Tampa Residents - Where to Move?

[Shari 6]

Hi all! Ok, so we moved to Brandon in October from Alabama. We love Tampa, but Brandon is too congested. We chose here because my husband is working at the Port near Ybor City. We are renting an apartment now but thinking of moving when our lease comes up for renewal. My daughter plays travel ball for a team in Oldsmar and we are driving there three days a week now. We are thinking of moving west but don't want to go over the bridges into Pinnelas at all because of the drive for my husband. He misses morning traffic as he leaves at 5:00 a.m. but leaves the Port at 4:00 p.m. which get a little more congested. He would like a 30-35 minute commute (again, he doesn't drive at busy, busy times). Can anyone recommend somewhere less crowded than Brandon but west of Brandon? I have read some about Carrollwood? How far a drive is that from the Port? What about getting getting off Veterans and driving west down Hillsborough Road? There are some places we pass called Town and County and Westchase going to Oldsmar. Actually any suggestions would be great! Oh, we still want to be in an apartment at least for another year before we plunk down money for a house in case we decide on another area. THANKS!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There are some nice subdivisions NW of Tampa - north of the airport. We know some folks that live in a subdivision called Twelve Oaks. Seems nice enough. From there to the port (off of Causeway?) shouldn't be more than 30 min if there's not more than moderate traffic. But then if you are concerned about congestion, the area around the airport is not exactly less congested than Brandon.

[LaL 418]

Hi all! Ok, so we moved to Brandon in October from Alabama. We love Tampa, but Brandon is too congested. We chose here because my husband is working at the Port near Ybor City. We are renting an apartment now but thinking of moving when our lease comes up for renewal. My daughter plays travel ball for a team in Oldsmar and we are driving there three days a week now. We are thinking of moving west but don't want to go over the bridges into Pinnelas at all because of the drive for my husband. He misses morning traffic as he leaves at 5:00 a.m. but leaves the Port at 4:00 p.m. which get a little more congested. He would like a 30-35 minute commute (again, he doesn't drive at busy, busy times). Can anyone recommend somewhere less crowded than Brandon but west of Brandon? I have read some about Carrollwood? How far a drive is that from the Port? What about getting getting off Veterans and driving west down Hillsborough Road? There are some places we pass called Town and County and Westchase going to Oldsmar. Actually any suggestions would be great! Oh, we still want to be in an apartment at least for another year before we plunk down money for a house in case we decide on another area. THANKS!

No to Town & Country IMHO. There is quite a bit of crime there. Carrollwood is still nice but is north by a couple of blocks from Hillsborough. <<<insert gratuitus plug here>>> I have a house for sale in Carrollwood due to our own job relocation. Westchase is one of the most pricey neighborhoods in the area you are interested in. Have you considered Hyde Park or south Tampa? Its not as family based as Carrollwood, but is charming. Its just more conjestion though.

I commuted from Carrollwood to Riverview for a year. It wasnt too bad, but really, anywhere you go in Tampa/Brandon is congested.

[Shari 6]

Thanks Lal and Mr. Big Dog! Someone around here suggested Citrus Park. What do you guys think of that area? And Lal, isn't South Tampa more expensive? Not sure - just something I thought I remember someone told me before we moved here. If not, do you know anything about their high schools? Mr. Big Dog - I know about that airport traffic - YUCK! Is Dale Mabry any better coming south on it until you hit I-275? Keith would get off I-4 at the Ybor City exit so I'm not sure how long it would take from say Dale Mabry to Ybor City. Edited May 12, 2008 by Shari

[chri'stina 190]

That whole area during rush hour is congested. My husband commutes all the way from Spring Hill(45 or so miles away) to downtown Tampa...the drive really stinks. I used to commute all the way down the Veterans, and onto 275 to south Tampa(yeah there are expensive areas) in the Old Hyde Park area, and by the Hillsborough exit toll, and south, on Veterans during rush hour is bumper to bumper slow traffic all the way to the airport area, I-275 and 60.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I know little to nothing about rush hour traffic in Tampa. I live and work on the east side of town. My commute takes 20 minutes on average regardless of the time of day I make it. I travel fairly relaxed as I pass by orange groves, cattle farms and homes on 1+ acre sites. There are a total of 6 traffic lights and 4 stop signs between my home and my office. I like that a lot.

[chri'stina 190]

I know little to nothing about rush hour traffic in Tampa. I live and work on the east side of town. My commute takes 20 minutes on average regardless of the time of day I make it. I travel fairly relaxed as I pass by orange groves, cattle farms and homes on 1+ acre sites. There are a total of 6 traffic lights and 4 stop signs between my home and my office. I like that a lot.

Nice...we also pass farms and rural areas on the way down between here and Tampa. That part of the drive is relaxed. But it takes a lot longer than 20mins.

Edited May 12, 2008 by stina&suj

[LaL 418]

Thanks Lal and Mr. Big Dog! Someone around here suggested Citrus Park. What do you guys think of that area? And Lal, isn't South Tampa more expensive? Not sure - just something I thought I remember someone told me before we moved here. If not, do you know anything about their high schools? Mr. Big Dog - I know about that airport traffic - YUCK! Is Dale Mabry any better coming south on it until you hit I-275? Keith would get off I-4 at the Ybor City exit so I'm not sure how long it would take from say Dale Mabry to Ybor City.

Yeah South Tampa is more expensive - but no moreso than Westchase. Or at least there is some range there.

Citrus Park is ust west of Carrollwood. I believe even though my home is considered Carrollwood, I am still allocated to CItrus Park schools, which are supposed to be pretty decent. It was all built around the same time (80's) so is on par with Carrollwood mostly. Northdale (North of carollwood west of Dale Mabry) is decent - as is North Lakes for the most part (North of old carrollwood and east of Dale Mabry). Stay away from zip code 33614 (Himes/Hillsborough/Armenia/Florida). None of its any good and high in crime.

When I would commute to Riverview - I would just jet down Busch to I-275 and hop on I-4 to I-75. Wasnt terrible at all, and often I would do the drive off the highway as well.

[HAL 9000 96]

I almost moved to Bradenton a while back for my teaching gig... but decided for something a little more cosmopolitan. How far of a commute is this area to Ybor City?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I almost moved to Bradenton a while back for my teaching gig... but decided for something a little more cosmopolitan. How far of a commute is this area to Ybor City?

Bradenton to Ybor? You're looking at 50 miles one way.

[HAL 9000 96]

Nasty!

[Shari 6]

No to Town & Country IMHO. There is quite a bit of crime there. Carrollwood is still nice but is north by a couple of blocks from Hillsborough. <<<insert gratuitus plug here>>> I have a house for sale in Carrollwood due to our own job relocation. Westchase is one of the most pricey neighborhoods in the area you are interested in. Have you considered Hyde Park or south Tampa? Its not as family based as Carrollwood, but is charming. Its just more conjestion though.

I commuted from Carrollwood to Riverview for a year. It wasnt too bad, but really, anywhere you go in Tampa/Brandon is congested.

Ok, LAL - I see on the map that there is a (1) Carrollwood Village (west of Dale Mabry off Lowell near Emerald Greens Golf Course), (2) Carrollwood near a Lake Carroll (east of Dale Mabry between Busch Blvd. and Fletcher), and finally (3) Carrollwood Meadows Park (north of Gunn Highway near a Hidden Gunn Golf and Driving Range). What is the difference? When people refer to "Carrollwood" being a nice place to live, which Carrollwood are they talking about?

[LaL 418]

No to Town & Country IMHO. There is quite a bit of crime there. Carrollwood is still nice but is north by a couple of blocks from Hillsborough. <<<insert gratuitus plug here>>> I have a house for sale in Carrollwood due to our own job relocation. Westchase is one of the most pricey neighborhoods in the area you are interested in. Have you considered Hyde Park or south Tampa? Its not as family based as Carrollwood, but is charming. Its just more conjestion though.

I commuted from Carrollwood to Riverview for a year. It wasnt too bad, but really, anywhere you go in Tampa/Brandon is congested.

Ok, LAL - I see on the map that there is a (1) Carrollwood Village (west of Dale Mabry off Lowell near Emerald Greens Golf Course), (2) Carrollwood near a Lake Carroll (east of Dale Mabry between Busch Blvd. and Fletcher), and finally (3) Carrollwood Meadows Park (north of Gunn Highway near a Hidden Gunn Golf and Driving Range). What is the difference? When people refer to "Carrollwood" being a nice place to live, which Carrollwood are they talking about?

They are *all* considered Carrollwood, but the east side is considered more of "Old Carrollwood". The west side is golf courses and extends nearly all the way to Citrus Park.

What I told you earlier - about North Lakes - that is actually a bit more north than Carrollwood. On the west side North of Bearss is considered Northdale (nice!) and the east side is considered North Lakes (aging). Sorry about the confusion. Essentially you can divide everything by Dale Mabry.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Greater-Carr...od-Florida.html

[Wrights 0]

i live on WAters and Armenia. Our apartment complex is called Carlyle at Waters. I commute from home to school (downtown tampa near the port) every day.. it takes me literally 15 mins on my scooter. 12 in my car. Armenia avenue is pretty straightforward and doesn't get congested that often.

Let me know if you are interested. My 1 bedroom apartment with lake view is 580 a month. without lake view it would be 525.

If anything, send me a pm and I can show u around tampa apartments. I'm kinda an expert in this now lol.. i had to show around 50 apartments before settling for this one.