Should I return to the Tampa Bay area? (suburbs, transit)

[gjosephunf]

Originally Posted by zonababe

Travel! How about Miami?

Zonababe --- I think Miami is great, and SoFL is one of my options. But I feel it's on a totally different "zone" than the Bay Area. For me Miami is great to party and have a great time, but I don't think I can see myself living there (HOT weather, High COL, drastic socioeconomic areas).

[gjosephunf]

Originally Posted by gulfer

NOPE. I would go to a Forum and ask a bunch of people that you don't even know what you should do with your life. You've lived here so there is nothing that can be added that you don't already know about Tampa.

I think you should go to Forum of each city that you mentioned and ask them if you should move there.

Better yet, go to school and earn your degree. Then travel to find yourself on your soul searching tour.

On a serious note: Actually, if you don't have college debt now is exactly the time to travel before you don't have the opportunity.

Yes, those are my intentions. I'm graduating with ZERO college debt, and plan to start saving more so that I can afford the higher COL in CA. I understand California's economic downturn, and Portland might end up being a better option (Quite hipster/artsy, mass transit, lower COL than CA, excellent grad school PSU, seasonal weather patterns.)

Thanks for your advice, everyone. I plan to continue my research, and will shall visit the West Coast . Austin, TX would be a good place as well but I kind of want to leave the American South.

[the awesomee]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

.... but I don't think I can see myself living there (HOT weather, High COL, drastic socioeconomic areas).

ok so how is that description NOT Tampa?

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

Yes, those are my intentions. I'm graduating with ZERO college debt, and plan to start saving more so that I can afford the higher COL in CA. I understand California's economic downturn, and Portland might end up being a better option (Quite hipster/artsy, mass transit, lower COL than CA, excellent grad school PSU, seasonal weather patterns.)

Thanks for your advice, everyone. I plan to continue my research, and will shall visit the West Coast . Austin, TX would be a good place as well but I kind of want to leave the American South.

You will have better long term career prospects and money making opportunities in Cali Oregon or Texas than Florida. Unless you want to be a call center manager...lol

[GoRays813]

Originally Posted by sinatras

I absolutely recommend living in at least one, if not more, of the cities you mentioned before moving back to Tampa. You have plenty of time to come back home. Enjoy those cities, and then move back to Tampa later!!!

Out of all those cities I would recommend LA, San Diego and Austin. Best weather, walkable neighborhoods, amenities, etc.

I completely agree with this. As an original S. Californian, I can tell you that living on the West Coast is incredible. I love it but Tampa isn't really that bad regardless of the people that love to complain about their situation on City Data. Go live in a new city for graduate school/work and you can always come back to Tampa.

I'm glad that you're so supportive for Tampa. More people need to appreciate what Tampa has to offer.

[gjosephunf]

theawesome and GoRays813, Thanks! This area has a-lot of good assets, I do need to "venture" out of Florida while I'm young so that I do not hate myself for not trying something new. I really do see the Tampa Bay area becoming a more "worldly" metro we just have to work together as a community and change the perception that we are a small/backwoods area.

theawesome - Lol I see what you're saying....but in my opinion Miami culturally is more akin to another country in South America/Carribbean while Tampa has a mix of everything. Maybe 10 yrs from now Tampa Bay would have more of the infrastructural assets I'm seeking.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

theawesome and GoRays813, Thanks! This area has a-lot of good assets, I do need to "venture" out of Florida while I'm young so that I do not hate myself for not trying something new. I really do see the Tampa Bay area becoming a more "worldly" metro we just have to work together as a community and change the perception that we are a small/backwoods area.

theawesome - Lol I see what you're saying....but in my opinion Miami culturally is more akin to another country in South America/Carribbean while Tampa has a mix of everything. Maybe 10 yrs from now Tampa Bay would have more of the infrastructural assets I'm seeking.

I agree, I think that many have given you the same advice I would have - venture out and live in a couple other places now while you are YOUNG and have the opportunity! Tampa will always be here, and regardless of naysayers on this site, it is improving little by little - it takes time! A decade can make a world of difference in a place. Tampa is definitely a good mix of everything, and IMO the expanded Tampa Bay area (which includes several counties and cities) is the best part of Florida to live in. Plus, living away for awhile can help you appreciate the area even more if/when you decide to return.

Good luck to you, and hope you have fun exploring new places!

[mateo384]

Portland is fantastic for the LGBT community. I live here and I'm gay. But it rains for 9 months of the year and allergies are horrendous. Summers are wonderful tho. I've lived here for 10 years. Tho now I'm moving to St. Pete, lol.

[Roscoe Conkling]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

Hello City-Data Members,

I've been lurking the forums for awhile now and I decided to finally join and create a post. I'm finishing my last year at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and trying to decide if I should return to my hometown Tampa, FL.

Here's a snippet about me:
22 year old multi-cultural male, who enjoys a vibrant art & music scene, I also identify as LGBT and am proud to see my hometown make moves more acceptable for the LGBT/progressive community (domestic registry, housing protections etc.). Still unsure of a "career" choice (currently interning for a fashion publication), plan to attend graduate school within 1-2 years.

What I love about Tampa Bay
I absolutely enjoy the culture of Tampa Bay (St. Petersburg's eclectic downtown, the hipster scene in Ybor City, beaches, subtropical weather, Tampa International Airport, CUBAN FOOD (Living in North Florida I miss having variety), locale (easily can access Atlanta in 7 hrs, Orlando 1.5, SoFL 3.5).

What I dislike about Tampa Bay
Lack of mass transit, lack of walkable neighborhoods (unless in St. Petersburg, or the more urbane neighborhoods of Tampa).

Cities I'm considering
Austin, Los Angeles (Los Feliz, Echo Park, South Pasadena), San Diego, Denver, Portland, Tacoma/Seattle/Bellevue, Philadelphia, NYC (Williamsburg, Park Slope), Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands). I'd prefer a more temperate climate akin to the Piedmont area/Northern Florida. However, I'm willing to relocate to (NYC, Denver, Philly; albiet cold climates for the experience/options).

Comprable Tampa Bay neighborhoods
Tampa (Seminole Heights, SoHo, Ybor City, Channelside/Downtown, Davis Islands)
St. Petersburg (Downtown St. Pete, Kenwood).

Concerns:
I'm afraid of getting "stuck" in Tampa. There hasn't been greater emphasis on (mass transit, higher paying jobs versus tourism/hospitality). There's this "half-a$$" attitude to getting things completed, lack of a VISION (There are still community rivalries Tampa vs. St. Pete, lack of working together as a region).

In closing, I absolutely LOVE my hometown. I grew-up in Central Tampa and loved growing-up in the Bay Area during my adolescent years, I just want to find a city that is progressive (not necessarily politics) for young professionals. I have less than 6 months until I complete my undergraduate studies, and plan to travel and complete some "soul-searching." However, what advice or what is your take on the Bay Area? There is a-lot of POTENTIAL within the area, however I'm young and time is ticking.

A couple of quick thoughts.
You're 22, in the final year at college, you're thinking of going to graduate school in 1-2 years time and you haven't thought about a career choice yet.
But you're wondering about a lifestyle choice.
Personally I would think about a career first and see where that takes me geographically otherwise you're going to be starting out on a career in your mid to late 20s which I reckon is too late.
It's a while back since I was 22 but I'm almost certain the lack of a mass transit system didn't figure highly on my priorities - getting a decent job that paid enough money to go out and socialise/get laid was probably the extent of it.

Plus, your home is Tampa and you've already described the great things about it.
Do some travelling around the world and think about what you want to do with the rest of your life.
And then look for the job.
Sooner rather than later.

Good luck.

[dufala15468]

I understand being 20-something, and have the opportunity to live anywhere, and don't want to make the wrong choice, and wake up the 40 like "dam this place sucks", and then start all back over. Though, there's plenty of places in America with it's own pros along with it's cons, let's just say, the quote "there's no place like home" is more true of a quote then any. Friends, family, places your used to going to might not seem that important until there not around. The Tampa Bay area is a great progressive place, which is why a lot people leave other places to go there, and as funny as it sounds, after all the beautiful beaches, Bush Gardens, sporting events, concerts, plays, and bright future development, a lot of people feel the same about moving back home from Tampa, go figure, and good luck...

[CountryFisher]

Tampa as a hipster city? No, just no. That is an incredibly big slap in the face for wonderful Tampa.

Anyway, I guess some place like Portland would be better.