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
Is it really? I would also like more information on this. I've often called my home area, Western NY (now moved to NWPA, not a far move, but MUCH freer), a police state. Police jurisdiction after jurisdiction after jurisdiction, plus county Sheriffs, State Police, DEC, and the list goes on. Don't exceed 10mph over, don't talk on your phone, don't drive without a taillight out. Heck, I got pulled over once for not turning my high beams off in time.
I always figured with a larger city like Tampa, the police would have more to do than writing $100 seat belt tickets. Maybe I'm wrong...?
Tarpon Springs, property taxes are a joke in Tampa.
There is a very active Greek community up there. From your post, you will want to be close to Tarpon Springs. There are other towns in the area, if you can't find a place in Tarpon Springs itself. Dunedin is close, as is Palm Harbor and Port Richey and New Port Richey. Actually, Tarpon Springs is on the extreme northern end of Pinelas county. New Port Richey and Port Richey are just across the county line to the north, in Pasco County, where things are a bit more conservative, a bit more exurban/rural, and property taxes are probably a bit lower.
Florida has no state income tax. The state has been relatively conservative. We do have to be vigilant for all the retired new englanders who try to come down and tell us how to do things (the liberal way).
Thanks all for your replies, a lot of good information to consider.
Based upon your description of yourself, your family, and what you want, it isn’t even a close call. Tarpon Springs. And, as another poster noted, there are a number of other nearby communities in northern Pinellas County in which you could reside and still be close enough to Tarpon Springs to enjoy what it has to offer you.
Thank you. Yes, it sounds like Pinellas/Pasco county are the places to check out for sure. I am going to schedule a trip down there soon and check the area out. Also, hit the TS church on the wkd to sound out some folks as well.
Plenty of West Coast FReepers as well. Perhaps some could meet you when you’re in town. I’ll let Leni take it from there.
For sure! Would love to hear from any Freeper in the neighborhood when we head down. I guess I’ll post something when we get a firm date. You’ve all been great, which is something I counted on when we had the question in our mind. FR is certainly my go to place when I want real info.
Grew up in Clearwater. One of the places in the area. You can’t beat the location for everything. Tampa and St. Pete aren’t for me to live. Clearwater puts you close to shopping, the airport, ans beautiful beaches.
I suppose you noticed there's some measure of BS about the area on the thread.
Leni/MinuteGal
Go to three restaurants.. Pappas’ in Tarpon Springs, Burns in Tampa, and Frenchy’s on Clearwater Beach.
You may want to check out Dunedin as a compromise. Good luck in your decision. :o)
I live in this area - not only is this area NOT a police state, the police we do have are professional and helpful - none of that totalitarian TSA stuff. Our politicians are better then most - and elections are for the most part, clean. The ex-governor’s father lives here - he’s Greek, a doctor - and Republican. Our newspaper’s liberal - but one of the best in the country - and the local government tends toward conservative and responsible. And that’s south Pinellas - Tarpon - north Pinellas - has the same - plus old world charm...
Just south of Tarpon Springs is the town of Palm Harbor. You can take your bikes on the Pinellas trail to Tarpon Springs from there.
The Palm Harbor University High School district has one of the best reputations in the state.
http://www.greatschools.org/florida/palm-harbor/2560-Palm-Harbor-University-High-School/
Tarpon if you have strong Greek ties,But Pinellas County traffic is as bad as NY traffic,no snow but when it rains people forget how to drive.If you are thinking of Pasco,I’d go east side of county...someone recommended Lutz .Not a bad idea,but for God’s sake avoid W.Pasco like the plague.From Hudson to Holiday it has gone to hell in a handbasket over the last 5-10 yrs.crime and drugs and an undercurrent of gang activity have run rampant.Unfortunately the Tampa bay area is one of the biggest pill mils in the country,and we have an inordinate amount of methheads as well.Not to mention in Pasco underperforming schools.Luts gives you a much nicer area and an easy commute to Tampa and better paying jobs,and a close proximity to airport,and stadiums as well as nightlife.
Thanks Seek!
I appreciate that very much. Sounds like Tarpon Spring, Pinellas county area will be fun to investigate. I’m looking forward to scoping out the area for a few days. The St. Pete/Clearwater area looks so fun and love the beaches, so I’m not worried about any of that. I don’t see us going to Tampa. Just outside would be fine for us. Gotta be near Tarpon Springs, need my Greek food fix!
South Carolina is beautiful. I like New Berne.
How did you know I was a tarot card reader?
See my earlier post recommending SC
Now that the money is handled, do not come to Florida expecting sparkling conversation, or many other signs of intelligent life, either. It's there but requires assiduous research to find.
Do not come to Tarpon Springs unless you already have a relative there. It is a majority Greek town with so many internecine squabbles that they now have a black mayor!
October to May, the place is inhabitable by humans, and it is beautiful. If you must come, you'll find that Tampa is a beautiful large city, but it is also the strip club capital of the USA and the major cocaine port of entry. Many residents appear to have worked for low-rent escort services. The traffic wouldn't be all that bad, but no one in the Florida highway systems seems to have heard of timed traffic lights , cloverleaves, roundabouts, turn lanes, traffic circles. etc. (They tried one in Clearwater with disastrous, if Darwinian effect.) They have 60 mph speed limits on roads with traffic signals a mile apart. Rush hours are a nightmare everyday in key places.
If you feel you must come to the Tampa Bay region, the best indicators of intelligent life are found in St. Petersburg, but then you would have to go further south to Sarasota.
The place is absolutely beautiful, but inhabited by poor, unsophisticated, occasionally hostile natives and dazed and confused newcomers. The simplest tasks seem beyond them. Great fishing though, and lots of quirky little places like Ozona, Gulfport, and quirky big places like St. Pete and yes, Tarpon Springs.
Did I mention that the place is beautiful? And to bring lots and lots of real money? And that wrangling the natives requires great patience, and a sense of humor? And that 8 months of the year the place is great, if you are successfully retired .... and don't forget the money ... you ain't gonna make it there.
Between Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, there are about 5million people. You might not believe that at first glance because of all the water around, the forests and swamps, and the miles of open spaces ... hell Tarpon Springs and East, there are still cattle ranches! come on down, scope it out. And PLEASE do not overlook the money.
Kenny, thanks for all ... of ... THAT! Wow, a lot to consider there. Well, I would only consider coming down if I could keep my job with a small software firm, which is likely. I could telecommute fine. However, this is why I posted here, to get divergent info. I appreciate your post as it is detailed and something to consider. There are pluses and minuses to everywhere so I would have to be there and see how things are and talk to the locals, so we’ll see. Thanks again!
GipperCT
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