fort lauderdale and tampa bay area differences (Miami, North Miami: gated, subdivision)

[jzend001]

Hi. I have lived in fort lauderdale my entire life and have been thinking about what it would be like to live in the tampa bay area. I've only been to clearwater once when I was a kid and I remember the beaches being incredibly beautiful with soft sand and dolphins jumping in the water...Obviously there is more to tampa than just this aspect. What, if any, are the major differences between fort lauderdale and the tampa area? Thanks.

[tampaguy03]

I lived in both, and i think fort lauderdale has more of a "New York' vibe, faster paced, more cosmopolitan, and congested. Tampa to me is more laid back, more 'med-western', calmer Gulf waters about 20 miles the West, beautiful sunsets, a richer history, and everything in one central area(like sporting events, downtown, performing arts, historic district, airport, business centers)....

[bullcitygirl]

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

I lived in both, and i think fort lauderdale has more of a "New York' vibe, faster paced, more cosmopolitan, and congested. Tampa to me is more laid back, more 'med-western', calmer Gulf waters about 20 miles the West, beautiful sunsets, a richer history, and everything in one central area(like sporting events, downtown, performing arts, historic district, airport, business centers)....

Hmmm....I thought Ft. Lauder was the "retirement" city in FL? So they have it going on sort of like NYC?

[JeepGirl118]

Originally Posted by bullcitygirl

Hmmm....I thought Ft. Lauder was the "retirement" city in FL? So they have it going on sort of like NYC?

Ft Lauderdale is a cosmopolitan area.

Moderator cut: offensive

[Keeper]

There are retirees all over FL.. many are snowbirds who come down for the winter and leave in the spring.

You really should visit both areas. I would also check out the Ft. Lauderdale forum. Oh yeah.. there are a lot of retirees who live there too.

[JSnFla]

ft lauderdale is a zoo and mostly ny-ers and latins from all over the place, its built on nothing but transients, partying and corruption. tampa is more of a place where people grew up here and its more of a normal middle american place. its getting a lot of the flight from south florida though and may someday reflect that region. its not flashy or fancy in tampa nor is there any money besides a few pockets. its kinda like omaha nebraska in 90 degrees.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

its kinda like omaha nebraska in 90 degrees.

Omaha? Now that's funny.

[AJGIANTS]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

ft lauderdale is a zoo and mostly ny-ers and latins from all over the place, its built on nothing but transients, partying and corruption. tampa is more of a place where people grew up here and its more of a normal middle american place. its getting a lot of the flight from south florida though and may someday reflect that region. its not flashy or fancy in tampa nor is there any money besides a few pockets. its kinda like omaha nebraska in 90 degrees.

This is an exaggeration I'm sure. but the point should is taken.

[annesg]

I would beg to differ about that....Tampa is full of gated subdivisions and $60,000 SUVs, and has more than its share of glitter and flash. And FL is rated second only to CA in plastic surgery procedures, though many of those do happen in S. FL.

That being said, I too believe that Tampa is more laid back, less cosmopolitan than Ft. Lauderdale proper and even less so than Miami. St. Pete tends to have more of a reputation for retirees, and Tampa has a younger vibe (just look at the newspapers for evidence of this). I like Tampa very much because I think there is something for everyone here--arts communities, family-friendly areas, heavily planned/conforming neighborhoods, highly mixed areas, etc. It is less expensive than S. FL., I believe.

Tampa has a lot going for it. But I've been to the midwest and Tampa ain't it (though we have a huge population who came from there). It's also not southern--I am from the south and there's no comparison. But I think it's a fun city with a laid back feel and a lot to offer.

[mquintana]

Tampa is a slower paced kind of small city. Less traffic. I used to live in North Miami so the difference from S. Fl. to C. Fl. is great...