What am I missing about Tampa?

[the awesomee]

Originally Posted by floridadreamer

My only complaint is the amount of time it takes to get from here (north tampa) to the the beaches. It can easily be an hour drive. In Brevard County (the other coast) I could literally be over the bridge on the sand in 15 minutes, but Tampa has so much more to offer than that area.

yea like getting shot or managing that call center someday

[gardenpearl]

Originally Posted by floridadreamer

My only complaint is the amount of time it takes to get from here (north tampa) to the the beaches. It can easily be an hour drive. In Brevard County (the other coast) I could literally be over the bridge on the sand in 15 minutes, but Tampa has so much more to offer than that area.

I've never been to that part of Florida, but have been curious about it. Is it slower than Tampa, with less to do?

[tinytrump]

There are not enough avenues to the beaches unless you want to bike it- they are spending millions on new bike trails on the Causeway between Tampa and Clearwater but not opening more traffic lanes??? short time thinking on someone's part-and taxpayers paying for it.

[JSnFla]

Originally Posted by the awesomee

yea like getting shot or managing that call center someday

unless you are a talented entrepenuer or have rare in demand skills the tampa bay area is a terrible place for young educated people looking to build a traditional corporate type career. There is very little meaningful opportunity in this area and you almost have to move if you want to get ahead and earn a decent income. Sure there are exceptions but generally speaking the area is a wasteland for young professionals and in my experience have seen many move away.

[gardenpearl]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

unless you are a talented entrepenuer or have rare in demand skills the tampa bay area is a terrible place for young educated people looking to build a traditional corporate type career. There is very little meaningful opportunity in this area and you almost have to move if you want to get ahead and earn a decent income. Sure there are exceptions but generally speaking the area is a wasteland for young professionals and in my experience have seen many move away.

I read an article referencing that in one of the financial magazines awhile ago. It said that Tampa had seen a large influx of professional baby boomers years ago, but that many were now leaving the area.

Personally I think if you are a medical professional, like a nurse, tech, etc. you have the best chance of finding work.

[the awesomee]

Originally Posted by gardenpearl

I read an article referencing that in one of the financial magazines awhile ago. It said that Tampa had seen a large influx of professional baby boomers years ago, but that many were now leaving the area.

Personally I think if you are a medical professional, like a nurse, tech, etc. you have the best chance of finding work.

Medical Care such as Hospice and Nursing Homes are the future of FL in terms of career, but for everything else, the wages are stagnant and non-existent. Most jobs pay in the $35k range here and that is for most positions. If you make over 50k Id say you are doing pretty damn decent. With the higher costs of food and insurance here there is barely money left over to purchase property, hence all the apartment complexes in Tampa.

[tinytrump]

that's why the mayor is trying to open up down town- if he does- business will come again just like they did Houston- make it easy to set up shop! and have venues for the young n restless- IT can happen, just gotta get the fuddy duddys out of the way who don't want change..

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by gardenpearl

I read an article referencing that in one of the financial magazines awhile ago. It said that Tampa had seen a large influx of professional baby boomers years ago, but that many were now leaving the area.

Personally I think if you are a medical professional, like a nurse, tech, etc. you have the best chance of finding work.

You do yes, which is why I plan to go to school for that, however if I were to go up north the salary can still be about $10 more per hour (20,000yr). I'd rather live in Florida on a lower wage personally.

On the subject of IT, my ex husband does lotus notes, something a lot of companies are getting away from, and the most he can make in this area if he can even find it, is about 55-60,000. Up north he's making 75,000+.

[devin091]

Originally Posted by crayola

I've been researching the Tampa Bay area , and I'm having a hard time finding negatives about this place.

First of all the cost of living seems pretty reasonable for a city this size. Looks like finding a room/shared apartment for $600 a month would be no problem at all.

Second there seems to be jobs, at least in my field. (IT)

Third the weather is fantastic most of the year, and you're close to the beach.

And last there look to be a lot of things to do in the area.

What am I missing here?

Oh geez just visit once for a week and you'll see, if you're over 40 judging from your post you will absolutely love the area it's extremely quiet barely any crime compared to the east coast, and plenty of senior citizens an hour away in clearwater who will do you no harm apart from the occasional grouch look or stink eye given to the young population whom they seem to be really resent out of envy and bitterness guess their lives didn't pan out the way they wanted, tampa is a bit of a hole but your profile says michigan so your perspective is far different from someone who has lived in the Miami area for 35 years

[Diane111]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

unless you are a talented entrepenuer or have rare in demand skills the tampa bay area is a terrible place for young educated people looking to build a traditional corporate type career. There is very little meaningful opportunity in this area and you almost have to move if you want to get ahead and earn a decent income. Sure there are exceptions but generally speaking the area is a wasteland for young professionals and in my experience have seen many move away.

This is the truth.

Remember if something looks too good to be true, it prob is. That sums up life in fl.