Jax, Tampa, or elsewhere, FL vs. Portland, OR (Miami, Clearwater: credit, loan)

[tangerinepuddle]

Charleston, SC vs. Portland, OR

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Hi all,

I posted this question a few months ago, and many of you responded (i.e. riveree, david in jax, etc.) but I thought i put another one up for new people on the board-maybe they can give me some other perspectives as well. Or maybe I'm just treading water. Anyway,

I've lived in Portland, OR for about a year and 1/2. Originally from upstate NY.
Here's the thing - I love the west coast. But I miss the east coast. I'm super far away from my family and friends, who are all sprinkled up and down the east coast. I NEVER want to move back up to NY - I had ENUFF of the freezing winters and snow. So I'm thinking down South - Here are my issues -

1. I know the lifestyle and general way of living is different - I know the south is more conservative, generally speaking. I'm a liberal, but not WAY left. Will I find pockets of like-mindedness in Jax, Tampa, (Miami is OUT for me)?

2. How easy is it to land a job if you don't know people? Is it more the right connections than the strength of your resume? I have over 5+ years in the banking/legal field; currently am in credit administration/loan operations out here, and make around $50K. will I find anything close to that salary down there?

3. I plan on returning to school to pursue my dream of a career in genetics-how adult-friendly (i.e. classes at night, on the weekends) is UNF? USF?

4. How does the cost of living compare? Out here, a nice 3bd/2 ba with .5 - 1.0 acre will run you anywhere from $300,000 up to $600,000. We aren't as pricey as California, but are certainly close to the COL as some other major cities I have been in i.e. Seattle, Chicago, etc.

5. How are the beaches? Lots of public access? Clean? Are there still areas that aren't overcrowded with tourists? Out here, the beaches are beautiful and never crowded - but I suppose that has to do with the fact that they are 1.5-2 hrs away from any major city, and they are cold, even in the summer. WATER IS FREEZING!

Anyone who has any insight, I'd LOVE TO HEAR. from natives and transplants alike, especially those who have made the move from the west coast to the east coast.

I'm an east coaster at heart, but the west coast is wonderful in all its differences.

Thanks in advance!!!

[kdubose]

Well being a Pinellas county native and living in Tampa for a month so far I felt compelled to offer my opinion. I would not recommend this area whatsoever.
To start with #1- I think political speaking that we are similar to some parts of the rest of the country (more like NC's views) You have your extremely right and extremely left people...
#2 the jobs....Unless you are bilingual in Spanish, you only have a slight chance of finding employment in your field in Tampa.
#3 USF is adult friendly.. especially if youre taking the night courses as suggested. The only time you might be stuck in the college campus scene is if you decide to take a few day classes, but otherwise you should be safe with the night ones!!
#4 If you live outside of the main cities (Spring Hill, Brandon, Riverview, Pasco County, etc) you will find a nice home with a very reasonable price $120k and up... However if you choose to stay in Tampa or Pinellas County you will be paying well over $200k for a nice place. (if you find one for less then that, I would recommend getting crime stats for the area because its more than likely not one you want to be in)
#5 Any beach without tourists here is non existent lol In Tampa I have yet to find a decent beach...but if you drive the 30 mins to Pinellas...there are numerous nice "clean" ones. Indian Rocks beach, Sand Key, or Clearwater Beach if youd like to hit up a meat market.

Well thats my insight. Dont know if it helped lol but there ya go! :~)

[KittyKat22401]

After being in Portland, OR for 10+ years, I moved to SW FL. IT is way more expensive to live here but for some reason I happen to like it here. I notice that there are big differences but you get use to them and feel right at home here once you get settled.

While Portland has the days and days and days of rain, Florida gets rained on in the afternoons for about 5 months straight. The biggest difference, it only rains for about 5 minutes here as in Portland, it was all day.

[acs.1979]

YOU SAID: "1. I know the lifestyle and general way of living is different - I know the south is more conservative, generally speaking. I'm a liberal, but not WAY left. Will I find pockets of like-mindedness in Jax, Tampa, (Miami is OUT for me)? "

As a former resident of Miami, and a current resident of Portland, I think I can at least handle this question. First of all, I don't care for the old fashioned and impractical "liberal" "conservative" monikers...most people, myself included, hold values all over the spectrum depending on the topic. Of course, by watching our politicians assail each other on TV, you wouldn't think so! That said, Portland is definitely far more liberal than anywhere in Florida when it comes to city structure, laws, etc. In my humble opinion, the city of Portland is run & managed much better than Miami is. However, the city of Miami is far more diverse than Portland will ever be, and that is important to me. Portland is made up of 75% caucasions, most of whom share very similar positions in life & politics. While Miami city government is pretty conservative, the people in Miami are all over the place. One one street you will see a family from Haiti who can care less about politics living next to an out & proud gay couple living next to an orthodox Jew in decked out in full garb. It is pretty cool actually...and if you want to surround yourself with more "liberals" so to speak...there is always the city of Miami Beach...a very nice place.

[tangerinepuddle]

Is simply out of my price range - I want to be able to visit, but not live. not to mention, the year-round temps don't waiver much - I'm hoping a little further north in the state, they may change a bit (I know, its humid all year round down there, no matter where you go). Believe me, if I could afford a place on the beach down in Miami, I'd do it. At least for the winter months.