Keystone

Palm trees, lakes, inlets, and stunning Mediterranean-style homes with pools, boats, and cozy cul-de-sac locations barely begin to tell the story of Odessa neighborhood. Located about 23 miles northwest of Tampa, Odessa is ranked the second-best place to live in Pasco County by Niche. Home to about 7,500 residents, Odessa is a welcoming and active suburban community with most homes built in the 21st century. “I love this neighborhood,” says Jennifer Laihuyen, a local Realtor with Future Home Realty and a real estate agent for over 16 years. “Odessa has supermarkets, fitness centers, shopping, daycare centers and great schools, all just around the corner from home. The neighborhood offers plenty of conveniences and is truly close to everything.” Sidewalk-lined subdivisions feature simple stucco cottages and million-dollar inlet-facing homes with pools. Swaying palm trees and flowering Bougainvillea complement green lawns and nearby lakes to create a stunning Florida oasis. Homes feature lanais, elaborate patios and two or three-car garages. Single-story homes have recently sold from about $500,000 to $900,000. Buyers can find multi-acre, undeveloped properties in Odessa from about $500,000 to more than $1,000,000. Luxury waterfront homes with lake access and guest cottages have recently sold from $950,000 to $2,000,000. Realtor Laihuyen continues, “There are a lot of newer homes in Odessa and the great location means they're a little pricier, but you can still get more bang for your buck here than in places like Tampa.” Odessa is zoned within the Pasco County School District, which Niche ranks the third-best school district in the Tampa area. Odessa Elementary School is the sixth-best public elementary school in the county and receives an A- rating from Niche. Students can move on to Charles S. Rushe Middle School, which gets a B-plus grade from Niche. Sunlake High School receives an A-minus grade from Niche and offers programs for gifted students and Advanced Placement courses. Odessa is also home to Rasmussen University - Central Pasco, where they offer more than 50 programs and pair a robust support system with high-quality instruction for students seeking to become more confident in their professional lives. Kids can enjoy the playground and sports fields at Odessa Community Park, which is located on Chesapeake Drive. Horse lovers will take advantage of living close to Suncoast Stables and Riding Academy, which offers private and group lessons, boarding facilities and horse training. Lake Minneola is a 1,900-acre lake that welcomes fishing, kayaking, swimming and playing along the sandy lakeside beach. A splash pad keeps the little ones cool in the summer. Want a taste of Hawaii? Fish Bowl Kitchen, located just outside the east edge of Odessa, prides itself on its traditional Poke bowls with Hawaiian and Pacific Coast flavors. It also offers Acai fruit bowls and Boba Tea. Glory Days Grill fans love their sports-themed setting featuring nachos and wings. Locals rave about Brick City Eatery’s brick oven pizzas, salads and sandwiches. Nearby, Carrabba’s Italian Grill is family-friendly and cultivates fans with classic Italian dishes and over-the-top desserts. “Odessa has fast food and high-end restaurants nearby and many are walkable from some subdivisions. Folks can just cross the street and enjoy lunch or dinner,” Laihuyen says. “There are lots of new businesses as this is such an up-and-coming area.” Locals stop at Starbucks at The Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard, which also features a Chili’s, Pizza Hut and Jimmy John’s. While residents can head to Tampa for events and festivals, there’s much to enjoy around Odessa. The Annual Pasco County Beer & Burger Festival held each April at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, allows visitors to vote for their favorite burgers and features live bands and local craft breweries. The Sabor Latino Latin Music Festival at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport is a family-friendly event celebrating music, dance and culinary explorations. Nearby Keystone Ranch is a small family business that offers tours, events and produce. Route 589 cuts through Odessa and connects drivers south toward Hillsborough Bay and all the amenities of Downtown Tampa. While many residents drive cars to get around Odessa, public transportation options are also available. Pasco County provides bus services throughout the area, while private taxi services offer rides to nearby airports or other destinations. Residents head 15 miles south to Tampa Airport or 20 miles southwest to St. Petersburg for domestic and international flights. Odessa’s violent crime rate is 6.11 per 1,000 residents, while its property crime rate is 12.52 per 1,000 residents. Compared to surrounding cities, Odessa's reported crime rate is slightly higher. Generally, higher incidences of crime are reported in the southeast part of Odessa where there are more retail areas. Several neighborhoods in Odessa balance lower crime reporting with those with higher crime data.