Moving here California is it a good idea? (Miami, Tampa: real estate, sex offenders)

[grenerpastures]

I have asthma, a single male in my fifties, like good weather and being close to the water . I am planning on using public transportation to find a job and quite frankly instead of buying a car, I am tired of the gas game. I don't like high humidity and have been told this is the city to try, what do you think? The employment rate seems better here, cost of living is way better and of course no state income tax, but what about the weather? Oh, i am also gay, but not the obvious type.

[St.Pete727]

humidity is VERY high lately.

[Keeper]

If you are looking for a place with little humidity then Tampa isn't it. Most days 90% humidity most mornings. Check out info here Tampa, Florida (FL) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

Trying to use public transportation in Tampa will also be a challenge. S. Tampa or St Pete would be your best bet depending on where you find a job.

[gypsychic]

If you don't like humidity, you will not like living in Florida. I think you need to make a trip here and see if you can tolerate the weather.

Also, since you don't want to drive, be warned that public transit isn't the best here. There ARE areas of town where it will be easier and doable without a car. You might look into both St. Pete and Tampa to find your niche.

Good luck!

[Lior Arel]

Well, I live in S. Tampa (SoHo) and haven't driven in over a year. It's not too bad if you live and work "in town", but it can be frustrating trying to get over the bridge to St. Pete or Clearwater (I just go with friends).

It's very Humid all over Florida. The East coast feels a little better since they get a breeze off the Atlantic.

As for being gay, Hillsborough county is antagonistic towards gays, but the Tampa itself isn't too bad. We have a few gay bars and one gay restraunt. St. Pete is better for that -- I am seriously considering a move across the bay.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by grenerpastures

I have asthma, a single male in my fifties, like good weather and being close to the water . I am planning on using public transportation to find a job and quite frankly instead of buying a car, I am tired of the gas game. I don't like high humidity and have been told this is the city to try, what do you think? The employment rate seems better here, cost of living is way better and of course no state income tax, but what about the weather? Oh, i am also gay, but not the obvious type.

If its Humidity you dont like, than you may not like Tampa or Florida, or even the Southeast, especially in the summers.

Transportation is ok, if you live and work in area that supports it(like South and Central Tampa or Area around downtown St. Pete).

It seems there is a very big gay community here in Tampa Bay area, from what ive heard, St. Pete Pride attracts over 80,000 and is one of the largest outside of NYC, Chicago, San Fran and LA. The GLBT Film Festival, known as 'clip' is also one of the largest and heavily attended film festivals.
There is a Gay area in Tampa's Ybor City know as "GaYbor" on the west end of 7th and 8th Avenues with over 8 GLBT specific bars/restaurants, and over 20 GLBT friendly establishments. The city of Tampa itself is very tolerant, the Mayor of Tampa is very outspoken on diversity, but the outskirts and county can be a bit more non-tolerant(at least the county commissioners).

[vter4ever]

Are you moving from California? Like everyone else has said...humidity is HORRIBLE...I lived in So. Cali and it's a dream compared to here. Sounds like that would be a more comfortable move. Public transit is horrible BUT like a previous posted stated you can do it in some areas. I love downtown St. Pete and you can bike, walk virtually every where down there. The downtown has a lot going on and it's clean. The old northeast is a beautiful neighborhood and walking is still possible. As for the gay community, I'm not sure. You'll find it's a little more conservative in Tampa but less so in St. Pete.

[grindin]

I used to live in San Diego, lived in Tampa Bay for 2 years. If you're looking for somewhere in Florida with low humidity, pardon my french, you are SOL. It's pretty much humid down there from late April to late October.

Also, Public Transporation is okay there, there are buses, no subways or anything like that.

St. Pete has a large gay community, but Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, and I'd even say Orlando are larger centers for gay life in Florida.

One thing I learned about Florida from living there is that it is quite different from California in terms of culture, attitudes, etc. They may seem similar 'on paper', but they are quite different in many ways.

[Forscythe87]

Public transportation here is pretty bad at best. If you can handle 1-4 hour trips just to travel a couple miles youll like it.

It used to take me 2 hours to get to school (15 min drive).

The buses run on average ever 30min to an hr (depending on the route).

[bby07]

I heard Tampa wasn't that friendly towards gays. It was rated as one of the least gay friendly cities in America.