In a mystical survey of 100 cities by Children’s Health, Tampa ranks 94th in the “Best (and Worst) Places to Raise a Family.”
Burlington, VT is ranked number 1. VT is short for “Vermont,” which is somewhere past Canada, I think. If it exists at all – I’ve never heard anyone claim to be from there, or even visit the place. Maybe because it’s 51 degrees in September.
Florida’s cities all ranked in the lower half. Jacksonville is the best Florida city for raising kids at number 67. Our beloved St. Petersburg placed 78th overall, While Tampa, Orlando, and Miami all finished in the bottom ten at 94, 98, and 99 respectively. Or disrespectively, some might say.
So how did they come up with the ranking? Apparently “weather” wasn’t one of the factors. Or diversity. The magazine was pretty vague in telling us:
We considered more than 30 factors that parents deem vitally important, including crime and safety, education, economics, housing, cultural attractions, and health.
Oh, our low ranks must be because of education. And economics. And crime. And health. And housing. ‘Cause we got the best zoo for kids, ya’ll. And Disney World. And beaches.
Carl Cronan
11 months ago
So we’ve got all these fun things for kids to do, yet they ain’t larnin nuthin in school. I’m guessing education was a big strike against us in the rankings. Sunshine and a warm climate were supposed to help Florida sell condos, and how’d that work out?
Meredith
11 months ago
Gotta say, Vermont is spectacular in September. You don’t meet many Vermonters in Florida because most of them stay put, cold weather and all.
Hadley V. Baxendale
11 months ago
Dude your parochialism is showing. Visit Burlington, you won’t be disappointed. Fantastic little town, right on Lake Champlain. It’s beautiful up there.
Robin 'Roblimo' Miller
11 months ago
Tommy, they be lots of songs about the Burlington Railway and the Burlington & Northern Railroad, but they ain’t great music about the Tampa Southern Railway cause they ain’t no Tampa Railway. And no, bud, Tampa Red doing “Train Time Blues” don’t count.
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Tell you what, thoug: you sing The Tampa Titty Blues and I’ll make the music video and we’ll put your town on the damn MAP and all the kids they gonna love the place.
Bubba Stokes
11 months ago
For years the orientation has been toward accommodating retirees at the other end of life’s spectrum. As a parent, I do what I can with the best the place has to offer. Researchers just skim the surface anyway, devoted parents can raise good kids anywhere. Or bad kids anywhere.
junebee
11 months ago
Don’t even think about raising disabled kids here. Florida isn’t the worst state to raise disabled kids in, but it’s far from the best.