orlando vs tampa (jobs, house, crime)

[JSnFla]

who the hell cares about IKEA?

[tvmango]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

who the hell cares about IKEA?

amen to that... it's a store that sell cheap stuff.. just like walmart etc.. all the furn you have to put together etc...

people around here are acting like we live in the sticks and we have no stores..

I understand it's new.. but its getting really old with the news showing it every hour and the radio talking about etc..

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by tvmango

I like orlando over tampa because of the amount of things to do here for kids.
plus we also have beaches very close.

I'm just curious, besides theme parks at 70 bucks a pop and long lines, what else is there for kids in Orlando? Also, I thought the closest beach to Orlando was at least 45 minutes away?

I asked about kid friendly things to do in Tampa in another thread and got some great repsonses:

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

My 4-year old grandson LOVES! the Museum of Science and Industry (on Fowler Av near USF). Welcome to MOSI - Museum Of Science and Industry - Tampa, Florida

Also, since this is a holiday weekend, there must be some great outdoor activities to celebrate our Veterans!

Originally Posted by Jesslyn848

Lowry Park Zoo or the Florida Aquarium, I would suggest the latter now as it's been cold.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay - It's A Cool Way To Sea Life

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

Next to Lowry Park is a Childrens Museum and Mini City....there are so many parks to enjoy and the beach. Ybor City Historic District is nice by day, Museums, Tours, great lunch places to take the family during the day(Columbia, La Creperia, Green Iguana, Jax(at Gameworks), Mema's Alaskan Tacos, Spaghetti Warehouse. Also Tarpon Springs, historic greek town and fishing village, lots of great greek places to eat. Gulfport is an artsy historic little town on the Bay in St. Pete area, there is even a small beach, lots of little places to eat. Ballast Point Park and Pier is nice in South Tampa, childrens play area, very good Boston restaurant, and Pier with some great views of Bayshore and downtown Tampa.

[the9thwonder]

Me personally, I would not move to Tampa or Orlando. If I had to choose, I think I'd choose.....................I dont know. I really dont like either to be honest.

[cmj_fla]

My kids have tons of things to do here in Central Florida. We get Season passes to a theme park each year and this year it was Sea World. It only cost us 50 a person for a whole year and there is an option to pay monthly. We went on Monday and there were no lines at all.

We also go to Disney a few times a year and have never paid because we always know some one to get us in free.

A family pass to the Central Florida Zoo is super cheap and gets you into all the other State run zoos in Florida - we did that one year and it was great!
We also have a great Science Center.

There are always deals for Florida residents and we take advantage of them all. We stayed at the Nick Hotel for only 75 a night and the All Star Music Hotel at Disney for 55.

My daughter is a girl scout, takes ballet and violin lessons and does cheerleading and swim camp every summer. My son is in cub scouts, takes piano lessons and plays baseball. We only spend around a hundred a month on average for all of this. Not to mention all the free things we do like go to numerous parks, libraries and festivals.

I could go on and on - my point is there is so much for my kids to it is almost impossible to do everything they want and we do it on a pretty small budget or for free. My family from Alabama, Ohio and even Melbourne are very envious of us and what we get to do here in Orlando.

Tampa is great but we have never said "Hey, we have nothing to do lets go to Tampa" or "I wish I lived in Tampa because I am so bored."

[the9thwonder]

I THINK I would choose Central FL/ Orlando areas...

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by kinglouix

Good Thai,

You must go to Thai Thani on I-Drive. I would have to say that is some of the best thai in the country. Orlando's culinary scene is mediocore, but this place is actually certified by the Thai government and certainly is some of the best I have had, and I'm a thai food fan.

[kinglouix]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

You must go to Thai Thani on I-Drive. I would have to say that is some of the best thai in the country. Orlando's culinary scene is mediocore, but this place is actually certified by the Thai government and certainly is some of the best I have had, and I'm a thai food fan.

Thanks for the tip, although I have never had a good meal on I-Drive, and every item is $10 or more overpriced. Is this one???

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by kinglouix

Thanks for the tip, although I have never had a good meal on I-Drive, and every item is $10 or more overpriced. Is this one???

I would say in the $10 range put their portions are very large, far from overpriced. And yeah, I know, you wouldn't expect it on I-Drive, but when you go in it's unbelievable. The atmosphere is also very relaxing and tranquil, without feeling cheesy. Their service can be spotty, but their food is some of the best Thai I have had, especially their curries and Pad Thai. It's at I-Drive and Central FL parkway. And it's NOT CHAIN!!!!!!

Other than that, the only other place I can think of that stands out in Orlando is this place called Anthonys Pizza on 17-92 in Casselberry. They have the best slice outside of NY, better than anything I have had down here. At least they used to be the best, but I haven't been in a couple years.

And other than this, Tampa has Orlando beat in that category.

[nicolepsy]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

who the hell cares about IKEA?

well even though you dont care about ikea (and i totally understand because it is cheap) there are tons of people that absolutely love it in an absolutely crazy/unhealthy way (like me). who knows why or how it happens but it has such a following!