Optimal Cities for Dancing

The Tampa Bay area has an interesting dance scene. Pro-am dancing sustains the ballroom economy, but there's really no equivalent competitive world for competitive amateur dancers. This occurs for a variety of reasons (many more women than men, older and wealthier demographic, a lack of ballroom programs/teams at universities, etc) and continues for a host of other reasons that I won't get into. If you have the resources for pro-am or are primarily interested in lessons or social dancing alone, you can find a solid coach and a satisfying ballroom dancing scene.

On the other hand, Tampa has a diverse partner dancing scene. It's not as large as in other cities, but you can find great venues and instructors for swing, salsa, and tango. If you're interested in dancing in an am/am-sustained environment in Tampa, these social styles will prove more fruitful.
 
I'm curious, what parts of Florida? When I've visited family there since starting to dance a few years ago, there does not seem to be much where they live. But it's a big state.

I actually could not tell you.

My judgements are based on quality of coaching available and the people I know who actually travel there to receive coaching (as opposed to importing coaches). Luca has a studio in Florida, and Victor Kanevsky and Rufus Dustin both spend most of their time there as well, but as you say, it's a big state and I haven't the faintest guess as to where that might be.

People go on about Boston, but I feel like in comparison to NY and So Cal it quite weak. Look at where the US finalists live. Latin is all So Cal and NYC/NJ, and I am fairly certain Standard is almost entirely NYC/NJ. Unless you are talking about American Style, which is very strong in Boston from what I can see, NY really just dominates.
 
I would definitely rank So Cal above both Boston and Salt Lake, no question.
In terms of competitive opportunities, as I specified? Can you name half a dozen local competitions which regularly attract 4 rounds or more in syllabus categories, for example?
 
I would definitely rank So Cal above both Boston and Salt Lake, no question.
In terms of competitive opportunities, as I specified? Can you name half a dozen local competitions which regularly attract 4 rounds or more in syllabus categories, for example?
My area isn't as good as Boston, but I can name at least four comps, maybe five or six. It pretty much depends on whether Berkeley's team goes or not. :razz:
 
Where are you and what style?

Well, I actually live in KCMO at the moment but am thinking of the future and where I should take my dancing to advance. There are good teachers in KC, but not enough partners. :(

I dance mostly Standard now, but some Latin too. Prefer Standard.
 

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