Possible Relocation - Need some insight (Jacksonville, Miami: real estate, condo, low crime)

[BPPT232]

Hi... My Wife and I searching out some areas and opportunities in a few areas of Florida. We are both in our young 30's, I am a Financial Planner and my wife is an MBA working in banking. We have no kids, and not having any either. I am very familiar with Florida, having spent a substantial amount of time with Family in Jacksonville (which would be my #1 choice, but not sure if there are as many job opportunities). And also familiar with the Ft. Myers/Naples area but that is more of a sleepy snow bird area.

Coming from Pittsburgh, we welcome the lower taxes (we are getting taxed to death up here). But we love everything that Florida has to offer and we have been planning a move for a few years now., and definitely fits our lifestyle much more vs. spending 6 months inside here.

Tampa is the one area that we are not familiar with, but on the list of possible locations based on the business atmosphere. We are looking for other's thoughts on life in the Tampa area, good places to live (we are suburbanites and of course would plan on purchasing a home in time), good areas to live to commute into the city, real estate taxes, etc... Although we would look for a low crime area, schools are not much of a factor as we won't be having children.

We are planning a trip soon to come down and spend some time getting a feel for the whole area, and looking for some guidance while we are there. There seems to be nice areas north and south of the city, just trying to learn the landscape. Any help is appreciated.

[blueherons]

I don't know if this is on your radar or not but Miami is the banking capital of Latin America.

As far as coming down for a trip to scout out the area, I would get a www.VRBO.com instead of a hotel room. That way you can actually stay in a neighborhood instead of in a tourist area.

[lavender]

An add on to that comment re vrbo.com most of the places are at the beach, and there are some beach communities you would like to live in I am sure, others are not so close. I feel that if you are planning to stay as
'dinkies' then downtown St Pete is the place for you to live, with maybe a home in old NE you will love it I am sure.
You can drive to Tampa for work if that is where you end up, but RayJay HQ is not far away either.
That of course is my opinion and there are plenty who will advise south tampa too its just that St PEte has such a wonderful city on the water with everything in walking distance.
Its also full of cultural attractions all close together, restaurants, waterfront, events - Id live there but have to wait to lose the kids!

[BPPT232]

Originally Posted by lavender

An add on to that comment re vrbo.com most of the places are at the beach, and there are some beach communities you would like to live in I am sure, others are not so close. I feel that if you are planning to stay as
'dinkies' then downtown St Pete is the place for you to live, with maybe a home in old NE you will love it I am sure.
You can drive to Tampa for work if that is where you end up, but RayJay HQ is not far away either.
That of course is my opinion and there are plenty who will advise south tampa too its just that St PEte has such a wonderful city on the water with everything in walking distance.
Its also full of cultural attractions all close together, restaurants, waterfront, events - Id live there but have to wait to lose the kids!

How is housing in Downtown St. Pete though? We are not interested in Condo living. We are much more suburbanites without the kids to go with it. I like peace and quiet and a single family home. And yes, staying Dinks for sure.