Orlando vs. Tampa (Miami, Sarasota, Cocoa: rent, crime, house)

[ang08]

We will either be relocating to Orlando or Tampa, and are wondering which would be a better fit for us. We are familiar with Orlando (lived there 10 years ago - before having kids - and visited recently). We don't know much at all about Tampa.

We like Orlando, but are wondering if Tampa is more of a place to put down roots and raise a family. We are not really "city people" - we enjoy the outdoors (canoeing, beach, biking, etc). Just want a nice, safe neighborhood, friendly people (we will probably rent first, but a house would be in the $350 range).

Can anyone give me insight into the "feel" of Tampa vs. Orlando? How do the beaches there compare to the east coast? Is the weather any different? Is it better for families? Any other opinions or insight would be appreciated.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

Tampa area: prettier beaches but tiny waves, limited sea breeze unless you are right on the beach, so it gets hotter there. Orlando: no beaches, you have to drive to Cocoa or Daytona. Crime is worse in Orlando, but Tampa has crime problems too. Higher HOI in Tampa area. Bad traffic in both places. Orlando centrally located, you can get almost anywhere in Fla. for a day trip. Tampa out in the middle of nowhere.

In Orlando you would like Seminole county. In Tampa, Pasco county (watch out for sinkholes though), or maybe some parts of Hillsborough. Of course it all depends on your budget.

Originally Posted by ang08

We will either be relocating to Orlando or Tampa, and are wondering which would be a better fit for us. We are familiar with Orlando (lived there 10 years ago - before having kids - and visited recently). We don't know much at all about Tampa.

We like Orlando, but are wondering if Tampa is more of a place to put down roots and raise a family. We are not really "city people" - we enjoy the outdoors (canoeing, beach, biking, etc). Just want a nice, safe neighborhood, friendly people (we will probably rent first, but a house would be in the $350 range).

Can anyone give me insight into the "feel" of Tampa vs. Orlando? How do the beaches there compare to the east coast? Is the weather any different? Is it better for families? Any other opinions or insight would be appreciated.

[TB Fla]

Originally Posted by OrlandoRE_Miracle

Tampa area: prettier beaches but tiny waves, limited sea breeze unless you are right on the beach, so it gets hotter there. Orlando: no beaches, you have to drive to Cocoa or Daytona. Crime is worse in Orlando, but Tampa has crime problems too. Higher HOI in Tampa area. Bad traffic in both places. Orlando centrally located, you can get almost anywhere in Fla. for a day trip. Tampa out in the middle of nowhere.

In Orlando you would like Seminole county. In Tampa, Pasco county (watch out for sinkholes though), or maybe some parts of Hillsborough. Of course it all depends on your budget.

Tampa is certainly not in the Middle of nowhere. The Tampa area has a larger population than Orlando. And Its diffenetly hotter in Orlando considerind its so far inland and Tampa is on the water.

[annerk]

I'd see where you'd be able to find a job before worrying about which place to live.

[Wilshire81182]

I like both cities a lot, but I prefer Orlando for several reasons. I think there is more entertainment, better dining, better shopping, it is cleaner, and the homes you could find in the $350k range would be in a nicer area in Orlando than Tampa. There is a lot of opportunity and exposure in Orlando so we are usually one of the first places in Florida to get high end chains, new stores, and different types of attractions. It is a pretty exciting place to live.

Tampa however has several advantages as well. It is closer to the beach, has better sports venues and sports atmosphere, has more of a grid lay out and is more like a traditional city. It seems to have a more diversified economy and less crime by a small margin. Crime is high in all of Florida's cities and I know Orlando has better years and worse years so it is all relevant. Especially when you can afford to find a safe, affluent area to buy into. Tampa also has the whole Ybor City area and South Tampa that are older and more historical.

Either one you select, you can always change your mind and move to the other since they are 90 minutes or so apart. A lot of the outskirt areas of both cities are very nice too like Sarasota, Hernando County, Lake County, Polk County, etc.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

Unless you're going down the west coast beaches, or here to Orlando on I4, it's poorly connected to the rest of the state. But we can go anywhere from here in Orlando.

Originally Posted by TB Fla

Tampa is certainly not in the Middle of nowhere. The Tampa area has a larger population than Orlando. And Its diffenetly hotter in Orlando considerind its so far inland and Tampa is on the water.

[Wilshire81182]

Originally Posted by OrlandoRE_Miracle

Unless you're going down the west coast beaches, or here to Orlando on I4, it's poorly connected to the rest of the state. But we can go anywhere from here in Orlando.

I agree. Most cities are pretty well connected in Florida, but the one awkward route is Tampa to Miami. The Everglades it in the way so it is not the best connection. Orlando is more convenient in that regard.

[OrlandoRE_Miracle]

They should have a real highway instead of Rte. 60 going over to the Fla. Turnpike and I95. But that would mean destroying more of the Fla. environment. So a better solution is just not to live in Tampa, as far as I'm concerned.

Originally Posted by Wilshire81182

I agree. Most cities are pretty well connected in Florida, but the one awkward route is Tampa to Miami. The Everglades it in the way so it is not the best connection. Orlando is more convenient in that regard.

[Wilshire81182]

I don't think it makes Tampa a bad place to live, but it is good to point it out.

[ang08]

Thanks - I hadn't thought about Tampa being out of the way. Sounds like Orlando would be most convenient. We are self employed from home so that's not an issue.