Growth has changed most corners of Florida, and the Tampa Bay area is no exception, but planning and an abundance of preserves have shielded most of it from the overdevelopment that saturates much of the Atlantic Coast. Granted, this is one of the state's largest metro areas, but it is less fast-lane than Miami. Whereas Tampa has Florida's third-busiest airport and a vibrant business community, St. Petersburg and Clearwater have exceptional beaches, and the entire bay area has superior hotels and resorts that make this an excellent place to spend a week or a lifetime.
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