Orlando vs. Tampa (Westchase, Seminole: rent, insurance, credit)

[ang08]

We will either be relocating to Orlando or Tampa, and are wondering which would be a better fit for us. We are familiar with Orlando (lived there 10 years ago - before having kids - and visited recently). We don't know much at all about Tampa. Orlando would be more convenient simply because of the airport - we are from out of state and will be traveling/having visitors often, and I know it's cheaper to fly into Orlando.

We like Orlando, but are wondering if Tampa is more of a place to put down roots and raise a family. We are not really "city people" - we enjoy the outdoors (canoeing, beach, biking, etc). Just want a nice, safe neighborhood, friendly people (we will probably rent first, but a house would be in the $350 range).

Can anyone give me insight into the "feel" of Tampa vs. Orlando? How do the beaches there compare to the east coast? Is the weather any different? Is it better for families? Any other opinions or insight would be appreciated.

[TB Fla]

If you liked Orlando, you would like Tampa aswell. Plenty to do for outdoors in both cities, but Tampa has the beaches, which is a big pro. Both areas have great suburbs with a family feel.

[graphix]

If you're worried about air travel, TIA is one of the top-ranked airports nationally (and I think it might be internationally as well, but I'm not certain) it is the best airport I've ever been to in any of my travels. I've never had a flight leave late. I've had a few flights arrive late and still depart on time. It might be more expensive, I'm not sure, but I'd say you definitely get what you pay for.

I'm a little biased because I don't like the Orlando area much as it's a little too commercial. Tampa is like a city of suburbs that aren't suburbs, at least in my area. I live in Seminole Heights, so I have access to everywhere. Out neighborhood, despite being bisected by 275 when it was built, is very quiet. You wouldn't know that there are a few million of people in the city around you.

My wife, however, is from Kissimee, and while it's not exactly Orlando, she stayed after we met at USF and would never go back to that area. My wife and I both grew up in FL (I'm a native Tampan) and both wanted to leave Florida after college. I couldn't leave my hometown, and this is the one city in FL that my wife likes. In the future we may move, but we're only doing so if we can afford to keep our house here as well. The only way I'd give up this house is to move to Ireland or Paris (and that's only because I wouldn't want to fly those long distances often).

As for the feel, depending upon where you go, there are different cultures. Tampa grew up out of a partnership of immigrants from many countries but mostly Cuba, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The metaphor most people use is the Cuban Sandwich (which was invented here). Each group contributed an element from their country to make an excellent sandwich. In that same vein, those immigrants learned and respected the other cultures. While some of that has been lost in the period of globalization, there still is an air of respect towards other cultures in the city. There is a decent hispanic population, but it won't overwhelm non-hispanic people. Most of the hispanic people here have been here for a long time and are hardworking, good-natured people.

There's traffic, but no more than is present in Orlando, and most things are within driving distance. With your budget, you'd fit right into my neighborhood and you'd probably enjoy how easy it is to get anywhere. Our neighborhood is comprised mostly of houses from the teens to the thirties, though there is some new construction that blends in fairly well. Also, Tampa is very neighborhood oriented and, as such, natives and people who are adventurous can pretty much skip most traffic entirely. There are some sections of Tampa that don't enjoy that luxury, but most of the neighborhoods you'd probably consider do. Even if not there are still plenty of shortcuts.

With that budget, I'd look into Seminole Heights, Hyde Park (it might drop that low because of the slump), Westshore, and maybe Westchase. Westchase is pretty far out and near the airport, unfortunately, it's also in the flight path. Hyde Park and Seminole Heights will keep you out of that. The only planes that fly over our houses are generally fighter planes en route from the stadium for Bucs games. Westshore is nice, depending upon the neighborhood, but it gets pricey quickly. Some of the prices have dropped though. You could also try New Tampa, though it has none of the benefits of shortcuts and a large share of the traffic.

As far as outdoor things to do in the area, there are plenty. A few weeks ago a friend and I drove about 20 minutes away and kayaked up a river then back and into a spring before heading home. There are numerous state parks, rivers, springs, trails, etc. around the area. There is a beach practically anywhere you go, and water is everywhere as well. Some of the rivers are low, but that's the case anywhere in Florida right now.

I hope I've helped, if not, ask more questions. Personally, I think that if you enjoyed Orlando at all, you'll love Tampa. There's all of the benefits (even IKEA!) and none of the drawbacks. And you won't feel like a tourist in your own city!

[ang08]

Thanks for the thoughtful response Graphix. I do have a couple more questions. I'm a little ignorant of the geography - if we lived in, say, one of the neighborhoods you mentioned, how far away would the beach actually be? Do you know anything about the quality of schools? In Orlando I gather it's patchy - good in some places, terrible in others. Is there a political "feel" to the area - are people generally conservative, liberal, or a pretty good mix? Thanks!

[graphix]

Most areas in Tampa are less than 30 minutes from a beach in normal traffic. Westchase and Westshore are the closest, then Hyde Park, then Seminole Heights. There are also a few places that are closer where you can get to saltwater, but they're not beaches.

As for schools, there are some decent schools. I'd say most elementary and middle schools are good. Well, high schools in Tampa are mostly good too. All the ones in the areas that I have mentioned are good. There are a few good private schools as well. I went to a private high school, so I don't know too much about public high schools. I had friends that went to some of them, and I've been to some of them for various reasons. Apparently Middleton has a bad rap and it might draw from the Eastern side of Seminole Heights, however Hillsborough High School is a great school (and beautiful too) and it also draws from Seminole Heights.

As for politics, most areas south of Kennedy are conservative. Some areas in North Tampa are conservative. New Tampa is probably a mix. Seminole Heights is mixed. Westchase is mixed. As far as strictly liberal, Ybor City would probably take top honors in that. I wouldn't let it bother you much, you won't feel out of place in any of those areas no matter what your political ideas. Although, you may want to ask around about that because I tend to see both sides of politics as important. I like the economic ideas of conservatives and the idea of smaller government, but the focus on religion steers me away from that camp (abortion, stem cell research, etc.). I like the conservative side of social programs to help people, but I don't like increasing government's involvement in those programs (I'd much rather the government credit me for my own insurance). And then, of course, I have my own ideas, like how much I hate insurance companies in the first place. I suppose you could call me an efficienciest...I like my government to be efficient but neither party will ever let that happen and of course greed stands in the way.