Jacksonville vs Tampa (Clearwater, University, Beverly Hills: real estate, 2009, crime)

[NewGrad2009]

Hello. I will be graduating from the University of South Carolina this May. I was considering moving to Washington DC and live the city life, but omg how expensive, right? So I'm considering a move to a southern city. The weather was also a big factor

So I'm stuck between Jacksonville and Tampa. From what I've heard from some friends, Jacksonville is very crime ridden and dirty, but its much bigger and thus I assume better with the job market?

Tampa seems really fresh and clean and I think I'd like it a lot, but it's next to Clearwater, which I heard is really shady because of all the scientology stuff. I'm not dogging anyone's religion, but I'm just going on what I've heard. I've been told to stay away.

Both are really close to me, and good weather, nice nightlife, but I want to know mostly about job market, nightlife (for singles in 20s), affordability, like housing/rent, etc, and things like crime, or traffic, whatever.

Also, I know there are a lot of lations/cubanos in Florida, but are there a lot of other ethnicties there too, like I'm Nigerian, and I'd like to meet other Nigerians, or Muslims, or Pakistanis, just diversity across the board too. Religion, race, sexuality, etc.

That's a lot, but I thought I could just get it all in one topic. I'd really appreciate this. Thank you! I hope to travel to whichever city I pick this Christmas break.

[movingforwork]

I moved to Jacksonville over a year ago for my job. Let me tell you, go to Tampa.

Jacksonville is crimeridden, and has the highest murder rate in Florida. There is almost always a new murder to report on the morning news.

While it is larger geographically than Tampa it does not really have the things that you would expect in a large city. It is more like four small towns that have one common municipal government.

For a city this size there is just not a lot to do and its at least a twenty mile drive to go do anything. If you are young and single Jacksonville sucks.

I haven't researched the job market here, because I already had a job to go to, but Jacksonville does not strike me as a very prosperous city, which is probably why it is crime ridden.

Jacksonville has its good points, but if I were in your position I would move to Tampa without thinking twice.

[joninclay]

I love it here, but then again, I am a 37-year-old married father of two. Jax is only "crime ridden and dirty" if you live in the "crime ridden and dirty" parts of it: near downtown, many parts of the Westside and Northside. Out at the beach is decent, as is Mandarin, Tinseltown/St. Johns Town Center, and Intracoastal West.

I've been to Tampa a lot, and there are "crime ridden and dirty" parts there, too. It depends on what part of town in which you want to live.

Job market: It depends on what you do for a living. Check the online job boards to get an idea.

Nightlife: Being a family guy, I can't speak as expertly as you'd want me to. I do know that there are ample places around town to dance, drink, and have a good time. How "hot" those clubs are, I couldn't tell you. I imagine Tampa has more than its fair share of hot spots, too.

Affordability: My research indicates that by and large, Jax is a little more affordable than Tampa in terms of real estate and cost of living. Again, it depends on what you do for a living. Your income will determine affordability. After all, to the super rich, Beverly Hills is affordable!

Traffic: It sucks in both cities. Period.

Scientologists: If you fear them that badly, then don't move to Clearwater. I don't think that Clearwater's proximity to Tampa is going to see a rash of cases of Scientologists sneaking into Tampa to...um...do whatever it is that Scientologists supposedly do to people (jump on their couches, maybe?)

There are good and bad points in both cities, no doubt about it. My recommendation is to fully research both cities, see what your employment prospects are in both of them, and go from there. Good luck to you!

[jimbo13]

spend the extra $$$ and live in DC... trust me.

[DailyJournalist]

Why dont you try a larger southern city like Atlanta. It will provide with a more urban feel and increased opportunities.

[riveree]

Both are nice cities with a lot in common.....tough choice !

I responded to some of your specific Q's in bold......


So I'm stuck between Jacksonville and Tampa. From what I've heard from some friends, Jacksonville is very crime ridden and dirty, but its much bigger and thus I assume better with the job market?

Jax does have a higher murder rate than Tampa, this is true. We average a little over 2 murders per week. A great majority of these murders are between people who know each other and they often happen in certain parts of the city - some of our most economically depressed parts of the city.

As for dirty, I don't find Jacksonville to be any dirtier than Tampa or any other comparable city.

Tampa seems really fresh and clean and I think I'd like it a lot, but it's next to Clearwater, which I heard is really shady because of all the scientology stuff. I'm not dogging anyone's religion, but I'm just going on what I've heard. I've been told to stay away.

The Scientologists have bought up significant amounts of real estate in Clearwater and they own key pieces of property in downtown Clearwater. I don't think their influence carries over into Tampa though.

Both are really close to me, and good weather, nice nightlife, but I want to know mostly about job market, nightlife (for singles in 20s), affordability, like housing/rent, etc, and things like crime, or traffic, whatever.

Qualifying with a statement that real estate is down everywhere in Florida and unemployment is up everywhere in Florida, Jax has fared slightly better on both fronts, at least up until recently.

Weather is good in both cities - Jax and Tampa. One difference might be whether you prefer Ocean of Gulf. The Gulf water doesn't have waves and there can be less of a breeze than you'd find on the Atlantic Ocean side.

Nightlife is probably going to be comparable in both cities. Neither will compare to DC. I think you'd find plenty to do in Jax. Next time you're visiting, pick up a Folio Weekly to get an idea of the nightlife in Jax.

Also, I know there are a lot of lations/cubanos in Florida, but are there a lot of other ethnicties there too, like I'm Nigerian, and I'd like to meet other Nigerians, or Muslims, or Pakistanis, just diversity across the board too. Religion, race, sexuality, etc.

Here's some info pulled from City-Data that might be helpful:

Races in Jacksonville:
White Non-Hispanic (62.2%)
Black (29.0%)
Hispanic (4.2%)
Two or more races (2.0%)
Filipino (1.4%)
Other race (1.3%)
American Indian (0.8%)

Races in Tampa:
White Non-Hispanic (51.0%)
Black (26.1%)
Hispanic (19.3%)
Other race (4.2%)
Two or more races (2.9%)
American Indian (0.9%)
Asian Indian (0.6%)

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by joninclay

Scientologists: If you fear them that badly, then don't move to Clearwater. I don't think that Clearwater's proximity to Tampa is going to see a rash of cases of Scientologists sneaking into Tampa to...um...do whatever it is that Scientologists supposedly do to people (jump on their couches, maybe?)

LOL

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by riveree

As for dirty, I don't find Jacksonville to be any dirtier than Tampa or any other comparable city.

I'm pretty sure Jax ranked in the top 5 of cleanest cities in America. I'll do a quick google search to find it if I can.

[projectmaximus]

Yup, this year's Forbes rankings put Jax at #3 and Tampa at #8.

America's Cleanest Cities - Forbes.com

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by NewGrad2009

Hello. I will be graduating from the University of South Carolina this May. I was considering moving to Washington DC and live the city life, but omg how expensive, right? So I'm considering a move to a southern city. The weather was also a big factor

So I'm stuck between Jacksonville and Tampa. From what I've heard from some friends, Jacksonville is very crime ridden and dirty, but its much bigger and thus I assume better with the job market?

Tampa seems really fresh and clean and I think I'd like it a lot, but it's next to Clearwater, which I heard is really shady because of all the scientology stuff. I'm not dogging anyone's religion, but I'm just going on what I've heard. I've been told to stay away.

Both are really close to me, and good weather, nice nightlife, but I want to know mostly about job market, nightlife (for singles in 20s), affordability, like housing/rent, etc, and things like crime, or traffic, whatever.

Also, I know there are a lot of lations/cubanos in Florida, but are there a lot of other ethnicties there too, like I'm Nigerian, and I'd like to meet other Nigerians, or Muslims, or Pakistanis, just diversity across the board too. Religion, race, sexuality, etc.

That's a lot, but I thought I could just get it all in one topic. I'd really appreciate this. Thank you! I hope to travel to whichever city I pick this Christmas break.

Ugh, another Tampa vs Jax thread? I've been here for a month or so and am sick of this same comparison.

Anyway, I've got to say that, as much as I like Jax, I think you'll find more options for excitement in Tampa. The stereotype that being young and single in jax sucks does have some truth to it. People may defend Jacksonville, but the honest truth is that while it is an exaggeration to say there's nothing to do and no nightlife, it is hard to find. Jax isn't as bad as the negative posters make it sound, but you will definitely have to seek out the young crowd, and maybe put in your own effort into creating it. Why do that when you could have it already at your feet in DC or Atlanta.

OK, all that said, it's possible that the grass just looks greener on the other side. I've never lived in Tampa and it may have similar issues...I don't know. But I have visited plenty of times and my perception is that it's a step up from Jax in that regard.