5 things GREAT about Tampa!!!! (Orlando, Clearwater: amusement parks, credit, neighborhoods)

[jacothedog]

Every time I read posts on this board, I'm surprised by the amount of negativity. I understand how the internet culture works and that people are more compelled to write about something when they have a complaint than they are to write when they have praise. So let's list the top 5 things you like about Tampa! This will be helpful for me as I'm new to the area, but I'll list what I like so far:

1) Zoo / Aquarium. I love both places and have been to them with my family. We will certainly visit them both again many times.
2) Soho and Downtown St. Pete - I know these areas aren't for everyone, but they are great for my family.
3) WMNF - I'm not a fan of popular radio and never really have been. I love listening to 88.5 and hearing music I've never heard before.
4) Ybor City - I've been there before moving here and love going there now. No need for comments about safety or that it's right near the bad part of town - there are places like this in every city. I love the individuality there.
5) Traffic - I've read a lot of complaints about traffic in Tampa, but I spent much of my career in D.C. and there's no comparison. I have a 40 minute easy commute to work right now - about 20 miles. That's well over an hour in most of the DC area.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep the posts positive. Thanks.

[BucFan]

There have been a ton of threads on the positives of the TB area.


But for the record -

Pro sports and major college sports, beaches, nice airport, lots of symphony. Broadway, opera, pop concerts, medical centers.

[user8]

Weather... most of the time.

Casual, laid back atmosphere. Great for anxiety sufferers.

Beaches that put most of the country's shoreline to shame.

Totally agree about the traffic. I always laugh when people complain about rush hour down here. They have no idea how good they have it.

Wealth of professional sports.




Honorable mention - Big Cat Rescue

[tinytrump]

I love Clearwater more than Tampa, but for TampaBAY,,, in whole-has great amenities. Great weather specially 4 seasons.. even if we do not get snow- it get pretty chilly some days, nice beaches, lower prices in housing and food, clothing etc. and safer neighborhoods for kids to grow up in, and plenty of spots to fish and lastly... parks,, lost of places to take the kids,,. So there! It be GREAT if the folks be a tad more friendlier, warmer or cohesive- especially to peoples of other cultures.

[NALEXAND]

I love the cheaper cost of living in comparison to the DC area
I love the scenery and AMAZING beaches
I love all of the festivals, parades, fairs, amusement parks and a plethora of other fun things to do all year long.

[Annie of Oldsmar]

I like the closeness to great beaches and the parks.

[FloridaKash]

If you find the right neighborhoods it is pretty family friendly. Lots of stuff to do with kids around here.

- Best West Coast Florida city. I like to see the sun set over the ocean... I would never be awake for a sunrise over the ocean.... like on the East Coast.

- Proximity to great beaches and Orlando.

- Tons of family things to do. Always a festival/event of some sorts going on.

- A short drive North and you are in some wonderful natural places.

- Professional Sports Teams.

- Some of the best boating in the world. Lots of water around, including lakes.

[jambo101]

Spending a substantial part of my youth in St Pete i'm a bit pro St Pete and when people claim one of Tampa's positives is its great beaches lets give credit where credit is due,the great beaches are on St Petes western shore,Tampa has no beaches.Tampa Bay area? OK if you must..
Positives about Tampa?
Ybor City
Bolts and Bucs
Skyline
Scenic drive if you coming from St Pete
Busch Gardens.

[BucFan]

Yeah, St Pete has an inferiority complex to Tampa. Everytime I go to a concert in St Pete and the performers say, "I'm so happy to be in Tampa" - the performer gets hissed/booed.

[floridagirl777]

As a Tampa native, here are my top 5:

1. It has the BEST Cuban food around! (Pipo's in Town and Country is DELICIOUS.)
2. The airport is wonderful in Tampa. I've traveled extensively both in the states and abroad and our airport is the easiest to get around and the prettiest.
3. Tampa has Busch Gardens and Adventure Island.
4. It has Bern's Steakhouse and Bern's dessert room. Yum to both!
5. The weather just can't be beat. I know lots of people complain about the heat, but I love it.

I love Tampa. My family has been here for several generations … we were one of the first families to live in Ybor when it was brand new.