Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville or else? Please advise. (St. Petersburg, Clearwater: rentals, insurance)

[Liuka]

Hello everyone,


Me and my significant other planning to move to Florida from Hawaii. After doing our research, we chose Orlando, Jacksonville and somewhere around to Tampa Bay (Clearwater, Pinellas Park or St. Petersburg). The last one is our favorite so far. However I am not certain about it, since all I know is from Google. Please give me any advise which city is better, what are prons and cons, and basically any other information you can/ willing to. I am European with a bachelors degree in advertising (no experience tho, recent graduate), He was in the military (contract expires soon). We have no dependents, but a small car loan. We wish to buy a house there. What concerns me most is employment possibilities in any of these cities. Also, we would like to live near the ocean and beach (probably that's what everyone wants moving into Florida), live near the city with lowest unemployment rate. Please advise.

Thank you!

[theurbanfiles]

Out of the three, if your a beach person, Pinellas County/TB is your best bet for sure.

Jacksonville has the beach but I have heard economy isn't as good. Also, it doesn't have nearly the entertainment value of the others, though it may have the best day trips in the state at hand (the plantation up there, Amelia, Jekyll, Cumberland islands and incredibly historic Savannah and St . Augustine.)

Orlando is a great city, and if you lived on the east side of town you would be further from the beach than Pinellas, but around as far from Tampa proper. Orlando also does have freshwater springs which I honestly enjoy more than beaches anymore. It also probably is the fastest growing, has theme parks, a fantastic university with huge potential, and the most vibrant downtown out of the "Big 4", IMO. But further from the beach.

However for close beach access, a vibrant/unique downtown and surrounding suburbs, the best museums/culture and history in the state, and it's bikability, plus an MLB team, for my subjective criteria, Pinellas County/St. Pete is the best place in the state of Florida.

[theurbanfiles]

Two things to note though:

If you eventually do have kids, it strikes me that as a general rule, school districts near the beach aren't quite as good. Also, as I'm sure you'd expect, prices/property taxes/insurance rates are usually higher. However, Pinellas County seems to have many of the excellent assets you'd want in a community, unlike other beachside areas in FL.

St. Pete is great but does have a smaller population. If you could find a job there, great, but there may be more in Tampa itself. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that commute over I-275 is a bear. Tampa's urban neighborhoods are very nice (Ybor maybe having the best history/food in the state) if you are in the nice ones, however it strikes me that as a portion of the city due to being older, more of it is in impoverished state than say, the Orlando area which only developed more recently. The suburbs on the Tampa side generally appear to offer security, but are also very cookie cutter and high traffic and in some spaces face the negatives of being unincorporated (Brandon), and while being safe May lack basic city assets. If you do live on the Tampa side, do try to live in Tampa, either in South Tampa, or perhaps in Seminole Heights which apart from the schools I have heard some awesome things about. BUT. Over there make sure you pick your street carefully as while it is nice, it is in transition.

[Liuka]

Originally Posted by clevelander1991

However for close beach access, a vibrant/unique downtown and surrounding suburbs, the best museums/culture and history in the state, and it's bikability, plus an MLB team, for my subjective criteria, Pinellas County/St. Pete is the best place in the state of Florida.

Thank you for your advise. Our hearts are set on this area too. But I am willing to give up beach for a job. I am really concerned about employment here. From what I have heard Florida has big unemployment rate and that scares me a lot.

The reason why we chose Florida is that it is much closer to Europe (which I visiting quite often) so it saves a lot of time and money for plane tickets. (Shortest flight to my home country is 26 hours and around $2500. Consider this is done twice a year for a two people you will see why Florida is the better option for us. )

I am also very active person. Hate stay at home and do nothing, so besides my work I will look for any other activities. We are young outgoing couple, so we don't want to get stuck in little town with nothing to do. Any advise will be appreciated!

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by Liuka

Hello everyone,


Me and my significant other planning to move to Florida from Hawaii. After doing our research, we chose Orlando, Jacksonville and somewhere around to Tampa Bay (Clearwater, Pinellas Park or St. Petersburg). The last one is our favorite so far. However I am not certain about it, since all I know is from Google. Please give me any advise which city is better, what are prons and cons, and basically any other information you can/ willing to. I am European with a bachelors degree in advertising (no experience tho, recent graduate), He was in the military (contract expires soon). We have no dependents, but a small car loan. We wish to buy a house there. What concerns me most is employment possibilities in any of these cities. Also, we would like to live near the ocean and beach (probably that's what everyone wants moving into Florida), live near the city with lowest unemployment rate. Please advise.

Thank you!

Advertising actually pays a nice salary I heard and I don't think you would have any problem finding a job since Florida is a tourism mecca. I agree with Clevelander1991 for the most part as St. Pete probably offers the most urban aspects and culture but Tampa is getting there and has the most job opportunities IMO. Clearwater is another area to look at as it seems like an alright location with ok job market.

[Liuka]

Originally Posted by Fl1150

Advertising actually pays a nice salary I heard and I don't think you would have any problem finding a job since Florida is a tourism mecca.

Thank you for your advise. The problem is that I have no job experience, and my diploma is not American as well, so I am afraid that might be a little tricky when looking for a job. Hawaii, where I live now is also tourist mecca, so I am calm, that will find a job ( waitress, receptionist, or smth like that). However I would like to have more challenging job, which leads to somewhere. Therefore I am concerned.

[engineman]

Jacksonville- commercial city with more winter.

Orlando- hotter summers, no sea breeze.

Bay area, Pinellas County-my personal choice.

[Mrs. Kravits]

Hi all!
I have lived in Florida, particularly the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years. Mainly in the Clearwater, Tampa, Dunedin, Palm Harbor area but I do know about other areas as well. I help people find apts, houses, rentals, vacant land, etc. I can be your eyes and ears.... I go and look at property for you if you are not able to come down here to look for yourself. I have intimate knowledge of the area and can help you find what suits your tastes, but more importantly I can tell you where you DON'T want to live. You can contact me at lilpearls@verizon.net.

[Liuka]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Kravits

Hi all!
I have lived in Florida, particularly the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years. Mainly in the Clearwater, Tampa, Dunedin, Palm Harbor area but I do know about other areas as well. I help people find apts, houses, rentals, vacant land, etc. I can be your eyes and ears.... I go and look at property for you if you are not able to come down here to look for yourself. I have intimate knowledge of the area and can help you find what suits your tastes, but more importantly I can tell you where you DON'T want to live. You can contact me at lilpearls@verizon.net.

Thank you. We want to choose the house ourselves, but advice of what ares not to choose would be greatly appreciated.

[dothetwist]

You should also consider Atlanta area as well. Strong economy and better/cheaper selection of flights to Europe from ATL than TPA or MCO.