Culture, dating, location, career, let's cover all the bases (Miami: fit in, apartment)

[st3350]

I want to give you a quick background on myself before asking for advice...

I moved out to LA about 3 years ago from Toledo, Ohio. While it is true that LA has grown my career by leaps and bounds and is full of culture that I love-- it is also true that the big city is very isolating and meeting genuine, honest, loyal people (that stick around LA and live nearby) has not been my experience here.

I've always known that LA wouldn't be a permanent location for me. That being said, while looking for other locations to relocate to, Tampa is an option. My dad moved there about 6 months ago from Ohio and loves it.
I would be able to keep the nice weather of LA and be around family.

Here are some of my questions...

Is Tampa large enough that it has diversity and culture of it's own? I want to move to a city that has it's own unique vibe.

I work in the data industry and have seen a couple of companies with job openings- how is the job market competition? Do you think I would have a hard time finding a job? Basically I'm looking for a city that's large enough to offer job options (lack of this is why I moved from Toledo) but small enough that competition isn't 9 million people as it is here in LA....

As I mentioned above, the main complaint that I have of LA is the people. IYO, do you think the people in Tampa are easy to get along with (midwest values and genuine)?

Cost of living is affordable- don't need much advice on this, it's clear that Tampa is way more affordable than LA. I'm also looking to be a home buyer in the future and that would never be an option for me here in LA.

Do you think Tampa in general is a good spot for a 30 Year Old SWF? how's the dating scene?

What neighborhood would a 30 year old fit in?
I don't prefer to live downtown because I want to rent a home and not an apartment. I miss having a yard and a space of my own without being on top of hundreds of other people. On the other hand, i want to live where other single 20-30 somethings live..... I'm aware that most city suburbs are mostly families, I want to avoid strictly family or retirement areas...

thanks!!!!

[EdgeCity]

I am a few years older than you, and planning on relocating to Tampa soon (either central Tampa, or a suburb just outside), so I have been researching these considerations.

I can't give a lot of advice, based on my inexperience with Tampa, but I would say as far as affordability of home ownership, Tampa seems very promising. There are up and coming neighborhoods such as Riverside Heights and Seminole Heights full of homes that can be bought for a song, compared to LA. I also get the sense that central Tampa/Seminole Heights has a burgeoning restaurant /craft beer/foodie scene, and the city is very supportive of that. I am not really confident about the city's local art/music scene, however, but I'm coming from an area that has even less of that.

Dating, well, in my view it kind of sucks everywhere if you're a single 30something woman. I think the key considerations are whether the job you'll take will allow you to have the time to socialize and participate in activities where you will meet people, and being located in an area with convenient access to social life.

[deebin]

I will probably get harangued big time for this. Flame away Board members.

As a casual visitor to Tampa (visiting a relative for many years), my impression of Tampa is that of little diversity. I think you will miss the energy and vibe of Los Angeles. Tampa seems to have none.
On a positive note....Home prices will be more affordable.

Tampa lacks...I wish it wasn't so.

[The b8nk]

I laughed pretty hard at "culture".

Unless of course you like to see grown idiots dress up like pirates once a year .

[clairegoad]

Originally Posted by deebin

I will probably get harangued big time for this. Flame away Board members.

As a casual visitor to Tampa (visiting a relative for many years), my impression of Tampa is that of little diversity. I think you will miss the energy and vibe of Los Angeles. Tampa seems to have none.
On a positive note....Home prices will be more affordable.

Tampa lacks...I wish it wasn't so.

Maybe we need a definition of culture. Tampa has:
Wine makers, large venues, multiple live concerts, museums, fairs, festivals,

What exactly do you want? What do you consider "culture"?

Not going to flame you, just reminding you that each of us has different experiences. To a small town girl, Tampa is huge and thriving.. To you, (apparently) ho-hum.

And it doesn't count if there are many activities and you choose to stay home.... At that point, you might asw well live in Spring Hill.

Also note: You saw Tampa through the lens of your relative. I'm reminded of visiting Chicago with my great aunt and great uncle.... The tour was "murder here," "massacre here," as a review of crime in the area. To a small town 9 year old, it was traumatic. But that was their perspective. If you're visiting your 98 year old grandmother, you might be seeing Tampa as a quiet place.

[The b8nk]

Originally Posted by clairegoad

, tampa is huge and thriving..

lol

Houston, TX is "huge and thriving", so is Denver, Miami, Seattle...Tampa? really?

[Occifer]

Having spent some time in southern California, I can tell you that the weather in Tampa is much different from the weather in southern California. While the temperatures can be similar throughout the year, Tampa receives a lot more rainfall and is much more humid. While both definitely beat Toledo's climate in my opinion, I think that the climate in southern California is more desirable than what we have.

If you've looked at jobs then you've probably noticed that while the cost of living is much less than it is in LA (especially in terms of housing), the salaries also aren't as high as you're going to find in LA. But you are definitely correct about buying a house. Buying a decent sized home in a good area is much cheaper in Tampa Bay than it is in LA, and you will have to spend less time commuting from home to work.

I think the dating scene here is good. Look in the south Tampa areas like SoHo, which is also near a lot of the nightlife. Not wanting to live downtown is a good thing, as even though it's getting better, Tampa's downtown is basically just a central business district that pretty much shuts down at 5pm. Downtown St. Pete is much better in that regard.