Should I return to the Tampa Bay area? (Jacksonville, Miami: how much, neighborhoods)

[gjosephunf]

Hello City-Data Members,

I've been lurking the forums for awhile now and I decided to finally join and create a post. I'm finishing my last year at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and trying to decide if I should return to my hometown Tampa, FL.

Here's a snippet about me:
22 year old multi-cultural male, who enjoys a vibrant art & music scene, I also identify as LGBT and am proud to see my hometown make moves more acceptable for the LGBT/progressive community (domestic registry, housing protections etc.). Still unsure of a "career" choice (currently interning for a fashion publication), plan to attend graduate school within 1-2 years.

What I love about Tampa Bay
I absolutely enjoy the culture of Tampa Bay (St. Petersburg's eclectic downtown, the hipster scene in Ybor City, beaches, subtropical weather, Tampa International Airport, CUBAN FOOD (Living in North Florida I miss having variety), locale (easily can access Atlanta in 7 hrs, Orlando 1.5, SoFL 3.5).

What I dislike about Tampa Bay
Lack of mass transit, lack of walkable neighborhoods (unless in St. Petersburg, or the more urbane neighborhoods of Tampa).

Cities I'm considering
Austin, Los Angeles (Los Feliz, Echo Park, South Pasadena), San Diego, Denver, Portland, Tacoma/Seattle/Bellevue, Philadelphia, NYC (Williamsburg, Park Slope), Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands). I'd prefer a more temperate climate akin to the Piedmont area/Northern Florida. However, I'm willing to relocate to (NYC, Denver, Philly; albiet cold climates for the experience/options).

Comprable Tampa Bay neighborhoods
Tampa (Seminole Heights, SoHo, Ybor City, Channelside/Downtown, Davis Islands)
St. Petersburg (Downtown St. Pete, Kenwood).

Concerns:
I'm afraid of getting "stuck" in Tampa. There hasn't been greater emphasis on (mass transit, higher paying jobs versus tourism/hospitality). There's this "half-a$$" attitude to getting things completed, lack of a VISION (There are still community rivalries Tampa vs. St. Pete, lack of working together as a region).

In closing, I absolutely LOVE my hometown. I grew-up in Central Tampa and loved growing-up in the Bay Area during my adolescent years, I just want to find a city that is progressive (not necessarily politics) for young professionals. I have less than 6 months until I complete my undergraduate studies, and plan to travel and complete some "soul-searching." However, what advice or what is your take on the Bay Area? There is a-lot of POTENTIAL within the area, however I'm young and time is ticking.

[vaughanwilliams]

Mass transit won't happen in your life time-it just won't. The walkable neighborhoods will happen if people tire of the suburbs, which I think is happening.

I'm thinking you'll return to Tampa, but put away some money and keep your options open so you won't get stuck. The universe doesn't revolve around Tampa Bay and there's other, better places that might fit what you're looking for.

[kmarc]

What vaughanwilliams said.

[rezfreak]

Based on what you're looking for and what cities you've listed, I'd say that Portland might be more in line with what you are hoping to accomplish. The weather is a little cooler than you prefer, but guess that really depends how much of a priority that is for you.

[sinatras]

I absolutely recommend living in at least one, if not more, of the cities you mentioned before moving back to Tampa. You have plenty of time to come back home. Enjoy those cities, and then move back to Tampa later!!!

Out of all those cities I would recommend LA, San Diego and Austin. Best weather, walkable neighborhoods, amenities, etc. Portland is faboo in summer, but the rest of the year can be depressing.

[rezfreak]

I'm not sure how LGBT friendly austin would be though, it is texas and all :/ SD and LA sound really good but probably way expensive (hence why i suggested portland)... seemed like the best option for the money but SD would be the best if money wasnt an importance. Just my opinion

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

Hello City-Data Members,

I've been lurking the forums for awhile now and I decided to finally join and create a post. I'm finishing my last year at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and trying to decide if I should return to my hometown Tampa, FL.

Here's a snippet about me:
22 year old multi-cultural male, who enjoys a vibrant art & music scene, I also identify as LGBT and am proud to see my hometown make moves more acceptable for the LGBT/progressive community (domestic registry, housing protections etc.). Still unsure of a "career" choice (currently interning for a fashion publication), plan to attend graduate school within 1-2 years.

What I love about Tampa Bay
I absolutely enjoy the culture of Tampa Bay (St. Petersburg's eclectic downtown, the hipster scene in Ybor City, beaches, subtropical weather, Tampa International Airport, CUBAN FOOD (Living in North Florida I miss having variety), locale (easily can access Atlanta in 7 hrs, Orlando 1.5, SoFL 3.5).

What I dislike about Tampa Bay
Lack of mass transit, lack of walkable neighborhoods (unless in St. Petersburg, or the more urbane neighborhoods of Tampa).

Cities I'm considering
Austin, Los Angeles (Los Feliz, Echo Park, South Pasadena), San Diego, Denver, Portland, Tacoma/Seattle/Bellevue, Philadelphia, NYC (Williamsburg, Park Slope), Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands). I'd prefer a more temperate climate akin to the Piedmont area/Northern Florida. However, I'm willing to relocate to (NYC, Denver, Philly; albiet cold climates for the experience/options).

Comprable Tampa Bay neighborhoods
Tampa (Seminole Heights, SoHo, Ybor City, Channelside/Downtown, Davis Islands)
St. Petersburg (Downtown St. Pete, Kenwood).

Concerns:
I'm afraid of getting "stuck" in Tampa. There hasn't been greater emphasis on (mass transit, higher paying jobs versus tourism/hospitality). There's this "half-a$$" attitude to getting things completed, lack of a VISION (There are still community rivalries Tampa vs. St. Pete, lack of working together as a region).

In closing, I absolutely LOVE my hometown. I grew-up in Central Tampa and loved growing-up in the Bay Area during my adolescent years, I just want to find a city that is progressive (not necessarily politics) for young professionals. I have less than 6 months until I complete my undergraduate studies, and plan to travel and complete some "soul-searching." However, what advice or what is your take on the Bay Area? There is a-lot of POTENTIAL within the area, however I'm young and time is ticking.

Travel! How about Miami?

[sinatras]

Austin is extremely lbgt-friendly. Much more so than Tampa.

Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce : LGBT supportive businesses and community events


Is Austin Tx gay friendly?

[user8]

If you can afford to live in Denver or San Diego, do it and never look back.

Tampa pretty much sucks and seems to be content in its current state of economic malaise.

[gulfer]

NOPE. I would go to a Forum and ask a bunch of people that you don't even know what you should do with your life. You've lived here so there is nothing that can be added that you don't already know about Tampa.

I think you should go to Forum of each city that you mentioned and ask them if you should move there.

Better yet, go to school and earn your degree. Then travel to find yourself on your soul searching tour.

On a serious note: Actually, if you don't have college debt now is exactly the time to travel before you don't have the opportunity.