Tampa V Orlando (Miami, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs: crime, home, schools)

[cfIfan]

I am posting this thread just go get peoples opinions on comparing Orlando and Tampa. My other thread beware the the anti Orlando brigade has now steered into this discussion so i thought i would post a new thread to get a wider view point.

It will be interesting to see how people respond

[knightgoose]

use the search engine. there are plenty of threads talking about this topic

[Wilshire81182]

cfIan, you should read under the Tampa forum, "Why is everyone bashing Tampa?"
It is enlightening. I think for the most part every forum has negative posters on the area. Orlando does seem to have a lot (more than its share) and I do not really understand why but there are those like us too who don't really get it.

[Keeper]

There are just a few previous members who keep returning, so while it seems there are more, that is not necessarily the case. Just the same ppl returning with different names but the same agenda.

Tampa forum has a few posters who don't like the area, which is normal. There are the usual complaints about low paying jobs which is true in many cases, $10.00 an hour to start is the norm.

Tampa has it share of crime and traffic is horrible during rush hour. It can take 45 mins to go 10 miles. There are certain areas you stay away from especially at night. Downtown has no nightlife, unless you go to Harbor Island which is just S. of downtown. If a hurricane is approaching you may have to leave your home if you live in a zone 1 or 2, which includes most of Pinellas county and many parts of Tampa.

You have the gulf and the bay for recreation, 20-50 minutes away. There are some nice malls and restaurants around the airport Westshore area.

[Busch Boy]

If you really think about, Miami gets bashed waaay more than Orlando and Tampa combined!

[ThePolyPrincess]

Funny you should post this because my DH just asked me recently if we should be looking at Tampa instead of Orlando since Orlando has so much crime and traffic and negative commentary. LOL I'm sure if we started reading the Tampa forum (or any other for that matter) we'd find the same ole thing.

I do like to hear both sides, as long as it has substance and is backed with personal experience and/or statistical proof.

And I will say that my desire to move to Orlando has been tainted by things I've read (mostly on this forum). I am trying to withhold judgment until August when I can get a 'feel' for myself when we visit. I think it's human nature to believe what we hear - or in this case, what we read.

...everything in moderation...

...beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

...every rose has it's thorn...

So since I don't know anything about Tampa, I say Orlando. For no other reason other than it's home to The Mouse.

[FrozenShores]

Well the thing is, pretty much all of Florida's largest cities have very similar problems. If you check out the crime stats for our cities, Table 4, Index Page, Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, January-June 2006,, they are all well above average for the nation if not near the highest. That's why there are negative posters in these forums, because that's what Florida has to offer. Florida always captures people's hearts when they first move here, and then reality starts to set in and people get frustrated and want to leave.

So why is Florida's population increasing so fast? Well, it's increasing at about the same rate that crime is going up and schools are going down. So that tells me that not only are there problems with the government here, but more and more of those who choose to stay here aren't the right kind of people that will create a positive change. Florida is attracting all people(good or bad) and only those from a much worse place choose to stay. If they're from somewhere nicer, or they know of a better place, they leave Florida and go there.

[Keeper]

Don't get me wrong, there are good things about Tampa. I liked the history of Ybor city. Living right on the bay, sailing and going to the beach. Tarpon Springs is a short drive away which is a neat Greek community.
There is good and bad with every place. If you focus on the good and don't dwell on the bad, you can live anywhere, especially if that is where the job is located.

[footballgal]

I think Tampa is better. Here is why
1. You are not to far from Clearwater the Beach
2 They have a football team, hocky team, baseball.
3. Bush gardens and adventure Island
4. Ybor

I lived in Clearwater and moved to Orlando for UCf. Not the smartest move.
Orlando has Disney and I don't care about that. It is hot here is hardly ever a breeze go with tampa Hands Down

[markhunt]

Originally Posted by FrozenShores

So why is Florida's population increasing so fast? Well, it's increasing at about the same rate that crime is going up and schools are going down. So that tells me that not only are there problems with the government here, but more and more of those who choose to stay here aren't the right kind of people that will create a positive change. Florida is attracting all people(good or bad) and only those from a much worse place choose to stay. If they're from somewhere nicer, or they know of a better place, they leave Florida and go there.

I agree 100% with this.