THE "TOP" OF TAMPA BAY

In the early 1900s, enterprising Americans left their small, rural towns and moved to the city to make their fortunes. In the 1950s, they abandoned the big cities in favor of the suburbs. Today, at the turn of the 21st Century, the process has come full circle, as people "return to their roots" in search of small-town America … communities like Oldsmar and its Top of the Bay neighbors — East Lake Woodlands, Westchase, The Eagles and Westpark Town Center.

And it’s easy to understand why. Affordable housing, low crime rates, pleasant year-round weather, friendly retailers and abundant recreational opportunities combine to make the Top of the Bay area a virtual paradise, offering every imaginable amenity and lifestyle in an area that’s still convenient to the "big cities" of Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The City of Oldsmar is a study in contrasts. The older section of town south of Tampa Road was developed in the early 1900s by founder R.E. Olds and those who followed in his footsteps. The city’s first streets were laid-out like spokes on the wheel of one of Olds’ automobiles, centered on a "hub" at the northernmost point of Old Tampa Bay.

Wide, tree-lined avenues lead from the waterfront to the city’s downtown area, where City and Chamber leaders are working to resurrect what was once a thriving retail center. Along the bay shore, older "cracker"-style homes are slowly disappearing, and magnificent waterfront estates are rising in their place.

North and west of "Old Oldsmar," modern residential developments and master-planned communities offer all the amenities that 21st century homebuyers desire, from swimming pools, walking trails and tennis courts to world-class golf courses and country clubs.

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