out of state/driving range.


The bad, a lot of the roads bbeing put up/upgraded are going toll.
Click to expand...

I'm just looking for some insights about the area that only a local who lives there would know. Sounds like traffic gonna suck so I'll want to live as close to work as possible. If I work in Seminole area, what's a good place to look for houses with kids (I'm thinking east of Clearwater or Dunedin but sounds like a rough drive). How's the fishing/camping? Any tip on what to look for in a house there? Is sinkhole a big issue there? How's the food/restaurants? Nice people in general?
 
I can't think of what to tell you "locals" know....we just know it! 😉
I like seminole, Dunedin is nice also. I think Dunedin may have some pricier areas, but hey it's a buyers market.

The traffic is bad only on the main roads. Ulmerton, US19, the bridges, I-275, Starke. most roads aren't that bad it's just you usually have to use a main road at some point in your commute.

Fishing is good about anywhere. For camping check out the FL state parks. I have a coworker who often stays at cabins in the state parks. many within a 2-3 hour drive.
 
Downside - you're going to have to beg the moderators to change your screen name to something like FlaHokie.

As far as the living in a vacation destination thing. We have a bunch of vacation properties just up the road from me. I smile every Sunday when I see them drive past my house on their way back to the cities from where they came. Imho, if where you live is a vacation destination, you should think of it as such, when you're not at work. Thus, every night after work, it's like being on vacation. If you treat it that way, you get a lot more "vacation rest and relaxation" than most others get.
 
TXHokie said:
...The few big things I'm prepared for is the humidity, lots of bugs, high home insurance, and older/smaller homes....
Click to expand...

Yes, no, YES, depends on where you choose to live/buy.

Seminole and Clearwater both have areas that are extremely nice and expensive and areas that are virtually all section 8. This isn't unique, obviously, BUT in Seminole in particular you can have million+ $ homes and across the street <100K $ homes.

Go to Indian Rocks instead of Clearwater beach (avoid that place like the plague, total tourist trap), Honeymoon Island/Dunedin Beach is pretty good. Caladesi Island is fantastic if you own/rent a boat to get there.

Use this website: http://www.pcpao.org/ to look up home millage rates. Clearwater has very high home taxes compared to surrounding areas.

Just to give you an idea, I live in north Pinellas county and used to have to drive down to St. Pete for work (approx. 25 miles). That commute took 45 minutes on average...that's fairly typical of the area during rush hour.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have via PM.
 
Writing moving violations is a sport there. The bugs are literally wall to wall. Everything is as spread out as in the South West ie. it'll take you at least 45 minutes just to get to the corner store. Mobile speed bumps (armadillos) are a pain in the ass. If you ride a bicycle, stock up on plastic belts, solid foam tires and, run flat inflators as the stores there never seem to have heard of them. They have plant thorns there you could use in place of nails. Oh yeah, be prepared to take a shower again when you get where you are going.
 
I live in Orlando, but was just at a conference in St. Pete earlier this week. I much prefer the central/south end of the Peninsula (St Pete proper and south) than Clearwater. Downtown St. Pete is awesome, and the perfect beaches are only 15 minutes away. If my wife was willing Id move there from Orlando.
 
Screw Florida, move to Portland Oregon. I've been there many times on business and it's such an amazing City. I'd move there in a heartbeat. Just a great vibe there. Hot looking woman as well.
 
Rudee said:
Screw Florida, move to Portland Oregon. I've been there many times on business and it's such an amazing City. I'd move there in a heartbeat. Just a great vibe there. Hot looking woman as well.
Click to expand...

I actually went to Portland to check it out too on business trip. It is beautiful but too many rainy days and too gloomy most of the year. I love the beach more than the mountains and FL is the sunshine state.
 
Rudee said:
Screw Florida, move to Portland Oregon. I've been there many times on business and it's such an amazing City. I'd move there in a heartbeat. Just a great vibe there. Hot looking woman as well.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but Florida beats everywhere, except maybe Southern CA, in the hot women department.
 
Drekce said:
Sorry, but Florida beats everywhere, except maybe Southern CA, in the hot women department.
Click to expand...

If you like asian girls then yeah socal would be better, if you're into blondes like I am, then well....this just might be the one thing I like about Florida.


Also, I hate this place for the most part (SoCal Transplant)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top