Moving to Tampa or Orlando! Need opinions.

bsdsys

bsdsys

New member
Well, today I finally decided to go on and make a change in my life and move from Nashville to Tampa or Orlando. I moved to Nashville,TN from Louisville,KY about a year and a half ago. I like it here but need/want a change.

Any guys/gals in the Orlando or Tampa areas wanna jump in or just someone that knows about the two cities by all means jump in and say what's on your mind. Pros and Cons welcome. My main concern would be if it is a retiree haven. I am 24 and don't want to be around a bunch of retirees.

I've heard great things about Tampa and Tamp seems to be the main city I am interested in. I do have kids, they don't live with me and if I decide to go with Tampa, there will still be many things to do included the Orlando scene which is only an hour or so from Tampa. Any comments appreciated and encouraged. Don't be shy and don't hold back.
 
I'd go to orlando myself if i "had" to choose between the two. Both cities have their pro's. Lots to do, nice areas,etc. And the cons would be traffic,tourists,etc.

I'm in a small town nicknamed Orlampa lol about 25 minutes from disney and like 35-40 from busch gardens(tampa). Its nice to be able to hop on the highway and be there in no time and also be able to live in a area where i don't have to fight the tourist traffic to get to the store.
 
I don't mind the traffic and tourists. I see that on a daily basis as is so that isn't an issue. I've heard good things about both but are there any specifics as to why you would choose Orlando over Tampa?
 
That's a tough one. Orlando is a nicer city but it isn't on the water. They both have plenty to do. Tough choice.

Honestly, I have been really liking Clearwater which is just south of Tampa. It has some great parks and events. If I weren't so planted in Sarasota, I would be looking to move to that area.

Troy
 
Would you say Clearwater is more of the retiree scene that the younger croud? I'm only 24, and deffinately don't want to be around a bunch of retired people and have them as my neighbors. Don't like to turn down the music past 9. You know?
 
bsdsys said:
Would you say Clearwater is more of the retiree scene that the younger croud? I'm only 24, and deffinately don't want to be around a bunch of retired people and have them as my neighbors. Don't like to turn down the music past 9. You know?
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I don't think of Clearwater as a retiree spot anymore than Tampa is. Sarasota on the other hand is definitely full of retirees. Clearwater or St.Pete are both cities that have a lot going on without being a big city.

Troy
 
Deffinately something to consider but I am a big city guy by heart and that will probable not change :-). I deffinately appreciate the comments though and hope to get more info on Tampa and Orlando.

Bryan
 
I just purchased a vacation home in Orlando 2 weeks ago. I eventually plan to use the property for retirement, but for now it's just for fun. I considered other cities in Florida (no state income tax) but ultimately decided upon Orlando. Tampa was my second choice, followed by Jacksonville. The main tipping points were the good airport at MCO (with reasonably priced non-stop flights almost anywhere) plus the wealth of entertainment options. I'm also hoping that a location in the central part of the state will be less prone to hurricane damage than coastal alternatives. If you want to visit a beach, you can drive to several within an hour. Orlando's job market is quite good and is set to boom with the addition of a new biomedical research park. Hope this helps.
 
awd330 said:
I'm also hoping that a location in the central part of the state will be less prone to hurricane damage than coastal alternatives.
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This is one of the main reasons why I am also considering Orlando over Tampa. Furhter inland but yet reasonably close to the beach with the typical Florida weather. I'm only 24 years old so I deffinately don't want to be in an area that will be more retirement people than anything. I wont fit in regardless... lol. You know? Maybe someone else saying that they think Orlando is a better choice for the hurricane reasons maybe puts Orlando back into my mind as the better choice. Thanks. Deffinately worth reading it from someone else that thinks the same as I do.
 
Well I have lived in Orlando since 1962,and I tell you it's grown allot It's not as cheap as people think it's compared to the salary you get. Unless you are a professional , and unless you have lived in high humidity state before you in for a treat. In the summer the heat index can get into the 100s plus and that really sucks.Since Orlando is in the middle of the state it the most humid part of the state. Good luck with your move.
 
I have a soft spot for Tampa since that is where my family are, but in the same breath I can tell you that that city is getting alot worse with crime these days. I know they are trying to re-vamp the city and the historical district and I hear they even brought back the old street car that my mom used to ride when she was a kid. They still make the best Cuban sandwiches in the state IMHO, and they have alot of good music spots for blues and jazz too. I like the tree lined cobble stone streets of Ybor City and the Spanish influences there, (It's alot like Coral Gables in Miami), but downtown Tampa is pretty ugly looking.

On the flip side, Orlando is not the prettiest city either, although it is exploding with growth. It is a huge tourist town with Disney World and Universal studios dominating all life there. There are tons of gaudy hotels and motels all around Orlando, but it has alot of job opportunities there due to it's growth. There is also an aiport right there, but like mentioned before, it's not right on the water like Tampa.

As Gator mentioned, it does get hot and humid here and it's the main reason people leave after living here awhile. The heat can be a bit much to take if you're not used to it. I find it's always hotter on the Gulf coast in summer than on the East Coast and it's also colder on the Gulf in the winter than it is on the East coast. I don't know why, but it is. lol

As far as retirement communities, there's probably more of that in Tampa then in Orlando, but again, it depends exactly which neighborhood you're in in the city. Hope this helps. :)
 
bsdsys said:
This is one of the main reasons why I am also considering Orlando over Tampa. Furhter inland but yet reasonably close to the beach with the typical Florida weather. I'm only 24 years old so I deffinately don't want to be in an area that will be more retirement people than anything. I wont fit in regardless... lol. You know? Maybe someone else saying that they think Orlando is a better choice for the hurricane reasons maybe puts Orlando back into my mind as the better choice. Thanks. Deffinately worth reading it from someone else that thinks the same as I do.
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Although the greater damage from a hurricane will occur where the storm comes ashore, you are not necessarily safe anywhere in the state. Hurricanes are massive storms and they can come ashore anywhere and do damage everywhere they go. Orlando got criss crossed 3 times during the 2004 hurricane season. The truth is there is water everywhere around the state and anybody, anywhere in the state, can be hit with a hurricane.
 
Keep in mind, if you move to the Tampa area (especially Clearwater), you'll need to buy a big Crown Vic or Grand Marquis to blend in. :D You'll always be able to get a table for dinner at 7:00 since all the residents hit the Early Bird Specials.

My wife's Grandparents live in Top of the World in Clearwater. They sold their condo on the beach for this place. We visited in October and the area was pretty nice.
 
Hey, Jen. Great points that I agree on alot about Tampa and Orlando. They do have some ugly skylines. Jacksonville is a pretty city with a nice skyline but with colder climates. I have deffinately thought about Southern Florida but it would have to be in the greater Miami area. Which is totally cool and all but how is the job scene down there? I've heard the jobs suck in Florida and have been trying to get some opinions on this.

To put it blunt, I am 24, pretty much worked with my family and their businesses all my life so no real life experience in anything but floor care. Which is what my family does. I wouldn't mind doing that at say a ChemDry branch or something in Orlando is the demand is high for it and the job would pay off.

Like I said, I'm only 24, I would like to eventually get out of Floor Care and get into Full Time detailing down the road in a couple years. I think I can do it, heck I know I can, do you think the Miami area is a good area for this kinda business? Both floor care for a starter job and detailing for later on?

I wouldn't mind living in one of the suburbs on the out skirts of Miami. I just don't want to pay no more than 1,400 a month for a 2br/ba and would deffinately like to have a garage. Keep in mind I am 24 and do not want to be around a high population of retirees. I know Florida has them everywhere but maybe with your experience of the areas you could give some pointers on Miami for me? If you have any recommendations on the kinda area that I would be looking for that would be great. No the projects though :eek:
 
bsdsys said:
Hey, Jen. Great points that I agree on alot about Tampa and Orlando. They do have some ugly skylines. Jacksonville is a pretty city with a nice skyline but with colder climates. I have deffinately thought about Southern Florida but it would have to be in the greater Miami area. Which is totally cool and all but how is the job scene down there? I've heard the jobs suck in Florida and have been trying to get some opinions on this.

To put it blunt, I am 24, pretty much worked with my family and their businesses all my life so no real life experience in anything but floor care. Which is what my family does. I wouldn't mind doing that at say a ChemDry branch or something in Orlando is the demand is high for it and the job would pay off.

Like I said, I'm only 24, I would like to eventually get out of Floor Care and get into Full Time detailing down the road in a couple years. I think I can do it, heck I know I can, do you think the Miami area is a good area for this kinda business? Both floor care for a starter job and detailing for later on?

I wouldn't mind living in one of the suburbs on the out skirts of Miami. I just don't want to pay no more than 1,400 a month for a 2br/ba and would deffinately like to have a garage. Keep in mind I am 24 and do not want to be around a high population of retirees. I know Florida has them everywhere but maybe with your experience of the areas you could give some pointers on Miami for me? If you have any recommendations on the kinda area that I would be looking for that would be great. No the projects though :eek:
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I would definitely NOT live in Miami! lol It's WAAAAAAAAAAYY too crowded down there. I live close enough to it as it is and where I am in south Broward is bad enough!! The commute alone will make you suicidal!! lol

Fort Lauderdale is a nice city to live in and there's lots going on. The traffic is much more bearable and lots of people have carpets here so I don't see why you couldn't easily find a job doing floors. We have Stanley Steamers all over the place.

Fort Lauderdale also is a great place for detailing. There's lots of uber rich people with nice boats and cars. The beach is really nice AND we get the Air and Sea Show in Fort Lauderdale every year!! This weekend actually, I can't wait!!

Fort Lauderdale is where I was born and raised so I'm definitely biased (as if you couldn't tell), but to be fair, I've been to alot of places in the state and Fort Lauderdale is definitely one of the funner ones. :)
 
Jen@autogeek said:

I would definitely NOT live in Miami! lol It's WAAAAAAAAAAYY too crowded down there. I live close enough to it as it is and where I am in south Broward is bad enough!! The commute alone will make you suicidal!! lol

Fort Lauderdale is a nice city to live in and there's lots going on. The traffic is much more bearable and lots of people have carpets here so I don't see why you couldn't easily find a job doing floors. We have Stanley Steamers all over the place.

Fort Lauderdale also is a great place for detailing. There's lots of uber rich people with nice boats and cars. The beach is really nice AND we get the Air and Sea Show in Fort Lauderdale every year!! This weekend actually, I can't wait!!

Fort Lauderdale is where I was born and raised so I'm definitely biased (as if you couldn't tell), but to be fair, I've been to alot of places in the state and Fort Lauderdale is definitely one of the funner ones. :)
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Oh P.S. I forgot to add, you have to be bilingual to work in Miami. It's virtually impossible to find a job there only speaking English
 
Thanks for all the info everybody. Really appreciate it. Just something I have been thinking about the last year or so and thought I would get some opinions on it. Still deciding on a new city to move to between December and February so I am keeping my options open. I am very picky and alot of things I think about change so much it's kinda frustrating. Who knows where I will move but deffinately will be. Take care.

Bryan
 
In my opinion...I love the Orlando area. The outside areas are beautiful and booming. Personally, we have family in Tampa and I really don't like it there. But Troy has a point about the water. Jacksonville is a great place to live. It has soooo much to offer. But, it's very spread out and requires alot of driving.
 
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