Is Tampa a Good Move???

[mrshumperdink974]

I agree with some of the posters that Tampa is on its way to being a bit shoddy. My parents moved down here in the late 90s from NYC. Most of the area in Brandon /Valrico was all cowfields. Then everything started to get built up, which wasn't a bad thing. The boom gave us nice restaurants, more retail options, new housing, etc. I moved down here in 2005 from NYC. I adjusted very quickly. I don't have issues with people being nice and asking how I am. I loved it! I really warmed to the Southern hospitality and the slower pace of life.

However, I don't know if it is the economy, or the recent wave of big-city transplants, or a combination of both, but the road rage is unbelievable. I find that hospitality and courtesy is quickly disappearing. Tampa also has a drug/prostitution problem; not to the extent that probably Miami does, but according to friends in the Hillsborough Sheriff's Department, and what I read in the papers, it is worsening. It is unfortunate that the lack of employment opportunity has led many young people, even recent college graduates, to sell drugs or strip for money. It is an underground issue that really isn't talked about much.

I loved Tampa when my parents moved here, and I still loved it when I moved here. But with all of the people moving from different cities, with their different driving habits, different expectations, and different cultural norms, it is just not a nice place anymore. IMO Tampa is having a major identity crisis.

[mrshumperdink974]

No, no, no, my dear. Many New Yorkers who move here have an average adjustment period of about one year. Then, they either chose to move back (or someplace else), or they stay and enjoy. Florida is not for everyone...but trust me, the bad driving, rudeness, and small-mindedness can be found in NYC as well. I was very happy to move from there, only because of the rudeness, uneducated people, and the crazy traffic. Culture shock Florida certainly is, but it is not fair to say that only in NYC can one find "educated, savvy, open-minded people"; I know plenty of Floridians who fit that criteria.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by mrshumperdink974

I loved Tampa when my parents moved here, and I still loved it when I moved here. But with all of the people moving from different cities, with their different driving habits, different expectations, and different cultural norms, it is just not a nice place anymore. IMO Tampa is having a major identity crisis.

People having been moving here from all over the country for many many many years, not just recently.

[ArleneW]

Originally Posted by Dawnie

Please help!! Is the Tampa Bay area a good place to raise a family? We are a family of four, possibly migrating from Queens, NY and looking for someplace more affordable to live, with a good quality of life - which to us means a comfortable home, good schools for our children who are now 3 and 7, some access to entertainment and culture, and an overall a place we can call home. My husband is a HVAC technician so he would be working typically ALL OVER Tampa; we would need relatively easy access to the city.

I am considering the Lutz area, as it seems to be affordable with good schools and close to Tampa. I have a few concerns: What are the homeowner's insurance rates like? Property taxes? And electricity due to running the A/C for like a 3 bedroom home? What are those monthly bills like?All these things considered, is the Tampa Bay area an affordable place to live? Is there anything I SHOULD know about Tampa/Lutz that is important???? Good and bad....

Thank You in advance for your help!!!

Well, I raised a family here. My kids turned out great Thank God!..
I think to site drivers, bad areas, etc. as I see in these threads, is a bit of a generalization. Human beings live everywhere . We don't corner the market on any of this. Each area of US will have its share of crime etc. Don't take it out of context. Visit several areas. We have our share of delightful people, wonderful and diverse cultures (great for kids not to be raised in a bubble) and the Arts hold a prestigeous standing here. Beautiful beaches, and most days pretty enough to put on canvas.

Utility bills are subjective; it depends where you keep the thermostat and how big the house is, how well is it insulated. Same stuff as up north, only we use most of our electricity in the warmer weather. Carrollwood is lovely, and if you were not job based in Tampa, I would say check out Dunedin.
I love this area. I promise you will love it too.

[mph101]

Originally Posted by MagicaRose

This is my first post.
I have to say that my husband and I have to buy car insurance because if we don't the state will take our tag.
Also, I don't think you are right when you say there's alot of "white trash" in Tampa.
What do you mean by this statement?

Seffner, Mango, Gibsonton, Palm River - Clair Mel, Town-n-Country, old Lutz ( check out many old episodes of "COPS" filmed around the trailer farms on US41), Sulfur Springs, most of Temple Terrace, Drew Park, Egypt Lake, East Lake Orient Park, Ruskin, Brandon and of course who can forget beautiful nearby Plant City and Thonotosassa.
Some of these areas have more modern suburbs blended in but the disguise doesn't cover the serious redneck, snaggle tooth, ignorants that populate the area dreaming of jobs at the local mini-mart to buy some beers.

All of these areas are prime examples of where the Jerry Springer & Maury shows do their open cast calls.

....If you have to buy auto insurance for your car, which is the law and the responsible thing to do, I know its becoming harder and harder to afford these things but nevertheless it is not your right to endanger others to drive without it, the insurance is for protection of others against possible loss you may inflict upon them-- then maybe you feel right at home in Clair Mel?

[ms.liz1989]

Originally Posted by Obamanation

I cannot relate to a lot of you because I do not have a family or kids, etc. I can however say that my city is not crime-ridden. There are bad areas, but most of the area is very safe, especially the suburbs. Anyone is free to private message me on this stuff... I'm pretty young but have solid knowledge in demographics, crime, etc about the MSA.

Hey, i dont know how long ago the post is that you wrote but you said you knew about where you lived. Me and my GF want to move to Florida sometime around Jan or Feb, we dont really have any idea of where a cheap house for rent would be that allows dogs. The only places we have found that does accept cheap rent for a house with a fenced in yard for us and our three dogs is Holiday. Is there anything you can tell me about Holiday? We are about 20 and we just need a comfortable house, big back yard, for rent, with a couple veterinarian jobs or fast food jobs available to us. Can you let us know pleaseeee... If you dont use this anymore you can email us at [EMAIL="Ms.Liz19897@yahoo.com"]Ms.Liz19897@yahoo.com[/EMAIL]
Thanks so so so much if you get this and can respond!

[ms.liz1989]

Hey, i dont know how long ago the post is that you wrote but you said you knew about where you lived. Me and my GF want to move to Florida sometime around Jan or Feb, we dont really have any idea of where a cheap house for rent would be that allows dogs. The only places we have found that does accept cheap rent for a house with a fenced in yard for us and our three dogs is Holiday. Is there anything you can tell me about Holiday? We are about 20 and we just need a comfortable house, big back yard, for rent, with a couple veterinarian jobs or fast food jobs available to us. Can you let us know pleaseeee... If you dont use this anymore you can email us at [EMAIL="Ms.Liz19897@yahoo.com"]Ms.Liz19897@yahoo.com[/EMAIL]
Thanks so so so much if you get this and can respond!