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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Tampa or Fort Myers relocation from the Northeast help
Hello Ladies,
My company has offices in Ft. Myers and Tampa. They are relocating me to the office of my choice.
Can you tell me the ups and downs of each area and maybe give me some opinions on nice areas to live in? I would like to do some research on them as far as apartment leases.
I really do not know anything about either area so any insight/rec would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Re: Tampa or Fort Myers relocation from the Northeast help
Hmmm...it might help to know a little bit more about what you're looking for. First, I've only lived in Florida for almost 8 years, so take my advice for what it's worth. My experience with Fort Myers has been purely for vacation.
Tampa is a bigger. I don't know demographics for sure, but I'm willing to bet that Tampa is faaarrr more diverse in every way, especially age. Fort Myers, in my limited experience, is a much quieter, "older" town, with a lot of retirement.
Fort Myers has beaches that Tampa couldn't possibly compete with. Tampa doesn't even have beaches, all of our beaches are in Pinellas County. I actually love to vacation in the Fort Myers area. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are gorgeous, so is Lovers Key State Park.
Tampa is not on a beach, but we're close to some amazing beaches. We also have great museums, aquarium, zoo, Busch Gardens, and we're close to Orlando and Disney.
Beyond pointing out those kinds of attractions, I really can't compare the two, but I can say that Tampa has some really beautiful neighborhoods, tons of things to do, pro sports, a major airport, etc. We're raising our family here and I'm happy about that.
Sorry my response is so scattered and random, but I hope that helps a little. :-)
My silly Lily is almost 4.
Thanks for your response!
I think I am leaning more towards Tampa. Can you recommend some good neighborhoods in the Tampa area? My office would be close to the airport, but I don't mind having a 30-45 minute commute if I have to. I also do not have kids if that matters.
Thanks so much!
Sure, but I hope someone else chimes in because I don't know that area all that well. I live in the Tampa Palms/New Tampa area, and while it's nice and I love living here, I wouldn't recommend it to someone working close to the airport.
The South Tampa/Hyde Park area is a really nice area. I have friends who live in apartments down there, so I'm sure there are some that are affordable, but parts of that area are very high-end. Another area is Westchase. I was just driving through there today and I was thinking how if I worked closer, I'd totally love living in that area.
To put it this way, Hyde Park/South Tampa has more charm, character, historical feel, etc. It's also going to be closer (walking distance) to places to eat and drink. Westchase is a bit further out, and it's a planned community district, so it has that feel. I actually don't mind that feel, though, I guess there's something "secure" about that kind of neighborhood for me. But those are definitely a couple of areas to check out.
You should know, too, that since you'll be near the airport, you aren't just restricted to Tampa.Your drive from St. Pete and possibly even Clearwater wouldn't be that terrible.
Will your job give you a chance to come and check it out and search for a place to live? Mine did and that was super helpful, obviously. I got really good advice from the people that I'd be working with, too, so ask your future co-workers for sure.
My silly Lily is almost 4.
Hi! K8elee gave you great advice already. I also recommend the Westchase area if you want to be near the airport. There are some nice safe clean affordable areas there right now, and lots of young people and families live there. I couldn't quite to afford what I wanted to buy in Westchase so we bought in Town N Country and if you are looking to buy, I really love this area. The homes are older and diverse and not restricted. Lots of yards, big oak trees and sidewalks. Real garages and affordable homes with personality. South Tampa is very nice but just a lot more expensive to buy so I didn't spend too much time looking at homes there. If you want to rent in S Tampa that is more doable, there are probably some houses in Hyde Park for reasonable rent, and there are apt complexes - like Post Village in Hyde Park is nice if you want amenities such as a gym and a pool. There is also a Post Village on SR60 on the Tampa side of Clearwater that is super close to the airport and very nice, you will see the water every single day and not have to deal with too much traffic.
HTH. Now it's my bedtime but I will try and think of more later
I grew up in Fort Myers and moved to Tampa for college and I'd much rather live in Tampa than Fort Myers. I feel Tampa has more to offer in regards to job opportunities, things to see and do over Fort Myers which was hit really hard by the economic downturn.
Fort Myers is nice to go visit every once in a while to go to the beaches...although Sarasota has just as nice beaches but 1/2 the drive. I could see myself living in Fort Myers once I'm ready to retire.
Thanks so much ladies! I really appreciate the responses. I will hopefully be going down to visit these areas prior to my move. Thanks for the suggestions!
I am excited to get away from all this snow...