[justinmjb]

I'm somewhat of a nomad. I'm almost 38 and I've lived in quite a few places. I've gotten the moving bug once again and am trying to see where I might like/fit in the best in Florida or if at all. I plan to stop moving at 40 and at that age I will pick the best place out of all the places I've lived and not move again. Florida is one of the last spots and one of the places on my list that I've always wanted to try. I'd committ to at least 1 year as I do at least 1 year to find out what I really think of a place/city. I'm from Portland Oregon. I've lived in Los Angeles for 5 years, Scottsdale AZ, Seattle WA, Dallas TX, San Francisco CA, and even a small stint in upstate NY. I have liked L.A. area the best so far. The least was Texas as I found it a cultural shock and the mentality just WAY to different than the west coast. But I did have fun in Texas and people were nice, jus felt ALOT different than people there and the vibe was not really me.

I'm almost 38 but feel 31. I'm not a fan of humidity. I am well aware that this is something in Florida that I won't get away from at least half the year. I'm hoping that living right by the water on the beach might help a lil. But pros and cons to every place I've read alot on the forums and the more I read about the Miami side the more I feel I'd best be suited on the Tampa side. So I'm looking to find a nice beach town close to the Tampa area. I'm not totally sure on this and am open to hearing why or why not to live on the Miami side versus Tampa side.

Some things I've read and the questions I have. Miami seems to be put down alot educationally. Being from Portland I'd like to be around people that are somewhat like minded. I'm not an elitist by any means lol. Is Tampa and it's people anymore educated and not as superficial? I still want to look good but material and looks as I age are not as important. But being gay I do still like to look good and enjoy people watching and seeing attractive people too. Also I'm independent but lean republican and go to church. So also I've read that Tampa area is also more this way compare to Miami. I also get the feeling Miami is more dangerous and from what I've read it sounds like people are pretty rude? Is Tampa side this way too or better more relaxed easy going? I'm from the West coast remember

What is a nice beach town close to Tampa that is not full of old people or is this a myth that everyone in Florida is old? I'm fine with some. I'm not spring chicken myself but... Also not looking for party central and teens and kids, but some of that's cool. I like a good mix as well as friendly people to meet around my age cuz I'd be new to the area. I'd like a safe area as well. Also I'm really into the beach and water and I've heard the better prettier beaches are on the Tampa side. From what I can tell the Tampa side also doesn't deal as much with hurricanes or evil weather ya? And is the Tampa side any less humid by chance than the Miami side? And can someone REALLY break it down as to when the humidity starts and when it ends? Like mid May to Oct or? And are there days in the summer here and there that you get a break and it's NOT humid? And where's the coolest, breeziest, less humid beach town within Tampa area? Also any tornadoes or? And lightning? I heard there's alot?

Just looking for a clean, safe beachy area with blue water with a nice mix of people. Gay, straight, 20's, 30's, 40's. And a few older and younger is fine too. Of course I know I can't have it all and this might not even exsist anywhere in Florida but jus trying to find the closest match for me I know Tampa is not as gay as Miami but that's fine. I'm not totally all about being gay. It's just a small part of who I am but I'm not looking for redneck mean people either. I'm more libertarian. I'd like to be close to Tampa as I'd prolly be working somewhere IN Tampa. So not sure what traffic is like as in what the commute would be if I lived in say St. Petersburg or are there lot's of jobs in St. Petersburg area too?... But so if that's to far jus trying to find the closest nicest beach with all I stated that WOULD be within daily commute to downtown Tampa and work. I'm jus middle class at most and would be renting a condo or apt. Studio or 1 bed. As long as it's blocks to the beach or even right on it. Under $1000 would be best. Is this doeable? Any ideas, thoughts, on ALL issues would be appreciated!

[kyle19125]

Orlando and Tampa are the least educated metro areas in the country (fewest per capita with Bachelor's degrees) and would not recommend either if you have any sense of intellect or enjoy conversations with others who exhibit some form of it. I get where you're coming from with Miami's perceived elitist mentality which isn't intellectually driven, rather through appearance and possessions (cars, clothes, jewelry, etc). I would recommend checking out West Palm Beach which has a sizable, educated gay community that is in my opinion far more grounded and more similar to you in terms of interests and beliefs.

[FL2MT]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Orlando and Tampa are the least educated metro areas in the country (fewest per capita with Bachelor's degrees).......

I know they're not exactly San Francisco or Boston, but where'd you see that Kyle? I did a quick google search and didn't come up with anything indicating that Orlando and Tampa are the least educated in the country. I did see a 2012 Mens Health article but it's a combination of high school graduation rates, degrees attained and a few other things. The Most and Least Educated Cities | Men's Health It shows Orlando and Tampa just about smack dab in the middle and at the very bottom is..... Miami.

To the OP, it would be a bit less humid in Tampa than it would in Miami, but I don't think you'd feel enough of a difference to let that impact your choice -it's going to feel pretty darn humid to you until you get used to it. As Kyle mentioned, WPB might be a good choice, but I don't know how easy it'd be to find something a few blocks to the beach for under $1,000. Either area is going to have a mix of ages so I wouldn't worry about feeling surrounded by retirees. You're correct, the Tampa area would certainly have more of a conservative vibe.

I lived both on the water and inland when I was in Miami and it makes a huge difference whether you're within a few blocks to the beach or if you're several miles inland. It sounds like you're already shooting for this, but definitely get as close to the water as you can. It's 100 times better to walk out of your place and walk to the beach rather than having to get in a car and drive 10-15 minutes, find a place to park, etc. In addition, by being near the water you're going to be more likely to avoid some of the other issues you hope to avoid (i.e. the uneducated masses typically can't afford a place near the beach, the crime-ridden areas typically aren't near the beach). Best of luck and re-post to the thread sometime in the future after you move so we can hear how things went.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by FL2MT

I know they're not exactly San Francisco or Boston, but where'd you see that Kyle? I did a quick google search and didn't come up with anything indicating that Orlando and Tampa are the least educated in the country. I did see a 2012 Mens Health article but it's a combination of high school graduation rates, degrees attained and a few other things. The Most and Least Educated Cities | Men's Health It shows Orlando and Tampa just about smack dab in the middle and at the very bottom is..... Miami.

The article below is what I'm referring to and doesn't factor in the lofty accomplishment of a high school diploma or days spent at the gym, rather ratio of those in their 20s/30s who hold at least a Bachelor's degree and are "professionals" of some form which the OP seems to be after in terms of a place to live.

Study: Tampa-St. Pete near bottom of ranking for young adults - Tampa Bay Business Journal

[FL2MT]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

The article below is what I'm referring to and doesn't factor in the lofty accomplishment of a high school diploma or days spent at the gym, rather ratio of those in their 20s/30s who hold at least a Bachelor's degree and are "professionals" of some form which the OP seems to be after in terms of a place to live.

Study: Tampa-St. Pete near bottom of ranking for young adults - Tampa Bay Business Journal

I know it's Men's Health, but the criteria for it were
-high-school graduation rates
-U.S. Census figures on school enrollment (kindergarten through grad school)
-education levels of people over 25 (less than high school, associate's or bachelor's degree, graduate or professional degree)
-how many households have student loans or take adult-education courses. (copied word for word)

Nothing about 'days at the gym' or any of the other typical Mens Health fluff.

I clicked through to the data on the article you posted and it's not loading on either computer for some reason so maybe it does say this, but I don't see Tampa and Orlando as dead last and next to dead last in % of people holding Bachelors degrees. I see another ranking system similar to the Mens Health ranking that uses a "10-part formula that gave the highest marks to
-places with strong growth rates
-moderate costs of living, and
-substantial pools of young adults who are
a. college-educated and
b. employed." (copied word for word)

That's only one out of the four highest criteria focusing on education. If anything, the Mens Health article is more focused on education than the one you posted. Nothing wrong with pointing people to different opinions of an area, but don't say "X is the worst in the country" if that's not what the data actually says. If you state something as an absolute fact, it should be a fact, not an opinion.

Again, to the OP, you're not going to find an 'educated' environment like San Francisco in any of the cities in Florida but it's not exactly backwoods Appalachia either. It's just pretty average.

[kyle19125]

Okay, you're right concerning the fact that Orlando and Tampa aren't the worst, only among the worst (52nd and 64th respectively out of the top 67 markets). The point is there are many much better choices in terms of having an educated population.

From the article:

A new study ranks Tampa-St. Petersburg 64th out of 67 labor markets around the country for young adults seeking to establish themselves in a recessionary economy.

Portfolio.com/Bizjournals analyzed the 67 U.S. metros with populations above 750,000, searching for qualities that would appeal to workers in their 20s and early 30s. The study used a 10-part formula that gave the highest marks to places with strong growth rates, moderate costs of living, and substantial pools of young adults who are college-educated and employed.

Austin, Texas, is ranked No. 1, Washington is ranked No. 2 and Raleigh, N.C. is ranked No. 3.
Elsewhere in Florida, Jacksonville ranks No. 47, Orlando No. 52 and Miami-Fort Lauderdale No. 53.

[2ForTheSea]

Hmmmm, I would say Key West if money is not an object. Plenty of younger people there, not a lot of really old people. Some families. Some military. Great people watching that's always changing because of all of the tourism. When I lived there I did not find it to be very political at all so I don't really know the general leanings as to Republican or Democrat or Independent. I always have a hard time wrapping my mind around gay conservative republicans, but I know they exist. I just don't know any.

You will not escape humidity. Period. Today in the Miami area it feels like the humidity is at least 120% (I know that isn't possible) and it is not raining. At least not at the moment. Key West seems to generally be a couple of degrees cooler in the summer and a bit warmer in the winter. I imagine that has to do with being a small island. The sea breezes help of course.

There's a sizable gay population in Key West as well. Plenty of educated people as well, but you may not know it because they've moved to KW to escape. Lots of writers and artists.

[mateo384]

I'm from Portland, too, and your post (OP) hits home very much. We think a lot alike. Coming from Portland, I bet you (and I) would like the Tampa area better, cuz I feel Miami will have too high of crime, and the language barrier might pose a problem.

[justinmjb]

Thanks everyone for helping so far... If I go I'd prolly live in downtown St. Petersburg or St. Pete beach, Madeira beach, or Redington beach/shores, indian rocks/rocks and maybe even Clearwater would be my main concentrations to look at when I visit. I think that's about it though and it seems they are all kinda in the same area anyway as on a map they are all part of the same island it looks like or whatever... These are my concentrations mostly from before even posting but am jus trying to get all opinions and to see if what I've come up with could be validated by others as a correct choice in what I've read and researched for the past few monthes.

And as far as Key West I'd love to but I think it would be to small, WAY out of my pricerange, and not enough employment choices. But DEF plan to visit there alot for sure!

[justinmjb]

This was my first time posting so I accidentally put the exact same post up twice. First in just the Tampa are and then realized I wanted it in the Florida section rite after I posted. So I'm getting some info from the Tampa post too.