Tampa, Florida SperlingViews

I spent 7 years in Tampa, only to have been downsized or outright fired 4 times, something that was unprecedented in my 25yeas as a professional. As an 'at-will' employment state, employees have no rights and employers do not need cause to terminate an employee. If you are lucky enough to obtain a professional position there, the wages are well below the cost of living and well below comparable positions in other states. Management and co-workers typically smile at you while the put the knife in your back.

I didn't realize how much a part of the deep south Florida is, minus the hospitality.

While you may live in a nice gated community, you are surrounded on all sides by mobile home parks with rednecks and trailer trash. Crime is fairly rampant but luckily it is quite easy to get a concealed weapons permit and a firearm, which you should do if you plan on visiting Y'Bor City.

During the 7 years I was there, I saw the cost of living steadily rise while my salary remained flat, even after obtaining an MBA. Several prospective employers asked me "you're not from around here, are you boy?" during the interview process. They made it quite apparent that they still do not care for Northerners.

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re: Tampa Sucks - 1/9/2008 - 5/1/2009
Tampa has nice beaches and pleasant winters... Having said that, think of the following when you descend upon Tampa International Airport: Picture a large, hairy beast with 50 tattoos, each representing every state in the Union, squatting over the entire city and relieving itself. That, in short, is what you have in Tampa. It seems as though our many fellow citizens who did not care for (or could not survive in) the North have settled here with glee. There is a dearth of culture and education in the populace that rivals the cityscape depicted in Slumdog Millionaire. When shopping or dining, you are bombarded with endless chain restaurants and strip malls. Every block looks like a reincarnation of another one. There is no visual stimulation with the exception of 3 blocks of south Tampa. This is truly America at its worst. You do not have the heartland values of the Midwest, the progressive leanings of the West, or the diversity of people and ideas of the Northeast. That's all gone here. I finished (public) high school in Tampa (moving from New York City) and can fully attest to the pathetic state of academia in the schools. They teachers are underpaid and overworked, but trying (at least some do). The students do not fare better. They are crammed into overcrowded school classrooms like pigs in a pigpen. The only difference is that in farms, the pigs end up a dinner plate, while students of the schools are well trained to serve those plates for their adulthood. Finding someone with a BA/BS is rare. I do not want to sound elitist, but I think it's fair game if you're considering moving here. I could go on, but I'll keep it short: If you want to move to Tampa, then that's fine...just know that you may regret it. Besides, it can be a great place if you have simpler tastes...shucks people might even say your an easy-going, regular kinda guy/girl.

Roads and Travel - 1/5/2008

The major arteries are clogged and need angioplasty! There is so much red tape surrounding re-construction of our roadways that it's getting us anywhere literally. We can't even get past creating a[read more...]

Tampa- Pros & Cons - 12/24/2007

I have say Tampa is not a bad place to live. Tampa is much more affordable than living up north. It's easy to work and save money living in Tampa, buy a home and raise a family. CONS: People[read more...]

The weather here is the best! - 12/8/2007

No where else compares to[read more...]

Get me out of here! - 11/22/2007

I have been stuck in Tampa for 6+ years due to marriage(wife wants to close to parents) and you have described it perfectly. Anybody, considering Tampa should disregard most of the other statments[read more...]

Former NYers always like Florida... - 11/21/2007

I lived in Tampa for two years after leaving Detroit, but now happily reside in Atlanta. When I was in Tampa (and FL in general), I noticed there was/is a certain breed of people who think it's[read more...]

Tampa is the Pits - 11/2/2007

Tampa used to be a much better place to live. It is now a "toilet" It is crime ridden, dirty and deteriorating rapidly. The roads can barely handle the constant influx of new "Floridians", and the[read more...]

Only one word comes to mind when I think of Tampa - 11/2/2007

The only word I can think of when thinking of Tampa is "toilet". Florida used to be a great place to live. But now it is the pits. Too crowded, too expensive and the wages hardly reflect the cost of[read more...]

It's OK...like everyplace, has it's pros/cons... - 10/29/2007

Tampa is a great place to live if you love hot, sticky, humid weather. Much like the far northern cities where you can't go outside much in Winter, the same is true here is Summer. Outdoor sports[read more...]

Comparisons - 10/25/2007

I had to laugh when I read some of the comments posted regarding living in Tampa, FL. Since, it is one of the cities I am interested in moving to. I have to agree with Alex's comments. Born and[read more...]

Not a good place to be - 10/25/2007

Tampa is not a good city to live in. The traffice is unbearable, and the culture of the city is non-existent. This is definitely the deep south and shows that in every aspect. Eventhough, the[read more...]

Living in Tampa - 10/10/2007

Tampa is okay. It's not the greatest, though. One of the major reasons I am planning to move is because of the crime rate here. There is also a lack of culture and highly educated people despite the[read more...]

Good and bad - 9/22/2007

During the fall, winter and spring it is so gorgeous that you will want to spend your time doing outdoor activities such as gardening, exercising, visiting beaches, etc. However beware that many[read more...]

Wonderful place to live - 9/14/2007

I moved to Tampa from Buffalo four years ago and would never go back. We have a young family and find that there is always something to do. Pick from beaches to fairs, city life to zoo's, adventure[read more...]

Life is Good - 8/10/2007

I moved to Tampa, FL in 1993 from Westchester County, New York. I fell in love with the beaches and the climate (for the most part). I have enjoyed a good lifestyle in Florida, one that I would not[read more...]

A LOT of crime - 8/10/2007

Housing market plumeting and crime on the rise.....not a great[read more...]

It's Hot - 8/8/2007

You can do it......... whenever you want, It's always a beatiful day to go[read more...]

Traffic - 7/31/2007

Stay off the Interstates/Highways/Main Roads from 8:00 - 9:30 am and from 4:00- 6:00 pm. It's just not worth[read more...]

Is the Grass Always Greener on the Other Side? - 6/21/2007

I have spent 12 years living in Europe; while, living from LA to NYC and everywhere between the two within the US. Tampa with all its small faults beats the rest hands down. First, the schools are[read more...]

Public Transportation - 6/17/2007

I love the city and what it has to offer. Many people come to Florida to retire. It is great if you are self-sufficient and can drive. There is a downside for anyone who does not drive. [read more...]

Some good, some bad... - 6/15/2007

Like all metro areas all across the country, every city has its good and bad sides. Tampa is no exception. It just depends on your needs/wants. For Tampa, the best and most exclusive area to live[read more...]