why so negative about Tampa ?

[Rusty60]

I'll admit, I haven't lived in Tampa for almost four years, but I loved it when I was there and still miss it. My good friend lives there and neither of us would consider living in Meadow Pointe or any other pre-fab exurban master-planned community. I lived in Bayshore Beautiful, just a couple of blocks from Bayshore about halfway down the Interbay Peninsula, and my friend is about to move to Davis Island. Part of me still longs for a bungalow in Seminole Heights or Palma Ceia and I sure miss coming home in the evening down MacDill Ave to my house in the neighborhood. What I'm trying to say is that Tampa is great, as long as you can afford to stay out of the various scary ghettos, and I never had any trouble meeting anyone. Go and plug yourself into an activity or a scene (there are scenes, I found mine) and you'll be fine.

[grindin]

Well, I lived in Tampa Bay for two years, and the main factors that kept me from really liking the place were:

1) trashy neighborhood where we were renting our house (Highpoint area)

2) Lack of Social life for me personally

3) Didn't like the slow pace of the area


Now, reason#2 could happen in anywhere USA, so I don't fault Tampa for that. But I do feel that I would've liked the area a heck of a lot better if I had a larger social network.

And I realize that I do like larger cities. While Tampa Bay is not a small metropolitan area, it was very slow paced for me. Maybe when I'm older and ready to settle, that'll be an option, but right now, not for me. Everything is not for everyone.

I will say that while I liked Downtown St. Pete, I liked the Hillsborough side of the bay better than Pinellas.

But it's amazing how people will go on these boards and whine about it ad nauseum. I realized the place wasn't for me and I moved. I'm pretty sure the people who love the area would appreciate it more if the whiny people who complain about the place would pack their bags and leave, so they can enjoy the place in peace.

That just doesn't go for Tampa Bay. That goes for everywhere.

[Obamanation]

It's just a "vocal minority," don't worry about them. I'm a young, single college student and love it here.

[InLuvWitFlo]

Originally Posted by AnotherDayInParadise

I wouldn't consider NC/SC an alternative to Tampa... they are so completely different, IMO. I have lived just south of Tampa for over 10 years now (originally from Cincinnati), and while I enjoy vacationing in NC/SC, they are not the same. You have to ask yourself what exactly are you relocating for. Is it just for weather? Or are there other factors involved? If you like beaches, the Gulf is completely different to the Atlantic. If you like professional sports, you've got the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA all at your door in Tampa. If you like Disney, it's only an hour away.

I totally agree ADIP and by the way I visit family frequently in Cincinnati and I have to admit I like that city as well.