Spontaneous Move to Tampa

[GailL2007]

I give you a lot of credit and know that you will make it. I plan on moving to Clearwater, FL in 2 years but financially here in NJ and being on welfare, the move might come sooner and without a plan. So my move might be impulsive also. I worked as a secretary in a few of the local hospitals (New Brunswick) and kept getting bounced around due to budget cuts. When I turn 60, I can collect my pension and I think with a part time job in FL, I would make it also. Good luck! I really like the Clearwater area.

[grazerstr]

Decent area? Depends on what you are looking for - suburban sterile? (most of everything 3+ miles out from either downtown Tampa or St. Petersburg). Historic quarter (Ybor in Tampa or Kenwood in St. Pete)? Cool, but schools may be a problem (see last paragraph). Right now, you have to be an urban pioneer in Ybor or downtown Tampa (look for a big revitalization coming here as gas prices go through the roof). Kenwood in St. Pete is already restored, but there are no major employers nearby - you will be looking at a daily commute of 30-40 minutes to go 10 miles, crawling up and down I-275 in a glacier of automobiles to get to all the workplaces crammed into an area near the St. Pete airport. Florida is now unfortunately reaping the bad harvest of decades of urban planning dedicated to the concept of commuting, with developers always having got what they wanted. ("come on down...")

There are communities up the coast like Holiday where you can by beautiful 3-4 bedroom move-in-ready homes for $100,000, but other than a suburban shopping mall with only the basics, the nearest anything is always a 20+ mile drive away.

The big thing in Florida is that it is a state that grew up with the car, and everything developed around 'the car'. This worked as long as gas was under $1 a gallon. Believe me - once it goes up to $10-15 a gallon they are going to start tearing up acres of never-used parking spaces in front of those big malls and installing condos and offices on them so people can live and shop near where they work. THEN - maybe - metropolitan areas in Florida will start getting a personality and character.

And finally - if you have kids - schools. In general, they are a mess in Florida right now - fouled by internal political positioning and bickering, from the state-level on down. The good news for Hillsborough County (Tampa) is that in 2010 it got a Gates Foundation grant that fed it necessary money, but with strings attached. (gee whiz, an ego-inflated superintendent or administrator HAS to do what Bill Gates' foundation says - I'm sure they are squirming in their seats with steam coming out of their ears)... If you move here with school-age kids and expect them to go to public schools - I would visit the school personally -check what the realtor is telling you. Ask to visit a classroom while it is in session.

[Sauron]

I too would like to move to Tampa. I am in the same age range as the OP and I am also single. I currently reside in South Florida and I have been told that Tampa is a better fit for my personality and what I would need to do. I would like to live somewhere fairly close to the heat of action and can possibly allocate about $700 a month for rent. Would prefer bachelor digs that is above ground. I know that Tampa is a big area so I am undecided.
I've been advised to take an extended stay place so that I can move to another location in Tampa if need be without hampering lease agreements too much.
What would your suggestions be as where to stay? Where can I find listings of extended stay apartments/locations?

[craigtnelson]

Uh, google.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-a...w=1920&bih=973

[tinytrump]

you want to leave S Fla? why? well, you might be Ok, here, less expensive but less pay as well , much quieter go on craigslist n just browse

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by Sauron

I too would like to move to Tampa. I am in the same age range as the OP and I am also single. I currently reside in South Florida and I have been told that Tampa is a better fit for my personality and what I would need to do. I would like to live somewhere fairly close to the heat of action and can possibly allocate about $700 a month for rent. Would prefer bachelor digs that is above ground. I know that Tampa is a big area so I am undecided.
I've been advised to take an extended stay place so that I can move to another location in Tampa if need be without hampering lease agreements too much.
What would your suggestions be as where to stay? Where can I find listings of extended stay apartments/locations?

For people in South Florida to tell you that Tampa is a better fit for your personality, you must be pretty dull..