[90sman]

Both are cities in Florida, have similar demographics, are in counties of roughly the same population, and are approximately in the same area of Florida. They are commonly disputed against one another like Apple vs. Mac or Coke vs. Pepsi, etc.

But in terms of the cost of living, job market, raising a family, housing, economy, transportation and in terms of entertainment, etc, which city would you rather live in and call home? And which two city is better overall?

[cdw1084]

Tampa

[The Right Side_TX]

This one is easy for me, Tampa hands down.

[grapico]

Tampa feels a bit sleepy compared to Orlando, so Orlando, grudgingly.

[user8]

the job markets are pretty bad in both, but i'd choose tampa 10 times out of 10.

[Pete C]

Personally, I prefer a nicer downtown and Orlando's downtown is cleaner, has more residents, is more walkable, younger, more active, and has more nightlife. I also love having Winter Park nearby and think that is one of the bright spots of Central Florida.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Personally, I prefer a nicer downtown and Orlando's downtown is cleaner, has more residents, is more walkable, younger, more active, and has more nightlife. I also love having Winter Park nearby and think that is one of the bright spots of Central Florida.

This.

Tampa is a great place, but Downtown to Downtown there really is no comparison.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by johnatl

This.

Tampa is a great place, but Downtown to Downtown there really is no comparison.

Yes that is what I meant by sleepy. Orlando isn't a NY by any means, but it is over Tampa, has more going on, better restaurants, more shopping, better international airport, better for business, significantly better nightlife, etc.. It is also not that much farther from the East Coast beaches of Florida. Tampa has better sunsets, but I think the Eastern Beaches are more interesting.
It also seems like there are far more retirees in Tampa all the way down to Naples than there are in Orlando...

If this were in NC, Orlando would be Charlotte, and The Tampa/St Pete/Sarasota/Clearwater metro would be more like Raleigh/Durham

[french paris]

Tampa for the beach

[gypsychic]

Tampa - got to be near water. Also, the history and diversity.

My husband has a great job in Tampa, the city has been good to him, so even though we don't live there, I give Tampa props for a lot of things. For us, it's the best of Florida's larger cities.