[Juxtaposition109]

Hello,
I am going to be moving to Florida sometime over the next year and I am having trouble choosing between Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay area. I like to live in bigger cities that have a cosmopoliton feel and have as much diversity peoplewise as possible. Also I'm going to be going to college and majoring in Spanish and I saw from the statistics that the Tampa area has a 23 percent hispanic population whereas Jacksonville only has a 6.6 population. I also like surfing with a long board and have heard that the Atlantic coast has a better opportunity for waves as opposed to the gulf. So having factored in these variables what would be your suggestions as the pro's and con's of both cities? Miami sounds great but the cost of living looks crazy high so I'm trying to stick with Jacksonville and Tampa. Thank you.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Juxtaposition109

Hello,
I am going to be moving to Florida sometime over the next year and I am having trouble choosing between Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay area. I like to live in bigger cities that have a cosmopoliton feel and have as much diversity peoplewise as possible. Also I'm going to be going to college and majoring in Spanish and I saw from the statistics that the Tampa area has a 23 percent hispanic population whereas Jacksonville only has a 6.6 population. I also like surfing with a long board and have heard that the Atlantic coast has a better opportunity for waves as opposed to the gulf. So having factored in these variables what would be your suggestions as the pro's and con's of both cities? Miami sounds great but the cost of living looks crazy high so I'm trying to stick with Jacksonville and Tampa. Thank you.

What is more important to you - the surfing or the cosmopolitan diverse area? Because Jacksonville will have better surfing, but has a more "southern" small town feel despite it's population. Tampa and the whole Bay Area is far more diverse and cosmopolitan in feel, and in my personal opinion has a lot more to offer as far as cities go than Jacksonville.

You are right about Miami, it is way more expensive to live there.

[Magnolia Bloom]

Tampa: I like to live in bigger cities that have a cosmopoliton feel and

Tampa: have as much diversity peoplewise as possible.

Tampa: Also I'm going to be going to college and majoring in Spanish and I saw from the statistics that the Tampa area has a 23 percent hispanic population whereas Jacksonville only has a 6.6 population.

Jacksonville/east coast: I also like surfing with a long board and have heard that the Atlantic coast has a better opportunity for waves as opposed to the gulf.

[Strel]

Originally Posted by Juxtaposition109

Hello,
I am going to be moving to Florida sometime over the next year and I am having trouble choosing between Jacksonville and the Tampa Bay area. I like to live in bigger cities that have a cosmopoliton feel and have as much diversity peoplewise as possible. Also I'm going to be going to college and majoring in Spanish and I saw from the statistics that the Tampa area has a 23 percent hispanic population whereas Jacksonville only has a 6.6 population. I also like surfing with a long board and have heard that the Atlantic coast has a better opportunity for waves as opposed to the gulf. So having factored in these variables what would be your suggestions as the pro's and con's of both cities? Miami sounds great but the cost of living looks crazy high so I'm trying to stick with Jacksonville and Tampa. Thank you.

You won't hear much Spanish in Jax.

Yes, there are waves on the Atlantic side, but they do not compare to west coast surfing. So unless you make mediocre surfing a real priority, go to Tampa. The west coast beaches are much nicer, IMHO, because of the lack of surf.

Tampa has a lot more to do, IMHO...although St. Augustine is appealing.

[doggiebus]

Sounds like Tampa is the better choice. If you want to surf, you can always drive over to the east coast and spend the day if there are going to be good waves.