Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Tampa? (Miami, Clearwater: transplants, college)

[Smile4unc]

I'm moving to Florida next month. I've trying to figure out which city would be best for me. I'm in my early 30's and I do still enjoy the nightlife. I will be working from home, so finding a job isn't an issue. Does anyone have experience with living in both cities? Any pros or cons for either city? I know all cities have crime, so i'm not that concerned with that aspect.

[Nolefan34]

I have visited Tampa many times but never lived there. Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are very different mentality wise.

Tampa= Much more Southern with many Midwestern transplants. Large elderly population. More laid back and less crazyness. Nightlife not as good or abundant as South FL, but still enough things to do. Beaches are further away from Tampa, in Clearwater and St. Pete which is a good 30 minute drive.

Fort Lauderale= More of a Northeastern influence. Lots of ex NY'ers, NJ'ers, etc. Also a large elderly population, but also a large younger population. More of an international feel and more of a cosmopolitan feel than Tampa. Better nightlife, beaches are closer and easier to access.

Crime- both cities are about equal.

Traffic- both are equal.

Jobs- Relatively equal but Fort Lauderdale probably has an edge being located between Miami and Palm Beach.

Weather- similar except that Tampa gets colder for longer in the winter months.

[maybesefl]

Originally Posted by Smile4unc

I'm moving to Florida next month. I've trying to figure out which city would be best for me. I'm in my early 30's and I do still enjoy the nightlife. I will be working from home, so finding a job isn't an issue. Does anyone have experience with living in both cities? Any pros or cons for either city? I know all cities have crime, so i'm not that concerned with that aspect.

It depends on where you're coming from. I'm from the NE and have found Tampa Bay to be extremely hillbilly, for lack of a better world. I'm looking at moving to the other coast in search of a better fit.

[LeavingPA]

Hey I'm in the same situation here - 26 years old, single guy, work from home, looking to move to Florida...

Smile4Unc, I was asking myself the same question (Tampa VS Ft Lauderdale), but Nolefan34 hit the nail on the head with that description. That's what I've heard from everyone.

In my opinion it sounds like Ft. Lauderdale is the place to be, that's where I've decided to go. Flying down in January to check out the area. The only question now is finding a nice place close to the action in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale.

[Nolefan34]

If you want to move down here for "action", then Fort Lauderdale is the better option. Prices are probably much cheaper in Tampa though. Tampa is just a completely different mindset. It is way more conservative there politically and socially I guess is a good way to put it.

[Smile4unc]

Good advice everyone. The cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. Thats the only downfall. Tough choices

[NubianGoddess]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34

I have visited Tampa many times but never lived there. Tampa and Fort Lauderdale are very different mentality wise.

Tampa= Much more Southern with many Midwestern transplants. Large elderly population. More laid back and less crazyness. Nightlife not as good or abundant as South FL, but still enough things to do. Beaches are further away from Tampa, in Clearwater and St. Pete which is a good 30 minute drive.

Fort Lauderale= More of a Northeastern influence. Lots of ex NY'ers, NJ'ers, etc. Also a large elderly population, but also a large younger population. More of an international feel and more of a cosmopolitan feel than Tampa. Better nightlife, beaches are closer and easier to access.

Crime- both cities are about equal.

Traffic- both are equal.

Jobs- Relatively equal but Fort Lauderdale probably has an edge being located between Miami and Palm Beach.

Weather- similar except that Tampa gets colder for longer in the winter months.

Thank you for your response!

[ZonaZoo]

Tampa is much less hectic than Fort Lauderdale. Living in south FL is very stressful, and it wears you out very quickly.

[aweitzm1]

I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale and also lived in Tampa for two years while in college. I have to say I never liked Tampa.

I think it all depends on where you come from and what type of culture you are looking for. Tampa was very southern and not very open minded in my experience. I remember going out with my friends, who were all of different nationalities, and we would be stared at or not given good service.

I felt that Fort Lauderdale was a much more multi-cultural place to live.