[dannyd24]

Hey FLORIDA peoples, i find this forum to be very helpful. I have been in the process of reading so much of these post that I've decided to create my own. So I'm from buffalo and desire a change of pace. My situation is rather unique when it comes to this move because i do have the potential to stay with my company which has locations near Tampa (Brandon town center) or in Broward County (Pembroke lake mall / coral springs mall) and lastly, Broward mall in Plantation FL. So i may be wrong as to thinking that Fort Lauderdale would be the best option if i did decide on Broward County. Can some one please explain the quality of life differences between 1) Tampa 2) Fort Lauderdale 3) Pembroke Pines 4) Coral Springs

I am looking to compare information as follows:

Public transportation
Walkability
Who has nightlife better suited for the 21-30 crowd
What area would have less chance of hurricane and if possible has less humidity
Cost of rent for a 2 bedroom apartment (close to all the action i guess)
Who has more public events / things to do


Id like to consider my self as a young professional, I work in cellular communications and I'm also a great bartender. I'm looking into becoming an insurance adjuster in my future. I am sick of the depressing winters in buffalo so why not try the sun shine state. I see so much potential but very uncertain to which city is right for me, so please chime in with your input.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by dannyd24

Hey FLORIDA peoples, i find this forum to be very helpful. I have been in the process of reading so much of these post that I've decided to create my own. So I'm from buffalo and desire a change of pace. My situation is rather unique when it comes to this move because i do have the potential to stay with my company which has locations near Tampa (Brandon town center) or in Broward County (Pembroke lake mall / coral springs mall) and lastly, Broward mall in Plantation FL. So i may be wrong as to thinking that Fort Lauderdale would be the best option if i did decide on Broward County. Can some one please explain the quality of life differences between 1) Tampa 2) Fort Lauderdale 3) Pembroke Pines 4) Coral Springs

I am looking to compare information as follows:

Public transportation
Walkability
Who has nightlife better suited for the 21-30 crowd
What area would have less chance of hurricane and if possible has less humidity
Cost of rent for a 2 bedroom apartment (close to all the action i guess)
Who has more public events / things to do


Id like to consider my self as a young professional, I work in cellular communications and I'm also a great bartender. I'm looking into becoming an insurance adjuster in my future. I am sick of the depressing winters in buffalo so why not try the sun shine state. I see so much potential but very uncertain to which city is right for me, so please chime in with your input.

I've lived in both places. Can't tell you much about public transportation, walkability depends on where you live in either area. Both have walkable areas, but are not considered to be walkable overall, except for St. Pete in the Tampa area. Brandon area is not very walkable. The nightlife question is easy, Broward County/Ft. Lauderdale hands down. In my opinion and experience, Ft. Lauderdale is more bearable during the summer IF you are located east of 1-95, due to Atlantic sea breezes. Both areas are humid, in my opinion Tampa Bay area is slightly worse due to the high water temperatures of the Gulf. Both are hurricane prone, hard to say which one has less chance. Cost of a two bedroom will be less in the Tampa Bay area. For your age group, more public events and things to do in Broward County.

[cjairo191]

I have lived in North Miami Dade county which hugs Broward and I use to work in Hollywood,FL (Broward County). I currently live in Tampa,FL. There is going to probably be a huge difference in cost with the exception if you want to live downtown in either cities. Brandon is a suburb of Tampa and the cost of living is probably cheaper than any options in Broward. Public transporation is going to be a wash in either city. You will need a car. The only thing I believe is better in public transportation down there is the commuter rail to Miami. Pembroke Pines versus Coral Springs, maybe some others can dive more into details. But I found Coral springs quiter and less diverse than Pembroke Pines. Demographics will be different in Broward than in Brandon, Tampa. You can google the demographics and see for your self. That can be a touchy topic.

Now if it comes down to a good night life, Broward and the promoxity to Miami hands down you will need to move to Broward. For your age range, South Florida is better but with a higher price tag. Now if you want a little more laid back but still have access to good night life, Tampa is the place. I believe Tampa has a unique almost hippy vibe to it versus Broward/Miami-Dade. Down there it's heavily materialistic and how you look. All major concerts touch South Florida. With Tampa and Orlando near by you wont be lacking in going to public events/concerts either.

Hurricanes has to go to South Florida. Tampa has been lucky and not had a direct hit I believe in like over 60 plus years.

[kmarc]

I forgot to mention, if you do choose Brandon/Tampa, there is the Ybor City part of Tampa for nightlife and it's not far from Brandon. Once you are in Ybor City, it's walkable.

Cjairo is correct about cost of living. Better in the Tampa area.

[kmarc]

I'm also thinking, if you are from Buffalo, you will probably do better in the Tampa area, since the people are more real. You're less likely to get eaten alive by the aggressive posers.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by kmarc

I'm also thinking, if you are from Buffalo, you will probably do better in the Tampa area, since the people are more real. You're less likely to get eaten alive by the aggressive posers.

There is A LOT of truth to this.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

There is A LOT of truth to this.

Having lived in both places for quite a number of years, that's been my experience. The OP seems like a nice young man with goals and ambitions for his life. I would hate to see him get chewed up and spit out in South Florida. There are aggressive elements that have crept into the Tampa Bay area, but nowhere near what is in South Florida. Much as I enjoyed my time there, Broward County and Ft. Lauderdale in particular can be a very cruel place.

[dannyd24]

its hard to believe that it could be that rough in Broward....but would you say that Fort Lauderdale would be the busiest with more options of people places and things?

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by dannyd24

its hard to believe that it could be that rough in Broward....but would you say that Fort Lauderdale would be the busiest with more options of people places and things?

I lived with the aggressive vibe of Broward County for many years, but I feel that you are leaning toward Broward and if so, go ahead and dive in. It may work out for you, and you are young enough to recover should things not work out. It is busier, that's for sure.

I'm a firm believer in letting young folks go for it and if they get a bit beat up in the process, it's just part of life's lessons.

[Psychoma]

Originally Posted by dannyd24

...What area would have less chance of hurricane...

Just some stats for you:

Number of strikes per county in FL (data shows 1900-2010):


And the average return period, in years, for a Hurricane to pass within 58 miles of the marked locations (again just an average):


And same for Cat3 or higher:


(Above images can be found here: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/ )

But keep in mind the west coast of FL along the E Gulf of Mexico is very prone to storm surge with the more shallow waters (higher surge in shallow waters typically). If you would like to see if your property is potentially in danger from the surge of a Cat1 thru Cat5 then view interactive surge map below, recently updated with the new map style just a couple years ago. Keep in mind, each storm is different, the angle it comes in at, the shape of the land/bays, etc, how fast its moving, is it high tide or low tide, has the city put up features to slow and lesson surge height, and other factors play a role in what could be received, so take this as more of a 'in general' for each hurricane category and future preparedness / insurance/risk map:
http://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Map...4dd7b277935fad
(zoom in, select categories across the top bar to see different water levels (defaults to just show Cat1))