Tampa/St.Pete area: good for single in late thirties? (Jacksonville: crime, neighborhoods)

[NYtoFL2000]

I'm a former NY'er who has lived in Jacksonville, FL for the past fifteen years. For a number of reasons, I am looking for a change of scenery. I'm currently pursuing a career change (elementary education to occupational therapy), and will finish my schooling next year. Job prospects aren't the greatest here, and I see many more openings in other FL cities. Additionally, Jacksonville seems to be a city for married couples, and the dating scene here is relatively "dead". I realize that no city is perfect, yet in many ways wish to make a fresh start. I moved to Jax to escape the harsh NY winters, and would not mind an even warmer climate. I'm pretty much beyond the nightlife scene at this point, but I am a social person and enjoy meeting new friends.
I haven't been to Tampa in a few years, and never visited the city long enough to get a true flavor for it. Would love to hear about the pros and cons of Tampa and/or St. Pete, as both of these areas interest me and have job prospects in my future field. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and advice.

[lavender]

Lots of medical opps in the Bay Area and downtown St Pete is buzzing for your age group.

good luck with your plans

[NYtoFL2000]

Thanks, Lavender! I appreciate the info.

[cjairo191]

Originally Posted by NYtoFL2000

I'm a former NY'er who has lived in Jacksonville, FL for the past fifteen years. For a number of reasons, I am looking for a change of scenery. I'm currently pursuing a career change (elementary education to occupational therapy), and will finish my schooling next year. Job prospects aren't the greatest here, and I see many more openings in other FL cities. Additionally, Jacksonville seems to be a city for married couples, and the dating scene here is relatively "dead". I realize that no city is perfect, yet in many ways wish to make a fresh start. I moved to Jax to escape the harsh NY winters, and would not mind an even warmer climate. I'm pretty much beyond the nightlife scene at this point, but I am a social person and enjoy meeting new friends.
I haven't been to Tampa in a few years, and never visited the city long enough to get a true flavor for it. Would love to hear about the pros and cons of Tampa and/or St. Pete, as both of these areas interest me and have job prospects in my future field. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and advice.

I am in my earlier 30s and got married at 32. I have friends in their late 30s and they seem to have a harder time dating in this city. I would suggest downtown tampa which is trying to come back. More of a working downtown. Downtown st Pete seems to have a better scene. This is where I have seen older 30 singles. I would suggest some of the meetup.com sites. The young professionals seems to have a lot of singles and events. From what I have seen, I think South Florida might be a good choice if you can handle that culture and higher cost of living.

[NYtoFL2000]

Thank you for the input. I've tried out many meetups in Jacksonville and they are all pretty much dead. Sounds like St. Pete may be a good option to consider.

[CubsFan20]

Jacksonville sucks on so many levels, good choice moving to Tampa.

[smarino]

I used to work as an O.T. in Savannah (Memorial Medical Center), and agree, getting out of Jacksonville to move to Tampa/St.Pete is a good decision. I'm amazed you stayed as long as you did.

From a recent trip to St.Pete, I can't imagine you would go wrong there. Didn't spend much time in Tampa, but from what I saw it was more urban and spread out. St. Pete has a great downtown and some neat neighborhoods that are located near medical centers. LOTS of yuppie types, which are not my scene, but there is a lot of what I prefer too (aging hippie, liberal mind set, art stuff). The demographics seemed more diverse in St. Pete, and overall, it just felt more laid back and liberal.

[sidewinder103]

Originally Posted by CubsFan20

Jacksonville sucks on so many levels, good choice moving to Tampa.

Why did it suck so bad for you? I moved from Tampa to Jacksonville.

I got a better a job here and have found the traffic is no where near as bad as Tampa.

[NYtoFL2000]

Thanks, smarino and cubsfan20. Sidewinder103, congrats on your new job and I'm glad Jax is working out for you.

[CubsFan20]

Originally Posted by sidewinder103

Why did it suck so bad for you? I moved from Tampa to Jacksonville.

I got a better a job here and have found the traffic is no where near as bad as Tampa.

I lived over in Orange Park in the 90's, worked in downtown Jax.

I hated it, too many rednecks, too "bible belt", hated the mindset, and the crime in certain parts of town (like near downtown, northside, etc), cops seemed corrupt, and it smelled at times.