Moving to Tampa Area

Hi. I haven't heard good things about the Pasco County School system. We also looked in Seven Oaks and although it is a nice community, it seems very crowded. I would consider looking at Heritage Elementary, Pride Elementary, Hunter's Green Elementary. They are all A rated schools in Hillsborough county. My daughter is in 1st grade at Heritage and that school is amazing to me. It is all about the teachers in my opinion but the structure and curriculum in Pasco County schools has a lot to be desired. I also love that Heritage Class sizes are small. The school is not over crowded like Pride. Good luck! You will love it here!

I have a seven year old and we live in Zephyrhills. It is just outside of Tampa. My son goes to Woodland Elementary and it is a A rated school. We moved from New York and this was important to us. Please feel free to message me if you would like more information about Zephryhills.

We live in Lex Oaks and really like it. My daughter is only 10 mo. so I can't speak personally as far as her making a lot of friends but I do see many kids out playing, they have parades for kids throughout the year, and the playground is nice. Our immediate neighbors (4 or so families) are wonderful and we have made good friends with them.

Hi! I live in Stagecoach - have for the past 7 years. We (my 10 and 5 year old daughters) currently attend Denham Oaks Elementary School.

Here's the website: http://does.pasco.k12.fl.us

With regard to the other neighborhoods: Seven Oaks goes to Seven Oaks Elementary and Lex Oaks goes to a brand new school called Veteran's Elementary. It's directly across the highway (54) from Lexington Oaks and in front of another neighborhood called Westbrook Estates.

Both schools are A schools (Veterans is new) and all neighborhoods have lots of mixed demos - meaning young families, working families and retirees.

I am not sure if you know this yet - but here in Pasco County your kindergartner would attend school five days a week from 9:35 to 3:40 p.m.

Back to the neighborhood - we at Stagecoach do NOT pay CDD's which others do. We only have a monthly association fee. When real estate shopping - be sure to ask your realtor what the fees are (association AND CDD) and what they entail. You might be surprised by the extra fees - especially Seven Oaks.

Good luck. Incidentally, I am from Howell MI and a HUGE MSU fan. :)

BTW - I just posted this and saw another response has been added. Pasco County Schools, as a whole, are considered an "A" school system. No different than the New Tampa area. Our particular school uses the continuous improvement or pods style class. There are exceptions - honors style - which affect kids in 3rd grade or higher. Veterans has an honor program BASED ON THE HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL SYSTEM's STYLE.

http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us

A.,

Welcome to Florida. I too moved from Michigan here and I like it. I live further east off SR 54, towards Zephyrhills. I live in New River Township and I like it. There is a new elementary school in the subdivision, New River. Also, I am a teacher in Pasco County. I work at West Zephyrhills Elementary and I absolutely love that it is a family school. Most in Pasco feel that way. If you need any help let me know.

Where MI are you from? Take care and God Bless finding a new home!

The Seven Oaks I know of is in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. There is a great elementary school out in Meadowpoint area (close to Seven Oaks) that is ccalled Sand Pine elementary. I have a girlfriend who has 2 children there and they love it. I have been to a few events there and the staff is wonderful. The principal is very active in the community and likes the parents to take pride in their school, so the events are top notch.

Fantastic!!! You are moving up here. I would suggest checking out the Land O Lakes area, SR54. It is fairly new but has loads of families and some communities like Concord Station has great schools....new facilities. This area has great homes at incredible prices and lots to do. Suggestions on communities: Suncoast Pointe, Ballantrae, Stonegate(gated community), Concord Station, Oakstead, Devenwood and there is more when you pass by you can see. Good luck and I hope you find the perfect home soon.

Hi A.,

You are looking in a great area! I moved to Wesley Chapel from Chicago 6 years ago this December and LOVE IT! I have a 6 & 7 year old and we LOVE our grade A school. We are in Meadow Pointe and go to Sand Pine Elemetary. The areas you are looking in also have great schools. Have you bought a house yet? There sure are some great deals out there right now! Good Luck!

I live in the New Tampa area, as well. My kids are in Kindergarten and 1st grade at Heritage Elementary. Great school, "A" rated, not at capacity so smallish class size. Very active PTA, lots of fun events, etc. There are a TON of homes in Heritage Isles (there are a ton of homes in all of new Tampa, actually) so you shouldn't have any problem finding anything. Heritage Isles also offers Protential Sports after school care right at our clubhouse, that picks kids up from Heritage Elementary. The kids get taught sports from ex-pro and ex-college players (tennis, football, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, etc.) All in all, it's an awesome area and we love it. Good luck with your move!!

Hello, A.. I'm Merna F. ____@____.com ###-###-####. I'm in Tampa and have been in the mortgage business for 20 years. If I can help you with real estate and mortgages, please let me know. I have two grandchildren 5 years old. Sounds like your son will enjoy moving here. We really don't have winter. I moved here from Chicago. I had closets and closets of clothes. I know you will laugh, but I bet you find the same yourself, I'm here 18 years and I have clothes I've never worn in Florida because they are too warm.
Just a thought, since you have a few months before you move, if you are interested in buying a foreclosure home (we have lots of them) I am a great source. Let me know if I can help you. What area is your husband going to be working in? I personally live in Carrollwood which is off Dale Mabry Highway near Fletcher. The schools are good. Lots and lots of children.