Why should we NOT relocate to Tampa, Florida? (home, neighborhood)

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

Population of LA: 3.976 million
Population of Tampa: 377,165

Fair comparison.

I said people accustomed to big cities will be disappointed in Tampa Bay's amenities. True fact. Which is why so many people only stay 2-3 years and then leave.

By the way Tampa Bay has 3 million inhabitants, but nice try making excuses for Tampa.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

To be fair, you can see gators in Tampa. They're not uncommon. There's at least one at Al Lopez Park right next to Raymond James. That said, I haven't seen a snake in about ten years now, maybe longer. However, and this may only apply to people with septic tanks, my parents have frogs end up in their toilets every so often.

But as far as Sinatras' posts, take them with a grain of salt. I mean, look at their other criticisms:

"If you are a foodie and love going to gourmet upscale markets and restaurants, you may be disappointed by Tampa Bay's culinary scene.

If you are from a big city and love going to museums, theater, arts, concerts, spas, you may be disappointed by the choices in Tampa Bay.

If you are accustomed to top-tier universities and all they have to offer, then you may be disappointed by USF in various ways. "

There are a ton of foodie hangouts in Seminole Heights, Ybor, and SoHo alone, much less the rest of the city.

We have plenty of museums (relative to size), the Straz Center, plenty of Concerts (Gasparilla Music Fest being one of the biggest)... I mean, come on.

USF is a top 100 research university. Yeah, we get it... We don't have a Harvard equivalent. ~90% of the country doesn't. What kind of criticisms are these?

I forgot about the toilet frogs!

[MAniacTHW]

Can you give us the statistics that show that most people only stay 2-3 years? One would think the city's population would be falling if that were the case.

[Schuttzie]

BobandSherry, where are you from in Illinois? We are a bit north of Rockford and our taxes on a $125,000 home is roughly $3400. I think Illinois taxes are relatively high We just purchased in Dunedin and hope to be full time there next year sometime.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

Can you give us the statistics that show that most people only stay 2-3 years? One would think the city's population would be falling if that were the case.

You can ask the OP for that info., since they cited it. But that's my anecdotal experience as well.

[bobandsherry]

Originally Posted by sinatras

South Tampa is more expensive tax-wise and insurance-wise, that pretty much explains it. Or any part of Tampa Bay near water.

So was your house in Virginia near water? I was just showing that being in this area doesn't mean you have to pay higher rates, all things being equal.

I don't think South Tampa is more expensive for county taxes, I understand the county tax is the same millage rate regardless of area. So must be something else that's in your taxes, guessing it's a Tampa City tax.

[MAniacTHW]

What college did you go to where anecdotes pass as fact? Was it one of those fancy LA colleges?

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by bobandsherry

SI don't think South Tampa is more expensive for county taxes, I understand the county tax is the same millage rate regardless of area. So must be something else that's in your taxes, guessing it's a Tampa City tax.

This is what I found: "In Tampa, the tax rate is 5.7326 mills — or about $5.73 in city property taxes for every $1,000 of assessed, non-exempt property value. That means the owner of a homesteaded house assessed at $154,699 pays an estimated $600 a year in city taxes."

Take it for what it's worth.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

What college did you go to where anecdotes pass as fact? Was it one of those fancy LA colleges?

Those of us who go to fancy colleges don't like to name our fancy colleges.

[bobandsherry]

Originally Posted by Schuttzie

BobandSherry, where are you from in Illinois? We are a bit north of Rockford and our taxes on a $125,000 home is roughly $3400. I think Illinois taxes are relatively high We just purchased in Dunedin and hope to be full time there next year sometime.

We lived in Will County for most of the time and then was in Schaumburg area most recently until we moved here. Illinois taxes are crazy and going to get worse once they finally come to closure on how to fund the state pension deficit.