trying to decide where to move to (Miami, Tampa: rent, how much)

[MO2FLO]

My family and I are considering moving to Florida from the Kansas City MO area. We work and live in a suburb about 20mins from downtown KC. My question and problem- Pensacola or Tampa/Clearwater area? I have been to Pensacola before the hurricanes and loved it. The only other part of Florida I have been to is the Okeechobee area where family is (and that has been years). I need advice- which area is cheaper to live in? We will be transferring with the company we work for so, jobs are not an issue. I also have a background in the hotel business to fall back on. Colleges are an interest, I am finishing my degree and my 22yr old son and his boyfriend will be starting or returning to school. I know that the Tampa area is much bigger and busier, but is it better? What about day to day expenses? Are the beaches nice like they are in Pens? I know all towns/cities have good and bad areas, where do I not want to live? Any help or advice is appreciated, I have been reading all sorts of info on the web, I need honest thoughts from those who live there. Thanks alot

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by MO2FLO

My family and I are considering moving to Florida from the Kansas City MO area. We work and live in a suburb about 20mins from downtown KC. My question and problem- Pensacola or Tampa/Clearwater area? I have been to Pensacola before the hurricanes and loved it. The only other part of Florida I have been to is the Okeechobee area where family is (and that has been years). I need advice- which area is cheaper to live in? We will be transferring with the company we work for so, jobs are not an issue. I also have a background in the hotel business to fall back on. Colleges are an interest, I am finishing my degree and my 22yr old son and his boyfriend will be starting or returning to school. I know that the Tampa area is much bigger and busier, but is it better? What about day to day expenses? Are the beaches nice like they are in Pens? I know all towns/cities have good and bad areas, where do I not want to live? Any help or advice is appreciated, I have been reading all sorts of info on the web, I need honest thoughts from those who live there. Thanks alot

Personally I think tampa is better, the beaches here have clear water (hence the name clearwater, fl), I dont remember the water being so nice up that high on the gulf. There are two good schools here, USF and University of Tampa to include a few junior colleges.

I have only been to Pensacola breifly, but without a doubt I prefer tampa. it is a little more pricey, but it is not anything like Miami. the weather is going to be nicer in the winter here. Money would make the difference in where you live. Renting or buying also makes a difference. the best advice I could give is narrow down the area you think you might want to live, and rent for a year while you fine tune your decision. North Tampa up by busch gardens is a good suburb area and that is where USF is. About 15-20 mins from downtown.

so i present these questions:

1. What is your Rent/Home cost budget

2. Where are you going to be working

3. How much are you willing to commute

4. Is being close to USF or work more important
-I say USF because it is a great state school, I have a feeling that where you would want to attend.

5. Are nightlife, social activities important?

[biggssm]

I'm actually planning on moving there in a year from Omaha with my girlfriend and having been researching for about a year now. Researched the the Tampa area mainly because the g/f is getting the nursing degree and USF is has the better medical school. We believe that the USF area is the best.. found the best reviews for properties are directly north of the USF campus.

[MO2FLO]

thanks, I will look into the USF area. I hope you and your girlfriend have a happy life together.