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Living in Tampa?!

Portland, OR
8 posts
Living in Tampa?!
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Hi all!

My husband and I have been looking into some different cities to relocate to from Portland, OR. So far we have been considering Austin, TX and San Diego, CA but are also thinking of the Tampa or St. Petersburg area.

We are originally from Vancouver, BC where there is a very active, urban downtown area but we don't like so many rainy/overcast days. San Diego is beautiful with a great, active downtown but the housing is atrociously expensive!!

What is the livability of Tampa like? Is the downtown area active and interesting? Any issues with bugs or termites? How about hurricanes and tropical storms?

I would appreciate anyone’s thoughts about the area and even your comparisons or thoughts about some of the other places we're considering if you have any!?

Thanks so much!

Kate

Orlando, FL
Level Contributor
2,941 posts
1. Re: Living in Tampa?!
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Heard of Hurricane Katrina, by chance ?

Florida is in the 'line-of-fire' for storms like this and those of lesser strength.

Tropical climates have bugs - mosquitos, fireants, cockroaches and the pain-in-the-a*s love bugs. Termites are a problem if left unchecked.

Lots of info oin the internet and in the past TA Tampa forum topics for you to research.

Tampa, Florida
Level Contributor
1,454 posts
16 reviews
35 helpful votes
2. Re: Living in Tampa?!
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18 years living in Tampa, here is my Opinion....AS much as I love this city, and its forward progress for the future, San Diego is where id be if my family and friends were on the West Coast, and I had the $$$ to live as comfortably as I do here.

FLorida is in the Hurricane Path, Tampa has not had a "direct" hit since the 1920's. Its a chance you take.

Bugs..YES, its the tropics.

Tampa downtown core today= home to 60,000 workers Mon-Fri 9-5. Tampa's downtown core 2007 = home to 20,000 new residents.

Interesting neighborhoods around downtown core:Channleside, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Ybor City, Hyde Park, SOHO, Palma Ceia, Bayshore Beautiful, Beach Park, Sunset Park.

I enjoy Tampa very much, went to school at University of South Florida, attend Bucs football, Lightning Hockey, many festivals and events throughout the year(i.e.Gasparilla/Guavaween/Florida State Fair)

St Petersberg has a more "living" downtown core, and a great waterfront of numerous parks. Tampa will have a thriving downtown in 2-5 years with huge development projects.

Check out http://www.tbo.com or the convention and visitors sites for Tampa.

I hope this helps!

Valrico, FL
Level Contributor
3 posts
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
3. Re: Living in Tampa?!
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My wife and I moved to the Tampa Bay area three years ago after 30 years in Manhattan. Reason? We needed a change--not retirement; I've tripled my income and lowered by cost of living by 40%. Very glad we made the move. As for bugs, etc. can all be controlled. Housing still less expensive than any other desitination you are considering, but that is changing. Tampa's downtown core is a daytime destination only at this time; however, as posted by others, at least three major condo developments underway that are strictly down town core, with several others in the downtown periphery--channelside, etc. So, other than bars, etc. for 20 and 30 somethings, no real nightlife in the more sophisticated sense of the word [doesn't make it bad, just limited in variety]. There is the usual fledgeling orchestra and concert halls, so there are those things if you want them. Weather? Excellent, with the hurricane info and provisos posted elsewhere generally accurate: yes, hurricanes, no, they're not a serious threat to Tampa. Hell: we had a weekend home on Long Island and got hit hard by Hurricane Gloria in the 70's. My advice? Bit the bullet, sell your home, and find a great gated community (or downtown condo--your call), buy a home with a pool [lanai NOT facing due west], and brush up on your rum-based cocktail repetoir.

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