Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater guys (1 Viewer)

[wittyusername]

Just received onward assignment to CENTCOM at Macdill AFB in South Tampa. Coming from Northern Virginia and know nothing about the area. Need advice about where to live. Here is what I am working with: 1) Just my wife and I - kids grown and gone so no school issues, can live anywhere. 2) Ideally would be 30-45 minute commute to Macdill. 3) Need a waterfront condo (high rise preferred), or townhouse, 4) $3,000/month budget for rent. 5) Want to be around a more young, progressive, professional, lively community - as opposed to retirement, older community. Been focused on South Tampa area, but intrigued about what I see of St. Petersburg, and of course Clearwater has the most spectacular waterfront/beaches - but quite a commute into Macdill. Tell me where I should live! Thanks!

 

[Osaurus]

For that , you shouldn't have much problem finding a place in S. Tampa. Don't like the bridges myself. Maybe check out Harbor Island as an option.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

4) $3,000/month budget for rent.

My family and I had a great time in Clearwater earlier this summer, which is why I opened the thread. But holy #### at this figure. My mortgage payment including insurance is barely under $1000 a month. GB the midwest sometimes.

 

[wittyusername]

Ha! This is my maximum budget, yes a good bit but what I am able to comfortably afford. I really want a waterfront/view property so I know you pay a premium for this.

 

[Premier]

Harbor island. SoHo district in Tampa has a younger, doosh pop-collar crowd.

 

[Premier]

Downtown St. Pete too for sure. Look into the parkshore area.

 

[wittyusername]

Thanks - realistically, what is the commute time driving from St. Pete's to Macdill AFB? 45 - 60 min?

 

[gump]

Downtown St Pete has really come back...I was shocked at how many people were at the First Friday I went to. I have a good friend who is 48 and married with no kids....very fun-loving...they live in a high rise there and love it.

More to do in Tampa of course, but South Tampa just feels too crowded to me...it's a lot of people crammed into a small area.

St Pete is close enough for you...going further north to Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, etc...probably too far.

There are some water front areas on the northeast side of the Bay that would fit your needs...but all houses there I believe.

 

[gump]

Thanks - realistically, what is the commute time driving from St. Pete's to Macdill AFB? 45 - 60 min?

Depends on what time you would be commuting. I'd say an hour max at 7:00.

 

[Quez]

I would go for a condo on Bayshore. Westshore Yacht Club is also nice and close. There is a tall building that may have some units available. The West Side of the peninsula doesn't have as much going on though. Hyde Park area is really nice as well.

 

[wittyusername]

Westshore Yacht Club looks very nice - probably at the upper limit of my budget , but worth visiting. I'm going there in September for a 3 day visit just to check it out and do some prospecting.

 

[Quez]

I would try and keep that commute under 30 min. If I were you. You can see drive times on Google to help you judge distances. Bay shore really is a beautiful drive to and from MacDill. You could be in downtown or Harbour Island and still be at the base in like 15-20.

However, if you don't mind a commute you can be in a beach front condo in 45. min.

 

[EddieSpaghetti]

I would go for a condo on Bayshore. Westshore Yacht Club is also nice and close. There is a tall building that may have some units available. The West Side of the peninsula doesn't have as much going on though. Hyde Park area is really nice as well.

I agree with this. I work for USAA's Insurance Dept and most of the soldiers I talk to when they PCS decide to live in the South Tampa area. Bayshore is a beautiful area with a lot of things to do. It is centrally located so you are close to work, close to downtown Tampa, and not too far of a drive to downtown St.Pete.

Also take a look at Channelside condos, especially the Channelside Towers. It is located on the Southeastern part of downtown Tampa. The owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team just purchased the shops by the Port of Tampa and is going to revitalize that area. It used to be a really cool place with a few bars and restaurants and will become like that once again.

 

[gump]

I would go for a condo on Bayshore. Westshore Yacht Club is also nice and close. There is a tall building that may have some units available. The West Side of the peninsula doesn't have as much going on though. Hyde Park area is really nice as well.

I agree with this. I work for USAA's Insurance Dept and most of the soldiers I talk to when they PCS decide to live in the South Tampa area. Bayshore is a beautiful area with a lot of things to do. It is centrally located so you are close to work, close to downtown Tampa, and not too far of a drive to downtown St.Pete.

Also take a look at Channelside condos, especially the Channelside Towers. It is located on the Southeastern part of downtown Tampa. The owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team just purchased the shops by the Port of Tampa and is going to revitalize that area. It used to be a really cool place with a few bars and restaurants and will become like that once again.

Yes...Vinik is calling it "Channelside Live"...which is a nod to the inspiration for it to some degree..."LA Live".

Tod Leiweke, the Lightning CEO, is the brother of Tim...who helped build LA Live.

The Rays should eventually be in the area as well, if things go right.

 

[wittyusername]

Thanks Spaghetti & Gump. This looks like a great area - boiling down between Bayshore area, David Island and this Channelside area closer to downtown. If I was making a choice between renting and buying, which way to go right now. Are property values in these locations moving up, stagnant? Leaning towards renting for the first year, exploring the area, then buying. Advice?

 

[Mr Non Sequitur]

I would be looking hard over on the Pinellas side(St Pete) of the water and here is why. You say you want to be around the hipsters and I understand why that is, sounds like you and your wife are active, like to exercise, probably feel younger around young folks, totally understand.

Florida beaches are God like. People spend a lot of money to come down and just breathe it in for a few days. I never understood why people move to Florida and not want to live on the beach. Luckily that makes it easier to live on the beach for the rest of the folks.

Tresure Island, St Pete Beach, Johns Pass(little far to commute)

Tampa has a few things going for it but if you are going to live near McDill and don't want to commute than I would look into some of the waterfront property in and around downtown as others have eluded to. There really is not a "beach" on the Hillsborough side. I think St Pete and Pinellas County is a lot prettier, downtown St Pete has come a long way, the Pier down there is beautiful and been re-done in the last 5-10 years.

Check both sides out, you'll find what you are looking for. Great area, centrally located. You are 1 hour from Orlando and Disney, you are 30-45 minutes form great beaches, Miami/Ft Laud is only a 4-5 hour drive, Naples/Ft Myers about 2.5 hours, Sarasota 45-60 min away. Gambling is legal now, poker on the Seminole land, good luck on your move.

 

[RageRhino]

Uh the st pete pier is not even operating really because they are trying to decide what to do with it.

In my opinion, St. Pete is too far of a commute for you.

Anywhere in South Tampa should be ideal. I live in channelside and like it but I wouldn't consider it waterfront. you are across the street from the shipping repair yard or a small channel depending on where you live but thats not waterfront to me. however if you live high enough you can easily have a water view, i can see the upper bay from my place but its in the distance, not waterfront = all depends what you want out of the waterfront you mentioned. The view or access to the water for a boat or something.

harbour island might be your best bet. plenty of inventory in your price range. mostly gated. just stick to the condo buildings and not the apartments. the apartments are overrun with college students and such.

 

[RageRhino]

Also - DO NOT live in clearwater. Traffic will be horrid for you.

 

[RageRhino]

Couple options for you, not knowing what size you need:

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/445-S-12th-St-UNIT-1705-Tampa-FL-33602/83003767_zpid/

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/275-Bayshore-Blvd-UNIT-1102-Tampa-FL-33606/66730509_zpid/

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/345-Bayshore-Blvd-APT-502-Tampa-FL-33606/55096175_zpid/

Personally Id look at the first one. Its in the Towers at channelside. Close to lots of stuff, across the street from the NHL area and where a lot of big concerts and events take place.

 

[wittyusername]

Thanks Rhino - this looks really close to what I am looking for!

 

[Premier]

Florida beaches are God like. People spend a lot of money to come down and just breathe it in for a few days. I never understood why people move to Florida and not want to live on the beach. Luckily that makes it easier to live on the beach for the rest of the folks.

I imagine it has something to do with the insurance doubling your mortgage payment.

 

[gump]

The concern I'd have about the Channelside area is that it's immature from a residential standpoint...where's the nearest grocery store?

 

[Dreamer]

I'm in Dunedin/Palm Harbor and the commute from Pinellas will be terrible if you work normal hours. If I were you I would rent a condo in Tampa and use the first year to get a feel for the area, traffic, and the nuances of the different towns. St. Pete, Clearwater, Dunedin and Tampa are all very different from each other. It sounds like you want to be in Tampa, but a week or so at any beachfront town in Pinellas may change your mind. Living here really is like being on vacation all the time. Good luck with your search.

 

[wittyusername]

Thanks, good advice. No matter how much information I gather here there is no substitute for actually being there and seeing with my own eyes. I will rent a year in Tampa and get a first-hand feel of the area and options. Nevertheless these comments from people who actually live there, and the differing perspectives is very helpful. Thanks to all.