Lifestyle

TAMPA — With apartment rents, groceries, electricity, insurance and entertainment costs continuing to squeeze household budgets, an unusual question is becoming less ridiculous than it sounds: Could someone actually live aboard cruise ships for less than it costs to live in Tampa? For certain people, the numbers can be surprisingly close. A typical Tampa resident doesn't pay only rent. There is electricity, water, internet, groceries, transportation, entertainment and occasio

TAMPA — For years, a Florida vacation meant packing the car, heading to Orlando or booking a flight somewhere far from home. But for a growing number of Tampa Bay residents, the perfect weekend getaway may now be only a few miles away. The rise of Tampa's hotels, waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars, spas and entertainment districts has made the stay cation increasingly attractive. Instead of spending hours traveling, locals are checking into hotels in their own backyard and

For millions of Americans, YouTube is entertainment. For the people who have learned to make a living from it, however, YouTube can become something much bigger. It is a career, a business, a social network and, increasingly, a distinct subculture with its own language, celebrities, gathering places and way of life. The popular image of a YouTuber is someone sitting in front of a camera making videos. The reality for successful creators is considerably more complicated. Many

TAMPA, Fla. — In Florida, preparing for disaster has never seemed particularly unusual. Residents buy bottled water before hurricanes, fill gas cans when a storm enters the Gulf and keep flashlights tucked away for the inevitable power outage. But across Tampa Bay and Central Florida, another level of preparedness exists. These are residents preparing not simply for three days without electricity, but for the possibility that electricity, communications, banking, transportati

For Florida's affluent residents, luxury increasingly means having the amenities of a five-star hotel without ever checking out. MIAMI — For generations, the ultimate symbol of Florida wealth was easy to recognize: a sprawling waterfront mansion, swimming pool, manicured lawn and perhaps a yacht tied to the dock. But a different definition of luxury is emerging. Across Miami, Palm Beach, Naples and Tampa Bay, affluent buyers are increasingly being courted by high-end condomin

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sometimes the best vacation is the one without an itinerary. Matthew Cox and his wife, Jessica Bell, recently traded their normal schedules for a week at The Breakers Palm Beach, the historic oceanfront resort that has been synonymous with Palm Beach luxury for generations. Built on the Atlantic and founded by industrialist Henry Morrison Flagler, The Breakers combines old-world grandeur with the kind of resort atmosphere that makes leaving the property see

Downtown Missoula's dining scene has a fresh new addition with the arrival of Sumac Cafe, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and a full coffee and tea program. Located at 111 North Higgins Avenue in the former Red Bird location, the café has quickly attracted attention for its fresh ingredients, house-made pita, and modern take on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant's menu emphasizes colorful, ingredient-driven dishes th

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known collectively as The Minimalists, help millions of people rethink their relationship with material possessions. Since launching their podcast in December 2015, the two — described by The New Yorker as "sincere prophets of anti-consumerism" — have built one of the most listened-to shows in the genre, now joined by cohost T.K. Coleman. Their story began with an unlikely origin: a friendship that started in fifth grade, long before

True crime has become one of the most popular genres in podcasting and streaming, and researchers have long noticed a striking pattern in its audience: women make up the overwhelming majority of listeners and viewers. Psychologists have spent the past decade trying to understand why. Woman listening to a true crime podcast while traveling by bus. One leading theory centers on fear management. Studies suggest that women are drawn less to violence itself and more to the mechani

Technology has transformed the modern workplace, giving rise to a new generation of professionals known as digital nomads. Armed with laptops, reliable internet connections, and flexible careers, these workers have traded office cubicles for cafés, coworking spaces, and beachfront apartments around the world. Digital nomads include entrepreneurs, software developers, writers, designers, marketers, consultants, and content creators whose work can be performed entirely online.

To outsiders, being a roadie may look like little more than hauling heavy equipment from one city to another. In reality, modern concert touring requires highly trained professionals with technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and an exceptional work ethic. Today's productions resemble traveling cities. Massive stages, LED video walls, computerized lighting systems, wireless communication networks, and sophisticated audio equipment must be assembled quickly and opera

For some people, true freedom means leaving behind the conveniences of modern society. Off-grid living has become increasingly popular among those seeking independence, sustainability, and a closer connection to nature. Living off the grid typically involves generating electricity through solar panels or wind turbines, collecting rainwater, growing food, and reducing dependence on public utilities. Many off-grid homes are located in rural areas where residents can build susta