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The 5 Worst Things About Living In Tampa

There’s several things we love about living in the Tampa Bay area! We’re close to some of the most famous beaches in the world and the weather is beautiful but…

A downtown Tampa skyline photo with nightlife colors and
Sean Pavone/Getty Images

There's several things we love about living in the Tampa Bay area! We're close to some of the most famous beaches in the world and the weather is beautiful but there's a downside to the area. Most won't tell you what's bad about the Tampa Bay area. From its exciting nightlife to gorgeous beaches, Tampa Bay offers the perfect balance of entertainment and natural beauty. However, like any place, there will be a few challenges that are strictly unique to life in Florida’s third-largest city. Normally, you only hear about all the great things with Tampa but you should know there's a bad side too. So, if you're looking to move to the beautiful state of Florida, scroll down to find out what's really going on here.

Why is Tampa so amazing:

If you didn't know, Tampa ranks #2 on the list of Florida family vacations! Out of 400 towns in Florida a recent study looked at hotel prices, number of restaurants, and amusement parks. Florida is undeniably one of the best vacation destinations in the entire world. There’s tons of reasons why Florida continues to attract millions of visitors every year. From its stunning beaches, vibrant cities and diverse wildlife there’s always something fun to do. They have thrilling theme parks and offer a wide range of attractions for anyone’s travel interests and preferences.

Why vacation in Florida? First and foremost, Florida is home to stunning beaches. There’s over 1,350 miles of coastline with pristine white sand, turquoise water, and extremely hot weather. One of the most famous places is Miami Beach to the very glamorous South Beach each one is amazing in it’s own way. The Gulf Coast beaches like Clearwater and Siesta Key are just as beautiful. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, there is a perfect beach for everyone. Visitors can enjoy different water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, or just tanning in the hot sun.

Dead Fish Smell/Red Tide

If you're driving down Bayshore it might look beautiful but sometimes it stinks! Red tide is a real issue in Florida and it effects Tampa often. The smell is terrible and doesn't go away quick. Dead rotting fish, yuck!

Red Tide In Florida's Tampa Bay Leaves Dead Fish Along Coastline(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Traffic

With everyone moving to Florida Tampa traffic is getting awful! Our infrastructure wasn't built for this many people and the roads are always backed up.

Typical scene during rush hour. A traffic jam with rows of cars. Shallow depth of field.Getty Royalty Free

Strip Clubs Everywhere

You may not know this about Tampa but we have a ton of strip clubs! It's almost embarrassing how many we have because they're everywhere and sometimes it looks tacky.

Young, Sexy, Woman, Pole, Dancing, StripteaseGetty Royalty Free

Nonstop Construction

There's construction everywhere in Florida and it's never-ending. No matter what city you go to in this state there's always construction which slows everything down and makes your life hell.

Funded By The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Sections Of The I-95 Northeast Corridor Are Reconstructed(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Cost Of Living Keeps Increasing

10 years ago rent for a two bedroom was around $800 but now it's more than doubled. According to Zillow, "The median rent price in Tampa, FL January 2024 is $2,195."

Tampa Named One Of Most Expensive Drinking Cities In U.S.Getty Royalty Free
MeredithEditor
Meredith’s outgoing personality has led to many other opportunities including being featured in the NY Post twice, Huffington Post, reality television shows, commercials, and magazines, and even earned a spot-on Dancing with the Stars Tampa edition. In her spare time, Meredith loves showing her support with local charities by hosting and attending community events and spending time with her family and friends. You can read Meredith’s content about local Tampa restaurants, crazy Florida man/woman stories, and recommendations of things-to-do.