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by John M.
Tampa Bay Top Place Where Affluent
Want To Live
While Tampa Bay is clearly not West Palm Beach, it is
quickly rising to that level of affluence, according to
today's St. Petersburg Times. How so?
Florida's Tampa Bay area has grown over the years from a
quiet, sleepy area on Florida's Gulf coast, to a booming
area that includes Super Bowl Champions, such as the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stanley Cup victors, like the
Tampa Bay Lightning, and a vast array of upscale
entertainment and cultural venues, some of the world's
most beautiful beaches and upscale shopping.
Take Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom's for example. There
are anywhere from 40 to 100 potential locations
throughout the U.S. that could support these stores as a
result of their affluent populations. Tampa's
International Plaza, known for its upscale shopping, has
both.
Then there are the luxury cars. Tampa Bay is the world's
fourth top market for the Rolls-Royce Phantom - priced
at nearly $350,000 - just behind London, Beverly Hills
and Tokyo. Dimmitt Motorcar Group of Clearwater said
they sold 26 this year, and they said they have pre-sold
six of the new Rolls-Royce convertibles, starting at
$400,000, plus 125 Bentleys, starting at $175,000 a
piece.
Then there are the luxury homes and condos, which
include marble floors, spas, mahogany and cherry
cabinets, and many more luxurious touches fit for a king
and his queen. Prices for these condos start in the
$600s and go into the $5 millions. Prices for the homes
start in the $2 millions and go to just under $30
million. Not bad, considering that such homes in Naples
are typically priced in the $40 million and $50 million
range.
Last week, two dozen Tampa Bay area homes were
listed...with price tags of $5-million or more, topped
by a $25-million listing for the French-style Belleair
mansion of Terry Bollea, better known to wrestling fans
as Hulk Hogan. If that's a little too rich for you, one
of his neighbors has a house on the market for
$16-million.
Why is Tampa Bay so attractive these days to the
affluent?
"These days the wealthy can work from anywhere and
nobody's retiring in the capital 'R' way," he said.
"They're retiring in the small 'r,' pursuing dreams and
wanting to live in a place with a fabulous lifestyle.
Florida and California really deliver those, but Florida
is closer to Europe and the Caribbean where they want to
travel and Florida has that strong sense of a
business-minded approach."
If you're considering moving here to Florida's Tampa Bay
area, or attaining a second home here for leisure or
investment, Contact a Realtor who will discretely assist
you in finding the perfect luxury home or condo that
fits your real estate needs and your lifestyle. Privacy
protection is assured. |