Making a living as an artist/musician in Tampa - heard it's good? (St. Petersburg: apartments, rent)

[meldrc]

Hi,

I currently live in NYC. I recently, & briefly met a man in passing who keeps an apartment here, but is now living much of the year in Tampa, FL. I got the impression he is a street musician? Or at least a musician. He plays violin and - African music? That's what he said.

Anyway, he also said, verbatim, "Tampa and New Orleans are the only two places in the US you can make a living as a musician."

He said living is cheap in Tampa, and you can make lots of money working in restaurants or as a bartender, because there are plenty of rich people who tip well, and - I guess no state tax in Florida? (compared with state and city taxes in New York)

A quick look at Craigslist reveals not *crazy* cheap rent to me.

Plus I guess you need a car?

So -- is it possible to make lots of money in the service industry down there, or what? Trying to confirm, or at least get some other perspectives on what he said.

Contemplating my escape from NYC so --- any boots-on-the-ground perspective would be appreciated!

And [edit]: I'm NOT currently set up to start busking myself, so -- service industry (restaurants, etc) perspective is what I am most looking for here. I should have been clearer in my title but can't change it.

Thanks in advance!!

[meldrc]

And, while we're at it -- any St. Petersburg perspective would be great too.

I'm 37/female by the way. Currently doing catering in NYC as a waiter. (service industry) while writing, music etc on the side.

[BucFan]

The only street musician that I see is the guy playing Flintstones after Rays games and outside of the Straz Center. Sometimes I see him at the Bucs games. Hotter than hell out there. If he got better, I tip him, but he's pretty bad but needs the cash. Anybody who does street music in Tampa especially between April and October are out of their minds. I do see a couple of the same people at the markets like in Sarasota, ST Pete. They're pretty good (guitar).

[BucFan]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFG6wI5oDYv/ Like posted, markets seem to get more than enough folks willing to perform. Not sure if they make money or if they pay a share to the market to get out there to earn tips.

[meldrc]

Hmm, I'm thinking maybe he meant the making money on the side part is good (service industry).

Too bad I didn't get to talk to him more, I was heading into a class that was about to start as he was heading out. He had been talking to the instructor and I picked up on their conversation as it ended.

[BucFan]

maybe the bars near Clearwater Beach?

this performer is someone here in the area who performs at the tiki bars in the area - check out Stacey's website and strike up a conversation with her.....sometimes she works alone or with others....she can tell you what the scene is like here in TB, ST Pete, etc.

Official Stacey Knights Website

[Roscoe Conkling]

The reality is - and I mean this in the friendliest way possible - if you're 37 years of age and still earning your living as a waitress rather than a musician I wouldn't consider moving to Tampa to try making a living as a musician.

New York would surely offer more opportunities to do this than Tampa ?

I think you need to be realistic.It's a great place to live down here and you'll make some sort of a living as a waitress.But Tin Pan Alley it ain't.

[meldrc]

I probably didn't phrase my OP well. I'm actually not hell-bent on making my living as a street musician!! My music is in the "new age" category as much as anything, & I'll be doing it into my 70's. It is music for relaxation and contemplation and deep states. Not for the streets or clubs, generally. So.... What I'm REALLY interested in is -- the making a living in the service industry part.

And still having time to work on my writing and new age music stuff.

This man I mentioned just got back from Spain, is in his 50's, & is a good example of someone who - is saving up enough money in the service industry in Tampa to attend to his apartment in NYC and take trips to Spain & other places (which he said were also good for busking & gigging - his thing not mine)

He said you can make WAY more money in Tampa than in NYC. "You can't make money in NYC" is what he said.

So --- Tampa must be pretty good then?? That's why I'm here posting.

If it is truly SOooo cheap & easy then I will maybe swoop in for 6-9 months, save some money ... & swoop back out?

Or - maybe it's not like that.

[BucFan]

Your thread title is really misleading.

[Tim Tim Tim]

well, I know the cost of living is lower here than it is in new york.

A car is pretty much required here

I really only see street performers and stuff on clearwater beach, not really anywhere else unfortunately.

I hear of some bar tenders who make "good money" but that is a completely subjective term. I imagine if you can get into one of the higher end establishments either by the beach or in south tampa you could probably make some decent money but I dont know that it would be enough to afford two apartments or anything too crazy