Cost of Living (Miami, Tampa, Clearwater: apartment, to rent, amusement park)

[dallard]

I am considering moving to Tampa from South Dakota. Can anyone tell me how much a family of 4 needs to make for a good living? Not living high but being able to go to an amusement park on the weekend or a game. I don't want to move if I will only be married to my job. We will probably rent hopefully a house, but we are ok with an apartment. Also, is it impossible to rent with animals? That is going to be the toughest part of the move if we have to find homes for them. One more question...Do you ever see mobile windshield repair businesses? Here with the winter with the gravel on the roads, those types of businesses that come to you to repair windshield cracks are very lucrative. Do you get very many chips in your windshields there? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by dallard

I am considering moving to Tampa from South Dakota. Can anyone tell me how much a family of 4 needs to make for a good living? Not living high but being able to go to an amusement park on the weekend or a game. I don't want to move if I will only be married to my job. We will probably rent hopefully a house, but we are ok with an apartment. Also, is it impossible to rent with animals? That is going to be the toughest part of the move if we have to find homes for them. One more question...Do you ever see mobile windshield repair businesses? Here with the winter with the gravel on the roads, those types of businesses that come to you to repair windshield cracks are very lucrative. Do you get very many chips in your windshields there? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

There are mobile repair businesses here - my husband had to use their service when his windshield was cracked from a rock flying off a gravel truck. I have no idea how much business they get. Is this your business? Any particular reason you chose Tampa?

I would come down with a good savings. It's hard to answer how much you would need to live well, it really depends on a lot of factors. With animals, you will almost surely need to rent a house if you can find one, depending on size and # of your animals.

Good luck.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by dallard

I am considering moving to Tampa from South Dakota. Can anyone tell me how much a family of 4 needs to make for a good living? Not living high but being able to go to an amusement park on the weekend or a game. I don't want to move if I will only be married to my job. We will probably rent hopefully a house, but we are ok with an apartment. Also, is it impossible to rent with animals? That is going to be the toughest part of the move if we have to find homes for them. One more question...Do you ever see mobile windshield repair businesses? Here with the winter with the gravel on the roads, those types of businesses that come to you to repair windshield cracks are very lucrative. Do you get very many chips in your windshields there? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

A salary of $50,000 in Sturgis, South Dakota should increase to $57,046 in Tampa, Florida


Tampa is 14% more expensive than Sturgis.
Housing is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.
Housing is 61% more expensive in Tampa.



Unfortunately you are coming from one of the most affordable places to live in the country.

[fun4me]

~~~ A bit puzzled ~~ ~
Hi, I am in a similar situation. Though, I am new to the Tampa forum I have been reading in other areas, more than I post. My hubby and I just sold our house in Pensacola,FL and we are not sure where to move to. We had given Knoxville, TN some thoughts because we love the mountains and the weather. My son, who lives in Miami with the rest of our family, is suggesting for us to check Tampa and the Clearwater. He thinks we would have more opportunities there, and we would be closer to family and friends. I have a feeling the cost of living there is much higher than in Pensacola, Fl and in Knoxville, Tn. My hubby is working, but I was laid off in 8/09, and haven't been able to find a job. I worked in a sub-prime auto finance company, as an asst branch mgr and they shut down our branch. I have always worked in banking and finance, and my hubby works at an Auto Dealership as a parts consultant. If anyone would help me out with your thoughts and feedback. We don't want to make a mistake, moves are costly and very tiring. We have a place to stay here in Pensacola,FL for a few months until we decide where we are going. This is so hard because my family thinks Miami is much closer, and we would see each other more. I am not sure this is the right answer for us~~~ I appreciate your feedback and honesty. I have heard the area is very nice, but all I remember is the area close to Busch Gardens.

Thank you~~~

[BucFan]

There seems to be a lot of mobile windshield repair folks from the same company running around where I live - safelite folks. There's also one or two malls where the guys run a kiosk out in the middle of the mall.

Amusement park passes aren't cheap- but you can get them on a annual basis for $60-100/yr. I have a Busch Gardens member that I think I paid $98 including parking.

[crazynip]

1 thing in your favor, Florida has no state income tax.