How does Tampa Bay compare to Jacksonville? (unemployment, gated)

[things and stuff]

I'm curious about your opinions on some of the contrasts or differences between the two cities. I'm somewhat familiar with Jacksonville, but not Tampa/St. pete.

I'd love to hear from people who have spent a good amount of time in both.

[NALEXAND]

Tampa feels like Florida whereby Jacksonville is more like a big southern South GA city.

[Crane's Rooster]

As someone who's only visited each area the biggest and most glaring difference is size. Tampa Bay is around 2 times the size of Jacksonville Metro in population. Accordingly, you tend to find more options for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is also more tropical.

[user8]

Originally Posted by NALEXAND

Tampa feels like Florida whereby Jacksonville is more like a big southern South GA city.

this.

jacksonville is not florida...ey.

[FloridaKash]

Never been to Jacksonville but I have always been told, "Jacksonville is essentially GA". I hear the beaches are not as nice, it gets colder and it is smaller.

I have also heard that housing is less and unemployment is lower.

[gypsychic]

I agree, to me Jacksonville is more like a city in Georgia. This can be a bad or good thing depending on what one is looking for.

I love the whole Tampa Bay metro, it is large, diverse, with all kinds of things going on and access to fabulous beaches among other things. To me, no contest, Tampa Bay all the way.

[Sunscape]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I agree,

I love the whole Tampa Bay metro, it is large, diverse, with all kinds of things going on and access to fabulous beaches among other things. To me, no contest, Tampa Bay all the way.

I agree with Gypsy. So many things going on, so diverse!!!

[things and stuff]

This is not a huge factor for me, but define diversity? From what I hear there's hardly any asians in Tampa. Statistically, Jacksonville has a more of an asian and (east) Indian presence than Tampa.

I kind of like living in areas with a decent population of these heritages because of the cuisine and entrapenuerial spirit they bring. Asians definitely add to our culture in Baton Rouge, although they are mostly Vietnamese here.

[crazynip]

Tampa is MUCH better than Jacksonville. For one thing, it does not SMELL. It's a little less segregated than Jax though. Up there the "hood" is pretty well defined, the North Side and NorthWest. In Tampa, there are several places that fit that description and they are spread out.

[SLCPUNK]

Originally Posted by crazynip

For one thing, it does not SMELL.

I thought that was just me. What is the stink up there anyway?