Mikail Dellovich wrote:
How about 20-30 miles east of Tampa Bay.. Such as Valrico, FL? How far
inland is safe from flooding and hurricanes?

If you like strawberries, you'd be real close to some of the strawberry
fields. IMHO, it's not a bad place to live. You'd be well out of the
surge/flood zone, but no place in Florida is safe from hurricane winds.
Hurricane Charley proved that. Good luck fighting rush hour traffic
going through Brandon, though, unless you take the Crosstown Expressway
(toll road). But then, rush hour traffic backs up just about everywhere
in the Tampa Bay area these days. That same toll road will get you to
Pinellas County (and the beaches) pretty quick. There's a huge Mall
and other shopping centers on the other side of Brandon, so shopping is
close by. Menard Park is a hop, skip, and a jump from Valrico too.
It's a great place for family outtings, swimming, freshwater fishing,
and camping, if you like that kind of stuff.