Background info: I live currently with my parents with very little expenses. My only expenses per month are my RX-8 and gas (rx-8 = 450, gas = 100 approx). Being offered currently a position down there with 20 percent better base pay and more personal freedom, and much better benefits.

Is Tampa a good town for a 23 year old? New York City while I love it has really grown tired on me. The people here are just too much to deal with and I literally cannot take the winters anymore. I'd probably be looking to move to the Clearwater area, or any open suggestions. The move wouldn't be until December if I did, so I have plenty of time to plan... suggestions?

I voted yes but Iv'e never been to either of those places - does that help ?

Ha, thanks anyways. I have only been to Clearwater myself just a handful of times.

i'm all for independence... and if you get paid more, sure why not. if it sucks, you can always fall back to the parents.

Live in Clearwater and would never live anywhere else!

Well, I will be in Tampa this Labor day. I love down there. SUN year round and most of all NO SNOW.... SO I would so go for it...

Live in Clearwater and would never live anywhere else!


Beautiful place. And most of the people I've met there are cool. I visit there frequently. I actually considered Clearwater before Orlando but didn't want the commute.
Reminds me a little of West Palm Beach. ;)


I voted yes.

Well, I will be in Tampa this Labor day. I love down there. SUN year round and most of all NO SNOW.... SO I would so go for it...



Like anywhere else it has it's "moments" like the occasional hurricane (or two),tourists,traffic etc.


The only thing I miss are the changing seasons.

I did that move. Used to live in NJ, worked for AT&T.

I'm now in Tampa, working for Verizon.

Software development for both companies, btw.

The cost of living down here is lower, housing is lower, and clothing is lower (no need for a second wardrobe for winter). Utilities are also lower.

Also, you're a lot less likely to see your RX-8 trashed (Both by the weather / salt, and by other drivers).

I'm not much of a Florida fan...less of a Tampa fan (some surrounding areas are good, but Tampa proper is rather bleh. It's too damn oppressively hot and rainy all the time in FL - also, prepare to only see Summer and Summer-lite for your seasons. No more nice fall weather, no more nice spring weather. It just goes from oppressively hot to mildly chilly...maybe 2-3 nice days in the middle of each season.

Some people like that. I am not "some people."

Well, I will be in Tampa this Labor day. I love down there. SUN year round and most of all NO SNOW.... SO I would so go for it...

Ehh, but just as you don't like to go out in extreme cold/snow, you'll get so tired of the heat and rain that you'll want to stay in all summer. It's basically trading one overbearing season for another.

I live in sarasota (about a hour south of tampa) I am your age and there is so much to do here, I have never been to NJ but I am from the north (MI) and there are alot of things to take into consideration, no winter so no salt, ice, snow or temps that ever reach below 32F. There are no emissions to pass here, the cost of living is cheaper, and the pay is pretty good in Tampa (compared to most other places in FL) I think you would like FL especially Tampa, there is always something going on there so I vote yes.

i wish my mommy and daddy gave me that kind of background to fall back on :(

but seriously, man take advantage of that shit if you can. Tampa is actually pretty decent, places like sarasota are where you do NOT want to be as a 23 year old. You'll still be able to have a whole lot of fun in Tampa no doubt about it. ^^

I liked the beaches in Clearwater, but didn't buy anything there because I didn't want to hang around a bunch of scientologists.

RE Move to Tampa
GO as long as you can deal with hot weather!
There is much to do,and nice people

Come on down, I'm working on a FL club meet for labor day if you are going to be around :)

Hell yes! Not sure about the areas, and frankly I could never stand that much heat/hum. ALL year. But if you don't mind that - DO IT!!

You will NEVER look back at it and say "I should have just stayed w/Mom & Dad" - and you can always go back to them anyway.

Take the risk - even if it doesn't work out you'll have plenty of experiences that will make it worth the move!


(oh, I voted yes ;))

Going to do it. My promotion/transfer starts the last week of October. Also got bumped up to 30 percent better base salary, better stock options, and a much better year end bonus as well. They're also going to be giving me an apartment to stay in (new tampa area... don't know it well, i'm told it's like the suburbs, quiet and nice) for the first year or so until I find my own place. If all doesn't turn out well, I could always take my position back up here in the NJ labs.

Sounds like a sweet deal.

Good Luck!!