NYC to Tampa

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by ferret111

Though Florida did mandate English as the state's official language.

That is true. Further reinforcing the fact that the OP should NOT be worried about not being bilingual

[marye24]

Tampa does not have public transport (well it does but nothing you would ever want to use), so you'll need a car for sure. $1400 will get you a decent place for rent. You will see snakes and alligators, and as a previous post wrote, you should never let your children or pets near the water's edge of any ponds, lakes, and watch where you are walking to look out for snakes, but overall they won't bother you - you just have to be careful. The spanish speaking community is mainly down in south florida and is not as prevalent in Tampa. The main schools in Tampa are USF or University of Tampa, but UT is private and pricey - go to USF. Electric bills do go higher in the summer, but you won't use heat very much in the winter, so overall a lot cheaper than NYC.

For what it's worth, I grew up in Tampa, live in Manhattan now and would give anything to go back (just trying to find the right job down there) You are going to love it - far more relaxed than the city and being around the water and beaches just makes you a different type of person i think. Good luck to you.