Ft. Lauderdale/Wilton Manors? (Miami, Tampa: middle-class, renting, home)

[Lior Arel]

Hi all! I moved to Tampa 4 1/2 year ago and I'm not happy here. It's hard to pinoint exactly what I don't like (lack of culture, people seem de clase, gay community is HORRENDOUS), but I do love the weather. I love tropical weather and people have told me SE Florida would be a better fit for me. I love an urban, funky environment (think Providence, RI or Boston, MA). What's Ft. Lauderdale really like? I don't think Miami is a place for me from what I've hear, but I'm thinking FTL might be the home I'm looking for. Any thoughts as to how it compares to Tampa and NE cities? Thanks.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by victorytampa

Hi all! I moved to Tampa 4 1/2 year ago and I'm not happy here. It's hard to pinoint exactly what I don't like (lack of culture, people seem de clase, gay community is HORRENDOUS), but I do love the weather. I love tropical weather and people have told me SE Florida would be a better fit for me. I love an urban, funky environment (think Providence, RI or Boston, MA). What's Ft. Lauderdale really like? I don't think Miami is a place for me from what I've hear, but I'm thinking FTL might be the home I'm looking for. Any thoughts as to how it compares to Tampa and NE cities? Thanks.

Fort Lauderdale feels a LOT like a northeast city. Wilton Manors is somewhat what you are looking for. It's not Providence or Boston (nowhere in FL is that built up or urban) but its pretty funky. You ought to either go for Wilton Manors or somewhere east of U.S.1 near the coast. It's more progressive than Tampa, and has the second highest percentage of gay residents in the U.S (only to San Fran.).Downtown Hollywood could also be a place to check out. It's not as "gay" but its becoming more that way, and also has more of the environment you are looking for. I would recommend renting near the Las Olas section of Lauderdale as well. Culture and the arts are certainly alive and well in greater Fort Lauderdale too!

[Lior Arel]

Thanks, Fort Lauderdale! That sums up what my research has shown, but I like hearing it from someone who knows the area. After all, my research also showed Tampa as a cultural, urban city with lots to do and a strong gay community (BTW, NOT!!). The only thing I'd miss here is the white sand beaches

[MiamiRob]

victory Wilton Manors (gay mayor) is known as the gay enclave in southeast Florida..actually Dade & Broward counties have Human Rights Laws that protect gays from discrimination. Tampa isn't exactly an area regarded as being socially liberal so I don't know how you wound up there!

[Lior Arel]

MiamiRob, I followed a guy down here who turned around and moved to Seattle! I've felt stuck ever since. I'm not all about being gay, but it's nice to have a community of people to associate with. Here, there are three types: 1: People with money and all they care about is their money, their toys, and their gossip. They don't want anything to do with you once they find out you're simply lower/middle class 2: People who are middle class, but all they want to do is sit in a bar somewhere and drink or do drugs. 3: The dregs...nuff said.

HELP! Someone get me out of here

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by victorytampa

MiamiRob, I followed a guy down here who turned around and moved to Seattle! I've felt stuck ever since. I'm not all about being gay, but it's nice to have a community of people to associate with. Here, there are three types: 1: People with money and all they care about is their money, their toys, and their gossip. They don't want anything to do with you once they find out you're simply lower/middle class 2: People who are middle class, but all they want to do is sit in a bar somewhere and drink or do drugs. 3: The dregs...nuff said.

HELP! Someone get me out of here

Well, I can tell you, greater Fort Lauderdale has everybody, from every walk of life perceivable (it's actually more diverse than Miami), and it all clashes with each other,but they all get along. This was one of the aspects that drew me to this area. This area is freaking great. I worry about the future here, but for now, this is quite a place.

Oh, one problem. You are going to have to worry about the whacko mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Naugle, who claims to be a "Conservative" but wants to spend 250 thousand dollars on a robotic toilet to "stop homosexual sex"! But do not fret, just be ready to participate in the "Flush Naugle" campaign!!! The guy is a whackjob, he needs to be flushed!
FlushNaugle.org

[eufo]

Sorry for the hi-jack, but...

I really think robotic toilets are a dumb idea. Can't we spend $250,000 on something more beneficial for the community?

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by eufo

Sorry for the hi-jack, but...

I really think robotic toilets are a dumb idea. Can't we spend $250,000 on something more beneficial for the community?

Like I said, he CLAIMS to be a fiscal conservative

[chisoxfan]

I'll cast another vote for either Wilton Manors or Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors has been one of Broward's real success stories of the past 15 years; it's basically gone from aging and rundown to vibrant and thriving. It also might be worth your while to check out certain parts of Oakland Park, which is adjacent to both Wilton Manors and Lauderdale. Although Oakland Park does not have a good reputation and the western parts of it are best avoided, many areas in the eastern part of town are quite nice and remind me a bit of Wilton Manors when it started to turn around. You'd pretty much need to investigate Oakland Park thoroughly to wind up in the right place, but it could be worth the effort.

An aside on Naugle: I am ashamed that we have him as a mayor, and I felt that way long before the latest flap. He also has referred to middle-class residents who need affordable housing as "beer-drinking shlubs who sit on the couch all day" -- nice way to talk about police, firefighters, teachers, etc. However, I wouldn't let him deter you from moving to Fort Lauderdale. Thanks to term limits, he's gone in two years.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by chisoxfan

Thanks to term limits, he's gone in two years.

Or tomorrow, if we flush him! Give him a swirly, chisoxfan!Other above statements are right on. East Oakland Park is an emerging "gayberhood" that is more affordable, but will be just as nice in 5 years.