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Orlando vs Tampa Bay

B

bluebird3

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 29, 2013
233
0
Hello thinking about possibly relocating to either town/area. I like the fact that Orlando is so international and happy place, but I've heard it's more humid and crime is high? I like the fact that Tampa Bay is close to water but not as international. Also bit old and more industrial? But also has alot more retirement community and still crime is rather high?

I'm still young and want to be active, meeting people and getting involved with good friendly international community. I enjoy art, concert, nature, cultural event. I'm thinking more toward Orlando, but not sure. What area of Orlando (county,etc) is a good area to move to ?

Any insights, pros and cons ?
 
Grew up in Orlando, went to college in Tampa.

Tampa is BORING unless you're into getting drunk every night. Neither has much "culture" though. I decided to move back to Orlando after college.

If you're even remotely thinking Miami, DON'T.
 
What city are you moving from? I lived in Florida all my life until I moved to Colorado in 2005. I would recommend Orlando over Tampa.
 
thelead said:
Grew up in Orlando, went to college in Tampa.

Tampa is BORING unless you're into getting drunk every night. Neither has much "culture" though. I decided to move back to Orlando after college.

If you're even remotely thinking Miami, DON'T.
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I'm thinking because of the tourism, Orlando is always packed with people from all over the world? I like that vibe... Miami sounds ok except more hot, more expensive, and more crime.

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ucfgrad93 said:
What city are you moving from? I lived in Florida all my life until I moved to Colorado in 2005. I would recommend Orlando over Tampa.
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Small town about 100.000 people..... it's an ok local grown never leave the town mentality people, but it's not for me. How about St.Pete?
 
bluebird3 said:
Small town about 100.000 people..... it's an ok local grown never leave the town mentality people, but it's not for me. How about St.Pete?
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St. Pete is God's waiting room. They roll up the sidewalks at 9.

Orlando > Tampa

The Orlando tourists see is about as real a representation of the city as EPCOT is of Europe. There is any variety of activity you want. A diversity of neighborhood options. Atlantic 1 hour, Gulf 1 3/4 hour. Direct flights almost anywhere (passed by airport with 3 Virgin 747"s parked other day).

Chamber of Commerce
 
eawmp1 said:
St. Pete is God's waiting room. They roll up the sidewalks at 9.

Orlando > Tampa

The Orlando tourists see is about as real a representation of the city as EPCOT is of Europe. There is any variety of activity you want. A diversity of neighborhood options. Atlantic 1 hour, Gulf 1 3/4 hour. Direct flights almost anywhere (passed by airport with 3 Virgin 747"s parked other day).

Chamber of Commerce
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Orlando sounds great then, which area of Orlando (county) is recommended if i may ask ? Im interested in peaceful but international community that are convenient..... I'd think close to highways and not congested, mmmm perhaps just out side of 417? how about dr.Phillips area or anything around sea world? Kissimmee/st. Cloud/poinciana ? I'd have to come down to stay in the area for few weeks.....but local expert knowledge is better. :)
 
Kissimmee - largely Hispanic (Puerto Rican)
St. Cloud - getting away from where you seem to center your focus. Mix of Kissimmee and old-Florida families
Dr. Phillips - more upscale/pricier
Poinciana - middle of nowhere and hard to get in and out of
Hunters Creek area - Bit more balanced
Celebration - Pricy, planned community
There are lots of options in the downtown area also
 
eawmp1 said:
Kissimmee - largely Hispanic (Puerto Rican)
St. Cloud - getting away from where you seem to center your focus. Mix of Kissimmee and old-Florida families
Dr. Phillips - more upscale/pricier
Poinciana - middle of nowhere and hard to get in and out of
Hunters Creek area - Bit more balanced
Celebration - Pricy, planned community
There are lots of options in the downtown area also
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I've always thought down town had bit more crime and more expensive ? I'm looking at winter park/maitland/lake howell/altamonte/casselberry, but if i wanted to drive to Tampa bay, I'm afraid that would be to far...especially having have to go through big traffic on I4 around downtown and attraction area? Or highway is quite advanced/well organized there?
 
Downtown doesn't have much crime. Pine Hills and MetroWest are to be avoided. I4 is the road, so if there is an accident you would be in trouble. In addition plans are for major upgrade construction project in the next few years. All the recent area you mentioned are nice...but driving from north of downtown during rush hour is brutal.
 
eawmp1 said:
Downtown doesn't have much crime. Pine Hills and MetroWest are to be avoided. I4 is the road, so if there is an accident you would be in trouble. In addition plans are for major upgrade construction project in the next few years. All the recent area you mentioned are nice...but driving from north of downtown during rush hour is brutal.
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Huge help, THANK YOU so much. mmmmm now thinking back to South Orlando.... south orange county... Or along 429.
 
To me, the nicer areas (that are easy to get in and out of) are:

Hunter's Creek (easy to get to Tampa)
Lake Nona (most central)
Windermere (less central but very quite)
 
thelead said:
To me, the nicer areas (that are easy to get in and out of) are:

Hunter's Creek (easy to get to Tampa)
Lake Nona (most central)
Windermere (less central but very quite)
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Fantastic. :) will look at those area.
Are those wealthy neighborhood or more middle class ? I'd like to in the middle class community (can't afford to live in high class community for financial and mental reason ).
 
I just moved away from there … 15 minutes south of Disney and 40 west of Tampa. My advice: GET THE HELL OUT OF FLORIDA!!
 
bluebird3 said:
Fantastic. :) will look at those area.
Are those wealthy neighborhood or more middle class ? I'd like to in the middle class community (can't afford to live in high class community for financial and mental reason ).
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There are affordable options in all three areas. There are also some not so affordable options in the areas as well. I would visit the three areas.
 
bluebird3 said:
Huge help, THANK YOU so much. mmmmm now thinking back to South Orlando.... south orange county... Or along 429.
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If you can afford winter park or Maitland I would definitely take that route or at least consider. If you can't I'd definitely start looking into South Orlando areas. Conway, Pineloch, and Lake Nona is a great, relatively newer community.

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bluebird3 said:
Fantastic. :) will look at those area.
Are those wealthy neighborhood or more middle class ? I'd like to in the middle class community (can't afford to live in high class community for financial and mental reason ).
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Windermere is pretty pricey

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I really hate that the majority of ppl put the label right off the bat that Orlando is only a place to visit not to live and **** on everything else but the parks. Really just ignorance. Orlando is a great place to start up a family, new life, retire, etc. It is a booming city that is one of the fastest growing in all of the country. Tons of things to do and very diverse. Think outside the box you've been put in by Walt Disney....
 
You couldn't pay me to live inland in Florida (between I75 and I95). It's close the coast or nothing IMO. So, I vote Tampa. The weather is better and you've got beaches.
 
macquariumguy said:
You couldn't pay me to live inland in Florida (between I75 and I95). It's close the coast or nothing IMO. So, I vote Tampa. The weather is better and you've got beaches.
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Good point, Orlando has more humidify?

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Plutonius said:
My favorite area of FL is Sarasota and I would take Tampa Bay over Orlando. Of course, you are much younger then me :D.
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I've heard great thing about Sarasota how it's progressed......
 
Tampa ( or around the tampa area). As a former Floridian, you will want to be closer to the coast. If you have any allergies ; the ocean breeze will help. Orlando is great and all,but more traffic and I4 is a pita. Grew up on the east coast (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami ) , but visit a lot to sarasota and tampa. West coast florida a little more laid back. Mean you could go a little more south to fort myers. Just depends on what you are wanting to do & live. Family ? or single life style?
 
Jbp915 said:
Tampa ( or around the tampa area). As a former Floridian, you will want to be closer to the coast. If you have any allergies ; the ocean breeze will help. Orlando is great and all,but more traffic and I4 is a pita. Grew up on the east coast (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami ) , but visit a lot to sarasota and tampa. West coast florida a little more laid back. Mean you could go a little more south to fort myers. Just depends on what you are wanting to do & live. Family ? or single life style?
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Art community, single life style, educated and kind community, etc is what I'm thinking...

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NewNewz said:
If the choice is Orlando or Tampa, I think I'd choose....

NYC

;)
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Well, can't beat that. :)
 
macquariumguy said:
You couldn't pay me to live inland in Florida (between I75 and I95). It's close the coast or nothing IMO. So, I vote Tampa. The weather is better and you've got beaches.
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That’s definitely my (our) perspective too - heck, I’d move out of the state before I’d go “landlocked” :)

Plus from Tampa, you’re just an hour away from Orlando (airport, theme parks, whatnot ...) - we’re about 2 hours north/east of Orlando on the coast :cool:
 
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