Single 30 yr old woman, considering moving to Tampa (Clearwater, Brandon: apartments, lease) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

Lookingforsunshine · 02-17-2007, 11:42 AM

Hi there. I am a 30 year old, single woman thinking about moving to Tampa in the next 6 months. The main reason that I want to move to Florida is because of the sunshine. I live in Ohio and have been here all of my life. Although, I really don't have any other complaints besides the weather, I think I just need a change of scenery. I have always wanted to live close to the beach and can't get enough sunshine. I am sick of the gloomy weather here in Ohio. The cold is really starting to get me down. I know that in Florida, the summers are extremely hot and humid and there are lots of bugs. I am aware that the hurricanes are not anything to take lightly. I know that the traffic is bad, but it can be where I live too. I have been to Tampa numerous times and I have a very good friend that lives there as well.

My questions to you guys are:
1). Where would be a good neighborhood for me to move to? I am not a huge partier, but would like to be near some action. I like to go out to bars on occassion and like to go to nice restaurants. I would like to be at least 30 - 45 minutes away from a beach. I don't have a job yet, so not sure about my commute as of right now. I will be living alone, so I would want to feel safe. I would most likely rent at first to see how I like it. I would like to spend no more than $850/month for rent. I do have two small dogs.
2). How is the single life in Tampa? Is it hard to meet new people? I am concerned on moving there and not being able to meet new friends.
3). Anyone moved to Florida from up North and regretted it? If so, why?

Thanks in advance for your help. I am sure I will have more questions the closer it comes to me making a decision. I appreciate your help in the meantime.

alhdvm · 02-18-2007, 09:19 AM

Hi. I will also be moving to the Tampa area this coming July. I am single, 36, female. I have already accepted a job (I am a veterinarian) in Brandon which is about 20 miles east of downtown Tampa. I've heard the more hip, all-inclusive type areas are Hyde Park and SoHo. I may try to look there for housing. I lived in the Tampa area briefly during my internship but I didn't have much free time to explore.

I'm not sure about the single life. I have researched some and will let you know if I find anything good. I am in the same boat and I hope I will be able to meet some new people too.

Good luck!

malthius · 02-18-2007, 02:12 PM

I'm a single, 29 year-old male who is also considering moving to Tampa and I echo Lookingforsunshine's thoughts.

Prichard · 02-20-2007, 08:39 AM

There's no lack of activity for singles in the Tampa Bay area! I used to live there a number of years ago - worked in Tampa and lived in St. Pete for several years. There are pleanty of organizations you can join. Bar scene, internet dating, beaches, boating, church groups, professional organizations, ski clubs, etc. If you can't meet people in Tampa, then you just don't want to meet people.

If you've always wanted to live near the beach, then I'd find a place to rent that's within 5 miles from the beach - that wouldn't be hard to do. After about 3 years of the beach, you will either become a permenant beach bum or have your fill of it and be able to see what the other parts of Tampa and Florida have to offer.

fsi001 · 02-20-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookingforsunshine

Hi there. I am a 30 year old, single woman thinking about moving to Tampa in the next 6 months. The main reason that I want to move to Florida is because of the sunshine. I live in Ohio and have been here all of my life. Although, I really don't have any other complaints besides the weather, I think I just need a change of scenery. I have always wanted to live close to the beach and can't get enough sunshine. I am sick of the gloomy weather here in Ohio. The cold is really starting to get me down. I know that in Florida, the summers are extremely hot and humid and there are lots of bugs. I am aware that the hurricanes are not anything to take lightly. I know that the traffic is bad, but it can be where I live too. I have been to Tampa numerous times and I have a very good friend that lives there as well.

My questions to you guys are:
1). Where would be a good neighborhood for me to move to? I am not a huge partier, but would like to be near some action. I like to go out to bars on occassion and like to go to nice restaurants. I would like to be at least 30 - 45 minutes away from a beach. I don't have a job yet, so not sure about my commute as of right now. I will be living alone, so I would want to feel safe. I would most likely rent at first to see how I like it. I would like to spend no more than $850/month for rent. I do have two small dogs.
2). How is the single life in Tampa? Is it hard to meet new people? I am concerned on moving there and not being able to meet new friends.
3). Anyone moved to Florida from up North and regretted it? If so, why?

Thanks in advance for your help. I am sure I will have more questions the closer it comes to me making a decision. I appreciate your help in the meantime.

I live in Spring Hill which is located about 30 miles North of Tampa. My wife and I always travel to the Tampa area. Almost every weekend. There's lots to do and to go around here. It's close enough and far enough away. I moved here 10 years ago and my family has enjoyed it. We miss the snow during the christmas season, but that feeling goes away fast when we hear about the cold weather and snow up north. We have 3 children; 17, 23 and 26. The 23 and 26 year olds go to Tampa all the time for the night life. Ebor is a hot area for partying. Clearwater beach is another hot area. If partying isn't what you like to do, then there's a lot of other activities going on here.
Now for the hurricanes. We've gone through the worst ones in the past few years, but just an FYI; the Tampa area hasn't been hit by a serious hurricane in over 22 years. I've been through these and they're just as bad as a bad storm up north. By the way, I'm from the Syracuse/Utica NY area. I'm also building homes and duplexes here in Tampa. The relestate market has flattened out here butit won't last long. Jobs are abundant. Major corporations are moving to the Tampa bay area. Just my 2 cents worth. If you need help in finding somewhere to go, I'm sure my daughter would show you around. She's a student at St. Leo University working on her masters in Psychology. But she also works at Hooters, so she knows everything that's going on around this area.

floridadreamer · 02-20-2007, 09:18 PM

We just left Tampa last year and although not single, we knew alot of single people.

Ebor is where most of the nightlife is, but be careful at night, because other than clubs it's a pretty scary area. Hyde Park is one of the nicer area to live, alot of it is older spanish style apartments. Brandon is not a far drive from Tampa and their prices are more reasonable for probably a nicer place. That would be farther from the beach though.

We lived right off of Memorial Hwy(state rd 60) closer to the Airport. Just out of curiosity, what kind of job are you looking for? Traffic where I-4 and 275 is AWFUL. So obviously it's better to live close to where you work. Delta Airlines office is right at the end Kennedy Blvd where it joins 60, free flights

Good Luck.

Lookingforsunshine · 02-21-2007, 10:30 AM

Thank you for all of your reply's.

To answer your question, I am in the project management field at a large financial instituition, so I would be looking for a job in the same type of industry.

I still haven't decided 100% yet if I am going to move, but I am definitely thinking about it. Thanks again for all of the advice.

Floridasunshine · 02-23-2007, 07:16 AM

I think you would be happy here as single, My 3 sons are single and they find plenty to do. I would live in neighborhood close as possible to your job.
Tampa Bay Area is big and can be hard to drive in traffic times. BUt all cities that are larger have that problem. We have several Large Financial companies here who are always hiring. I would think you could work for Insurance Companies too with that experience. Verizon even has project management people. So I would think you would have no trouble getting job here.
Apt Rent is at least 800-1000 for 1 bedroom. However brand new homes can be rented right now for past 2 yrs for around 1200 with 1 yr lease.

Need4Change · 02-23-2007, 01:33 PM

I find it odd that some of you live in the area and spell Ybor "Ebor!" And don't forget about Channelside

floridadreamer · 02-26-2007, 12:35 PM

You know I thought about the YBOR thing after I wrote it and you are right

It's obviously spanish, and it used to be where alot of the cuban cigar making places were at one time. That is one thing I loved about Tampa, there are so many families that have lived there for generations and they are the heart of the area. There is alot of history if one wants to explore it. There is an Ybor City museum by the way if anyone is interested. I defitely prefer south Tampa and the hyde park area to north tampa area. There is so much more character.

I used to work with a lady who's family has been in Tampa for 3 generations. Her grandmother used to roll cigars and her mother was raised in Ybor before it went WAY down hill. There is somewhat of a revitalization going so hopefully that will be good. And yes, Channelside is awesome for shopping and other