To move or not to move... (Tampa, Orlando: transplants, real estate market, insurance)

[helix139]

My wife and I, like many others, have become frustrated about the high cost of insurance and taxes here in Tampa. We talk all the time about how much cheaper it would be to move back home and have an incredibly big house if we moved to Tennessee. We have both decided that we've gotta move from here and go "back home" for the cheaper and simpler life. What drives me crazy now is the simple thought of moving. This will be the 3rd time we've moved! Tennessee...Charleston, sc...Greenville, sc...Tampa, fl. Jobs don't motivate us....we just can't find the right place! We recently took a trip "back home" and now I'm even more motivated to stay right where I am. Smoking in public buildings?! WTF?! This is in east Tn. I really didn't see anything to motivate me to sell and move back home!
Can't we be happy right where we are? Do we have to move somewhere cheaper? Is finding a cheap place to live the only motivation for us to move anywhere?
There are tons of pros and cons for moving and for staying.
What can I do to find the answer?

[spotrod]

I know this may sound corny but when Ben Franklin was in a decision delima he mad a list of pros on one side and cons on the other when you got them totaled up you got your answer. Good Luck to ya.

[tallrick]

I am trying to decide this myself. Really it comes down to income, if 3X your income can buy the house you want, stay put. Florida is going downhill, and time will tell if it comes back or stays an unaffordable dream for the middle class. If you can make it where you are, don't move back home. If the expenses are eating you up, by all means sell and go to TN! I would like to find an area where people don't want to go, yet is a good place to start a new business. Being a frugal guy myself, I am willing to make the personal sacrifice to help bring an area into the 21'st century. Florida no longer is a place with opportunity for the innovators, just the conformists it seems. The only way to get rich in Florida seems to be real estate, that's sad!

[traysea]

helix-- curious-- what was the reason you moved from charleston, sc / greenville, sc?? those are on my places of possibilities to move to if we can't get back to Orlando (used to live there in 2000).
we live in northern ky right now and trying to get back south again (if we can afford it).
I am shocked at all the negative comments about florida.
i am open to tampa, jax or orlando.

[tampaguy03]

Here's why i stay in Tampa...and after 6 year in Financial Services, I have made it to a VP position with a very large Firm in Tampa. Insurance and Financial Services seem to big business here...

WHY TAMPA?Part I

Water - everywhere, most of Tampa is situated on a Peninsuila(called Interbay Peninsula), so there is water to the east(Hillsborough Bay) water to the West(Old Tampa Bay), and the South(Tampa Bay). The Main river through Tampa is the Hillsborough River which starts as a Spring 30 miles to the North, and runs through the city ending up in the Hillsborough Bay downtown. 20 miles to the West of Tampa is the prestine aqua blue water and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout Tampa Bay area are numerous lakes, rivers, streams, estuary's, bays, intracostal waterways to explore. Plain and simple, if you like fresh water, salt water, streams, rivers, oceans, Tampa's got it! In addition 5 of the nations number one beaches are located in the Bay area(Fort DeSoto, Pass-a-Grille, Clearwater, Caledesi Island, Honeymoon Island).

Weather - with an average high temperature of 76 degrees from October to May, how could you not love the weather. While others are huddled up for the winter to the North, we are basking in low humidity, beautiful blue skies, and pleasant temperatures for 75% of the year. This means all outdoor activities, sports, festivals can be enjoyed year round in Tampa. And in the summer months, June through September, although it can get very warm, the average high temps are only 88 degrees, there is a constant breeze due to the coastal winds which trigger mighty Thunderstorms in summer late afternoons/evenings, in time to cool it off a bit, and provide a lightning and thunderous show like clock work most evenings. Since most of us have a pool, beach, and airconditioning nearby, we can handle 3 to 4 months of warmer than usual temps for paradise the the other 9 months of the year.

History - the Bay area has been home to several Indian Tribes for thoasands of years. The Spanish came in the 15 and 16oo's, but the American's did not start to evaluate Florida and the Tampa area until the mid 1800's. We built Fort Brooke in what is now downtown Tampa during the Seminole Indian Wars, and later used it for soldiers being shipped off for the Spanish-American War. Vicente Martinez Ybor purchased 40 acres of land just east of downtown to start his Cigar Factories. Within 10 years and by the late 1800's until the depression in the 1920's, Tampa was known throughout the world as the Cigar Capital of the World. Immigrants came to Tampa from Italy, Spain, and Cuba to prosper in the Cigar Capital. Henry B Plant chose Tampa to expand his railroad from the North, and that led to many tourists to flock to the warm temperatures, and an increase in Trade. Many of the established neighborhoods from the early 20th century still exist(Hyde Park, Tampa Heights, West Tampa, Seminole Heights, Ybor City), and have numerous architectural buildings, homes, and landscapes.

[tampaguy03]

And part II....

Progress - from the 1950's to present, Tampa has been growing by leaps and bounds. Many from the North came here to escape the brutal winters, and the ability to attain land and homes for far less than it would cost in the North. In addition, Tampa Bay's cost of living was considerably less, and there were far fewer taxes. Most transplants came from the MidWest(Ohio, Michigan, Illinios, Indiana), with the remainder coming from the Northeast(New York, Connecticutt, New Jersey). Things have changed quite a bit over the past 10 years(the 90's to present). The growth has been abundant, and the Tampa Bay areanow has close to 2 million residents, with the city of Tampa having nearly 360,000. A Financial District was created in the 60's and 70's(current downtown), a Services Sector, Westshore Business District, which is now the largest business and services sector in the state, and 5th largest in the Nation. A National Historic Landmark area, Ybor City. Tampa Bay is now the 12th largest media market in the Nation. In the 19 years I have called Tampa home, I have seen more skyscapers built downtown, a national hockey team(Tampa Bay Lightning - Stanley Cup Champions) and Forum built, a professional baseball team(Tampa Bay Devil Rays) and Dome arena established, new Football stadium built for the SuperBowl champion Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Downtown continues to expand its Arts Museums, Cultural Exhibits, and Parks and trails to accomodate the growth. One of the nations largest Aquariums was established in Tampa(Florida Aquarium). Two lane roads transversed into 4 lane highways. And progress just doesn't stop. It nice to live in an area where things change, and most of the progress and changes are for the better and for the people of the city.

Activities - For a small city, Tampa has it all. And its nice to have it all in a small city.
Sports - Football, Baseball, Hockey, Arena Football, College Football, Soccer, Baseball and Basketball - all National teams, nationally recognized, and state of the art arenas and fields to play on.
Theater - Tampa Bay Perforing Arts Center is then largest Center for the arts in the Southeast, along with over a dozen other venues for broadway and local productions(Mahaffey, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Gorilla Theater, many more).
Museums - Dali, Fine Art, Art, Childrens, Holacaust, History, Natural, Fire, Police, Science and Industry, Explorations, International.
Concerts - every major concert act alsways makes a stop through Tampa performing at numerous venues(Forum, Bayfront Arena, Amphitheter, Tampa Stadium, USF Sundome, among the other theaters listed above)
Festivals -ahhh, the numerous festivals year round, some of the biggest in the Nation, and lots of people watching, and of course food and BEER!(Gasparilla - month long celebration, Florida State Fair, Strawberry Festival, International and Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Guavaween, numerous Art Festivals including the Gasparilla and Mainsail). Most of the smaller communities and neighborhoods have monthly festivals like CLearwater Jazz Fest, Hyde Park Music Series, St. Pete's RibFest, John's Pass Seafood Festival, St. Pete's Festival of States.
Attractions - people come from all over the world to visit the area. It's nice to have these in my backyard - Busch Gardens theme park, Adventure Island water park, Lowry Park Zoo, Florida Aquarium, St. Pete Pier, Big Cat Rescue, Suncoast Bird Sanctuary to name a few.
Recreation - what do you want to do today? Well you can do most everything here in Tampa. Biking Trails(on and off road), Kayaking/Canoeing, Wind Surfing, Fishing, Boating, Sunbathing, Skating, Hiking. There is a park almost every few miles throughout the city for the purpose of getting out and keeping active.
Shopping - well, some people consider this an activity, and for those that like it, any name brand store can be found in Tampa, whether its exclusive(International Plaza), outdoors(Hyde park Village, Centro Ybor, BayWalk), Entertaining(BayStreet, Westshore Plaza) or Outlet(Ellenton), its here..from Funky(Ybor City) to mondane(University Square), it's here.
Nightlife - as if the above isn't enough, its great to know that there are many entertainment options. Ybor City is Tampa's French Quarter like area with a bar, club and entertainment venue for anyone. Channelside, SOHO, Hyde Park, Westshore, BayStreet. Downtown St. Pete holds it's own for numerous nightlife options, Central Ave and the waterfront bars and clubs.

[helix139]

Wow, Tampaguy. That's a long list of pros! I'll have to do alot of homework to beat those reasons to stay!
Traysea; My wife went to grad school there in Charleston and wanted to work with a top 5 firm and there wasn't one in town. I loved the water and the southern charm of Charleston, (sounding very racist here) but the demographics of the area were horrible. Crime, (of course not on my race) the schools are horrible, and worse of all the service industry was non existent. No one cared to provide good service...except the Mexican restaurants and the pricey ones. And god help you if you are involved in an accident! That population is the most litigious of all and you'll be sued even if you aren't at fault! Trust me.
Greenville was very "southern values"...i.e. church is the cornerstone of everything. That better than being sued for anything in Charleston; but our friend base was very limited to those that didn't "praise god" at everything! The sidewalks were rolled up at 9pm every night! The biggest thing in the news was when the city was gonna allow the stores to open on Sunday before 1 pm to allow shopping...Xmas was on a Monday! And not to mention the temp never got above 55 from Halloween to may!

[clearwaterlargodude]

tampa has a lot of good things but if you dont like a terrible highway grid and gridlock dont move there

[jake4sally]

Hello to all. We have enjoyed your passionate posts. We too have decided to move to Tampa ASAP. This has been a consideration of ours for several years and now that the children have all left the nest, we can not resist. Texas has taken it's toll on our spirit with the high crime, horrible traffic, massive over population, ridiculous public servants (they rank up there with Mexican police we believe) and not to mention the weather. We are determined to settle in where the weather is at least more tolerable than TX. We understand the crime, traffic, taxes and maybe job situations will be the same, but it will have to beat the 100+ degrees June, July, Aug and sometimes Sept. Then of course you have the 60's one day and freezing the next Oct-Apr. My Question for those of you who are so familiar with the area, how are the construction jobs for those of us who have owned our own business for years. We specialize in the handyman, remodel type work which has been very successful for us here in TX. We understand that for commercial jobs / laborer positions we would be competing with the Hispanic workforce, much like TX. We are not laborers, but full fledged contractors with 30 yrs experience. We hope to settle in quickly so we can begin our business again in FL. We do have some of the information on general contactor regulations.

[TampaFamily]

jake4sally. I live in the Tampa Bay area and am in contruction. The "experts" say that remodels/additions will be big business here due to that fact that the real estate market stinks now. People will be staying put (unless they completely leave the state) due to high taxes & insurance. Homes are way overpriced, overtaxed, and insurance is outrageous so instead of "moving up" people will improve their existing home. FYI, workers compensation insurance is high if you'll have employees.