Need opinion!! Tampa, Orlando or Jacksonville? (Miami, Tallahassee: hotel, home, job market)

[Angel80]

My husband and I are considering moving to Florida next year. I have a BA in Hospitality Mngmnt and experiance in hotel/resort corporate sales. What is the job market like in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville? Which city has the best school system? We have two very young children.

Thank you!

[tjax1000]

This question comes up a lot. My stance is becoming that it is less important whether you pick Orlando, Tampa, or Jax, and more important which area of one of those cities you pick.

I think you can find schools of all qualities, A though F, represented in any of the three cities. However nothing guarantees that today's A school won't be tomorrow's F school.

Orlando and Tampa are both major job markets in FL. Jax is big too but a distant 3rd for many fields.

You may also want to think about crime, especially with kids. If you pull up a city-wide view of sexual offenders for those three areas, I think you'll find that most of Tampa/St. Pete and most of Orlando are covered pretty densely. In comparison, Jax has some larger pockets that aren't as bad, although I understand part of this to be population density. For example, the Hodges/Kernan/San Pablo corridor in Jacksonville is pretty large and comparatively less dense with offenders.

If you look at Pinellas County, it is pretty nasty- there are a few pockets or safe havens, but they're small.

Where are you moving from?

[Trusses]

I think where you are coming from, and what you like/dislike about the area you're in now plays a big role in where you should pick, imo.

For example, if your from NYC, you may not wanna pick Jax, if you love everything about NYC. If you cant stand NYC and the rat race and craziness, I'd say Jax is your best bet.

See what I mean?

[Angel80]

Thanks for the info ) I am currently living in Maryland, about 30 min from DC. I was born in Poland, lived in NYC for 10 years, about 6 years ago moved to DC area.

[TampaKaren]

Well, since you posted in the Tampa Forum, I'd say Tampa . Seriously though, there are more hotel rooms and hospitality positions in Orlando, but the crowd is definitely different. What's your preference, Disney or the beach? Either way, tourism is suffering across the state because of the economy. Both cities host corporate events, but again with the economy, more are either staying closer to their home base or having virtual meetings/webinars. It always amazed me how many would come here during slow season with all the summer heat. Make sure you secure a position before you move.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

Well, since you posted in the Tampa Forum, I'd say Tampa . Seriously though, there are more hotel rooms and hospitality positions in Orlando, but the crowd is definitely different. What's your preference, Disney or the beach? Either way, tourism is suffering across the state because of the economy. Both cities host corporate events, but again with the economy, more are either staying closer to their home base or having virtual meetings/webinars. It always amazed me how many would come here during slow season with all the summer heat. Make sure you secure a position before you move.

As usual, great advice from TampaKaren! I pretty much agree, Orlando would probably have the most opportunities, but I think you would enjoy the Tampa/St. Pete bay area more. Tourism is definitely way down all over, so you would definitely need to secure a job before a move. In fact, that may determine where you move - being able to secure a job. Good luck!

[Angel80]

Thanks for the info. I have to come up with 5 preferences, my husbands's job has offices in Tampa, Orlando, Jaksonville, West Palm Beach, Ft Myers, Tallahassee, So far I am thinking...# 1- Tampa, 2- Orlando, 3 - West Palm Beach (?) 4 - Jacksonville and (5) Ft Myers.....Let me know what u think. Again, thank u so much WE really appreciate your help!!!

[Trusses]

If you want a more laid back and southern friendly feel, I'd pick Tally or Jax. If that's not what you like, I'd take Orlando or Tampa. But for no reason at all would I suggest Miami. And I'd stay away from Ft Myers too.