Tampa, FL area Opinions

[horndog]

I am looking at the possibilty of moving down south to the Tampa area, more likely more inland like the Winter Haven area. <br /><br />Now the issue is, if I call a realtor or whomever of course they will brag on how nice the area is. What I am looking for is someone with an honest opinion of this area.<br /><br />Is it packed like an urban area? Is it high crime? Is it a nice neighborhood? I will be moving from a mid-high scale neighborhood in the Chicago suburbs where homes are in the 3500 - 4000 sq foot range.<br /><br />We are looking at mid sized homes down there in the 2500 - 3000 sq foot range and this area seems OK, but was looking for personal opinions.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

hi horndog, try this web site, should have what you need, I used it to research the Florida area myself, nothing beats a personal visit, if you're going to work there take a "looking for a job" trip and write some off on income tax, but check the latest IRS rules first. I'm also heading to Florida, retiring end of this year. we just came back from Daytona's biker week, saw one bike with a big block chevy engine, now that's overpowered, good luck. Ken<br /><br /> http://www.bestplaces.net/

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

I've had two children live in Tampa, so have spent a lot of time down there. The housing will be much more affordable than Chicago area and the weather will certainly be different. Tampa is crowded and traffic is heavy. In the winter, a LOT of snowbirds come down and social services and facilities are strained. For example, my daughter's church goes broke every winter giving out Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to snowbirds who sign up as being needy. They live cheap in rental trailer parks and don't spend money unless they absolutely have to. Parts of Tampa can be wild and wooley, since the wackos that can't find their way to California all seem to wind up in South Florida. That's the negatives. The positives- the suburban areas like Brandon are very nice. People are friendly and community minded. The weather is excellent in the winter. May be too hot in summer if you're not used to it. A/C is a must in cars and houses. The saltwater around Tampa is beautiful and the nearby communities like St. Petersburg and Clearwater have many attractions. It's not as crowded and frantic-seeming as, say, Miami. Is it a good place to live? Depends on what you're used to and what you're looking for. I liked to visit, myself, but wouldn't want to live there. Too busy a place for me. BTW, Busch Gardens is there and my family liked it better than Disneyworld. I'm sure I'll offend someone with my comments and I apologize, but that's the way I see it.

 

[horndog]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

thanks for all the helpful tips!<br /><br />I will be going down there in a couple of weeks and I do have plenty of frequent flyer miles, so thats not a problem. <br /><br />What I have noticed is that the whole Tampa area has a high crime rate per capita, odd.<br /><br />Some of the needs I need:<br /><br />1. close to an international airport<br />2. close to freshwater<br />3. Away from the hustle of a big city, but not sparsely populated<br />4. warmer than chicago

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

I can second most of what Jack says. I've been there a few times for various business and pleasure reasons. I can't say that I would move there to live, unless you can get out of the city, and don't have to venture into all the traffic. I have fewer problems going cross town in Chicago than I did in Tampa, particularly from Tampa to Clearwater, and south along the coast. <br />The heat and humidity would keep me away though.<br /><br />That being said, I spent some time in Lutz and the area just north of there, and it was real nice. <br /><br />As Winter Haven is some 35? miles east of Tampa, it may be much different and probably very nice.<br /><br />If I was going to relocate, I would rent, yes rent, for at least 6 months, preferrably a year, just to get acclaimated to the area.

 

[horndog]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

Like I said, I will be going down there and checking it out, thoroughly. Get myself in rush hour traffic in Tampa, go visit some grocery stores, do the things you would as a local.<br /><br />Yes, we would definately stay away from the city of Tampa. Even though I sat through chicago traffic, and gotten use to it, do I avoid it, you damn right I do!<br /><br />I have moved several times before to Denver, Arkansas(don't ask why), Racine, WI, and Phoenix so I have seen extremes in weather so that isn't too bothersome and am aware of them. <br /><br />As being in the midwest for the majority of my life and have to go through cabin fever every year that is more bothersome than dealing with humidity. Yes, I like snow and seen my share of it, but enough is enough.

 

[horndog]

Re: Tampa, FL area Opinions

from what our realtor states, the Ft. Meyers area is quite nice as well. He stated its a bit more pricey, but it is well worth it