re: Tampa-metro job market and quality of life

I don't know what you are looking for or what you do for work so I will just throw a few things at you.

Ybor city is their answer to the French Quarter. It is only a very distant cousin though. They do have some good bars and restaurants there but the food is nowhere near as good.

Gasparilla is their version of Mardi Gras. It is built around a pirate, Jose Gaspar, and they have a parade and some events. Jose is a fictional character though.

Good beaches and fishing everywhere close to Tampa.

NFL team. Many farm teams for MLB either close or in, Tampa. NHL team with a lot of fans packing the games. MLB team close. A lot of live theater and concerts. A bunch of small festivals and fairs in the downtown area.

The last figure I heard was 4,000 members of the LSU fan club but I can not verify.

Traffic during rush times sucks balls. Live closer to where you work.

Do you know where you would be working (area) and what kind of housing interests you?