re: Tampa-metro job market and quality of life

I've lived in Tampa area for about two years on the eastern part of the county. It's nice. Some trash here and here but overall no complaints. Decent neighborhoods and good schools. Agree that traffic can be bad, especially when school is in session. But the traffic moves and you really are not ever parked on the interstate.

Roads are paved, infrastructure kept up, and no dtate income taxes. In fact they are building an express lane over a heavily trafficked area (it can be done!)

There are a ton of things to do year round. Baseball, football, hockey, restaurants, beaches, Disney.