My husband and I are considering moving to Tampa area. (Brandon: house, quality of life)

[floridagirl777]

I grew up in the Tampa Bay area. When I was a little girl living in Town and Country I had loads of Latino friends. I never felt they were any different than I was, except they had better food! Now we are living in Safety Harbor. On our street alone we have a French family and a couple of Latino families mixed in with white families, and everyone gets along. My neighborhood isn't ultra-rich, but it is what I'd consider upper middle class.

Is there racism in Tampa? Yes, I'm sure there is. But in all my years here I've never experienced it myself or seen it happen to one of my black or Latino friends. When we moved to Memphis … wow … I had my first real taste of what it was like to live in a racially divided city. Tampa isn't even close to being like that.

[Red3311]

Originally Posted by floridagirl777

Is there racism in Tampa? Yes, I'm sure there is. But in all my years here I've never experienced it myself or seen it happen to one of my black or Latino friends. When we moved to Memphis … wow … I had my first real taste of what it was like to live in a racially divided city. Tampa isn't even close to being like that.

Not in the middle and lower middle class areas like TNC, but in the "upper income" areas there defanitely is. And its not that old school "in your face" racism, its more of a subtle kind....the kind you can feel but noone really says anything to you.

[floridagirl777]

Originally Posted by Red3311

Not in the middle and lower middle class areas like TNC, but in the "upper income" areas there defanitely is. And its not that old school "in your face" racism, its more of a subtle kind....the kind you can feel but noone really says anything to you.

I'm still not convinced. Although I am not in an upper income neighborhood right now, I grew up in several. In our most expensive neighborhood (Pelican Island), we were good friends with a Haitian family and several Latino families living there. I never sensed any sort of racism - in your face or otherwise.

I believe Tampa is a pretty diverse community overall, and for the most part people get along just fine. I'm sure there are pockets of racial areas … perhaps in the more rural communities … but in general Tampa seems fine to me as far as racism is concerned.

[romes591]

Originally Posted by Red3311

Not in the middle and lower middle class areas like TNC, but in the "upper income" areas there defanitely is. And its not that old school "in your face" racism, its more of a subtle kind....the kind you can feel but noone really says anything to you.

I lived in Westchase for 2 years, this guy is wrong - I have never seen, heard, or "felt" any racism or racial tension while there. A simple look back at his posts will show you that he takes every chance he can to bad mouth Westchase. I'm not sure what happened to him there but someone is holding a grudge.

[Irishiis49]

Originally Posted by Red3311

Not in the middle and lower middle class areas like TNC, but in the "upper income" areas there defanitely is. And its not that old school "in your face" racism, its more of a subtle kind....the kind you can feel but noone really says anything to you.

Oh that's right only "upper income" people are racists... as far as something "you can feel but no one really says anything to you" that's called paranoia...not racisim...

[Tamatem]

Originally Posted by romes591

I lived in Westchase for 2 years, this guy is wrong - I have never seen, heard, or "felt" any racism or racial tension while there. A simple look back at his posts will show you that he takes every chance he can to bad mouth Westchase. I'm not sure what happened to him there but someone is holding a grudge.

I concur. After living in Westchase for 2 years currently - I have never felt any racial weirdness directed at my mixed family. Everyone in our neighborhood has been exceptionally kind.

[tinytrump]

If you have the "bling" and education etc etc you might be tolerated and even accepted behind the gated communities. But see some of the posts on TBO,,, and tell me racism is not alive and well. The things are said obut our Commander in Chief, then go back and read some of good and bad neighborhood posts right here on the forum. As I mentioned before, in some places, it's more economic and sublime racism in nature. In Clearwater, the old people think we are still in slavery days,,, hear them talk down to folks all the time. One told an employee NOT to speak in spanish to another employee,,- he told the old foggie, my constitution allows me to talk- period.-- No honey- be happy n glad it does NOT brush against you or your family,, it is a very sick culture,,, one to stay far away from. BUT it exists...

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

That is true, I wasn't just talking about Latinos, since most Latinos do categorized themselves as white on the census. I dont know that I would call it plenty either.

You don't understand the census or know the numbers. There's "White alone", "White alone not Hispanic/Latino" and "Hispanic/Latino". And other categories.

Tampa has a larger percentage of self identified Hispanic/Latinos than the state of Florida in the census. And a smaller number of White and White alone not Hispanic/Latino, too. I would say that qualifies for "plenty of" in terms of math.

And here is the data the first number is Tampa, the second is Florida:

White alone, percent, 2010 62.9% 75.0%
Black or African American alone, percent, 2010 26.2% 16.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, 2010 0.4% 0.4%
Asian alone, percent, 2010 3.4% 2.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, 2010 0.1% 0.1%
Two or More Races, percent, 2010 3.2% 2.5%
Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010 23.1% 22.5%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010 46.3% 57.9%

Tampa (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[Ny2fl2006]

We live in pasco county in a master planned community. Relocated in 2006 from Long Island. I think you are over analyzing. The media made it a big deal when there is crime between races all the time. There is cliques in all communities, but i dont think you will see the race any issue. Tampa is a great area if you find the right fit for you. Many different areas for sure.. im a white girl but I felt like an outcast before I had kids in such a large "family" area.and spent a lot of time outside my area. Now I have 2 kids and look foward to the girls nights where I walk to a friends with a bottle of wine.
My husband is a realtor if you need help narrowing down your search.. He can send you listings. [email]Roberteatonllc@gmail.com[/email].

[marcopolo]

I got news for the OP. The handle "iluvthedesert," if it means you prefer arid, brown, near-dead landscape, is going to be a lot more trouble for you than racists.

I hate the desert, would never live near it, and LOVE Tampa Bay and Florida. Because it is exactly the opposite of the desert--tons of water in every form (gulf, waterways, rivers, lakes, even humidity), green things growing everywhere, twelve months a year, people and animals and birds and fish in abundance.