Is Jacksonville Better Than Tampa? (Miami, Orlando: neighborhoods, theater, school)

[Artisticangel]

Hello all I am new to the site. I am currently living in Tampa, Fl...have lived here all my life (unfortunately). I work in the banking industry and have been offered a position in Jacksonville. So I figured I would throw out a question....can anyone tell me the life in Tampa vs life in Jacksonville? I will give a run down of my lifestyle to help.

I am an artist (painter) and my husband is a musician (electronic music/House DJ) and a chef or I would call an expensive cook...so we do alot of club hopping and art shows and cultural events. I would consider ourselves middle income range 50k-60k annually and we have no children. I am also african american so we would love a diverse area. Currently we live near a millitary base which provides tremendous diversity and that "one luv" feeling in our area.

So my main concerns are these:
cost of living....diversity....entertainment....eclecticit y (if that is a word)....and good food!

Any help or advise would be great! And if you ever want to know anything about Tampa you can shoot me a line....you can call me the Tampa expert. LOL

Angel

[projectmaximus]

i think that all things equal, you're better off staying in tampa. your interests are probably better served there. I dont have the final verdict (ultimately you are the judge) but I'm thinking diversity, entertainment, eclecticism (i think thats the word) and good food all go to Tampa while only cost of living is the only of your main concerns that Jax would win.
Of course, you are the judge so if you can drive a few hours and spend some time you'll know for yourself.

However, there is potential in Jax and the arts scene will continue to grow as the city grows. Someone on these forums once said that Tampa and Miami had reached their peak but Jax still had so much potential. And I agree. So, if your pay will be significantly better at the job in Jax, and if you're interested in contributing to the development of a fledgling arts community (painting and electronic music), then I would see some logic in moving here. Good luck!

[Artisticangel]

lol...I dont mind contributing. I guess this is my thing...Ive lived in Tampa all my life 31 yrs Ive done everything possible to do and probally some things I shouldnt be doing within the surrounding areas Im just bored of the city. The art scene really isnt that great and the music scene as far as hubby is concerned is just starting to come back around. If I want the position in Jax its mine....however, I didnt want to move to a town that is going to be a more "city-fied" Tampa. Is Tampa really a city anyway? lol. I dont know Im keeping my options open...maybe will have to come up for a long weekend and nose around.

[KerryB]

I probably would say to stay in Tampa as well. More artsey scene there & also if your hubby does house/electronic music on the side there are more outlets in Tampa than in Jax. Also more in Orlando too which is an easy drive. Its just the way it is.

Jax is still pretty much the "old south" in many ways. Not necessarily a bad thing, but a lot of that stuff you mentioned doesnt trickle down here as fast as it does in southern FL. Its growing, just at a snails pace.

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by Artisticangel

Hello all I am new to the site. I am currently living in Tampa, Fl...have lived here all my life (unfortunately). I work in the banking industry and have been offered a position in Jacksonville.

TAKE IT!!!

Go to Jacksonville. Have tea with Riveree and be marry.

You will enjoy yourself.

[Lonnie Johnson]

Stay in Tampa. I lived there for 5 months from Columbus, Ohio and ended up in Jacksonville due to searching for a lost brother I never met. My brother asked me to stay here instead of my orinal plans to head back to Tampa. I regret coming to this hokey, pokey town.

[TheJagMan]

In Tampa you got Y'Bor and downtown St Pete and slightly hotter weather and warmer ocean water...

[Keith-n-Jax]

Not another one of these threads of course the Tampa people will say Tampa.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Keith-n-Jax

Not another one of these threads of course the Tampa people will say Tampa.

Ha Ha!

[riveree]

Originally Posted by coolyfett

TAKE IT!!!

Go to Jacksonville. Have tea with Riveree and be marry.

You will enjoy yourself.

I think you meant "be merry"? I'm already married .

I would say if you've lived all your life in Tampa and you have a good opportunity to try a new city, then why not? It's not going to be vastly different - you're only moving about 5 hours away. Worst case scenario you try it for a year or two and then you move on again - maybe to Atlanta, or Boston, or wherever you'd want to try.

You'll find you don't have some things in Jax that you did in Tampa and you'll find some new things in Jax that Tampa doesn't have. If you embrace change, you'll enjoy the differences .

I moved here from NYC and I am an art school grad and somehow I survive Jacksonville . I think it is what you make of it. I think there's also the reality of working for a living and how many nights are you really going to spend club-hopping? Maybe it was 6 or 7 nights a week when you were 20, but now you're in your 30's, so how many clubs do you really need?

My parting tidbit is this: Don't move to the far-flung suburbs, they probably won't be a good fit for you. Stick near Downtown; near the river. Take a look at neighborhoods like Riverside and San Marco, especially San Marco (galleries, wine bars, theater, great restaurants, etc.).