Heard crime was very high in tampa! (Orlando: property taxes, homeowners insurance)

[Rich0630]

Recently, I had an offer at one of the healthcare facilities; however, this may not be the place for me. It appears crime is out the roof, there is very high property tax and homeowners insurance is expensive. Is this really Tampa?

[bentlebee]

I have no fear when I have to be in Tampa. IMO every town, city has some places you rather not drive through at night or go to, but IMO where the average person has to be is not any more dangerous than any where else.

[InLuvWitFlo]

Tampa has a lot of crime maybe not so brazen but that hidden element of crime, ie..drugs, theft, burglaries. Taxes and insurance is relatively high. Overall, just be cautious like you would anywhere else. Florida is a nice state to visit but I would never live there again.

Good Luck!

[JSnFla]

florida is where criminals on the run all end up plus all the drifters and transients from all over the country and theres tons of home grown floridian criminals as well coupled with unreal poverty....that being said u could rent a nice condo in south tampa and avoid the property tax and homeowners insurance nightmares and have fun for a few years then re-evaluate or get out, most get out after a few years.

[Keeper]

I agree with Bentlebee regarding crime. If you move here, just don't move to high crime areas and you will be fine. I was never afraid going any place during the day even those known to have high crime. I just made sure I had my car windows up and car doors locked, just like every other place I went. Most ppl in Tampa don't know anyone who has been a victim of crime.

HOI and Property taxes are high but you pay no income tax.

[honu1]

In looking at the city crime index on city data, the crime index for 2006 (the most recent date available) it was actually slightly lower in Tampa than Nashville. FL has a really good website for locating sex offenders so you can make sure you're not moving in next to a sexual predator. Tampa Police Department also has a neat feature on their website where you can track calls on a map as well as view maps that depict high incident areas.

[bentlebee]

I have to say that I'm more scared walking in Brussels (Belgium), or Amsterdam (The Netherlands) after the shops close at 6 pm., than in Tampa. We have been at the mall with I guess the worst reputation in Tampa, after 8 pm and we weren't scared at all. So many security guards driving around.

The only difference is that I always have in the back of my mind that in the USA people can have a gun in their car or walk around in the streets with it, which happens only with criminals in Europe since we have a gun law that doesn't citizens to have a gun unless the have a license which is very hard to get unless you are a police officer, etc.
Even the police can only use their gun after the bad guy shoots first....(?), and you will be charged with a crime if a criminal comes into your house and you shoot him (?), not allowed.
So over here if people are stressed and behave bad on the road, I just laugh it off and I really don't care and for sure are not going to make gestures...I remember they can have a gun in their car. So on me it worked more relaxing since in Europe I behaved different, more stressed in traffic.
IMO crime is every where and I have been in over 17 countries and don't think it is worse in Tampa, for sure not.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by Rich0630

Recently, I had an offer at one of the healthcare facilities; however, this may not be the place for me. It appears crime is out the roof, there is very high property tax and homeowners insurance is expensive. Is this really Tampa?

Over 20 years of living throughout the city(USF, Northdale, Wellswood, Hyde Park, Bayside West neighborhoods), and never been a victim, seen crime, or personally know of someone that has been a victim, crime does happen, just have to turn on the news or read the paper, but I travel alot, and see the same all over the country.

Regarding high property tax..compared to where? And yes, homeowners insurance is pricey..I remember paying about $750/yr for my South Tampa 1940's home when I bought it in 2000, now its up to about $1900/yr.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by Rich0630

Recently, I had an offer at one of the healthcare facilities; however, this may not be the place for me. It appears crime is out the roof, there is very high property tax and homeowners insurance is expensive. Is this really Tampa?

At one time Tampa was one of the most crime ridden cities in the country but now it is fairly in check.

Where I live the city of Orlando that is where all the crime is we are statistically the most violent city in the state by far.

[bentlebee]

I remember that in my native country that is reasonable with crimes like anywhere else and as I decribed before the average joe doesn't own a gun, most death involving a gun are criminals killing each other , we got on the list of a dangerous country to travel too. I was schoked like many others (I did experience as a young kid that we had a buglar while we were sleeping and of course we were scared, but no one woke up and there was never any talk about a gun) but the reason Australia gave the negative travel advise was the amount of pick pockets happening in 1 big city. It is true that that happened a lot and many tourist are not really taking care of their stuff and since during the summer so many tourists would visit, the amount of times it happened was huge.
Over here I never have the feeling as I have walking in my native country because of bewing affraid that some one will take you wallet or purse.