Think maybe Tampa's live music scene would thrive more if 28-year-olds could actually afford to live here?

Forbes Magazine ranked the Best Cities For Young Professionals and, well, Tampa finished dead last.

"As for people who live there full-time, the city ranks 32nd for young professional concentration, last for its never-married population, second-to-last for big and small businesses and, to top it all off, has a high cost of living for what a recent grad can expect to earn."

Thankfully, St. Pete's gone from God's Waiting Room to a Fountain of Youth.

But how many people are willing to cross the Howard Frankland or the Gandy for a show and several beers at Crowbar or New World?

As more young people migrate south (and north) for cheaper homes and rent, will the few original music venues left in Tampa survive?

This article appears in Jun 27 – Jul 3, 2007.