Life is about risks. No one, who is successful in their own right made it by playing it safe. If you can make your money in Punta Gorda, you should be able to make bank in Tampa due to the size and more people living in Metro Tampa. Get up and move there. Or, you can stay in Punta Gorda, make whatever you make now, and deal with the BS of OLD in your city. I assume you want success in your business and social life. No? It's about a 1.5 hour drive from Punta Gorda to Tampa. Relocate to Tampa, and one or two times a week drive to handle your clients in Punta Gorda. If you're smart, you buy a multi-family in Tampa so you have the other unit (or units) pay the mortgage for you.
Make it happen, or stay dreaming about HB's you want to have, but cannot get to them because you live 90 minutes away. Sh!t or get off the pot dude.