Possible contract at MacDill AFB...gearing up to see where to live just in case (Tampa: house, new construction)

[VA_life]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I am sure it will get figured out.

I am looking for a single family home that is within 1.5 hours of MacDill AFB and within about 1.5 hours from Ocala and 4 hours from Sunrise, FL and WPB, FL as I have family in both places. It's a shame because Ocala is not too far being around just over 1.5 hours from MacDill.

Family in Ocala picked up a new construction home with 3 bedrooms that is not zero line lot for about 250k...would say they are on 1/3 acre. I'd like to do similar if this contract goes through.

Schools don't matter much....teenager is almost graduated...can go to Penn Foster if the school system is that bad.

Thanks for any ideas.

[FL_Expert]

$250k won’t get a home in Tampa Bay so you’ll need to look much further out. You’ll be limited to some pretty undesirable places to be honest. I’d look at Lake Wales if you really want to do this, but you may be better off simply not relocating.

[VA_life]

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

$250k won’t get a home in Tampa Bay so you’ll need to look much further out. You’ll be limited to some pretty undesirable places to be honest. I’d look at Lake Wales if you really want to do this, but you may be better off simply not relocating.

Thank you. Would living in Lake Wales be undesirable as far as living?

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by VA_life

Thank you. Would living in Lake Wales be undesirable as far as living?

It would be fine. But a nitemare drive...

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by VA_life

Thank you. Would living in Lake Wales be undesirable as far as living?

Lake Wales is okay. It’s far from the cities and beaches, but has a few nice things of its own. It’s a very different experience, much more rural and culturally southern (less so than points north of I-4 though).

I agree, it would be a terrible commute.

[VA_life]

Will all that said, Ocala itself doesn't seem to be much worse of a commute in the end. Thoughts there?

[kyle19125]

OP, is there anyway you can up your housing budget to 300K..or even 285K? That will open up some options in Brandon, Riverview or Bloomingdale that is a much better commute to MacDill and fits the other parameters.

[MortonR]

Either up your budget slightly if possible as the previous poster suggested, or stick with Ocala if you're planning on keeping the place long-term.

I say that because I think that any other choice that might be more centrally located, like Lake Wales, or possibly a small town in Polk County, would probably not have decent housing that you could expect to appreciate over a short time, if you're not planning on sticking around or making it permanent.

That's my $0.02.

RM

[VA_life]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

OP, is there anyway you can up your housing budget to 300K..or even 285K? That will open up some options in Brandon, Riverview or Bloomingdale that is a much better commute to MacDill and fits the other parameters.

Sure, why not. Was just trying to get my bang for the buck is all. Was looking at the 250k Ocala example is all.

[VA_life]

Originally Posted by MortonR

Either up your budget slightly if possible as the previous poster suggested, or stick with Ocala if you're planning on keeping the place long-term.

I say that because I think that any other choice that might be more centrally located, like Lake Wales, or possibly a small town in Polk County, would probably not have decent housing that you could expect to appreciate over a short time, if you're not planning on sticking around or making it permanent.

That's my $0.02.

RM

Plan on sticking it out and making it permanent.

I don't mind an older ugly house if it that is an option.

I like being further away from people where possible as well. I know that is not as achievable with a lower dollar amount though.