Just left Tampa--got info!!!!

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by rahshidak

I am glad to hear someone else from Michigan is moving to Tampa. I was very dissappointed today when I found out Forbes and Yahoo listed Tampa as the very worst place for a young professional to live, yes even behind Detroit. I really need to hear some positive things about moving there. I am trying to set something up where I can do a visit the first week in August. Tampa residents... please tell me something good. I am trying to find a job teaching and attend USF to get my teaching certificate.

Here are a few good things...USF College of Eduaction is the among the best in the state and nationally recognized. There will always be a need for teachers throughout the state, salaries are on the rise in certain areas of Florida, (but I believe still below where they should be).
Just because Tampa is 40th on a scale of 40 cities for young professionals, look into the actual article and decipher what YOU need as a young professional(Do YOU need the headquarters for a Fortune 50 company, or will a regional office do?, do you need a packed, crowded city where it is crowded to do most anything, or would you like to be able to attend a festival, sporting event, concert with minimal hassle? do you need snow and cold in the winters, or does sun drenched blue skies and beaches fit the bill in winter? do you need a few dozen hot spot neighborhoods for nightlife, or will a half dozen hot spots do?, and on and on)...there were alot of other articles FROM young professionals negating the ranking of many of the cities on the list. it really is up to YOU. Check out my "Why Tampa" posts from December, and make a visit.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by islandgirl666

Hi Tampa experts, I'm flying in to Tampa airport in 2 wks on a Thursday arriving at 5:50pm. I want to get to Sarasota to stay at Lido Key. I discovered I will arrive too late for the Greyhound bus to Sarasota (last one leaves at 4:30pm). How can I get as far as I can in the general direction of Sarasota by public bus? Looks like I can get a 100X Express bus out to St Pete, all day every hour or half-hr (peak commute times every 30 min).
Can I maybe catch a bus from St Petersburg to Bradenton? Then somewhere in Bradenton get a bus to Sarasota? I'm thinking I can take short inexpensive taxi rides between far-apart bus stops to make it work. I don't care if I get to Sarasota at midnite, i figure I can get a taxi from downtown to the place I'm staying it's only 4 miles, then I can drop into bed!

There is the Sarasota-Tampa express: Home

Also, one of the Shuttle companies can shuttle you from TIA to your place your staying: Tampa Bay Shuttle Tampa shuttle, sedan, van and limosine services - Bay Shuttle
or Super Shuttle Welcome to SuperShuttle.com

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

Here are a few good things...USF College of Eduaction is the among the best in the state and nationally recognized. There will always be a need for teachers throughout the state, salaries are on the rise in certain areas of Florida, (but I believe still below where they should be).
Just because Tampa is 40th on a scale of 40 cities for young professionals, look into the actual article and decipher what YOU need as a young professional(Do YOU need the headquarters for a Fortune 50 company, or will a regional office do?, do you need a packed, crowded city where it is crowded to do most anything, or would you like to be able to attend a festival, sporting event, concert with minimal hassle? do you need snow and cold in the winters, or does sun drenched blue skies and beaches fit the bill in winter? do you need a few dozen hot spot neighborhoods for nightlife, or will a half dozen hot spots do?, and on and on)...there were alot of other articles FROM young professionals negating the ranking of many of the cities on the list. it really is up to YOU. Check out my "Why Tampa" posts from December, and make a visit.

Tampaguy has give you good advice here. USF is one of the highest rank colleges in the country. Also, there are areas of Florida where school enrollments are booming, and many teachers will be needed. Try Polk County - they have over a billion $$$ to build new schools due to booming student enrollment, and just gave all their teachers a nice raise.

Good luck, it's too bad so many stupid and negative articles about Florida have to come out in the media. I have found a good many of these articles to be completely worthless after doing my own evaluations.

Good luck!

[Fleures]

We are considering moving to Florida from Illinois, but are worried because we have been told that the insurance due to floods, etc is very expensive. Is that true? How bad is it down there anyway? I would just love to have your sun for so much of the year! I thought I heard that the house prices down there were less because of all the troubles you guys have had - what's the deal anyway? We are looking at Tampa down to Sarasota. Where would you Florida veterans suggest?

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by Fleures

We are considering moving to Florida from Illinois, but are worried because we have been told that the insurance due to floods, etc is very expensive. Is that true? How bad is it down there anyway? I would just love to have your sun for so much of the year! I thought I heard that the house prices down there were less because of all the troubles you guys have had - what's the deal anyway? We are looking at Tampa down to Sarasota. Where would you Florida veterans suggest?

You're right. It is very expensive (insurance). I look at it like this - that real estate taxes and insurance is affordable since I don't pay state income tax.

[jennic]

one warning ...we just moved from the New tampa area...there is traffic 24/7!!!! Sooo poorly planned ...bruce b downs is the only road in and out. so you cna't get anywhere in a hurry.

[Johnland]

Originally Posted by jennic

one warning ...we just moved from the New tampa area...there is traffic 24/7!!!! Sooo poorly planned ...bruce b downs is the only road in and out. so you cna't get anywhere in a hurry.

Yes, I agree bout how miserable BBD is. I live in the city, but had the great misfortune to have my company move out to New tampa. BBD is the most mind-numbing, miserable, boring, congested stretch of road in the metro. Due to asinine layout of major roads in north central Hillsborough, nothing seems to conect to anything else. It is the literal 'you can't get there from here' problem. I find the whole place suffocating when it comes to traffic.

[BucFan]

Need more carpools/Park and Ride anyways. I bet all those cars have a single passenger, right?

[jessiesma]

Kemoz, congrats, it sounds like you found your niche. You mentioned lakes and I don't want to rain on your parade but I do want to caution you. These are FL lakes and probably harbor a gator or two. Seriously. Please don't let the pooches or kitties near them if you live next to one, stay away from the shoreline and be cautious if you are walking in a park or preserve. Leashes always. There's a separate long thread about this and it shouldn't deter you but it is something to consider since you like the boonies.