What surprised you about Tampa? (Sarasota: transplants, real estate, apartment)

[Floridaobserver]

When we moved here 12 years ago, we were surprised to discover that rain falling in sheets is a normal, almost daily, occurrence during the summers in the Tampa area.

Then we were surprised to learn that almost no one here is a Florida native.

What surprised you about Tampa, either as a visitor or new resident?

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by Sandyt

Then we were surprised to learn that almost no one here is a Florida native.

That's because our state/local government decided it would be better to cater to tourists and northerners that decided they wanted to visit/live in Florida which created inflated prices on houses and higher prices on cost of living forcing native Floridians like myself to vacate my home just in order to live and make ends meet.

No grudges or malice entended, People that can, do and people that can't need to get somewhere where they can. Just a fact of life

[JSnFla]

i was surprised at how many people were tampa natives as compared to south florida where i was living previous and no one was a native. i was blown away at what jobs exist in tampa and even more so what they pay. talented, educated people will not stay here nor move here the way the local economy is. many people are leaving and looking to leave. it must change otherwise tampa will be a backwater for retirees and those ok with making 27-32k. real estate will never recover unless locals are making money, the northeastern transplant money cannot save nor sustain this place

[TampaKaren]

You are so right about the rain. I was really surprised once to be driving north on Dale Mabry in the sunshine and see it raining in the south bound lane. Huh? I promise this is the truth; I have a witness.

I was also surprised the city itself is relatively small. I was expecting more like Atlanta.

And I have met more natives than transplants like me.

[upgrader]

You reminded me of an amusing surprise. I had visited Sarasota for many years (parents) before moving to Tampa (from the North). At the time, in Sarasota, it rained hard every summer almost exactly at 3pm every afternoon, which was PERFECT - cool the area down for the evening, and well before a drive home from work. Then I move to Tampa, and the afternoon rains seemed to happen at 5PM - making a mess of summer rush hour! Had to laugh about the irony....

Originally Posted by Sandyt

When we moved here 12 years ago, we were surprised to discover that rain falling in sheets is a normal, almost daily, occurrence during the summers in the Tampa area.

What surprised you about Tampa, either as a visitor or new resident?

[Keeper]

Oddly enough many years ago it use to rain around 2-3 pm not 4-5 pm.

[Everett]

The wonderful thing about rain in Florida, especially Tampa and parts south, is that it rains for 20 minutes and the sun comes out. You don't have endless days of overcast and drizzle.

The rain in Tampa is robust;when I was a kid living on North B Street, half a block off Howard Avenue, the streets would flood and we would walk around in a foot of water.

Within an hour, the water would be gone and the sun would be out. If you spend some time in Syracuse or Rochester, you experience the opposite; weeks of overcast.

I worked in Seneca Falls, NY one winter and did not see the sun for 3 months. I'm not kidding.

[sncoupons]

I agree with the rain part ..I also was surprised at laid back life style in Tampa (for good!)..fell in love from day 1 and love hanging out in shorts without worrying about putting up those 20 lbs winter coats!

Another thing that surprised me, from what I recall my first time in Tampa (and it may sound silly), was that every apartment community would have swimming pools and tennis courts (many)..I absolutely loved that.

[Floridaobserver]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Oddly enough many years ago it use to rain around 2-3 pm not 4-5 pm.

Isn't that weird - over the past 12 years, the timing of the rain has changed from year to year.

I also thought it was strange to have so many bugs. The first year we lived here, we called it the Year of the Caterpillars, because caterpillars from the oak trees crawled all over our screen and house.

Then it was the Year of the Ladybugs ... the Year they Sprayed for Medflies ... the Year of the Ants when they invaded our home ... then love bugs twice a year!!

I can't complain - they were here first!!

[si33]

now while my observations only come from my visits to the area, what i experianced helped to forge the decision to move there... ..id been to a number of places trying to decide where id want to settle down ..i grew up out here on the west coast...and never really liked it.. over the last 6+ years ive lived in a couple other states..and traveled to others.all the while making alot of observations,both through personal experiances,...as well as just sitting back and "seeing" what goes on around me... the first time i visited the tampa area,..i knew that id come across friendly people..but i was surprised by HOW friendly tampa..as well as florida natives seemed to be...i definately dont recall any negative experiances..except for maybe the traffic downtown or by the airport...but what large city doesnt have stressfull traffic jams..or the occasional "uncourtious" driver..thats just life... i absolutely loved all the rainstorms i experianced while there...and the storms i got the chance to see,..over the gulf...words cant even describe the thrill...only in kansas where i used to live is the weather so "alive"...and there aint an ocean for many many miles.... i was a little surprised that the area lags a bit in mass transportation...but im very sure things will progress in the future...not everyone has the kind of money resources places like n.y. or san francisco have to quickly solve such issues.. pretty much..when i think about all the places ive been...and where i can see myself raising a family....i picture a place thats laidback,..and diverse..let alone somewhere where its not cold 5-7 months out of the year...cuz shovelin snow..and scraping 1/2" worth of ice off your car at 7 am just sucks... another thing that factors into my decision is where is the weather good enough for me to pursue a successfull buisness...let alone where land is going to be reasonable or at least less expensive cuz out here...its waay over priced...but thats in the future... basically,..after lots of experiances..in many places...tampa seems to have the majority of what im looking for...yes,..there are things to be aware of there..but there are things to "be aware" of anywhere... and one last thing....those wonderfull rainstorms....mean that i wont have to water the grass as much...more time to enjoy a cold one on a fine mid summers' eve...