Posted on 01/04/2011 11:56:21 AM PST by GipperCT
Greetings all!
Any info would be appreciated to research a relo to Tampa area/Tarpon Springs. I'd like to narrow things down a bit and would like resident input.
My wife and I are in our 40's and have a 7 year old son. We currently live in Fairfield County, CT and are researching relocation potential for us. We own our home here and know that if we sell, we can get more bang for our buck down there.
We are are of Greek heritage and active in our Greek Orthodox church community here and very much would like to have that focus in wherever we move to. Especially when it comes to my son, I like the fact that there is Greek American schooling in that area.
Now I understand although Tampa is more city, it does have a day school via St. John's church. That's great.
However, Tarpon Springs has the cathedral there with the surrounding Greek influenced area is quite nice and cozier as well. We think that is awesome.
Of course, safe areas, good schooling, access to goods and services and home prices are always top items.
What feedback can anyone give regarding comparing and contrasting both places as move possibilities.
Anything you can post would be super.
I am even willing to consider South Carolina as I hear the Greek American communities are wonderful there as well and also it's a nice, conservative state (even with Goober Graham) with low taxes, friendly people and a law and order attitude.
Thanks alot for a any info ....
Paul
Ping.
I can say with certainty that Tarpon Springs is the Greek capital of America, so if that's important to you, it'll likely be your best bet.
Beyond that, I don't know how helpful I will be, but I do know that the best website for relocation advice is the city-data.com Forums.
Tarpon Springs is part of the greater Tampa Bay area. If you want to be closer to the Gulf coast, Tarpon Springs is the better location. St. Pete and Tampa both have night life and top tier entertainment, and all are within reasonable proximity.
My in-laws used to live in Tarpon Springs and we visited every other Christmas.
Howard Park is nearby with a nice beach. Fishing is good down by the power plant. Route 19 is a congested commercial strip and a death trap. TS is about 45 minutes or so out of Tampa/Clearwater. The greek sea port is cheesy.
I wouldn’t live there.
You would not live in Tarpon Springs or Tampa? I would take Tarpon Springs over Tamapa any day. Clearwater and north of Clearwater is better.
After consulting my tarot card reader and psychic, she suggests you look more toward South Carolina.
I did the opposite move three years ago. Lived in Tampa for 13 years and now live in Fairfield County, CT. I lived about 20 mins due east of Tarpon in a bedroom community called Lutz. Nice area, lots of lakes and golf courses, best public schools in Hillsborough County. When we moved to New Canaan, my kids (all in elementary school) were 6-12 months ahead of their peers, which surprised us. We spent a lot of time in Tarpon Springs - my wife taught at the St. Pete college there. Tarpon is a pretty mixed community from what I could see. Some very nice areas there particularly along the Gulf or on Lake Tarpon, intermixed with some not so nice areas. My friends who lived there all opted for private schools. You’ll definitely get a lot more bang for your buck in housing there - 3 to 4 times the bang from what I experienced going the other way. If your primary focus is the Greek community, then Tarpon is clearly where you’ll want to end up.
I suggest you find the church and church commnity first, then decide! Renting for 6 months to a year before buying a home would not be a bad thing.
Go down for a long weekend and attend services at that church- meet people and talk to them about schools and such.
Tarpon Springs is touristy - Greek restaurants and sponge diving, but if I was Greek I’d start looking there!
The beaches north of Tampa are really nice. Tampa/Clearwater are very cool for cultural events. I think you’ll enjoy living there!
I posted this on the Florida message board and hopefully a few more locals will chime in. Personally I think the Tarpon Springs area would be better for you.
Been playing Along the Gulf Coast for 40 years.
Tarpon Springs has grown up but still is like iving in a small town atmosphere.
Very strong Greek influence, great fishing, and water sports area.
Not a lot else to do though.
believe it or not, the Daytona Beach area on the opposite coast also has a thriving Greek community with St Demitrios Greek Orthodox Church in the downtown area. As to housing prices, we have examples of 60% price drops on the recent solds in the local mls...
I spent 20+ yrs between the two. It’s a police state. Youve been warned.
My sister and brother in law lived in Tarpon Springs for several years. Great community, and yes, there’s a strong Greek presence. The only downside I can think of is traffic.
Relocate to “Flyover Country”.
Stay well - stay safe - stay armed
I’ve been considering spending the winters in Florida myself.
Could you go into a bit more detail about the “police state” comment? Someone told me that about Broward County, so I’m curious about whether it’s the same deal on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
I haven’t been to Florida in many years, so my inquiring mind would like to know.
I actually considered taking a job down there as well and shopped the area. Tarpon Springs was frankly the only town I would have lived in, the rest of the area was either a dump or too city for my liking. Tarpon Springs had traditional neighborhoods, a traditional town center and was on the bike path. The rest of the area was trailer park, plastioc McMansion neighborhoods on the highway, or urban. I was not impressed and decided to stay in Virginia.
Pretty much describes the entire state of FL
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