Tampa/Bradenton/St Petersberg/Florida

[Martin]

Does anybody know the Bradenton/Tampa/St Petersberg area of Florida?

I'm keen to know areas to look at for a young family (5-7 years old). Good community, safe. Good quality of living and lifestyle.

I'm in the UK so I know absolutely nothing about the area. Also keen to understand what sort of salary is needed to support a family living in the area.

Martin

[65 Cobra Dude]

Martin,

Welcome to the US. (when you get here). I was stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL for 3 years and just left late last year. One area to look into is FishHawk in Lithia, FL (East of Tampa and St Pete and North of Bradenton, close to Brandon). When I was doing my research, I was looking for the the best area for kids (schools, communities, etc...) and FishHawk was rated number 1 in many areas. It's a planned community that has it's own schools, stores, biking trails, etc... and we loved the area. As far as salary required - FishHawk also has a lot of Military families and we still don't make what we should ;)

Henry

[Martin]

Martin,

Welcome to the US. (when you get here). I was stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL for 3 years and just left late last year. One area to look into is FishHawk in Lithia, FL (East of Tampa and St Pete and North of Bradenton, close to Brandon). When I was doing my research, I was looking for the the best area for kids (schools, communities, etc...) and FishHawk was rated number 1 in many areas. It's a planned community that has it's own schools, stores, biking trails, etc... and we loved the area. As far as salary required - FishHawk also has a lot of Military families and we still don't make what we should ;)

Henry

Thanks Henry. Not in the US (yet). My wife is looking into the Bolletieri tennis academy for my daughter. She's a bit of a super star when it comes to sports and she's always wanted to try tennis out. If she picks it up anything like she's picked up other sports it could well be a good option for her. I still keep thinking "she's only 6 let her be a kid" but my daughter seems to be at the top of everything she does and wants to try anything and everything.

I might be able to get a job over there if the need should arise. It will take a year for my daughter to go through the selection process though.

Martin

[mcwho]

I know the Tampa St Pete Area Pretty well. I moved there in 1995 and still have a rental in the area. I now live on the other side of Florida in a small town Near Daytona. If you have questions, hit me up. I also worked at MacDill for a while before I went back to IRAQ as a civilian contractor for 4 years.

Bob

aka mcwho
aka baghdad bob

[Mikey_P]

Bolletieri is in south Bradenton. There are some nice areas to the west of there or if you go east you run into the Lakewood Ranch area. Lakewood Ranch is a very nice area that has been growing over the last 10 years or so.

Depends on how far you want to drive. You don't want to live in the neighborhood I do, too close to the ghetto to raise kids but there are some really nice areas around not very far from Bolletieri. I have a friend who is a realtor so if you want to look around I can give you his email and he can send you some to look at.

Good luck!