So I plan to be buying a home soon. Within the next 2 years. So I'm saving and searching. Me and my wife are looking into the Tampa area as there is an AF base located nearby.

I grew up in NJ all my life and love the place but too expensive there between the taxes and cost of living. I've done some research and the prices of the homes are definitely in my price range. But I have a few questions.

What's the Tampa area like? Are there the usual gangs and street thugs? Which areas are best to stay away from? What's the night life like in Tampa? Lastly and most importanly how often and bad are the hurricanes? I've been through quite a few but they may differ than what we had in Jersey.

Also my home I'd like it to be in a pretty populated area, and not so much in the sticks (grassy, field like areas). So what counties are best to look into. Price range is 100k-175k.

 

Homes there are nice. There's a fairly large tuner scene there too. I don't know what kind of new home buyer programs there are thru the USAF, but I know there are new home buyer progrmas through FHL banks. Google one in Florida, I'm sure they have a website, and look up "programs". They might ask for you to get a pre-purchase certificate. You'll just have to attend some lame 6 hr. long course. Lot's of agencies provide this course, like Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS)