Reply #8: I live about 40 miles............ [View All]

[ClintonTyree]

southeast of Tampa, but have visited many times. Any coastal area in Florida will be more expensive, if you can tolerate moving inland a bit, your expenses for housing, food, basically all living expenses will be less.
Crime rates? This is Florida. Nice weather not only draws business and retirees, but also a criminal element as well. Crime around the Tampa are is not as bad as Miami-Dade, but it has a well established criminal element that easily replenishes itself. As for exact numbers, I'm sure they can be easily obtained on a myriad of websites.
Employment? Mrs. matcom would have NO problem whatsoever obtaining a job. This is the land of money, legal and illegal. Webmaster? I'm not sure about that, it would depend what you're certified in. Degrees mean shit, certification is the big thing. There are jobs in IT, but they're selective and you might want to scope out the Tampa Tribune's classifieds.
Heat? Summers here can be scorching. The coastal areas aren't too bad, there usually a sea breeze that keeps things bearable. Inland, it's not uncommon in our area to top out at over 100 degrees during the summer months. You don't do a lot outdoors in the prime hours of 10:00-6:00, just like you don't do much outdoors in the winter up north. The hook is, you don't have to scrape ice and snow off your car every five minutes. My first summer here was a shocker, but you get used to it after a while. EVERYPLACE is air-conditioned.
That brings us to quality of life. The urban areas aren't that bad. However, should you be fool hearty enough to venture to smaller towns, the culture shock will astound you. I mistakenly moved to a small, south central town ( I currently have my house for sale so I can move closer to civilization) . There's a John Birch Society billboard not 5 miles from where I live. It's redneck hell. Nothing but pickup trucks, long hair, beards, cammo outfits.........and those are the women. Stick to the more urban areas and you'll be fine. But then the crime factor increases. Education in rural Florida is not highly prized, more the adornments on one's pickup truck determine the pecking order. If you have children in public schools, remember, this is Jeb Bush's Florida. Research schools extensively for your children's sake.
For anyone considering a move to Florida, I suggest reading some of Carl Hiaasen's or Tim Dorsey's works. They may seem absurd, but they're rooted in reality.
It's not really that bad down here matcom, just be prepared for a cultural adjustment. I grew up in the northeast, and was shocked by southern life. Think it over carefully and do a lot of research. A LOT of research before you move here.

edited for TIM Dorsey, not Tom.