That Pesky "Heath Care Issue" in Choosing a Retirement Destination

As people consider where to move as they approach retirement age, and are looking for a warmer climate, one of the things I most often hear discussed is the availability of good health care facilities. This article will review just briefly the wide variety and the excellence of the health care facilities available to you in Tampa and Tampa Bay Florida.

For starters, Tampa is blessed with two great hospitals right within the city of Tampa, itself. The 1,018 bed Tampa General Hospital in downtown Tampa is one of the largest hospitals in Florida. Tampa General (TGH) is affiliated with the University of South Florida - College of Medicine. In addition, there is Tampa Memorial Hospital, a 183-bed, state-of-the-art hospital also in downtown Tampa.

In addition as you move into suburban areas, Florida Hospital – Tampa Bay Division operates 6 separate facilities located strategically around the Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County. Florida Hospital – Tampa and the Pepin Heart Institute are on Fletcher Avenue in Tampa and the Florida Hospital – Carrollwood serving the northwestern suburbs of Tampa and Hillsborough County is located on North Dale Mabry Highway. For more suburban areas, Florida Hospital operates a 154 bed hospital in Zephyrhills in Pasco County. The Florida Hospital - Long Term Acute Care unit is located in Land O’ Lakes.

Finally, there is the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, which achieved its National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 1998, located in north Tampa on the campus of the University of South Florida. Cancer research at Moffitt includes more than 135 investigators organized around six scientific programs. The Moffit Cancer Center has rapidly become well-known for its expertise and sensitivity in handling the wide array of physical, spiritual or emotional needs of its patients.

Across Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, there are several more well-regarded hospitals and health care facilities including St Petersburg General, St Anthonys Hospital and All Children's Hospital in St Petersburg, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Mease Hospital in Dunedin and the Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs among others.

As one considers the many factors that lead to a decision on where to live during your retirement years, health care, while a very important factor, isn’t the only reason why people move to Tampa Bay Florida.

Tampa is the "heart" of Tampa Bay. The warm, sunny climate and bright blue skies, the low cost of living and a wide variety of activities and events that go on almost constantly in Tampa make it an ideal location for young families and retirees alike. The average year-round temperature of 72°, a refreshing 60° in January and a warm average of 82° in August make living here delightful.

The almost-always pleasant weather fosters a lifestyle which includes lots of “outdoor living” activities. The Hillsborough River, which meanders for 56 miles, offers endless activities including canoeing, fishing, camping and hiking. There are almost 200 parks, 136 picnic areas and 80 playgrounds in Tampa and its surrounding communities. For the athletic among us, there are swimming pools, tennis and racquet ball courts, golf courses and playing fields. For those more into spectating, there are professional baseball, hockey, football and arena football teams, including the Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Spring training camp for the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay is home to all sorts of boating and sailing opportunities, and the gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches in Clearwater and St Petersburg are no more than 30 to 45 minutes away from anywhere in Tampa Bay.

Lowry Park Zoo entertains seniors and young families alike. The Florida Aquarium is a unique and exciting place for visitors of all ages. Art, music, dance and theater devotees find a wealth of galleries and museums such as the Tampa Museum of Art, Museum of Science & Industry and USF's Contemporary Art Museum. There are Broadway plays, operas and dance recitals that excite thousands of patrons in community theaters as well as at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Housing in Tampa and throughout Tampa Bay is abundant and affordable.

Throughout Tampa and Tampa Bay, there are single-family homes, patio homes, townhomes and condominiums from the most luxurious to the most affordable from in-town and waterfront high-rise condominiums to suburban golf course communities and retirement communities.

Regardless of all the other amenities, as you approach your senior years, there is still that “health care issue” to consider. You can rest assured, if that is a concern in your choice of where to retire, the health care facilities of Tampa Florida will meet your every need and assuage any concern you may have had.

I'd be pleased to help you find that one home, townhome or condominium in a traditional neighborhood, a downtown high-rise, or a retirement community of patio homes and villas here in Tampa Bay that fits your needs and desires perfectly.

If you'd care to comment on this article or any other facet of Tampa Bay living, please E-Mail Me or visit my Tampa real estate website. For a more immediate response, call me directly at 813-263-6806.

Tampa Home Sales Remained Strong through the Normally Slow Summer Months

Despite the trend downward that normally occurs as our snowbird friends head back up North, the Tampa and Tampa Bay real estate markets have remained strong right through the summer months this year. Why should this interest you ?   Tampa Bay is a wonderful place to live whether you are a young professional, a family raising kids or retirees, Tampa offers you clean air, good schools, excellent health care and a year-round warm, sunny climate as well as easy access to some of the best beaches in the country.  In addition, you'll find endless recreational activities including boating and fishing on both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and, of course, golf plus family-oriented amenities like the Florida Aquarium, Lowery Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry and Busch Gardens. Homes are continuing to sell at a rapid pace.  July, 2012 alone, there were 1,971 closed property sales (1,519 single-family homes and 452 townhomes and condos), 9.2% more than in the same month in 2011. Pending sales (properties under sales contract, but not yet closed) rose in July to 2,279,  24% above the level at this point last year.  “The Tampa real estate market remains one of the bright spots in Florida and the nation,” said noted Tampa Realtor, Cheryl Stimac.   “The second quarter of 2012 was better than we expected and significantly ahead of the pace last year," she added. Asesult of the increased sales, median sale prices are also rising. The median sale price of single-family homes in July was $145,000, a $10,000 increase over this point in 2011.  Townhomes and condos showed an even larger year-over-year median price increase rising from $72,000 last year to $91,000 this July.  Part of the reason for this is that the number of distressed property sales (foreclosures and short sales) is at the lowest level in years. There simply aren't many distressed property single-family homes left on the Tampa real estate market at this point. The available inventory of single-family homes on the Tampa real estate market dropped to a new low of 6,447 versus 9,439 homes available at this point in 2011 and 11,781 homes in 2012 according to statistics published by the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors.  The July figures show only a 4.2 month supply of single-family homes (versus 6.9 months in 2011 and 9.0 months in 2010). The inventory of townhomes and condos dropped again in July to a 3.2 month supply (versus a 5.9 months in 2011 and 9.9 months in 2010.  The lack of inventory at this point, particularly in the lower price ranges is already substantially limiting buyer. “Competition for attractive properties has become noticeable in the past few months,” said Cheryl Stimac, “and that inevitably leads, as we’re seeing already. to increased prices.” If you have been considering buying a home or condo in the Tampa Bay area including Hillsborough and Pasco Counties either for your use today or as your retirement home, you may be on the verge of being "too late to the party." I'd be pleased to help you find that one home, townhome or condo here in Tampa Bay that fits your needs and desires perfectly.   But, hurry, the time to come to the Tampa Bay area and pick out your “Place in the Florida Sunshine” is now. If you'd care to comment on this article or any other facet of Tampa real estate, please E-Mail Me or visit my Tampa real estate website. For a more immediate response, call me directly at 813-263-6806.