your teeth are ok, but your gums gotta go
tommyThe group choosing the site for the 2008 Republican National Convention will be in town on Sunday. As is expected, they will get a tour of some of the best parts of Tampa Bay, and a spit-polished version of the average places, while the less impressive areas will remain hidden. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul Dellegatto and Steve Jerve are co-leading the task force on ensuring good weather for those three days. Here are a few highlights from the itinerary:
- Check into the Marriott Waterside hotel
- Dinner at a private home on Harbour Island
- Breakfast at the University Club
- Tampa Theatre
- Driving tour through downtown, including the Channelside entertainment complex, stopping at the Florida Aquarium and American Victory ship
- Lunch at the St. Pete Times Forum (main convention site) and a tour of the Tampa Convention Center
- Dinner at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City
- Cruise on the Yacht StarShip
- Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa
- Tropicana Field
- Tour of Renaissance Vinoy and Golf Club
If that was all you saw of Tampa Bay, you might think this place was O.K., wouldn’t you? And I suppose for a week-long convention, it’s fine to just hit the highlights. But what if someone was thinking about moving here? What if they wanted to know the REAL Tampa Bay?
That’s not a hypothetical question, doncha know. Let’s check the Ask-A-Tampan inbox. Here’s one from reader FDA:
What would you say to a newcomer?
My wife and I are contemplating a move to the Tampa region and were impressed with your vibrant and insightful blog. We are weighing the pros and cons of leaving the Midwest for a new opportunity in Tampa. We are empty-nesters, in our mid-50s, very active in the arts and culture, music, dining, etc.
What would you and your readers want a potential newcomer to know about the region - both good and bad? What would a person wish he/she knew about Tampa region before moving there? The “would-a, could-a, should-a” disclosures that the Chamber of Commerce and your Realtor won’t tell.
There you go, guys. What is the good and bad about living here? What would you have liked to know before you made the move?
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August 19th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Bad:
Traffic, county commission’s ego, year-round fireworks sales, tourists, insurance rates, home prices.
Good:
Food, entertainment, weather, people.
Although, about people, I have seen a few Jerry Springer show rejects walking around this town. I had the advantage of having a partner who grew up here during the 60’s and 70’s and who knew the good and bad of Tampa. My mom is contemplating a move to Florida (further north, around Homosassa) and I think she would love it here. Come down, guys, eat our food, marry our women….JUST DON’T TELL US HOW YOU DID IT BACK IN CLEVELAND!!!!
August 20th, 2006 at 9:26 am
The first thing I would tell someone is; there is a division across the Howard Franklin Bridge. Tampa is the Hub, however, Pinellas offers more of the homey feel. The wages are higher in Tampa, the traffic is better in Tampa, but both sides leave a lot to be desired.
What is good? Tampa has major activities, i.e. Football, Hockey, Concerts, Busch Gardens, a Zoo, an Airport (to leave when it’s too much to handle), the other side has the beach, the multi-cultural that is widely accepted, Mom & Pop’s and well that’s about it.
Cautiously move here with no expectations and accept the plain fact of being caucasion is the minority, the hodge-podge of ethnic background make it quite interesting.
August 20th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
One of the bad points that is so often overlooked: Most of the “better” neighborhoods in Tampa, such as all of south tampa and hyde park, as well as all of the waterfront properties, are located in hurricane evacuation zones. Seminole heights, much of west tampa, and some of the outer suburbs such as Carrollwood and Brandon are exceptions, as well as much of central St Pete.
August 20th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Bad: Lack of Mass Transportation System, a Bus system that is never dependable or timely, growth without infrastructure.
Good: October to May weather(paradise), Entertainment Venues, Great Festivals and Great Dining Options, All Major Sports, Kick Ass Airport, Beaches, Beaches, Beaches, Central Florida location on the shore(water everywhere).
August 20th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
The best part is the people, the Bucs and Lighting fans here are the best. I’ve lived in Miami and they can’t even get the game televised on TV because the stands aren’t sold out.
Plus, OUR fans don’t riot, win or lose.
Second best reason are the beaches, I live a mile from the Gulf and I never take it for granted.
In Pinellas, the number of parks are outstanding. The Pinellas trail, the number of dog parks, etc.. all of those amenities are great for families.
We live in the Largo/Seminole area and we moved to that location for the schools.
Bad, lack of a Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel in Pinellas, (sorry, had to throw that in).
Lack of public landscaping on Ulmerton Road and most of Pinellas in general.
I just asked my hub the same question and the first thing he said: Lack of public boat ramps and parking at those ramps as well.
August 20th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
“Dinner at a private home on Harbour Island” would that be Dick Greco’s house by any chance?
I’d tell them to forget about the hurricanes, plan for them and be ready to leave when threatened but don’t get too freaked out, your insurance bill will do that for you. If you buy a home within your means and plan correctly for a sky high insurance premium you will be fine.
FYI- compared to Tallahassee this is a paradise. I just got back from my first trip to the state Capitol and was underwhelmed with how crappy and run down it all seemed.
August 20th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
See how the GOP and anybody else around the country likes this one: I’ve had not one but two chances at job transfers (one further up East Coast, the other in Midwest), and even though they would have paid better I still chose to stay put in Tampa. What’s more, my determination to stay here allowed me to outlast an evil boss who tried to run me out (last I heard that guy is in Kentucky now, a jackass among horses). Sure there are problems here but there are problems anywhere you go. I notice a lot of people who gripe about how things were “back home” aren’t in a huge hurry to get back.
August 20th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
Bad: occasional hurricanes, insurance prices, home prices, planners are new-urbanist and not business-friendly
Good: low rents, weather, no mass transportation system, no state income tax
August 20th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
bad: lame museums, low to middle brow entertainment and its all way overpriced, no campus culture to speak of, restaurants all decor and no food, butt ugly strips like dale mabry and us 19, the fact that tampa and st pete are mostly slums once you get past s tampa and old northeast, unsafe biking, pedestrian unfriendly, sports teams that attract yahoos.
good: winter weather, winter weather, beaches, still cheaper than bigger cities, ybor city, downtown st pete,…….raae
August 21st, 2006 at 8:32 am
We moved down from DC around five months ago, and would say that it was well worth our move. Obviously we’re still exploring, but there’s something new and exciting to discover every weekend.
Living in south St. Petersburg and working in Tampa means the traffic gets… interesting for the morning commute. That, and we’ve had to adjust to a fairly dramatic climate change. The afternoon storms started out a bit disconcerting with the heavy winds and rain and lightening that seems to strike awfully close. But now those storms are sort of a pleasure now.
We miss a lot of our old restaurants and hang-outs up in DC, but we’re finding a lot of new places here, and I know we’ll find even more as we settle in for good.
Keep checking Sticks of Fire — you’ll find it to be an excellent resource as you make the move.
Good luck!
bjk
August 22nd, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Thanks to all! These are good insights and we feel confident to move ahead. Yes, all communities have shortcomings… but the Tampa Bay region seems to have many great attributes — particularly the folks who contribute to this blog.
Thanks!
August 25th, 2006 at 2:08 am
My wife and I relocated from the Midwest to Tampa last year.
Housing is very affordable but employers pay less.
The summers here are similar to the midwest’s winters in that people tend to stay inside (but make no mistake, I do not miss scraping my windshield)
There seems to be a huge divide between the “haves” and the “have nots.”
The midwest work ethic is gone, but generally people are polite.
The public schools here are brutal, but the private schools are relatively inexpensive.
The beaches and “touristy” places are beautiful, but many areas are sketchy.
Just an observation, but people tend to drink more alcohol.
Traffic is better than D.C. but worse than Detroit. (Due moreso to the massive influx of people to the area)
It is lonely to be away from family, but most of the people here are in the same boat.
The downtown is clean and nice during the day but after 6:30 or 7:00pm, watch for tumbleweed sightings.
The cost of living is reasonable but we miss nice shops, Crate & Barrel, Starbucks, etc…
The grass is always greener, but we are enjoying our time here…I hope this helps
September 5th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
The cost of living and traffic maybe the worst part about Tampa. The best things about the area is the weather, beaches, jobs and the friendly people.
June 3rd, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I’d like everybody to know that there once was a day that five manatees were spotted in the Hillsborough River under the Nebraska Ave bridge in Sulphur Springs and I saw them. The year was 1982, I believe.