Tampa vs. Orlando?? (Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Clearwater: home owners insurance, condo, crime)

[rperreta]

Ok,

So I'm moving down and I don't know where to go... I've been researching Tampa and haven't given any time to the home of Mickey Mouse! In comparision to work, cost of living, home owners insurance and taxes. Should I continue looking in the Tampa area or does Orlando have more to offer. I'm a Sr. Web Developer and I would still have to work even though I'm going to sell my house here in NY. Some guidence from the people of Tampa or Orlando would be awesome...

thanks
-rich

[Prichard]

I like both Tampa and Orlando. The only thing about living in Tampa is that everyone who is not from there preceives that it is on the Gulf Coast. But, in reality it takes about 30 minutes to drive from downtown Tampa to the Gulf beaches. I don't like Pinellas County - i.e. St.Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, etc. These areas are too crowded.

Tampa has Ybor city - strip of nightclubs etc.

Orlando has it's downtown (sort of slack right now, but poised to have more nightlife after several condo projects are completed.) Universal Citywalk, Downtown Disney and Downtown Winter Park.

The layout of Tampa's downtown is a little better than Orlando's - personally, I like the wide streets and the grid system. However, many people like Orlando's downtown because it's not a typical grid system.

Cost of living is about the same

Both cities have colleges - Tampa has U of Tampa, U of South Florida
Orlando has U of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson in Deland (although it's law school is in Tampa-St. Pete), Full Sail, and FAMU law school.

Orlando has more to offer in the medical fields - Florida Hospital, ORMC, Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer Hospitals, and UCF is getting a new medical school. Tampa does have a medical school at USF.

Tampa has "Trump(ed) Towers", which may never see the light of day. Orlando has several high-rise condo projects that may also never see the light of day. So, both cities are fully capable of maing their big O.S. mistakes.

Orlando has the theme parks - if you are a long term resident, I give them a plus for giving us a thriving economy, but they don't do much for me as an individual. Tampa has Bush Gardens, which unfortunately, has become kind of ghetto. It really "jumped the shark" when it became nothing more than a roller coaster park.

Orlando has an awsome convention center, but Tampa has a true performing arts center. Orlando has the Magic. Tampa has the Bucs. I'd take the Bucs over the Magic, as I'm more of a football fan than basketball fan.

Orlando is about 45 minutes away from the east coast beaches. I like both the Atlantic and the Gulf, which are very different. So that's a tough call as to which I like better.

I guess I like Orlando better than Tampa, but I'd be fine with living in Tampa. Orlando just seems a little more happening than Tampa.

[rperreta]

Originally Posted by Prichard

I like both Tampa and Orlando. The only thing about living in Tampa is that everyone who is not from there preceives that it is on the Gulf Coast. But, in reality it takes about 30 minutes to drive from downtown Tampa to the Gulf beaches. I don't like Pinellas County - i.e. St.Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, etc. These areas are too crowded.

Tampa has Ybor city - strip of nightclubs etc.

Orlando has it's downtown (sort of slack right now, but poised to have more nightlife after several condo projects are completed.) Universal Citywalk, Downtown Disney and Downtown Winter Park.

The layout of Tampa's downtown is a little better than Orlando's - personally, I like the wide streets and the grid system. However, many people like Orlando's downtown because it's not a typical grid system.

Cost of living is about the same

Both cities have colleges - Tampa has U of Tampa, U of South Florida
Orlando has U of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson in Deland (although it's law school is in Tampa-St. Pete), Full Sail, and FAMU law school.

Orlando has more to offer in the medical fields - Florida Hospital, ORMC, Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer Hospitals, and UCF is getting a new medical school. Tampa does have a medical school at USF.

Tampa has "Trump(ed) Towers", which may never see the light of day. Orlando has several high-rise condo projects that may also never see the light of day. So, both cities are fully capable of maing their big O.S. mistakes.

Orlando has the theme parks - if you are a long term resident, I give them a plus for giving us a thriving economy, but they don't do much for me as an individual. Tampa has Bush Gardens, which unfortunately, has become kind of ghetto. It really "jumped the shark" when it became nothing more than a roller coaster park.

Orlando has an awsome convention center, but Tampa has a true performing arts center. Orlando has the Magic. Tampa has the Bucs. I'd take the Bucs over the Magic, as I'm more of a football fan than basketball fan.

Orlando is about 45 minutes away from the east coast beaches. I like both the Atlantic and the Gulf, which are very different. So that's a tough call as to which I like better.

I guess I like Orlando better than Tampa, but I'd be fine with living in Tampa. Orlando just seems a little more happening than Tampa.

What about traffic wise? With all the activity in Orlando I would expect it to be more over croweded and much more traffic no? I've visited Disney several times and traveling from Kiss to park was a nightmare. What about work in the technology field? Do you know how it is?

thanks for your replies by the way... I appreciate it...

rich

[Prichard]

If you plan on working in the technology sector, I'd pick Orlando over Tampa. Our tech sector is located in Lake Mary - Heathrow and another one is located out by UCF - research park. These areas are sort of on the opposite ends of Kissimmee; Heathrow to the North, and Research Park tothe North East. I don't recall Tampa having a technology sector as robust as Greator Orlando - although I'd say it has a larger banking/financial sector than Orlando. Jacksonville is traditionally known for it's insurance sector.

Although Orlando traffic is not much fun, Tampa traffic is no picnic either. I can't speak about the commute from North "New" Tampa into Tampa, but the commute from St. Petersburg/Clearwater to Tampa is a notorious headache. And, traffic between 275 along I-4 out to I-75 is a real pain also.

In 2002, the Orlando Sentinal listed the top 100 companies in Greator Orlando. https://extra.orlandosentinel.com/Secure/top100/2002-top100.shtml (broken link) Browse that site and you will see a significant number of technology based companies. There are also many smaller ones that aren't listed. Not to mention that the UCF Medical Complex will supr more growth in the medical technology industries.

[kwflconch]

Tampa Bay Area has 2.6 million residents Hillsborough-998,948 Pinellas-921,482 Pasco-344,765 Hernando-130,802 Orlando Area has 1.5 million residents Orange-896,344 Lake-210,528 Seminole-365,196 Osceola-172,493.
They both grow about the same rate of annual change 30,000-70,000 residents every year.

[antxav]

Hi my name is Anthony X., my wife and I are planning to move to Orlando in the very near future, we are debating on the following areas; Ocoee, Claracona Ocoee area, Apopka or Clermont. We are considering Condo's or town houses. We were planning on purchasing a home but the prices are out rageous. Ant help in choosing an area would be appreciated.Crime is an issue and also schools.

[amax41]

Try East side of Orlando ...UCF area....much better. Less traffic.

and to the originator of this thread - disney traffic...if you live here you learn how to pass it by...its not all that hard. ...and Tampa vs Orlando...even being from the midwest - ORLANDO! not Tampa (sorry tampa folk i'm not a "west coaster")

Mostly because Orlando is still growing and has much area to still fill in...for as much as I've been in Tampa I still can't figure out where to put everyone and yes traffic over there really stinks JMHO

[Mr.Smith]

Originally Posted by kwflconch

Tampa Bay Area has 2.6 million residents Hillsborough-998,948 Pinellas-921,482 Pasco-344,765 Hernando-130,802 Orlando Area has 1.5 million residents Orange-896,344 Lake-210,528 Seminole-365,196 Osceola-172,493.
They both grow about the same rate of annual change 30,000-70,000 residents every year.

Orange County has over 1 million.

[momto4boys]

I live in Seminole County which has much lower crime and better schools than any of the other surrounding counties. Plus, it's only a 15-30 minute max commute to downtown. My dad's entire family lives in Tampa and I just don't think people in general are as friendly there. Traffic there is bad, but the Kissimee area into Orlando is horrendous during rush hour, so it's a toss up there. Orange county has gotten really bad in the crime department, so I'd definitely steer clear of that. Good luck with your hunt!

[AJ67]

i would say Tampa, or surrounding areas, like brandon, temple terrace.. and the likes...I have now lived in the general vacinity of both Orlando and tampa.. i prefer tampa far better , people seem kinder , and not so much in a hurry, the traffic is about the same If you get stuck on i4 in orlando, you will also get stuck in tampa on the 275 i 4 interchange , really its all about what you prefere, beach within 30 minites , good night life NOw Or Mickey mouse up your back side, tons and tons of tourists... and a beach about 50 minutes away depending on where you live in Orlando