The Top Reasons People Regret Moving To Tampa Florida

[@trulivingtampa]

Thinking about making the move to the area? Reach out! We're here to help. Juan Alcala - Tampa Realtor 📲 Call/Text Direct at [phone] 📲 Email: [e-mail] 📅 calendly.com/juan-alcala/45 👨‍💻 Website: www.tbhomesearch.com/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/juan.alcala.realtor/

[@Darkness-ie2yl]

you merely adopted the heat. I was born in it. Molded by it.

[@trulivingtampa]

@@Darkness-ie2yl That's our first Bane quote in the comment section. 🦇🦹🏻‍♂

[@stevenjohnson8736]

@@trulivingtampaget ready for category 1 LITTLE DEBBY it’s gonna make sure Tampa is gonna get flooded with heavy rain and I hope u got a lot of money for insurance because u gonna need it insurance in Florida is just really expensive it is more expensive than California insurance that my friend is 100% fact 😃

[@bigbrobry7567]

You jinxed it! 100 years without a hurricane and now we have had three this year. I've been here since 1981 and we have had a few close calls over the years but this was an odd year for sure for tropical weather. But, pretty much nodded my head with everything you said. Every August I think it's time to move to get out of the heat but then Florida winters are like that men in black device that makes me forget. Nice summary of living in Tampa Bay! As for traffic, the more you live here, the more you learn the alternatives to get though traffic. For ex, if I need to get from St Pete out to I4, I almost always take the Selmon which has a connector past the downtown area. It's usually much less congested than I275

[@EVDroid]

Love this video. As a local Tampanian I am grateful negative videos on our city. Stay away lol. My paradise is congested now

[@NCrdwlf]

My parents live there and say the same thing lol.. don't move here !

[@jackhidden1847]

Race issues. Political divisions. The melting pot is going to boil over. Tampa very divided.

[@jackhidden1847]

Schools are a joke. Low teacher pay, bad teachers, irresponsible parents, unaccountable kids, and school boards full of stupid people.

[@Jzzonem]

@@EVDroid all the locals saying the same thing. We used to find solace in paying a bit of a premium to live closer to the beach. Now, location doesnt matter. You could 5minutes away, or you could live 30 minutes away. Either way, the process of getting to laying down in the sun had become "not worth the premium".

[@roseh6100]

If you don't like it here, move out.

[@MurakamiTenshi]

Not a transplant--I was born here. Tampa had changed for the worse because of the flood of people. This city is not built to support this many.

[@sweetsunshine5738]

Same in Sarasota. Traffic is a NIGHTMARE

[@NightriderXP1]

Same with St Pete. I moved here thinking that it couldn't grow any larger. It never occurred to me that they would build UP. All of Pinellas county is full developed so the only way to expand is by building taller buildings, which is exactly what's happening. And we're paying it with daily traffic jams on I-275. I moved out of Tampa because of the traffic but now St Pete is becoming bad too...

[@sirwikid]

I 100% agree, I am native born too. Was born at TGH in Davis Island. I was an uber eats driver, but had to stop because of the crazy influx of insane drivers. It's not just a lot of drivers, but a lot of hugely aggressive drivers that don't pay attention. "Malfunction Junction" has become even worse if that was possible, but with all the work they are doing on 275 lately it trickles all the way back. It's just a lot😅.

[@NightriderXP1]

@@sirwikid They're making I-275 worse in St Pete by converting a large chunk of the Interstate into a toll road, which adds a new choke point that will back up traffic like it does around Malfunction Junction and where I-275 narrows north of there in Tampa. And now here in St Pete, we have nighttime traffic jams because they're closing all but one lane in each direction to basically tear out and replace the old concrete. This is the 2nd time they've done this since I moved here. I'm not sure why since I-275 was in decent shape even with the cracking concrete pads. I never in my life thought that they would build taller buildings here in St Pete. I guess I should have seen that coming. This isn't progress. I chose not to move to California because of the overcrowding and 24/7/365 traffic jams. I hate to see it happening here now too...

[@thomasryan2679]

Then move.

[@Surfside35]

I've lived in the Clearwater area for 37 years now and have seen a lot of changes. But, the change we've seen here since 2010 is "mind-blowing"! Everybody is moving here and every patch of land is getting built on. Like going to the beaches, you'll have to learn to enjoy the traffic in getting there. Same with Disney World. I use to drive from my home in Clearwater to Disney World in an hour and 30 minutes............... try that now! And even worse than the over-population is the cost of Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Property Taxes and Energy (Electric). That alone is going to force a lot of people living on a fixed income out of the State of Florida. Florida is NOT an affordable State to live in as it once was.....

[@debrakelly4505]

Been here since 1995, every word is true

[@crazychungus5233]

Absolutely right. Been here since 1976. Looking to move out of state. I can't stand it here now

[@cortneyoverstreet8130]

Been here since 79- totally agree

[@Jetski270]

1000 X correct.

[@martyconroy3786]

But Clearwater isn't Tampa, it's Pinellas County, not Hillsborough

[@Pinkfrosting962]

I don’t regret moving here, but I’m going to move again and think it’s much better for vacationing than living.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing!

[@BeaArk1977]

I totally agree way too transient.

[@Brineytoes]

Hooray! More parking for me! Bye!

[@TrumpTrain911]

Please move away

[@SJ_Vibezz]

@@BeaArk1977 what do you mean? Why is it way too short term?

[@bethmedina9200]

50 year resident of Florida here. All of your examples are spot on.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you. We try to keep it real.

[@valricogarcia]

For those of you that don’t live here and are watching this video, I can tell you honestly that this guy completely nails it. I moved to a Tampa suburb back in 1997. Back then, Florida was extremely affordable. We were able to buy a modest house when both of us were only making $8.50 per hour. That’s the equivalent to about $16.50 today. You have zero chance of buying any kind of house with that income today. Back then the traffic was a bit annoying but very manageable and the summers were hot but also manageable. Today, the traffic is ridiculous and the summers are absolutely brutal. From May until November, this place is hell. It’s making upstate New York winters look appealing again. Lol. Also, homeowners insurance is insane. It’s not all bad though. From November to April this place is absolutely beautiful with tons of activities and gorgeous weather. But if I could be a snowbird and spend the summer up north, I would definitely do that.

[@BriPea56]

As a Tampa, FL native, mentioning that you’d go to Orlando because of a hurricane made me chuckle. I feel like they get the brunt of storms being that it’s so central. They get crazy winds, extremely heavy rain, and insaneeee lightning even with a regular storm.

[@jumb0shr1mp6]

@@BriPea56 that’s still not as bad as being as exposed/vulnerable in Tampa Bay, Clearwater…etc.

[@LegallyPablo]

We’re in May, and it’s already over 90 degrees every day here in Tampa.

[@ImThePronounPolice]

Here in Hollywood its 95 but feels like 105 according to the weatherman. But we get cool breezes off the ocean ( I'm on the beach). - forget it- it's still hot! Lol

[@DobyDuke]

We need rain

[@tr4321]

That’s normal.

[@CriticalErA]

Same as Atlanta, we're coming to Tampa, I much rather be closer to the beach when the temps reach this high..

[@TommyVXOLucia]

Your in flordia what did you expect

[@cryschapman]

I've lived in Riverview for 16 years and Ilove the Tampa Bay Area. I can deal with the traffic, the humidity, lack of public transportation (the trolley in downtown is fun though), schools etc... but the thing that is killing me is car insurance and rent. We were ready to buy a house pre-covid and then everything went crazy so I dont think I'll ever own a home. My rent is 1k more now than it was in 2020. Utilities have doubled as well but wages aren't matching the inflation. I makes me sad because this is where my kids grew up.

[@chiles75]

Going through the same thing. I wanted to buy in 2021 and couldn't outbid the cash buyers. Now I'm glad because the way home insurance has gone up I don't know that I want to be stuck. My rent is also up almost $1k. My son loves it here though so I don't know if I'll move away, but it might be an option for retirement.

[@jackhidden1847]

I guess if you are a masochist and love misery, pain, heat and humidity then Tampa might be a great place for someone like you to live. I hear Satan is thinking of leaving hell and moving to Tampa.

[@jackhidden1847]

​@@chiles75Former landlord. If my insurance goes up, your rent goes up. If my taxes go up your rent goes up. You get fucked either way so if you can afford to buy (big if) than you should buy.

[@fireboltaz]

Are you still in Riverview? Isn’t that the swamp part of greater Tampa ?

[@jillbowling8079]

@@fireboltaz That is more of south Riverview closer to Sun City Center. I'm north Riverview (use to be cattle country) and can tell you the auto insurance is bad because of so many bad drivers. Before all the influx of Northerners the price of insurance auto and home were low. Maybe the Northerners should consider South Georgia instead of Florida.

[@GiaSaintLaurent]

As a Floridian who has lived here for 35 years I can tell you that we absolutely avoid going to or even through Tampa because of the traffic. I know lots of people who live in Tampa and they get used to it and know even if your work place is just 7 miles from home you will have a 45 min to an hour drive. Florida does not have the infrastructure to support the growth and by time they make new adjustments it is already outdated. Also, the traffic issues also have to do with young vs older drivers, there is nothing more frustrating then being on the interstate with an older driver in the left lane not moving with the flow of traffic! If your retiring to Tampa just know if you plan to go the actual speed limit you are best to stay in the right hand lane because that is the lane designated just for you.

[@everyplaceisunique]

They did not plan for proper bypass toll roads. The toll roads they have now go through downtown.

[@jrgnc1]

No State income tax, but the property tax and personal tax on vehicles and insurance makes up for it.

[@trulivingtampa]

The crazy part is Florida has the 4th lowest tax burden in the country. Imagine if you lived somewhere where you pay 10%-12% to the state.

[@benjaminolsen2381]

My taxes are so low. I come from Maryland there's no comparison

[@bornwin-sx9oz]

Salaries are much lower in Florida than the N.E. and California as well as in other places.

[@danielhuntington2116]

How about a Florida Lifestyle tax that goes into a pot of money specifically to be used for damages caused by storms and a process to use as needed. $5 per ticket on all Florida attractions...and professional sports teams teams for now to raise substantial $$$$ ......also further regulation and laws on insurance companies to pay legitimate estimates of damages. Develop a streamlined process to get all coverages that homepwner have paid for to cut back on litigation lawyer lawsuits...finally develop different tiers of homeowners insurance such as everything to partial. Possibly one tier would be fire and electrical as well as other damage covered minus hurricane damage. This tier of coverage less expensive. If people wanted to they could self pay for hurricane damage...or pay the higher tier of insurance for all coverage. At least give the homeowners options especially those with paid off mortgages.

[@jrgnc1]

@@trulivingtampa It depends on your frame of reference. I live in Raleigh which is much cheaper than Florida.

[@sg9414]

Also moved to Fl from the north...I say our summer is like their winter. In the summer, basically, stay inside with the A/C like the North stays inside all winter with the heat on. No big deal. And, I don't have to shovel snow or scrape the ice off my windows!

[@trulivingtampa]

Yep. You don't have to shovel sunshine!

[@scottt5484]

Ha. I say the same thing! I call the florida summer the florida winter.

[@jonathanluke2670]

I know your realtor and focus on home buyer market but one of the big reason and why I left is rent prices. The rent is pricing people out of home ownership especially in Florida. 1800-2000 avg 2 BR is absurd for a place that also is known for some of the lowest wages in the country. Could NEVER save for down payment in this rent heavy area.

[@brandiclark8384]

Agreed. I haven't been able to afford to save for or home and there are no cheaper, reasonably sized apartments. In 10 years my rent on a one bedroom has jumped from $800 per month to $1465 per month and car insurance has huge jumps too. It is ridiculously expensive to live here.

[@two2tango222]

That’s why I left 3 mths and headed back to my home state. 2 yrs of $2500 rent in Westchase was unsustainable and impractical

[@jackhidden1847]

@@jonathanluke2670 You got to get a sugar moma

[@nooneyouknow5516]

Agreed. It's insane. We just don't make enough money to pay those kinds of rents.

[@Hold-my-beer]

I’m not local to Tampa but I am in the Orlando metro area. I can tell you this video makes some good points but it makes light of how bad it truly is. It so bad I’ve started to get info on moving out of the state. It has become so expensive over crowded and the small town feel went away completely. Even though it’s ranked as one of the best places in regards to taxes everything went up In price so it balances out to saving nothing. Smh. I miss the old Florida but it looks like it’s never going back to what it once was. I’m down to three possible states to move to Texas, South Carolina, or Georgia.

[@luzt182]

I miss the old Florida too😢

[@MUSHROOMSOUPBAND]

@@Hold-my-beer I wouldn't live near Disney if you paid me

[@denniskitterman1712]

I’ve lived here 14 years. My insurance went from 6 k last year to 8 k and no wind insurance. Don’t kid yourself, not everyone can get full insurance and it’s expensive. I live in tarpon. My neighbor pays 12 k.

[@dr_pinna543]

Did you shop around? My quote was $6k and I found the same coverage for $3k. Orlando, FL

[@MUSHROOMSOUPBAND]

@@denniskitterman1712 get your mitigation report done. I have a 4 bedroom near the beach. 5k a year I pay . I have hurricane windows n doors newer roof etc . Got my wind mitigation done big discounts.

[@AmericanConstellation]

These are the best videos to keep people away from here! Don't do it! I had it made here, born here in 1958 and now you all jacked it Up!

[@Anthony__420]

Blame DeSantis he has no stones against insurance companies! Lawton Childs in the 90s Threatened insurance companies if they cancelled or raised premiums they would be banned on all insurance in Florida and that stopped them. DeSantis rather fight Disney and ban books and take rights away from woman.. In my opinion

[@PaulSmith-is2tt]

The big thing that surprised me about moving in the Tampa area - the geckos! Nobody tells you about them. They are as common here as rats or pigeons are to other cities. If you leave your front door open for more than 20 seconds they WILL crawl into your house and you WILL find them on your kitchen wall a few hours later. They don't carry disease and don't bite, but they are fast and you will find a few corpses behind your furniture when you move.

[@sarahhardy865]

They are not geckos. They are Cuban anoles, an invasive species that’s eradicating the native green anoles.

[@jessiewilliams3845]

Lizards?

[@sarahhardy865]

@@jessiewilliams3845 Yep. AKA cat toys.

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

My mother in law doesn’t live in a flood zone and her insurance was dropped She owns a double wide and is paid for in a park

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

@@foxywhitetip7387 no she doesn’t have insurance anymore Most insurance companies pulled out of Florida after the hurricane Lots of people can’t afford the insurance anymore and they are leaving the state

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

@cassandra9699 sure it has Insurance companies pulled out after the hurricane and left thousands of customers stranded

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

@cassandra9699 you saying no one’s insurance has dropped is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard I don’t live there but here about it from my family and news Are you serious It’s all over the news My in-laws have been dropped after the hurricane Most insurance was to expensive so they have no insurance on their property They just looked into a plan to get something and are probably going to do it but not nearly enough for what there place is worth

[@katherinerohrbacker145]

Do not go to Orlando during a hurricane. You will get stuck without electricity among other issues. It sounds like a good idea, it's the middle of the state, there are lots of hotel but regardless of if the hurricane is coming from the Atlantic or the Gulf, Orlando always gets hit because of that central location.

[@tr4321]

It stirs up the tornadoes there.

[@tr4321]

It stirs up the tornadoes there.

[@rebeccageiger9110]

True. Orlando always gets hit

[@nancyquinones4122]

This is very informative information. I lived in Tampa in the 90’s and it was wonderful! I came back in 2022, and a lot has changed, of course. It is still a beautiful state, filled with fun and heat. It has become tougher to live here year around. Make sure you bring a lot of money, and have a job in place because it can be tough to get housing here. As a result, there is a larger homeless population now, and a shortage of affordable housing, income based housing. Auto insurance is high as well. If you are well off, no problems at all, you will fit right in. As for me, I am doing ok now, but I will not be able to retire here. So I am enjoying the time that I have here now. In a few years I will be moving out ❤

[@two2tango222]

Yup I was new when Ian hit and made this mistake

[@urekmazino6800]

I4 is hell on earth ugh

[@trulivingtampa]

Lol. You're not wrong.

[@lancel7998]

Agree

[@tr4321]

It is the deadliest highway in the country, yes I said country.

[@drewsire-xl3df]

I used to drive from Tampa to Orlando in 45 minutes. Now... 5 hours

[@wturner777]

You can say that again, especially in Orlando.

[@tomault3063]

We moved to Dunedin 2 years ago. Our home is a couple miles from the Gulf so we get the breeze without paying for the view, which we can see with a 5-minute drive. I tolerate heat/humidity well as I have carried my bag on the golf course for several years, since back in Cincy, where summer can be brutal, as well. We're retired so can avoid traffic most of the time. Not in a flood zone so insurance not horribly expensive. Have a pool and don't care for the beach so get the cool without the crowds. Very progressive, friendly town only a few miles from downtown Tampa. Snowbirds complicate things, like getting dinner reservations, but they spend millions of $ and then leave us alone every May-November. We love it here!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tr4321]

That’s how it’s always been. Just a lot more traffic and watch out for spring breakers.

[@wailingalen]

Dunedin!! I drove through there and fell in love with the vibe of the place!! I live in Brooksville in hernando county and Dunedin is like my dream future home 😅

[@empressowl2817]

I have been in Dunedin for over a year now from Scottsdale AZ and I love it here

[@Jzzonem]

Im a local who has lived here since age 4. Im 37 now. Im not one to complain but one of the things thats bothered me is how over populated it is becoming. Its becoming a serious problem when the travel season hits. To put thing in perspective. When i was a kid even till around 18yrs old, you used to be able to just show ul at the beach and find parking. Now, you drive around for a half an hour to find it far away from the actual beach. I pay a high price to live withing 5 minutes of the beach and it is no longer something i enjoy doing at all. So thanks for moving here and making it a completely useless to pay to live here. Im past the point of wanting your vacation revenue, go somewhere else next year, WE pay to live here. Thanks.

[@Jzzonem]

@@michaelmega7786 they truly did. The area just isnt setup for so many people. Considering we pay a premium based off "location location location" right. The tourism used to end, at the end of spring, now its all year round. Its really destroyed the culture around here, indefinitely.

[@jumb0shr1mp6]

You’re welcome. Anytime

[@jameswaters3939]

Way too many thunderstorms and bugs in "the Sunshine State". Horace Greeley: "Go west, young man".

[@rodcoulter997]

BRUTAL horrible HEAT 9 months per year now…wasn’t like that in the 80s till 2010. NOT livable anymore. Gulf Water is nasty and hot and it stinks.

[@informationmaven8985]

I arrived a few years ago and love the whole area, there are so many fun things to do but I did have to learn to enjoy the early morning and evenings during the summer. Pool time is from 1000 to 5PM, its great!

[@Somebody2687]

Obviously, it's hot but there are many places that get far more heat.

[@Firefighting72]

Live in Florida and have for 39 years. Summer is brutal. If you think it's hot where you live and you plan on moving to Florida especially south of Tampa you're in for a huge surprise. My nephew went fishing yesterday and ended up with heat exhaustion. He was born here and is a welder who works outdoors. If you get caught off guard and don't drink enough you'll end up in the hospital. If you're a really white person (like me) you'll need to cover every inch of your body because the dermatologist will burn and cut your skin like you won't believe. Original post is spot on!

[@rodcoulter997]

@@Somebody2687 Not year round like Florida is now…the beautiful place we all knew and loved is GONE…Think: FLORIDA WINTER. has disappeared replaced by BRUTAL BURNING HOT SUN with temps to match…just awful.

[@MrBAMAFANATIC]

Don’t let the border hit you on the backside on your way out

[@randomthings9555]

Yes, Tampa is horrible and terrible city to live in, go to the Carolinas, Tennessee. they are way more beautiful. please stay away. Thank you, on behalf of the residents of Tampa and surrounding areas we would highly appreciate it.

[@spbakerchezbakethis]

No no no TN is awful. Getting too crowded and outrageously expensive now too.

[@randomthings9555]

@@spbakerchezbakethis 😂

[@sirwikid]

It had to be said 🤷‍♂

[@jrgnc1]

My insurance in Riverview is $1500. It also depends on the coverages/deductibles chosen. Not a flood zone. If you want to live by the water, you'll pay for it.

[@trulivingtampa]

That's a fact

[@jessemorgan9948]

I’m in Port Richey and not in a flood zone yet my homeowners insurance has increased to $3400.

[@brennt1]

My insurance in Riverview was $1300 three years ago, then the next year it went to $2700, and last year increased to $4600. We will consider moving if this trend continues.

[@1Avatar]

@@brennt1 I live in my 114yo historic home that not near the water and if it floods here the city would be gone. I would take $4600 any day. I'm pushing 12K.

[@smoofinatorftw]

Yep. Traffic is awful now. It's so incredibly frustrating. It doesn't matter what time of day. I was sitting in traffic on 275 at midnight. Wtf is happening. I wish my older parents could be convinced to move. I'm only staying for them.

[@roxycocksey]

I’m in the same boat as you. I want to leave here as well (I’m in Spring Hill) but my parents and my boyfriend’s parents don’t want to leave, and we both don’t want to be far from them because we love them and have good relationships with them. Sigh. I hate to say it, but I guess we’ll have to wait till… well… you know what happens, as horrific as that is to even think about.

[@luzt182]

Where would you move? I'm the opposite I'm old old I will like to move but my children like here

[@ZenTheDolphin]

I live in st Pete and I love it. Moved here from Tallahassee just two months ago and I’m so happy. I love Tampa bay.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing!

[@tktailslideproductions7280]

Born n raised in St. Pete, Florida, and still live here in Largo. Here’s my take on all these points. 1. Traffic. It friggen sucks. November through April I expect double the commute time due to “snowbirds” (part time residents) and vacationers. However, ever since covid when the population of this area exploded, instead of bad traffic half the year and the other half is okay… now it is terrible year round, and in “season” (November-April) it sucks even worse. It is unbearable sometimes, and often is a motivator to cancel plans, reschedule them, and essentially plan my life around. Depending on the time of day and where I’m going, I’ll need to give myself anywhere from an extra 10 minutes to a full extra hour for the same drive that without traffic at 2am would take 20 minutes. We are severely lacking in public transportation, mainly due to because whenever it is on the table, voters who live here 6 months and 1 day of the year (to maintain resident status to avoid state income tax) vote NO on it to avoid a reasonable tax increase (usually a sales tax increase or something like that). Meanwhile full time residents are stuck with gridlock. 2. Humidity. He isn’t kidding. Go soak your bath towels, then stick em in the dryer on high heat. Wait 7 minutes, open the dryer, and stick your head in there. That’s what it’s like from June through Halloween. And it starts getting hot in late March and doesn’t really cool down until Christmas. I’ve had more 90 degree Christmases than 60 degree Christmases in my nearly 30 years alive and living here. 3. Hurricanes. If you’re not prepared to lose everything you can’t fit in your car, this is not the place for you. If you freak out easily, this is not the place for you. If you’re going to “panic buy” a year supply of water and gasoline when a storm comes through, this is not the place for you. A true Floridian’s hurricane kit consists of a case or two of water, ONE full gas tank in your car (you don’t need to fill 3 cars and 6 cans of gas, i dont care about your generator), and about $50 worth of your choosing of goods from your local liquor store. An AM/FM radio is nice to have too. But the “new” residents who freak out, buy up a pickup truck’s bed’s worth of water, and hoard 200 gallons of gasoline drive me nuts because it isn’t like stores can just restock that stuff super quickly when a major storm is approaching. We live in a society. Get what you need but nothing more. If you can’t realize that, don’t move here. 4. Sinkholes. Basically what he said. Before ya buy a place, have a geological company come in and probe around the property to tell you if that’s something you’ll have to worry about. 5. Public Transport: What public transport? It really sucks. Uber n Lyft are easy and almost always available but expect crazy surge prices on Friday/Saturday nights, Rays/Bucs game days, and holidays (like a $15 ride becoming $100 type of surge). 6. As a local, I don’t go to Clearwater Beach or Tampa unless someone’s paying me. It’s a madhouse. Traffic is insane, parking sucks, and nobody has any manners. That’s a nope from me. I’ll stick to my “only the locals know” spots. 7. Property Taxes: I make 6 figured and I rent. This has more to do with housing prices being ridiculous since 2020 than it does with property taxes, but my friends who bought before prices went crazy have seen astronomical increases in property taxes, homeowners insurance, and flood insurance rates (and flood insurance is MANDATORY in some areas). 8. Education: Depends on your area. Literally city to city. If that’s important to you look into it. Unfortunately we have some crazy far right people banning books in school districts, so that is district to district (like To Kill a Mockingbird and 1984 being banned). In my opinion that is un-American to ban books. But apparently not everyone thinks that way. As far as good schools go, i was blessed enough to go to a charter school and get my AA Degree alongside my high school diploma 9. I mentioned insurance cost. Basically insurance companies have a monopoly because no company in their right mind wants to insure a peninsula that gets hit with a hurricane every year. Car insurance rates suck because people move here from the midwest or some farm and have no idea how to drive when there are other cars on the road. They’ll just stop in the center lane and cut across all the other ones. Or, the driver is 90,000 years old and can’t see over the steering wheel. Nobody understands the left lane is for passing. Nobody understands how stop signs work. The cheapest i’ve ever paid is what I pay now ($170/mo for a 5 year old Kia, 28 years old, male, no accidents in 5 years). The most i’ve paid was $360/mo when I was 18 and got my first car. Now my feelings: I’ve lived here my whole life. Born at Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg. This area has changed so much. You used to be able to drive down Gulf Blvd and see the water; now it’s all hotels and condos. You used to be able to drive anywhere without sitting in unbearable traffic. There used to be farms and Orange Groves in Pinellas County! Now it’s all built up developments. The more people moving here only hurts this area. Our infrastructure from our roads to our water supply and treatment can’t keep up with it. Our ecosystem from our water table being robbed to our natural areas being level for more condos is suffering tremendously. There isn’t space to build more roads or more lanes, so the traffic will never improve. Additionally, the influx of people from states with income tax or higher property taxes has lead to our property values becoming overinflated. They see savings because of no income tax and lower property taxes, so they suddenly can justify paying half a million dollars for a house that only 5 years ago was only worth $250k. As a result, people who’ve lived here their whole lives and worked to be able to own a home in the place they love are left kicking the can down the road year after year as home prices continue to stay just out of reach, even with a good salary. Because of all this, I’m becoming bitter towards new residents. I tell them “Don’t come. We’re full.” And I’m not joking! We ARE full. The greater Tampa Area is sprawling in all directions and it makes me sick to see our natural areas turned into cookie cutter suburbs with outrageous HOAs. It frustrates me every time I get in my car to drive somewhere. And it enrages me every time I drive by what used to be a beautiful view to see some new hotel or condo being built. The explosion of this area has exceeded our capacity for any sane amount of growth, and now it’s just silly. Please stop moving here.

[@Robin-xt7yo]

All good and valid points, which is why I promise i will never move to FL. However, my rich neighbor (we live in a suburb of Boston) bought a house in Punta Gorda right after Hurricane Ian. He said he got a good deal because of the storm damage to the house. Now i dont see him from October to May and im happy with that. 😎

[@billkarmetsky4003]

Not to worry. DeSantis, Rubio, Scott, Fine and our legislature of grifters and our entrenched grifts as So. Fl. Water Mgt. that gets billions to keep the Everglades and waterways clean have done NOTHING. The Everglades is totally, and I mean totally destroyed with human excrement, plastic trash from people washing up on shore into the millions per plan.

[@nooneyouknow5516]

​@@Robin-xt7yo What a great enhancement to the video your post is. 56 yo Floridian here and between the video and your comments, nailed it. I especially love the humidity test!

[@CliveGoodall-d4e]

WELL DONE! This is a superb, informative, interesting and well thought out devastating indictment of how human beings can wreck a natural environment and fragile ecosystem for reasons of short term expediency and blinkered selfish motivation. In a nutshell, hordes of people (thinking they’re few in number) want to move to ‘paradise’. Boom!!! In a flash “paradise” has CEASED to exist!

[@alansewell7810]

I live 150 miles north of Tampa, and it's so humid today (July 11 2024) that it's raining out of a clear blue sky. You can cut the grass on Friday and it's gone high and seedy by Monday. However, our area does have few tourists and the beaches are uncrowded with free parking. You can find a nice beachside hotel to stay in for not much over $100. When I was young, most of Florida was that way, now only a few spots.

[@emilionarvaez1415]

I went to school at USF. Tampa is a great city, the only reason I am not there right now is family ties. However I will offer some warning. 1 ) Be aware of not keeping valuable possession easily visible in your car, you may return to find a broken window and stolen items. 2) If you decide to go out at night to club districts, go with a friend or friend group, don't go alone, especially to ybor city. 3) Drugs are easily and readily available so watch your kids. Sending them to private school may give them even more access so you got to be aware. If you are comfortable and aware of these realities you will enjoy time here. Overall an awesome city.

[@ranger2316]

I really like your honest appraisal of the realities of living in the Tampa St. Pete area. I live in Palm Harbor, but I wanted to point out the importance of looking at flood zone maps. Palm Harbor, where I live is in Evacuation Zone X... That was important to me.!

[@concertvids34]

Was just in Tampa to visit family with the chief purposes of seeing the opening show Dave Matthews Band Summer tour and check off the Trop as the ballpark checklist. My brother took me to the trop and it was amazing how long it took to get out of the ballpark parking when there weren't many fans there! The other wild thing was the traffic to the Dave Matthews band show at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union amp. I had a hotel by the venue but it took me 90 minutes to move the final 1.5 miles of the 3 mile trek because the police didn't have solid traffic control and there was a graduation at the same time as the concert on the Fairgrounds!! Who books 2 big events like that for 1 night! Loved jogging the Riverwalk, loved that there were still breezes in May compared to when I visit family closer to Orlando where they get 0 breezes haha.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing your experience. And the breeze effect is 100% accurate.

[@brittanyrearick414]

I moved to Tampa this year. The mosquitos are not as bad as the reviews i saw before moving here. The worst part of the summer weather is that it's always raining honestly. It's hot hot but you can't even go swimming most of the time because there's Lightening and rain. Every. Single. Day. I don't have problems with traffic but u work from home so i just don't drive during high traffic times. There's no parking at the beaches on the weekends. It's expensive. Just be prepared

[@timslater566]

I agree with you wholeheartedly! The RAIN has me thinking about moving out west. NOT a rain or humidity lover here!👎🏻

[@PUROROCK327]

Just visited Tampa for the 3rd time in as many months for work... definitely thinking about relocation back to FL (lived in Orlando 15 years ago) and Tampa is fantastic. Although the complaints of traffic I suppose might be warranted based on history, but in comparison to places like Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, and heck, Orlando, FL... Tampa traffic is reasonable. The rest is just a matter of preference... I lived through 4 hurricanes in Orlando, which weren't fun, but you can manage, Lord willing and I can tolerate the heat. What's great to hear is that property tax CAN be reasonable for what appears to be for newer homes and builds. Great info.

[@trulivingtampa]

Great perspective! Thanks for the feedback as well.

[@PSviewpoint]

I’ve lived in Tampa for 40 years and you’re on point the heat in the summer has gotten awful

[@jamUSA24]

I moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2007 and I love it here.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing! We do, too!

[@zeevon9]

Nice presentation, and a pleasure listening to, thank you!

[@trulivingtampa]

You're welcome. Thank you for the kind words.

[@NightriderXP1]

It used to be true that the average daytime Summer temp was between 90-94. Our air temps are controlled by the Gulf and Bay water temps, which is why it was only 94 here but over 100 mid state. But now that our Gulf and Bay water temps are exceeding 100, so is our air temps. We're now seeing daytime temps between 96-100 every day. And our electric costs are reflecting the increased usage as we overtax our A/C systems. I'm currently using far more electricity during the Summer months than I did 13 years ago when I bought my current home. My behavior hasn't changed and I keep my thermostat set at 82, which many don't like. I bought all energy efficient appliances and installed LED lightbulbs throughout my house. The only thing that's changing is the outdoor temps, which would explain my increased energy usage...

[@timslater566]

How can you live with indoor temps of 82 degrees!!!!

[@NightriderXP1]

@@timslater566 It's quite ez. I have ceiling fans that keep the air moving. My A/C removes the humidity from the air. It's really quite comfortable. And the difference between the indoor and outdoor temps isn't so extreme that it would make it uncomfortable to go outside. I can enjoy both the indoors and outdoors here in Florida. Those who set their thermostats much lower not only pay higher electricity bills, but they have to run from one air conditioned environment to the next because they're not acclimated with the outdoor temps. Their bodies can't tolerate the massive difference between A/C and outdoor temps...

[@nobrand7957]

Traffic was okay until all the newbies (like you) moved here since 2020. UGH!!!

[@NCrdwlf]

I was there in the mid nineties as a usf student and go back to visit my folks who retired there in 91 and can't believe the difference . The traffic is horrendous .

[@wturner777]

Sounds like the metro area needs a proper metro rail. Now that's a real people mover. BUILD THE TRAINS!!!!!

[@StuartRoss-vd7co]

Juan… Just watched your video… You are a Diamond in the Ruff! Live in Wimauma and it’s Golf Cart Heaven… might want to hit on that??? Lived in Fla for 60 years, raised family and retired here… wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Thanks for the Vids!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks, Stuart!

[@donnamnuz1027]

Just arrived a few weeks ago from SE MI. Glad to find your channel. We have family here so we decided to retire here full time. Thanks for all the good info. We need a MI ex pats group meet up 😊

[@trulivingtampa]

I am down!

[@TropicalTodd]

It’s i75, i4, i275 with the non stop traffic accidents that are insane

[@ImThePronounPolice]

And a lot of illegals driving without licenses! And can't read the signs either!

[@tr4321]

I-4 is the deadliest highway in the country.

[@Alan-rt3se]

Excellent presentation! I've lived in Tampa for 5 years and my biggest gripes are the traffic congestion and insurance costs. The really bad news is that the homeowner insurance companies are raising their premiums for a reason--climate change. The video mentioned the last CAT-3 hurricane in 1921, but we just had two major hurricanes hit the Tampa area in one month. My roof had wind damage from Hurricane Milton, but the real threat is flooding. I live far enough from the coast that I'm not in a flood zone, but people whose house got flooded lost most of their possessions and many of them had their homeowners insurance policies cancelled afterwards, because the insurance companies know that this is just the beginning. If you buy waterfront property, expect to get flooded.

[@Brineytoes]

I lived in New England when we lost power for over a week from an ice storm in below zero weather. Without a fireplace, we would have been in trouble. I lived in Oklahoma, where a tornado tore apart my city. I lived in Portland, Oregon, where there was a very scary earthquake. I lived through snow cyclones in NE Ohio with frigid temperatures. In upstate New York, an ice storm devastated the area for days and a huge icicle killed a woman. I CHOOSE to live in Florida! I have been here for 25 years, which is longer than anyplace else I have lived. I went through 4 hurricanes in one year; one was a Cat 3, and no big deal. I will never freeze to death here. I can go to a suitable shelter, but my home is very sturdy. Yes, it gets hot; I love it. There is always a breeze off the water on each coast. Sit quietly and enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the land around you. I can always go inside and cool off, go to the beach, or go to a pool. We have paradise in Florida.

[@Knowledge-b6o]

Thank you for this comment!! I really needed to hear this. I’m retiring to Florida, by myself. I was afraid, until I read this. I live in MA and the weather stinks year round!! It’s either miserably COLD, or rainy and cloudy. I need the sun!!

[@Xx-po1fu]

No place is paradise, every place has problems, every the garden of Eden had problems.

[@Dianawales]

@@masminorEnjoy watching Florida turn blue in November! 😊

[@georgesontag2192]

Spent time in Florida. It's a steam bath, everyone smells because they are sweating all day, the bugs are everywhere, the cars are sun bleached and be careful touching anything metal. Everyone stays indoor due to the heat and humidity. Sink holes, traffic and old people everywhere. It's still a big swamp. Maybe in Janurary and February would be fine. The beaches are OK, but they are not glamorous. They need cleaning due to seaweed and plastic.

[@cortneyoverstreet8130]

I think it’s wonderful you love it here. As a Floridian my whole life (Tampa), I personally am done with the heat and humidity and I will choose to migrate a little farther north as I enjoy seasons and chilly air. We can enjoy more than just one climate. Can’t beat FL in Jan and Feb that’s for sure. The other months, I could def deal with some milder weather.

[@janalaufer6965]

You are so right about the traffic! I moved here in 2015 from Seattle and I live in Largo. Every now and again I HAVE to go to Tampa, and I just dread it! I-275 is horrid!!! Also there is no way that it is not getting hotter every year! IT IS!!!! I am selling my house now. Hurricane Milton solidified my decision. I was amazed that you predicted that Cat 3! Going back to Upstate NY!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing.

[@russbowerschannel449]

That's a pefect description: like waking up to a lab retriever breathing in your face.

[@trulivingtampa]

He nailed it.

[@bodiddley7404]

I was sketchy at first but you nailed it. Def a legit, well researched factual video. Traffic I will say is worse in the last 5 years than it had been. It def ramped up but manageable compared to other places. with that said, I pray I never have to go to Orlando or Tallahasse. Orlando area is brutal to me. Tallahassee is maddening with the cars and the worst stop light pattern in America. Sorry for the derailment. Excellent video. 👏

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you. I appreciate the compliment.

[@ameraboukoura6091]

Next time you complain about the traffic here in Tampa, just remember that it’s nothing compared to cities like LA, Chicago, nyc, or Atlanta, whenever I drive around the highways, it’s usually little to none

[@trulivingtampa]

100%. Perspective is everything! Thanks for sharing.

LA hollywood NYC has so much more to offer and has so many more reasons to live there..

[@Moving.To.Charleston]

True, each person has their own tolerance for traffic

[@BlackDub21]

For now

[@tonyn3227]

Yeah right, you must come out at night only. Tampa area is worst than all those cities combined , literally.

[@luzt182]

I moved here in 1983 41 years here, it has change so much. They used yo have rodeos and orange groves everywhere. Now everything is construction of new houses apartments. Traffic is insane. Im sure when we get a huracane there it will be lots of flooding because the water will not have a place to flow. But i still love it here.

[@billkarmetsky4003]

The last time I travelled the Fl. Turnpike was 2 years ago Nov. In the 80's that same route around Orlando was thick with vast stretches of orange groves. Further up the sugar cane farms. Now, all bulldozed over for overpriced crap. Who is all this being built for if so much is plain unaffordable? And since the COVID thing? Florida got very, very ugly and I've seen it all.

[@jessicabenedetto6597]

Love your content. Thank you for sharing

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you for watching!

[@DobyDuke]

Rainy season is ever changing. 2yr ago rain everyday, last year forecast for rain everyday and got none, this year no rain whatsoever

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

I remember when you could set your clock by the afternoon sea breeze & storms. No now.Times they are a change’n.

[@ImThePronounPolice]

I live in Northern Connecticut near the Massachusetts border. It's paradise here! We don't have tornadoes, the winters have become mild. We only had two snowstorms this past winter. We don't have any earthquakes, our summers are beautiful spring and fall is beautiful also. I have a garden in the summer, I live on a lake where we can fish swim and have parties. I have 3 1/2 acres and an inground pool -yes a pool even on a lake is fun. My property taxes were $10,000! But a small price to pay in Paradise.

[@lauramichele5512]

Adding homes near this location to my zillow for future reference. This is good to know thank you ❤

[@timslater566]

I hear ya! I’m originally from Mass. and as a senior I now reminisce about the beautiful four seasons and ESPECIALLY fall (autumn) that I knew as a child and teenager. 👍 Florida’s climate is depressing.

[@alansewell7810]

I have houses in Michigan and Florida too. The values are about the same and the property taxes are about the same. If you're a Florida resident, your property taxes can't increase by more than 2% regardless of how much the property value increases. My Florida property taxes are lower now than when I moved down in 1998 due to millage reductions. I've lived in the same house all those years, and taxes have not reset with the rising property value. However, insurance most certainly has. My property insurance was up 36% this year. The insurance lady was trying to mollify complaining customers by telling them they could take home an extra Christmas present from under the tree in the lobby when they walked out.

[@Jaelynne17]

Florida ranks last- 50 out of 50- in teacher pay…. So many teachers leaving K-12 education here. Over 5,000 teacher vacancies.

[@MichaelAdamo-s8d]

Not real good in public education

[@beboboymann3823]

While that statement is true, add 6%, 7%, 8% to the base pay in Florida because that will NOT be deducted for state income tax….Florida has no state income tax. Also, because Florida has no state income tax, retirement benefits are not subject to state income tax. 401K retirement benefits are not subject to state income tax. While Florida’s teacher salary isn’t as high as other states teachers don’t go to their graves with every bit of retirement income nibbled away by state income taxes.

[@PorkyHontas]

​@@beboboymann3823oh please. The no state income tax used to be a benefit up until our sorry governor and legislators screwed up property taxes and insurance. Hence, they've done nothing so you might as well be paying state income taxes. Then add in all of the other little tidbits, it's ridiculously expensive to live here.

[@davidcosta2244]

Here's the Harris voter, and probably Gilliam voter. Government isn't the solution to the problem, but is the problem. You're free to leave anytime that you want, just saying.

[@Jaelynne17]

@@beboboymann3823 Mostly because we’re lucky if we’ll ever get to see retirement pay.

[@paulabeshouri2888]

If you decide to live in high risk area for hurricanes-you should be expected to pay higher home insurances. That just makes sense.

[@StampinBeachTeacher]

If you are retired, I recommend Sun City Center, 45 min south of Tampa, and halfway between Tampa and Sarasota airports. We were rated #1 retirement community this year.

[@lilysgram5886]

The Villages

[@coffeecoffee1572]

I live in Tampa and everything depends on what area you live in, in my opinion. Obviously not the weather but the other things. But I'm glad you're posting this because I wish people would stop moving here. It's getting way too congested! It was so much better before people started pouring in like crazy.

[@mrdriver23]

Every area in the USA has its Pros and Cons. You just have to know what you are willing to live with for that period of your life.

[@trulivingtampa]

Very well said.

[@danielsomerstein9996]

Great video man, it shows the amount of effort and dedication you put into this. As a Tampa resident I can say he is 100% accurate. I live in Riverview which is 12 minutes away from downtown and it is a great area worth considering if you must be close to Downtown

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing and for the kind words.

[@lianalonge1984]

Lived in Clearwater and Tampa’s traffic is like a Sunday drive compared to here in the DMV (DC/MD/VA). Everything else is definitely on point

[@trulivingtampa]

Absolutely. We don't compare to the Major Metros when it comes to traffic.

[@Goddessluv22]

I’m here in the DMV also. I may be planning my escape in the next few years

[@ImThePronounPolice]

You are right about that! I was driving my grandson home from college in Virginia and he wanted to stop in DC to go to some museum and it took us two hours just to get out of DC! Then the traffic in Jersey and New York were no picnic either! What should've been a 7 hour ride back to Connecticut turned into 14 hours!

[@79mini]

Don't miss traffic in the DMV or the tolls prices for that matter. The worse rush hour traffic in Tampa is like lunch rush on 66 across the beltway. 😂😂

[@CarolLustgarten]

Moved from New York city or I should say defected from nyc to st.Pete in 2021. Never owned a car. Then moved to tampa in 2023 right on the riverwalk. 201 w.laurel. downtown was not for me. 2024 moved to Dunedin and love it. 3 summers so far A good tip to get through a long hot summer go to the countryside mall. Cool and comfortable with great air conditioning. Has a skating ⛸ rink too. Also take a vacation to a cool climate. Been through Ian helene Milton and counting. 😮

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing, Carol. Dunedin is a special place, for sure!

[@hondabikez]

As a guy from Chicago. I been going to Tampa for a few months at a time the last few years. I can’t think of one complaint! It will be my home soon

[@tonyn3227]

Once you spend here 6 months you'll see what you got yourself into. After they jack up taxes .and insurance on your wherever you decide to buy. Good luck

[@derickderidder7785]

Watch out for the random huge sinkholes. This is mosquito land. Snakes and alligators could be at your door to greet you at anytime. You can't get in the ocean or even stand next to it because of Red Tide and there is a new flesh eating bacteria in the ocean. And for now hurricanes hasn't hit your home yet but 5 more will be here each year. No food, water, and gas avaliable when a storm is coming and you cant avoid the hurricane because the highways are blocked with peope that ran out of gas. Don't put your largest investment in Florida, your home. Homeowners insurance might not even cover you. No electricity and no AC after a hurricane for 2 to 3 weeks and power lines in the road. Get ready for flooding everywhere. I hope you have a big truck and chainsaw.

[@smoofinatorftw]

Please don't

[@On_a_Pale_Horse]

Born and raised in Tampa lived there almost 50 years. Glad i moved from Tampa, Was a great place to grow up and use to be affordable those days are long gone and the amount of people and traffic is an absolute nightmare and the type of people there now its like a concentrated form of narcissistic behavior and everyone thinks you are in there way.

[@GgRae-gv1tg]

Pinellas county has the worse congestion you have ever seen. A tourist destination now add daily traffic. Not good. Tourist, bugs, alligators, hurricanes 🌀, tornadoes 🌪, power outages, traffic, crime, SNAKES 🐍, floods, heat, humidity, fluoride in the water, SUPER HIGH ISURANCE rates. You haven't lived until alligators move in to your pool.

[@ImThePronounPolice]

😂😂😂

[@dgmangold]

Pinellas is the worst, and then you cross the bay and realize Hillsborough is worse.

[@GgRae-gv1tg]

@@dgmangold The whole area is clogged with tourists and people escaping the Democratic Socialist Dystopia up north. I am seeing garbage blowing down East Bay. As for motorcycles, forget it. MC deaths are up 30% according to the State Police. I sold mine because it is too dangerous, even at night.

[@kc1064]

Lived in Tampa and Pinellas County for 21+yrs.. this is a well balanced and realistic view of our area . Watched a few other of his videos and found the same to be true also

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing and for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[@chefterrellmanning]

Thank you so much! You’re going to scare people away from moving to my glorious city. ❤️

[@mdmdwha]

I have been here four years and when i lived downtown it was great, i loved it! easy to get around, so much to do, felt like a big city. now i am in the suburbs and it feels like a completely different world! i think Tampa is a good city when youre a student and have lots of money! if you have a family theres better places with better schools, especially if you are someone with a higher degree, theres just not much in terms of culture, etc. the tampa museum will get some exhibits but its far and few between. we need more culture and education oh and public transport!

[@IWH8023]

Tampa Bay lacks depth, class and better airport routes. Also, there is absolutely no dance clubs here and that is sad. People just drink.

[@dystopian2153]

Depends on where you go. If you go to Ybor yeah no class whatsoever. If you go to South Tampa like in Hyde Park or international plaza there's lots of class or Bel Air near Clearwater. Downtown Tampa has been revitalized and is pretty cool as well. West Chase is also a suburban area in Tampa and it's well to do, very clean and sophisticated. Citrus Park area is pretty nice as well. I've lived 25 miles outside of Tampa for the past 50 years. . It has changed but I think overall Tampa has changed for the better. Cleaner and nicer now with the exception of Ybor City that used to be cool but now is a cesspool of garbage. The downside to Tampa is that it is very expensive now.

[@IWH8023]

@@dystopian2153 that is money, yes.

[@danbeuscher9679]

Very balanced and informative.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks, Dan. I appreciate the compliment.

[@Jaelynne17]

The Tampa area beaches are beautiful, but the water is filled with red tide and flesh-eating bacteria. As a local, my husband and I haven’t been in the water in over 4 years. We’re not going to risk the health hazards of being at the beach with red tide (very bad for respiratory), or possibly contracting flesh eating bacteria. This is something they don’t tell tourists.

[@elkazwick4920]

My father and his family moved here in 1945, and I was born here. It's just getting worse living here. It puts a major strain on my finances, and going out into the community has become so stressful. It's wall-to-wall people. Driving means having a car ten feet from either bumper and on both sides. There's no elbow room anymore. So, I just stay home unless I absolutely have to. Moving out of state isn't an option. I wouldn't do well. And why should I have to? Seriously! I was born here, and my roots are here!!!

[@AmericanConstellation]

In St Pete, if you move to Shore Acores and spit....It floods...

[@trulivingtampa]

I tell everyone thinking about moving there. It floods at the talk of rain.

[@hmrubio1021]

🤣🤣

[@josefiol9520]

Hey, great video is there opportunities for home inspectors in Tampa area?

[@thomasmead6898]

If people want great public schools, they must pay for it; which means high property taxes and state income tax, but I get it, a place with a lot of retirees don’t want to pay those.

[@informationmaven8985]

Its a great place for those who buy a small home and spend all day out and about. Low to no taxes, tiny home to care for and a healthy bank account for the 5 Michelin restaurants and 50 Michelin recommendations! Awesome!

[@kevinc8811]

@@informationmaven8985 Agree 100%

[@MUSHROOMSOUPBAND]

I live near the beach I'm paying $5,000 a year for insurance Plus flood insurance which is about 750. Fyi. Indian shores .

[@pilotrserra]

Lived in Florida for 45 years and I’m trying to get out. The population has tripled, traffic is horrible and rude northerners wrecked the state. You must be nuts to move here now…plus the cost of living is like California or northeast expensive. Purchase my house for $100k in 1982…now $1.2M. I’ll sell to some ignorant New Yorker .

[@mikemian]

Moved from SF, CA to Tampa. Crime is low, people are friendly, schools are good. Insurance is higher, but tax savings more than compensate.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Mike.

[@wturner777]

San Francisco has much better public transit compared to Tampa. The BART, MUNI, etc. Tampa needs to top that in order to alleviate traffic.

[@reginafisher9919]

I used to live in Tampa from 1993, to 2001, I went back to visit years later and I was glad I did not stay, the price is the cost of living the congestion the traffic oh my God!!! I'm so glad I got out when I did!!!

[@jacksonpaul3205]

For the bad traffic, understand that everyone who comes here also brings their driving habits (good and bad) from the states they lived in previously. As a result driving on main roads can be very unpredictable. Also the amount of backroads here are limited because there are so many wildlife conservations so there are only a few routes people can take to get from city to city.

[@trulivingtampa]

I agree about the habits, 100% acute.

[@AmericanConstellation]

I think I saw my boat going under the Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge!

[@kevinpugh9780]

Very well told. Thanks.. I live in Madison and moved from Naples. God bless!!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you!

[@yinsound]

I moved to Tampa from Connecticut. I moved here in June 2020. I got used to the heat in a few weeks. The traffic is bad but as long as you don't need to go downtown it is manageable. The thing that people should know is that the Tampa Bay area is completely flat. There are very few good views anywhere except on the coast (and I would never want to be so exposed to storms). Also, the vast majority of houses are on tiny plots of land surrounded by tall fences. I miss the rolling hills and large lots of New England. Also, there is very little history here. In New England there are hundreds of small museums. Don't expect many museums here. But I don't regret moving here. I don't miss snow and ice. I pay no income taxes. And the government is extremely competent.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing, Eric.

[@claudiodemarco4388]

My perspective. I moved here two years ago, as a retiree. I had visited Florida several times a couple decades ago, so I had a feel for the weather patterns. Being from up north, it's really a choice between experiencing too cold up there, or too hot down here. I like warm weather, so I'm not complaining. One thing they don't tell you is that when you get into the summer months, it rains, usually thunderstorms, just about every day. Fortunately, it's not all day long, and it's generally predictable. It's part of the afternoon, and typically one hour later, you'd never know it had rained. So plan the errands in the morning. Some time ago someone from Ft Myers asked me if I was bothered by heavy traffic at commute times. I live in Lehigh Acres, just east of Ft Myers, and my response was, what heavy traffic? Lehigh is a growing area of about 125,000 people. It's far enough away from the coast that hurricane Ian didn't really have a major effect. We lost power and clean water for a couple days, some traffic signs were knocked over, and some homes needed roof (shingle) repair. That's pretty minor considering that coastal parts of Ft Myers got clobbered. Not all of Ft Myers. I had started my home search, looking for a condo, and got outbid on several homes, from Naples, Venice, Ft Myers, Punta Gorda, and others. Eventually I decided to switch to town homes instead. That turned out to be what I really wanted. I have a 2 car garage (most condos don't have garages). My home is over 1500 square feet, and it was built fairly recently in 2019, in a gated community. In fact, most properties in Lehigh tend to be newer than average homes anywhere from Tampa to Naples. My car insurance increased after the first year, so I talked to an agent, and we were able to reduce the bill, so that I am now paying less than I did 2 years ago. There were items like paying for lost wages if an uninsured motorist hit my car. Ummm, what lost wages? I'm retired. It's still more than what I was paying in Canada, and my Canada bill was more that what I was paying in New England, but it's a reasonable number. My home insurance saw a significant increase this year. Once again, I talked to an agent, and she was able to reduce my bill by about 30%. I am now paying less than what I paid last year. Just under $1200 for the year. Some things were eliminated. Some things were reduced, like insurance on household goods. Now if you have a family of 4, this number might be reasonable, but for a single or couple, it's likely too high. Property tax I consider to be a little high, but when I compare what taxes are now in NH, where I used to live, they pay a lot more up there, for a lot less living space. All in all, I'm happy to be down here. My Social Security isn't taxed by Florida, although the Feds still tax it, on a sliding scale; hope that changes, and they get rid of SS tax.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you for sharing this in such detail and for your perspective as well.

[@Lois-cg9zd]

I love the rain ! Moved here from Michigan 10 years ago. Love the sunshine and all the green.

[@kodurivinod]

Everything in Florida is expensive and difficult to get repaired is difficult.

[@MS-ty8eq]

Tampa has been a crappy gang-infested ghetto since I can remember back in the 90s. The developers are having a field day with converting all of Florida into gentrified tourist areas. In the original landowners are selling it off for big money.

[@reneealfonso347]

yes, I’ve lived here since the 80s and it’s always been a crap hole. I hate even having to go over there for anything it’s awful

[@Mr.Saltwater]

I am glad I never have to go into Hillsborough Co. for anything but the airport. Hi from Clearwater

[@familylifetoo9541]

House taxes really vary and now the insurance on houses is very high and car insurance is extremely high. There are parts of tampa area that have good property taxes and some are getting high and startong to creep up. Yet dont forget you might have an HOA fees.

[@Mag-g5s]

We use to call this a hidden jem

[@trulivingtampa]

It's still a gem. But definitely not hidden anymore.

[@DobyDuke]

People that have moved here recently are fed up with the area they left. Give it a few years they will probably leave for somewhere else

[@lorrag8245]

We had a big sinkhole a few months ago just 2 minutes up the road at Commercial Blvd and Bayview, just a half mile to the beach in Fort Lauderdale. The road was closed for a short while to quickly repair and pave.

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

20 yrs ago Florida sucked for education Moved in 03 and moved to Ma. My son was 3 yrs behind in school and had to go to summer school and still was held back a year Florida is definitely behind in school compared to Ma.

[@informationmaven8985]

I agree but we all knew this since forever, who wants to go to school when there are so many fun things to do! Top 10% gets free tuition at U of FL and Many counties pay for a year of high demand occupation education. Awesome!

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

They do that up here also

[@kevinc8811]

My recommendation to parents who live in Florida, send your kids to a private school or charter school. We did with all of our kids and they all had high SAT scores, graduated college and are successful professionals today.

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

@@kevinc8811 Was pretty much not making a lot of money living in Florida Mechanics only makes so much I make a lot more up here but taxes kill me so it’s still pretty much the same My son ended up doing great very smart He’s a US Marine, Combat engineer and also a state trooper and father of 3 beautiful children

[@kevinc8811]

@@SteveMoore-f4x Well it worked out for the best for him. That great. It’s always been hard to make a good living in a skilled trade in Florida, even today. I’m an HVAC contractor myself. Many years ago I worked as the lead tech at another company. I trained a young guy out of tech school and after gaining around a years worth of experience he moved to Connecticut (ironically my home state). His starting pay was 50% higher than my salary was at the time here in Florida and I had around 15 years of experience then. The old saying I absolutely hated was “You have to pay for the sunshine”.

[@thomaswilbur5687]

$395k house this last year my house payment due to house insurance and property taxes jumped $500/month in Wimauma 30 minutes south of Tampa

[@trulivingtampa]

Wow! What in the world?

[@keithstarks1433]

Yes, Yankees and Westerners, be afraid, stay away! It’s so not worth it! Especially you, New York and New Jersey! (And Michigan….and Ontario). Ok, thanks.

[@ToddTampa1]

Coming Back Home To Tampa Bay!! I'll be in the Clearwater area so who knows if our paths may cross at some point. I never planned to leave my nearly 40 years of residency, but had to leave for 2 years 2022-2024, but am now coming back to resume my life where I've lived since 1986. Not planning on ever leaving again....I was miserable in Indiana. Can't wait to get back on Nov. 1. ❤👍😘

[@trulivingtampa]

Welcome back home!

[@iamat33]

Please don’t move here - it’s terrible 😁😁

[@georgiokaplan]

AS A TAMPANIAN. I’ agree😂 stay away from here

[@kimberlyward350]

With people like you it's easy to wanna leave!😊

[@iamat33]

@@kimberlyward350 - please do - I beg you 😁😁

[@CharliRay]

This is my 5th year living here and after about the 3rd year the heat doesn’t even phase me anymore and from October thru April is the best weather I’ve ever experienced only when you’re working from 11-6 outside is when the heat is ruthless

[@Joce123]

I love being a snowbird going to Florida from November through Easter.

[@rodcoulter997]

The ONLY livable water..

[@RebelSyntax]

Tampa used to be laid back and chill with great neighbors regardless of the neighborhood. With so many people piling in, that vibe is gone. All the things that people wanted to move here for have been used up. At least from the perspective of a guy thats lived here for 40+ years, people rushing down here bring their lifestyles and ideas with them and it just clashes with the lifestyle that made wanting to come here desirable in the first place. Sad to see.

[@whiskeysprings]

Can people please stop moving here. If I see one more license plate from NY, NJ, CO, OH, MI, MO, CA, ID, IL, wherever, I’m going to lose it. You’re not from here, you drive like crap and you feel entitled.

[@BlackDub21]

Are GA plates ok? Go dawgs!

[@CraigC-h6b]

Exactly! It’s like sheep following the heard. They hear about the issues but can’t help but be apart of the problem

[@luxurylureofficial9078]

I’m heading to Tampa Clearwater on the 31st of this month. Looking to move there because my daughter will be going to college. Looking for a great rooftop burger place and a fun ice cream place to take her while there!

[@SteveMoore-f4x]

Lived in Florida for 16yrs Went back last April to visit family in oldsmar Tampa My brother in law has a beautiful multi million home in a gated community In the community it’s quite and nice Big problem when you need to get something there is no convenient store like in New England You have to get out in the traffic and it’s insane Us 19 is crazy The parking lots are crazy Seen a dispute in the parking lot over a lady loading her van from the side instead of the rear Florida is out of control and people have no respect for others So sad Glad I don’t live there or at least that area Actually can retire and looking at brooksville or Ocala Would have been there already but Biden destroyed the country so my plans are on hold for now

[@Anthony__420]

To Many rude MAGAs so many road rages with firearms..You can have it!

[@informationmaven8985]

@@Anthony__420 I have not found this to be the case, most people seem to be kind and courteous until they become dehydrated and sun stroked by the beach. Please come back for a slower vacation next time.

[@kevinc8811]

@@Anthony__420People in Florida tend to be pretty friendly and polite generally speaking. Although I will say a little less so in the last few years. I wonder why?😄 Now that road rage with guns thing… I’ve personally never seen that but I’ve only lived here 54 years.

[@CraigC-h6b]

Do you people ever thought of there is somewhere else to live besides Florida. You complain but still bring move here.