Best 11 Neighborhoods to Live in Tampa
Best 11 Neighborhoods to Live in Tampa
Are you thinking about moving to Tampa? You’ll find a thriving Bayfront city with a strong economy, lots of waterfront, and prime entertainment options. With nearly 400,000 residents, a city of this size and history has many different neighborhoods. Each boasts unique flavor, housing options, and amenities.
So, you’re probably wondering what are the best neighborhoods to live in Tampa. The good news is Tampa has some fantastic options. In Niche.com’s evaluation of “Best Places to Live in Florida,” Tampa neighborhoods took three of the top five spots in 2022!
To help you decide which Tampa neighborhood is right for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best neighborhoods. Start learning about “Cigar City” by exploring these top picks:
Hyde Park
This historic neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets and quaint bungalows. It’s centrally located and close to all the best restaurants and shops in Tampa.
Residents can walk to Hyde Park Village, an outdoor lifestyle center with diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment selections. The Village is home to many national, regional, and local merchants. Plus, it has an upmarket cinema to escape on those hot summer days.
Bern’s Steakhouse is a local dining institution, and SoHo is the upscale nightlife scene for young local professionals. But it’s not all nightclubs, dining, and retail; Hyde Park has top-rated schools, making it in demand with families, too.
Bayshore Boulevard connects Hyde Park to downtown and surrounding bayfront communities with its five-mile waterfront trail.
Hyde Park’s real estate options vary from palatial bayfront mansions on Bayshore Boulevard to upscale apartments in the Village. October 2022 had seven homes on the market with a median list price of $1.8 million.
SoHo
SoHo stands for “South Howard” and is a trendy neighborhood south of Hyde Park. It’s known for its nightlife, with a walkable concentration of bars and nightclubs along Howard Avenue. Some consider it part of Hyde Park, but it’s a concentrated area with a different feel from the Historic District.
During the day, SoHo stays vibrant with art shops, coffee cafes, and high-end dining. The lively night scene does attract a solid young professional presence, but families like SoHo, too. The area has excellent public schools and is close to the University of Tampa and other colleges.
SoHo’s central location makes it easy to get around Tampa. The neighborhood is also close to the Selmon Expressway, which provides quick access to Downtown Tampa and other parts of the city.
Bayshore Beautiful
Bayshore Beautiful is one of Tampa’s most desirable neighborhoods. It’s centrally located, close to major highways, and just a few minutes from Downtown Tampa.
The neighborhood gets its name from the scenic Bayshore Boulevard, which runs along the Hillsborough Bay waterfront. This famous street is perfect for a morning jog or evening stroll, and there are plenty of parks and playgrounds in the area for kids.
Bayshore Beautiful is near several key employers in the area, including TECO Energy and MacDill Air Force Base. The Selmon Expressway and Gandy Blvd make commuting to destinations around the bay easier.
Bayshore Beautiful had 42 homes on the market in October 2022, with a median list price of $912,500. Homes along Bayshore Boulevard were priced up to $6.5 million, but high-rise condos were available for as low as $490,000.
Beach Park
Beach Park is one of Tampa’s more desirable and wealthiest neighborhoods. It’s located on the city’s west side on Old Tampa Bay. It has the feel of Old Florida, with moss-draped oak trees and stately homes.
The neighborhood is just ten minutes from Tampa International Airport, the malls at Westshore, and shops in South Tampa. Residents have a marina in the backyard, plus they can hop on I-275 to access St. Petersburg or downtown.
Find waterfront options thanks to the many canals and peninsulas in the Beach Park area. Water access is direct into Culbreath Bayou and Tampa Bay beyond. Some smaller condos are available on the northern end of Beach Park. However, most properties are custom single-family homes on lots of 0.25-0.36 acres. The 38 homes for sale in October 2022 had a median list price of $1.7 million.
Palma Ceia
Palma Ceia is a historic neighborhood located in south Tampa. Its stately oak trees, brick roads, and large homes are known for its stately oak trees. The 4,000-plus residents are among the most affluent in the city.
This neighborhood is family-friendly and has a small-town feel, just minutes from downtown Tampa. Boasting a low crime rate, Palma Ceia is also home to some of the best public schools in the city, like the highly rated Plant High. The Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club forms the northern border of the residential section.
This lovely Tampa neighborhood has incredible views from the west side of Hillsborough Bay. Plus, shopping and dining are conveniently located on Dale Mary and MacDill Avenue.
Palma Ceia had 27 homes for sale in October 2022, with a median list price of $1.2 million.
Downtown Tampa
This is the perfect place to live if you want to be in the heart of the action. Once just a central business district, Downtown Tampa has transformed into a bustling urban center with plenty of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options.
You’ll never be bored living downtown. The city’s most popular events are held in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, including the annual Gasparilla Parade and Festival. Additional attractions include the Straz Center for Performing Arts, Florida Aquarium, and the Channelside District. A trolley connects the attractions to other areas, like Ybor City.
Downtown Tampa is also home to the University of Tampa, so it attracts a lot of young adults and students. Young professionals also appreciate the downtown area for its easy access to entertainment amenities. Residents have different housing types available, from high-rise apartments to historic homes, although condos are the most prevalent. October 2022 had 20 homes for sale with a median list price of $500,000.
Davis Islands
Davis Islands is the place for you if you’re looking for an upscale lifestyle. This exclusive neighborhood comprises two artificial islands and is home to some of Tampa’s wealthiest residents, including professional athletes and celebrities. They come because they appreciate the privacy, quiet residential feeling, and proximity to downtown Tampa.
The islands are connected by a causeway and have their own airport, marina, parks, and recreation facilities. Several private schools operate on Davis Islands and the Tampa General Hospital.
Despite its secluded feel, Davis Islands is just minutes away from downtown Tampa and all that it has to offer. You can enjoy the best of both worlds in this unique neighborhood.
Homes in this area range from large mansions to modest condos, so there’s something for everyone. Many have waterfront or water views. The 57 homes for sale in October 2022 had a median list price of $2 million. The higher-priced listings faced Hillsborough Bay with Bayshore Boulevard views.
Harbour Island
How about another island option? Framed by the Seddon, Garrison, and Sparkman Channel, just over 4,000 people call Harbour Island home. The density means the island primarily comprises residential neighborhoods of condos, apartments, single-family homes, and big houses.
Harbour Island is part of Downtown Tampa and linked by a trolley to downtown Channelside and other popular areas.
Even though it’s primarily residential, you won’t be lacking some amenities on this island. There are a lot of taverns and restaurants, as well as fresh seafood dining. The Harbour Island Athletic Club is a local fitness resource. The neighborhood is very walkable and known for being quiet, secure, and dog-friendly.
October 2022 had 35 listings on the island with a median price of $685,000.
Ybor City
Ybor City is the place for you if you’re looking for a more Bohemian lifestyle. This historic neighborhood is full of character and charm. It’s also home to many great bars and nightlife spots.
This neighborhood was once the “cigar capital of the world”, and you can still find evidence of its Cuban immigrant roots. Various former Cuban cigar factories have been converted into loft apartments. The flagship Columbia Restaurant takes up an entire city block.
Ybor City is also home to the Ybor City Saturday Market, where you can find fresh produce, handmade goods, and live music.
Inside the Ybor Historic District are historic homes with Latin and craftsman influences that add character to the area. Many homes were built on narrow lots and have a townhome feel. October 2022 had 36 homes for sale with a median list price of $314,900.
Seminole Heights
The Seminole Heights neighborhood in Tampa is perfect if you’re looking for a sunny, Bohemian vibe. This early residential area of Tampa was once connected by streetcar and is now known for its quirky, young, and eclectic spirit. Young families, artists, musicians, and hipsters are drawn to the neighborhood because it offers low crime rates, affordable living, and a quick ride to the beach.
Today the community has sub-neighborhoods of Old, South, and Southeast. These sections were laid in a grid pattern bisected by I-275. Nearby are the Lowry Park Zoo and Rogers Park Golf Course.
Seminole Heights had 126 homes for sale with a median list price of $425,500. Architectural styles vary across the area. Some waterfront is available in Old Seminole Heights along the Hillsborough River.
Westshore
The Westshore neighborhood is one of the most conveniently located areas in Tampa. It’s just minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Tampa.
This area is known for its large malls, like International Plaza and Bay Street. You’ll also find many corporate headquarters here, restaurants, and hotels. Cypress Point Park is in Westshore, where residents can explore a beach and its scenic walking trails.
Westshore isn’t all business, and its sub-neighborhoods offer a great place to live if you’re looking for an affordable, convenient, and safe neighborhood. Its sub-communities include Drew Park, Westshore Palms, and Lincoln Gardens.
In October 2022, housing prices varied from $186,600 to $2.3 million.
Riverside Heights
Riverside Heights is a tight-knight residential neighborhood located just north of downtown Tampa. The community borders the Hillsborough River, and even though it’s minutes from downtown, it feels a world apart with its quiet, brick-lined streets.
Residents have three parks within the neighborhood, plus the peaceful Franciscan Center and St. Elizabeth convent right on the riverfront.
The October 2022 market had 24 homes for sale with a median list price of $900,000. The homes tend to be historical in nature.
Tampa’s Best Neighborhoods
So there you have it! These are some of the best neighborhoods to live in Tampa. Each one has its own unique character and charm. Whether you’re looking for an urban or suburban lifestyle, there’s sure to be a Tampa neighborhood that’s perfect for you. To explore more Tampa neighborhoods, or other regions in Florida, find a local real estate agent.
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Preston Guyton
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