Hey y'all! Thinking of moving to FL from WA in July---Tampa/St Pete area

[Heddi]

Hello!

I'm originally from SC and lived in Boca Raton in the mid 90's for a while. Hubby and I are thinking of relocating for a short period of time (we're both RN's) from WA to Tampa/st Pete/ Clearwater/brandenton/sarasota. Not really sure yet, will probably start off with a 3-month contract at a hospital and figure it out from there.

What are some areas to avoid and which are some that we should keep an eye on? I am used to living in downtown areas, walking to bars and shops and stuff---is that even possible in florida? I just keep remembering it as a giant strip mall.....

Any helpful tips? I know about the skeeters, roaches, aligators, and traffic. I have heard (from some people) that The Tampa St Pete area isn't too terribly republican/redneck. Again, thinking back to my time in the south (I haven't lived out of SEattle for 8 years), I remember trucks with big wheels, idiots with confederate flags, and people shouting "oooo weeee" as they spray gravel on dirt roads doing wheelies......selective memories I'm sure :D

Any info would be appreicated. Even the most mundane stuff.

[Sancho]

1. You'll like it here.

You may want to stay away from flood zones if you buy a house - and make sure you can get insurance. Most of the time, regular houses that are not in a flood zone with new or updated roofs can get insurance.

Largo is a good buy and in the center of the county. Seminole is a popular area. There are good buys, but not as bad a market as some others. Traffic can be a problem.

Clearwater is the home of the Scientologists, so downtown might be an issue for you, but the neighborhoods are fine.

There are bugs everywhere. Also, raccoons, rats, and pests. Pets have to be vaccinated. We have some water restrictions so gardens and lawns may suffer unless the house has reclaimed water.

More folks here are from the North and mid-west than anywhere else.

[Sophree]

2. Hey there!

I moved to Boca from Seattle about 7 years ago. I moved to Tampa to finish grad school last August. You're right about the one giant strip mall thing- lol!

But, although I don't know the Tampa area all that well, there are some very cool places to live with downtown, shopping/bars within walking distance. You should take a look at South Tampa- Hyde Park/SoHo or Ybor City, if you decide on Tampa. I used to live in Wallingford and I loved it- Hyde Park has that type of neighborhood feel to it, but it can be pricey. Ybor has more of a downtown, Belltown-ish feel to it.

Stay away from North Tampa- that's where I live, which is nice because I'm close to school, but if not for school, I would not choose to live here. It's endless 3-4 lane roads and is strip mall city!

Downtown St. Petersburg is nice as well.

I'm not all that familiar with Sarasota or Clearwater, but the beaches are supposed to be heavenly.

Hope that helps!