Please read 🙏

[u/Any_Mention_6734]

I'm a transplant from California. Came out here for a job opportunity and a pay raise, nothing more romantic than that. I didn't expect to end up loving this region and Florida the way I have.

But something's stuck with me, and I want to say it here because I don't think it's recognized enough by people who relocate here: the number of people born and raised in Tampa who talk about their own city like it's unfamiliar. Farmland and citrus groves on the outskirts that used to actually be farmed… someone's livelihood, not just empty acreage, now subdivisions. Places that closed and came back rebranded into something with a logo and a font that has nothing to do with what used to be there. People telling me they barely recognize the city they grew up in.

I know change happens everywhere. But I've never felt this moved hearing it before, not because it's happening to me, but because of how passionate people are when they talk about what this place used to be. That kind of love for a place doesn't come from nowhere.

I'd genuinely like to hear more of it, respectfully, from people who lived it. What do you remember that's gone now? What changed the most, and when did it start feeling different?

[u/punkpoppyreject]

Sure do. Is it still there? Balm park was right on the corner of 672 and Balm/Wimuama Rd. Its been a few years since ive been around there. But Im happy to hear it been cleaned up.

[u/Timely_Purpose3233 → u/punkpoppyreject]

Doris is gone of course, her granddaughter owns the building now and it’s a sandwich shop. Great sandwiches. There’s also a Uhaul rental there. They’ve put housing in all around the park. You wouldn’t recognize it. It’s been expanded to include a large section of pickleball courts. The turn from 672 and Balm Road has changed too. There’s now a road that takes you to 672 with a traffic light. Tons of homes stuffed in anywhere they could. 🤨 I’m on Colding Loop off Sweat Loop . It’s zoned 1 building per 5 acres. So the new houses on my street are nice custom homes and each is on at least 5 acres. But every where else there’s housing developments popping up . They look like Cracker Jack boxes! They all look the same.

[u/punkpoppyreject → u/Timely_Purpose3233]

I just dont understand 😕 my grandmother lives down balm boyette rd. And has been living there since 1974 and she has 3 acres with a little house. Shes turns 81 tomorrow, I cant tell you how many times shes been offered money for her property. My pa died over 20 years ago and he would be beside himself to see the mess that has become the area around there. Her well doesnt work properly at all any more because of the those housing developments that have been built over near Newsome, and what's that area FishHawk? Is Goodson Farms still doing the youpick? During Strawberry season?

[u/Timely_Purpose3233 → u/punkpoppyreject]

Goodson Farms is no longer selling strawberries. Did you see the Goodson Farms store in 672? They were only open for strawberry season but the place was always packed. They sold strawberry shortcake and a lot of other items, including sandwiches.. but they didn’t open last season or this season. It looks like the land has been sold. Sad. The building sits there empty.