it is cheaper to live in Orlando than in Tampa as a whole. Homes and apartments are slightly cheaper in Orlando, property taxes as a whole are less in the Orlando Metropolitan area and homeowner's insurance is lower as a whole in the Orlando area. Why? Because Tampa Bay is a better city.
Orlando definitely qualifies as a major city. It's nickname is City Beautiful and the tourism industry is a major part of Orlando's economy. As for a tourist destination Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort aka Universal Studios and Sea World are admittedly significant draws and major cities should have something attracting people to them. When you think Orlando, you think theme parks.
The areas Orlando takes are public transportation costs and availability, average home prices, inland city (think hurricanes),cost of living and Orlando weather. I believe that Orlando is often given the benefit of the doubt on hurricanes. Hurricane force winds have reached there many times due to exposure from both coasts. However, affordable housing is easier to find here.
Both Tampa and Orlando have theme parks. Tampa has Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Zoo Tampa and several others. As for South Florida and Central Florida I believe the public parks Tampa residents enjoy are better. Lake Eola in Orlando is very nice, but that about it for their parks and a Florida city should do better even if it hosts the bitterly expensive Disney World.
The Florida Aquarium, great restaurants, museums, professional sports, museum and arts are areas where the Tampa area will edge out Orlando. Orlando is doing better with the addition of the Dr Phillips Performing Arts Center, but no football team.
Walt Disney World is crazy expensive and just not that fun for you money. The best Florida cities should have beach lovers and a low cost great beach for the local metro population and visitors during the warm weather. Young professionals like things young people do the same standard applies all over Florida. Move to Tampa and smell that ocean breeze. It's why quite a few people love Tampa much more than any inland city.
Previous Article
Next Article