We’ll miss the Ca coastline, but NCs is beautiful also.

tampa bays growing economy and cultural scene makes it a no brainer, areas just outside as many here have already said, like dunedin (my fav lil town), bradenton with its proximity to anna maria island, or tarpon springs  and palm harbor all offer great coast lines that are not overly populated. as i understand it pinellas county has dropped its efforts to stop str and decided to tax them at a different  rate.

Nothing against Jones and Carteret (arguably the "real" down east NC) but there are only about 40 people there and about 40000 black bears;) So throw in Carteret and that list includes all the counties with NC southern coastline.