First, I think Tampa is a great and growing city. I have especially enjoyed the Channelside area, as well as the Hyde Park area. I currently live in the Westshore area, but I'm looking for something in Hyde Park. It seems that area is more expensive, and since I have yet to find a job here, the move will have to wait.

Second, the waterfront area is not what I expected. I went along the scenic route of the Bayshore, and it appears cluttered with bleachers, and even fences. This is not what I have seen in pictures, so I found this disappointing.

Third, the city is very diverse. I have seen all types of people, although I would complain that there aren't as many people in my age demographic.

Fourth, housing is expensive. I currently rent one bedroom for over $1000 a month. How do people afford this area?

Just in case I've missed anything, where is the young, cool, hip area of town? I think its Hyde Park. I must find a place to stay in that area!

Fourth, housing is expensive. I currently rent one bedroom for over $1000 a month. How do people afford this area?
Wow a one bedroom for that much you either must have a nice apartment or good location or just be getting plain ripped off. In 2006 my family rented a 2400 sqft house with a 2 car garage and 3bed/2bath for $1400 it was a little crappy but not bad, thats in the suburban part of clearwater though. Anyway people either move to the ghetto or the suburbs to get better affordability.

Third, the city is very diverse. I have seen all types of people, although I would complain that there aren't as many people in my age demographic.
How old are you?

Second, the waterfront area is not what I expected. I went along the scenic route of the Bayshore, and it appears cluttered with bleachers, and even fences. This is not what I have seen in pictures, so I found this disappointing.
Gotta love Tampa lol

I'm right at the Westshore Mall area.

I'm 26.

Yeah can't believe those fences!

^Well shit, no wonder you're paying $1k a month.


The fences and bleachers are for Gasparilla whch is coming up soon.

Thats right the Gasparilla run is on Bayshore and they set up all the crap there. Like Jason said right at westshore is considered a "good location" so you are paying for it. As for age diversity especially for in the 20's i dont think Westshore is the place you will alot of your age area, unless you go to that mall lol.

Oh is that the pirate thing everybody is talking about? Sounds fun.

Where should I move that is cheaper? I'm renting out a condo now and its too much, especially without a job!

lol, yeah... the fences are for the parade, haha

the hip spot? let me know when you find that ;-)

i hope you speak spanglish. it helps. hyde park is a great place to live, but i wouldnt expect the restaurant district to be hip. i'd say they serve some of the best food in town, but i wouldnt call it hip. it depends on what scene you are into, i suppose.

lol, yeah... the fences are for the parade, haha

the hip spot? let me know when you find that ;-)

i hope you speak spanglish. it helps. hyde park is a great place to live, but i wouldnt expect the restaurant district to be hip. i'd say they serve some of the best food in town, but i wouldnt call it hip. it depends on what scene you are into, i suppose.

I'm gay so I guess I'm looking for the gay scene.

again, let me know when you find it...

i know of a few clubs, but there isnt so much a scene.

So what is there to do around here on Saturday nights?????

Chad,
As they said the bleachers and fences are for Gasparilla. They usually set them up way too early (late Dec.) because alot happens in January, as Gasparilla is kind of a month long event. 3 parades, art show, marathon, etc...
I live in Hyde Park/Soho area, a very cool studio/1 bedroom $675. It's an older building with alot of charm. I may be moving so if you are looking for a sublet let me know. You can find things for under $1000 dollars if you look. There is a hopping gay club off of Henderson near Swann called Cityside, I don't know what nights are good, but I'm sure it is pretty busy on Friday and Saturdays.

As for tonight, there is a great band playing in Ybor (my fave) at the Crow Bar (new venue). I don't know what kind of music your into, but it is pretty amusing. Check these out:

http://www.aestheticized.com/ (promotional group that brings in a lot of good bands/groups to Tampa)


- Amanda

If any part of Tampa is "hip" i would say the Soho area if you can find an affordable unit. Maybe eventually Channelside too.

Chad ,

Tonite is G bar in Ybor City you should go!! I will be there

Tonight is Skin and something tonight right?

Move to Ybor lots of creative types moving down here. Plus you can walk to the "bars"...

I checked out Ybor last night. Once I was shoved by some drunk kid for no apparent reason. Then, some girl threw up on my shoes. I don't like it now!

I checked out Ybor last night. Once I was shoved by some drunk kid for no apparent reason. Then, some girl threw up on my shoes. I don't like it now!

get over it

What was it about Tampa's gay clubs this weekend? I am not a violent guy, but I was almost in two fights on friday night. Once from some ghetto girl and her chubby friend (who by the way looked like he just got off of a month long binge of twinkies and coca-cola) and some lanky peace of crap when I was going to get a drink he was starting shit, but we (friends and I) had him banned.

Ybor is very fun at night but it can get rough. That's just how it is, especially with the number drunks. My advice if you can't or don't want to handle it then don't go. But all in all it's a fun place that's worth it, with still some real grit and a variety of "scenes."

I checked out Ybor last night. Once I was shoved by some drunk kid for no apparent reason. Then, some girl threw up on my shoes. I don't like it now!
That can happen at any night club or party even, pretty funny though :lol:

Just not what I expected!

So, Chad, we know what you don't like. What are you looking for? Maybe we can make some better suggestions.

SoHo - (not Hyde Park) is usually pretty active on weekends and Bay Street at International Mall is another alternative area to Ybor. SoHo is the age group slightly older than Ybor so you don't have the trouble.

Can't help you on the gay scene though.

As far as rent, look for a garage apt. in the Hyde Park/Soho area. Usually in the $600 to $700 range.

The Gasparilla day parade is this weekend on Bayshore and ends downtown. Great time. The Knight parade is in Ybor in 2 weeks.

Chad, where did you go in Ybor?

SoHo is a great start. Go hang out at the Starbucks on S. Howard Avenue. Very social, people of all ages. Check out Urban Body clothing store next door. It has a mixed straight / gay clientel. If you're into sports, go watch a game at The Lime. Eat a healthy lunch at Evos. If you can afford a gym, try out Xtreme Fitness. If you like crowds, check out MacDintons on Friday late afternoons.

All this is on South Howard (SoHo). Lots of opportunities to meet new people if you make the effort.

MacDintons is awesome on thursday night as well, they have 5 dollar blue moon liters, good time good crowd

MacDintons is a bit too much like a college bar for me. But it sure is popular, so I must be in the minority on that one.

There are always some pretty hot women at Macdintons ranging from 20s to 30's, though I dunno about a gay scene. While the place has its ups and downs it can be quite a bit of fun with a good group of friends. As far as "hip" location the Blue Martini comes to mind at the I-Mall, though it falls into that helplessly trendy category in my mind. Honestly, one of the coolest places I can think of to just hang out is The Green Iguana on Anderson Rd. Live music, full bar, fair prices and good hamburgers.

Anderson Rd? Yikes...

I was out at Bay Street earlier. I enjoyed it. Don't know where to find SoHo.

Anderson Rd? Yikes...

I've never been on Anderson Rd...

I have my reasons. :lol:(and I've lived here for 16 years)

What is the deal with Anderson Rd.

What is the deal with Anderson Rd.

It's just a bit out there. It's the place to go if you live in Westchase, but sort of a waste if you're already in South Tampa.

I was out at Bay Street earlier. I enjoyed it. Don't know where to find SoHo.

Well if your in the Westshore Area you should be able to find Kennedy Blvd. easily. Just head East on Kennedy and then make a right onto South Howard Ave. I'd say it's about 2/3 of the way to downtown. Bay Street is a cool place.:)

It's just a bit out there. It's the place to go if you live in Westchase, but sort of a waste if you're already in South Tampa.

It really is not a bad drive, I mean I live just north of Northdale in Odessa and I regularly go places all around town. In a city like Tampa, you can't limit yourself to small areas if you want to enjoy what it has to offer as a whole. I know several of Laura's and my friends have purchased homes in New Tampa and they seem to think they cannot leave their little suburban enclave. :ohno:

Well if your in the Westshore Area you should be able to find Kennedy Blvd. easily. Just head East on Kennedy and then make a right onto South Howard Ave. I'd say it's about 2/3 of the way to downtown. Bay Street is a cool place.:)



From Westshore, head East on Swann to Howard. SoHo = South Howard (S. of Kennedy)

FYI - From Kennedy you cannot make a right on S. Howard. It is one way heading North from Platt St. Take a right just before Howard on Armenia and then left on Swann. There are trendy restaurants and bars all up and down Howard. :cheers:

The places out near the veteran's theater are ok... so long as you like hanging out with the thugs from T&C, and like mingling with overwieght suburbanites. (as such, I fit right in, which is why I go there a few times a year ;))

Also try Rocky Point, it's not really an entertainment area but there are restaraunts and some volleyball if your in to that. Also you can rent jet skis and go to the Causeway beach if your short on time and can't go to Pineales County beaches.

It really is not a bad drive, I mean I live just north of Northdale in Odessa and I regularly go places all around town. In a city like Tampa, you can't limit yourself to small areas if you want to enjoy what it has to offer as a whole. I know several of Laura's and my friends have purchased homes in New Tampa and they seem to think they cannot leave their little suburban enclave. :ohno:

It's not that I personally limit myself, but I live in SouthShore (the hip new spot for midrise condos and overprices subdivisions) and between DT, Ybor, Brandon, and Sarasota - and even the occasional trip to St. Pete - making the journey to T&C/Veterans is too much of a trek. It takes about an hour to drive there, sometimes more... blech...

Chad don't give up on Ybor. At least next time you know what to expect. GBar is on the tame side of 7th Ave so just stay on that side after 11:30 PM. The puke on the shoes can happen anywhere really.

Soho is the abreviation from South Howard Ave. It's the area between Bayshore Blvd. and Kennedy Blvd. It's also referred to as restaurant row on occasion. So great places to eat and some cool straight bars. Old Hyde Park Vilage also has some good places to eat and shop.

Tampa 610, I agree! As long as you stay towards Ybor square end, it will be a little more tame. Fuma Bella's, Orpheum and New World Brewery (especially) are some of my fave places to go. Fuma Bella's is cool because it is like 10ft x 12ft. very small and cute. As for standard gay faire - Chambers on Franklin st. a few blocks north of 275 is a classic club. I heard FLY on Franklin street is getting better, they have a rooftop bar as well. While your on Franklin street you can always head down to the HUB next to the Tampa Theater - strongest drinks in Tampa and one of the best jukeboxes around (although I think the jukebox at New World rivals it now)

:banana: Welcome to Tampa Chad! Don't miss Gasparilla this weekend! It is the PARTY of the year for this area. Gasparilla rivals Mardi Gras so be sure not to miss out. Hey Tampamobster21 it has been awhile since i've been on here, what gay club did you go to last weekend?. I'm back in action now. I'm looking forward to reading the recent updates in Tampa/Channelside.

I was at Chambers. Are you back in town?

I'm going to have to check out this Chamber's place. I will be at Gasparilla this weekend for sure!

Yeah, I'm going to Chamber as well tonight and Gasparilla tomorrow. :)

Josh(ua)-

I checked your myspace page (not the one linked in your sig - I'm nosey and you put your name out there, lol... thats what you get).... and it turns out you know some people I know. It's a small world...

You know Alex? I'm assuming since he is your number 1. No need to say more... PM me if you want to respond. I don't feel the need to post all of this "stuff" out here...