What BestPlaces Users Say about Tampa
Tampa, Florida is a vibrant city located on the Gulf Coast. It is known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and diverse cultural scene. With a population of over 392,000, Tampa has attracted many residents from all over the world. However, before considering a move to Tampa, it is important to gather insight from those who have lived and experienced the city firsthand. The website BestPlaces.net provides a platform for individuals to share their thoughts and opinions about living in Tampa, Florida.
Many user reviews on BestPlaces.net reflect a positive experience living in Tampa. One reviewer, Sarah, shares that "Tampa has something for everyone. The weather is great, the beaches are beautiful, and there are endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor activities." Another user, John, echoes this sentiment by stating, "I moved to Tampa three years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. The city has a vibrant energy and the people are so friendly and welcoming." These reviews highlight the desirable aspects of living in Tampa, such as the climate, outdoor recreation, and sense of community.
On the other hand, some reviewers mention the high cost of living in Tampa. As Heather notes, "The cost of living in Tampa is significantly higher than other parts of Florida. Housing, groceries, and utilities are all more expensive." Similarly, David comments, "While I love living in Tampa, the cost of real estate is outrageous. It's becoming increasingly difficult for middle-class families to afford a home here." These reviews provide a balanced perspective on the cost of living in Tampa, which may be a consideration for those looking to relocate.
In addition, some reviewers mention the traffic and transportation system in Tampa. As Brian writes, "The traffic in Tampa can be pretty bad, especially during rush hour. Public transportation is not the best, so having a car is a must." Similarly, Maria states, "I wish the public transportation in Tampa was better. It can be a hassle to get around without a car." These reviews highlight a potential downside of living in Tampa, but also offer helpful advice for those considering a move to the city.
Overall, the user reviews on BestPlaces.net provide valuable insight into living in Tampa, Florida. They highlight the city's strengths, such as its climate and community, as well as potential drawbacks, such as the cost of living and transportation. By including the perspectives of multiple individuals, these reviews paint a comprehensive picture of what it is like to live in Tampa, helping readers make an informed decision about whether or not it is the right place for them.
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Don't forget the sinkholes and the snakes - 7/18/2006
I live in Wesley Chapel which is right on the Hillsborough/Pasco county line. There are lots of sinkholes in this area. That's bad. Also, if you move to New Tampa/Wesley Chapel, you will have to contend with snakes. I am talking pigmy rattle snakes, water moccasins and the like. There are also non-poisonous snakes like black racers and rat snakes.
I am very serious. Sometimes you walk out the front door and there is a snake on your doorstep. I have a 3 year old and none of my friends or I let our young kids run around outside. My next door neighbor's dog just atttacked a water moccasin in their back yard. A neighbor just found a pigmy rattler in her house!
Plus I have wild pigs, armadillos, bobcats (yes, bobcats) and a plethora of other wildlife in my backyard. I live in the suburbs, not the country so beware if you move here and get a conservation lot.
I have lived in California, Texas and Georgia and have never seen a snake. I have
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Look No Further? - 7/15/2006
If you're a highly educated, respectable, single African American male, TAMPA sucks. Don't even (consider)think about it...keep looking elsewhere. This surely AINT it. I am so grateful I left this area. It literally offers one
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Tampa is OK part 2 - 7/13/2006
city w/ 325,000 people (the metro area is much larger 2.6 million), drive north of Ybor City across I-4 or off of I-275 between downtown and Westshore and you'll know what I mean, it seems as you get further away from the city core things get nicer, unfortunately Tampa has done an overall poor job at preserving its historical districts, with the exception of Ybor City and Bayshore (South Tampa), many of these neighborhoods are rundown, but they're trying to do something about it now, lots of old cigar factories they are turning into apts...2) Sprawl....many of the NW (Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Lutz) NE (New Tampa, Temple Terrace and Eastern suburbs (Brandon, Seffner) are nice, but lack any sort of identity or cultural anything b/c they are so new, all chain restuarants and strip malls.....unfortunately this is way Tampa has grown, unlike many of our northeastern and midwestern cities which have more history..3) Lack of mass transit....there is a comprehensive bus system that covers
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Fishhawk Ranch Community in Lithia, Florida - 7/12/2006
This community is phenomenal but over priced. We have 25 miles of hiking trails, 2 elementary schools (A rated), an A rated Middle School and a B rated High School. There is a town center with shops and outdoor tables surrounding the fountain. We have local shops and restaurants, several pools, a water slide, a kids water park, a skate park, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor fields, etc. Homes range from the $200,000 to over 1 million. However, between property taxes and CDD (bonds purchased by the developer to develop the land) you can pay close to $4,000/year on a home that you purchase for $127,000. Taxes go up every year and then you see homes up for sale. A beautiful community but a lot of lower middle class people are priced out of this
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Tampa is OK - 7/11/2006
I grew up outside of Orlando, parents are from Tampa (Ybor City and Lutz), and all my family from both sides are still here, and I've spent lots of time in the city over the years. There are several pros and cons to the area...PROS..1) great Spanish culture (which is what I like the most, to Miami), mostly Cuban, which is most evident in the inner city areas, bounded by Dale Mabry in the west, Fowler in the north, and mostly in the Ybor City area directly east of downtown.....Cuban sandwiches are excellent along with other dishes, also some Mexican and other Hispanic influence..2)there's alot to do in this town, though sometimes you have to look for it b/c the city is spread out, pretty much every kind of cuisine you can think of, arts, theater, local bands and other types of live music (nearly all popular musicians and bands will play here, or in nearby Orlando -- 1 1/2 hr drive), also a few museums...3) proximity to the beach......many of these postings say there are many beautiful
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Take heed - 6/21/2006
My husband and I moved from Washington, DC, to Tampa in search of a better way of life and lower cost of living. We found neither. The housing market has exploded to the point where you can't find a decent house without having to commute an hour or more to your job in downtown Tampa. Insurance premiums are increasing due to the heightened hurricane activity and they're only going to get worse, that is if you can find insurance. Salaries have not kept pace with the increased cost of living, and as a result, we're looking to move back north. The summers are unbearable and the threat of hurricanes is stressful. Traffic is ridiculous and the city is filled with horrible drivers. If you have a ton of money to spend on a house and don't mind being in the path of a hurricane's destruction, then Tampa may be the city for you.
On the plus side, the weather is beautiful from mid-October to about mid-May and nice beaches are
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A bit of everything - 6/13/2006
The beaches, water views, restaurants, malls, year-round sports and quality of life have been wonderful. As a single woman I have had success in having decent relationships but have had a difficult time meeting good friends. Schools aren't that great but if you stay involved and find an "A" rated public school then your child should be fine.
If you are from a major city I have found that you may likely find that our traffic is not as bad as what you currenty have. As a Realtor I deal with relocations often and find my clients think our traffic is decent. I was raised in New York City and also lived in Denver for 6 years and find that I really enjoy living here - 9 years now. Disclaimer: Being a business owner and having flexible work hours I don't have to deal with rush hour or low wages. I don’t think I’d be happy living here (or anywhere else) if I lived on an hourly wage.
Property taxes are high but you have to realize that there is no state
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acclimating - 6/6/2006
From the middle of May to the middle of November,the Tampa Bay area weather is hot and humid, interrupted every other day by thunderstorms and sometimes torrential rain - and a hurricane threat mixed in every once in a while. I moved here from the Chicago area in 2002 and have been acclimating ever since then. What keeps me here is the other part of the year, which brings very nice
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