Would my children have the same opportunities in Tampa as they would in New York City?

[gulfer]

I believe that they would have the same opportunities.

New York certainly has a more diverse population then we do here in Tampa. Education opportunities exist here just like there. My daughters are both on track to be highly successful. One is finishing her 3rd year at the University of South Florida and the other her Junior Year of High School. Fantastic grades, well rounded, active and involved, etc... They have every opportunity to succeed as long as thier decisions continue how they have been. My wife is extremely active in thier education, what they are doing, so I am sure that helps a lot.

I guess for me, it would depend on my 'Quality of Life'. As you know it is more 'low key' in a lot of areas. Things just tend to move slower (general comment) in the South. I have lived in California, Washington State, Virginia, Mississippi, overseas a couple of times, and it feels slower to me here. Having a larger, affordable home was important to us, being close to the water was important to us, and we had a couple other items were set on. Tampa (specifically Land O Lakes) fit them all and we couldn't be happier.

[algia]

Originally Posted by gulfer

I believe that they would have the same opportunities.

New York certainly has a more diverse population then we do here in Tampa. Education opportunities exist here just like there. My daughters are both on track to be highly successful. One is finishing her 3rd year at the University of South Florida and the other her Junior Year of High School. Fantastic grades, well rounded, active and involved, etc... They have every opportunity to succeed as long as thier decisions continue how they have been. My wife is extremely active in thier education, what they are doing, so I am sure that helps a lot.

I guess for me, it would depend on my 'Quality of Life'. As you know it is more 'low key' in a lot of areas. Things just tend to move slower (general comment) in the South. I have lived in California, Washington State, Virginia, Mississippi, overseas a couple of times, and it feels slower to me here. Having a larger, affordable home was important to us, being close to the water was important to us, and we had a couple other items were set on. Tampa (specifically Land O Lakes) fit them all and we couldn't be happier.

I actually agree with this.

Mainly because it really does depend on one's involvement, and also finances, because "finances" play a huge role in involvement.......e.g. if both parents work, there's generally lower involvement...if one stays home, due to being able to afford it (or sacrifice a lot in order to afford it), then there more available involvement. If we'd made well over $300k a year we'd be living in NYC...since we don't make that kind of money we live here, and resort to visiting NYC when we can...I stay home and stay involved...and it works for us. But we're not eating out, or doing anything extravagant. If we lived in NYC without the financial opportunity to actually enjoy everything the city has to offer, then it wouldn't pay for us to live there.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by tercsi1

I am a pharmacist and I want my children to be equally or even more successful than me. I grew up in New York City and we live here now. We lived in Tampa for a year, and want to move back. Our boys are still in elementary school but if we move we plan on staying there. I am Haitian American
and my husband is Eastern European. From what I remember there were not many Black Professionals in Tampa . Even as an Eastern European my husband felt he experienced prejudice he did not experience in New York City. We love Tampa as far as weather, climate and inexpensive real estate. We both have jobs lined up if we move, but would my children have the same opportunities there as they would in New York City?

There is no way to answer this, since your children are still in elementary school. I mean, you can always move later on if they're not thriving. Also, at this point you have no idea what fields your children will go into or where they will choose to go to college. If this is just about race, even the most liberal states have bigots. However, I'd do a lot of research first and check the school ratings.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by gulfer

I guess for me, it would depend on my 'Quality of Life'. As you know it is more 'low key' in a lot of areas. Things just tend to move slower (general comment) in the South. I have lived in California, Washington State, Virginia, Mississippi, overseas a couple of times, and it feels slower to me here. Having a larger, affordable home was important to us, being close to the water was important to us, and we had a couple other items were set on. Tampa (specifically Land O Lakes) fit them all and we couldn't be happier.

You have a point. I knew a family of 5 who lived in a large pool home on a canal. They were forced to move (the bank approved a short sale) because of the poor economy and possibly the mortgage rate increased. I never asked for specifics, since it's none of my business. I ran into the father a few months ago and said I felt badly that they lost their home. He told me they're much happier now because he's not under so much stress.

[Irishiis49]

Children that did well in New York will do well in Florida...My son tested in the 99% in private school in Bayside Queens (Forsman) and scored 99% in private school (ITBS) in Dunedin! Location is not not the greatest determining factor in their success...a childs intelligence and work ethic are! IMHO!

[JSnFla]

there is nyc and there is nyc. I mean a kid that grows up in queens or the bronx is going to have a very different experience than a kid growing up on the upper west side. Many of the the kids in the bad parts of nyc grow up just like many of the kids in east/west tampa do. I think a kid that grows up in a very affluent family in a fancy area on the east or west side of manhattan will have many more opportunities than a kid that grows up in palma ceia or on bayshore blvd in hyde park. But that is just theoretically, it depends on the kid, his dna and all sorts of other factors. Growing up in nyc, if u do well in school/college/etc then everything is right there. Wall st, the entertainment industry, music, the top companies in the world, etc so its much easier to step right into that world and be on your way. There are tons of 25 yr olds in manhattan making 250k+ and probably none in tampa outside of pro athletes.