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.
based on 162 ReviewsGet to know Tampa with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Tampa
Climate - 3/16/2008
If nothing else, the "Lightning Capitol of the World" (that's true, by the way) is predictable. You know the summer is going to be hot and muggy and it will storm every day from July to September at precisely 4:30 pm, starting in the gulf and moving east towards Tampa. The storm only lasts an hour at the most. This time of year, February-April, every three days there is a day with some degree of precipitation, or is just overcast and breezy. This means that there is a "cold" front coming. The next few days are absolutely gorgeous, and you remember why you live in Florida. Then it happens all over
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Vacation here but don't live here - 3/16/2008
The Tampa Bay area of Florida is a great place to vacation assuming you are going to the beach. The weather here in November, February and March is great. If you have to live and work here it is a different point of view. Sure there is no state income tax which sounds great but everything is so expensive you need every penny to get by. The "plentiful Jobs" in the area are very low paying. You can get by just fine if you want to live in an older trailer park. However, if you would like to buy a house be prepared for a very unpleasant awakening. The quality of construction is very poor, the styles are generally unattractive. The price per square foot is just plain ridiculous. Toss in property taxes and home owners insurance and you will likely decide to rent. Your taxes and home owners insurance are may easily be equal to or exceed your mortgage payment. Be prepared for pieced together shacks with kitchen cabinets you might otherwise find in a garage or laundry room. The prospects are
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Quality of Life - 2/17/2008
You can find the lifestyle you are interested in if you look hard enough, and you may have to drive a short/long distance. Getting work can be difficult, the realestate bubble burst hit the area hard, and Tampa is not known for having the best schools in the nation. All-in-all the area is average, not very progressive and not too far behind the
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Tampa Sucks - 1/9/2008
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
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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 viable solution for mass transit. Having lived in a large city (Boston) and benefited from mass transit myself, I can't see this place moving into the 21st century without it. Think twice before moving here if you are going to be commuting by car. It may not be worth the
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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 generally have no culture and no sense of style. The young people are BIG football fanatics (If you don't like football they think something is wrong with you). Sports rule in general. I once went to a play with my girlfriend and we were the only young people
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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 and see Laurens as it is very
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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 paradise. While I was miserable over the lack of scenery, lack of culture, low wages compared to cost of living, and the general politics, people from New York, Boston, and the East Coast continued to paint Florida as the promise land of milk and honey. It's typically middle aged New Yorkers who REALLy love it there. Maybe it's because they have each other. But as a single, educated, 25 year old liberal...definitely not the place. There's chain restaurants galore and white trash representing all 50 states. It's not the real south, so you get the crackers without the southern hospitality. The beaches are nice for awhile, International Plaza is nice, and you can look at water while you're stuck in traffic on a causeway, but the metro is not progressive and there's not much of a scene for the post
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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 wages are grossly inadequate with respect to the rapidly growing cost of living. Real estate speculation and "investors" have made it virtually impossible to buy a home here in Tampa. Unless of course, you want to buy an highly overpriced "fixer upper" in a less than desirable area. As for the weather, winter is mild, summer is oppressively hot and humid. Beach areas are slowly being gobbled up by developers and a day at the beach can be quite a costly endeavor.( parking,traffic etc...) I am biding my time until I can
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