Where to live in Tampa
by Ewingjr98
Where you will work obviously will have a big impact on where you will live. If your job is in Tampa, you might consider living in South Tampa, particularly in Plant High School District (around Palma Ciea/Virginia Park are some of the best areas). This is one of the top high schools in the state. The neighborhoods are older and well established, with most houses built in the 1920s through 1950s, and many new houses constructed in the last decade. There are several pockets of good restaurants in this area, particularly Hyde Park/South Howard, which is the trendiest part of Tampa. This area also has low crime, especially if you live a few blocks from the big roads like Gandy, Henderson and Dale Mabry. Housing in this area is probably the most expensive in the Tampa area, because of the area's many positive attributes.
Many people choose in the suburbs around Westchase to the northwest or Brandon to the east. The draw here is larger houses, more land, and lower prices, but the negatives are long commutes and little to do. Furthermore, with the housing market downturn, may of these areas have high rates of foreclosure and empty houses.
Seminole Heights is another historic area with lots of old bungalows and a nice neighborhood feel. This is one of Tampa's revitalizing neighborhoods, and still relatively affordable.
Davis Islands is comfortable with a unique, small town-like main street area, but this is also the lowest elevation around, and would likely flood in even a small hurricane.
Depending on where you will work, the beach towns might be an option. The commute from Indian Rocks Beach to downtown Tampa is around 45 minutes, sometimes worse with tourist beach traffic or rush hour.
Areas to generally avoid, particularly if you have young kids, are the Ybor City area and some of the areas around the University of South Florida (Fowler Ave area). These are the highest crime areas of Tampa.
Charter Fishing
by Ewingjr98
Florida is sometimes called the fishing capital of the world, due to the year-round seasonal weather and its great fishing habitat in 7,700 lakes, 10,550 miles of rivers and 2,276 miles of shoreline. Florida is said to have twice as many fishermen as golfers in a state known for its golfing. In fact, Florida ranks first among the 50 states in the total number of fishermen with 2.77 million people engaged in the sport.
Tampa Bay is one of the finest places to fish in Florida. Here you have freshwater fishing in local rivers, shoreline fishing from numerous bridges and piers, and saltwater fishing in the bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Pier 60
by tampa_shawn
A nice day trip or stop
Has some great shopping (mostly touristy but still fun) and restaurants.
Especially fun around sun-set (2 hours before till 2 hours after), where like in Key West, their is a nightly festival with a variety of street performers including jugglers & magicians
Location:
Intersection of Causeway and Gulf Blvd., Pier 60 Park is beautiful - a crescent of fine, powdery white sand that runs from the pass north for 1.3 miles. .
Botanical Gardens at University of South Florida
by tampa_shawn
I haven't been here in awhile, but it is a nice thing to do on a slow day. I've volunteered here several times doing manual labor to help maintain the gardens
Has orchids, begonias, mallows, bromeliads, gingers, ferns, aroids, fruit trees, palms, cycads, carnivorous plants, butterfly garden, herb and scent gardens, and much more. The Gardens have a living collection of over 3,000 taxa of plants and natural habitats that emphasize the rich botanical diversity of Tampa. You may also see animal and insect species, from gopher tortoises to butterflies to over 60 species of birds.
Volunteer Orientations are held the 4th Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m.
Also has workshops - see the website (which also has gardening tips)
Comedy Club in Centro Ybor
by tampa_shawn about The Improv Comedy Club
There are quite a few comedy clubs in Tampa - here are a few
The Improv Comedy Club in Ybor City
Always seems to have the top headliners. Has OK food and a gull bar too. In a great location - have dinner in Ybor before the show and then go clubing afterwards - everything is within walking distance!
www.improvtampa.com
813-864-4000
Side Splitters Comedy Club
Older club - not a cool location but the locals like it - gets some headliners
Located on the SW corner of Fletcher & N. Dale Mabry in the Cascade Shopping Plaza - there are lots of restaurants in the area
12938 N Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33618
http://www.sidesplitterscomedy.com/
813) 960-1197
For a List of Other Comedy Clubs
see http://www.tampaguide.com/Todo/TodoCat24.asp
Key West Comedy club, (Tampa)
Internet Outpost Café, (St. Pete Beach)
Blues Ship Café, (Tampa)
American Stage Inc., (St. Petersburg)
Wacky Weavers Comedy Club, (Brandon)
The Papa Java Café & Art Mama Gallery, (Clearwater Beach)
SideKicks, (St. Pete Beach)
Art & Java Gallery and Coffeehouse, (Tampa)
Coconuts Comedy Club, (Tampa)
Coconuts Comedy Club, (Clearwater Beach)
Manhattan Coffee Bar & Eatery, (Clearwater)
Club Maxx, (Madiera Beach)
Side Splitters, (Tampa)
Coconuts Comedy Club, (Tampa)
Metro Comedy Club, (Tampa)
Bean There, (Tampa)
The Moon Under Water, (St. Pete)
Mother's Milk Coffeehouse and Dark Side Music Hall, (Clearwater)
Insomnia Coffee House Lounge, (Palm Harbor)
Holiday Café, (Tampa)
Metro Comedy Club, (Tampa)
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