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Friday, January 06, 2023

Best Places To Live In the Tampa Bay Region

Tampa, Florida

Florida’s Tampa Bay region is a fantastic place to live! Situated on the central West Coast, residents benefit from a laid-back waterfront lifestyle combined with the amenities of a large metropolitan area. Everything you could want–other than snow and ice–is within a day’s drive.

Don’t believe us? Want waterfront living? Pick Gulf, Bay, island, river, or lake. Retail? Over nine malls and premium outlets, for starters. Professional sports? Tampa has three football, baseball, and hockey. Cuisine? It’s a top-ranked food city with a world-famous steakhouse and authentic Cuban fare.

All this and more come without breaking the bank. The Tampa Bay region has some of Florida’s most affordable housing costs!

Learn more about the Tampa Bay region and some of its top places to live.

The Tampa Bay Region

Tampa Bay Region skyline view

It’s easy to get confused when someone says they’re from Tampa Bay–and then you find out they live an hour from downtown. It’s a massive area with many fun towns and suburbs, like Tarpon Springs and Odessa.

Tampa Bay proper includes Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. It’s the heart of the metro with three key cities: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. Tampa sits at the northern end of Tampa Bay. St. Petersburg is at the end of the Pinellas peninsula, while Clearwater is central to Pinellas County’s coast.

However, the US Census includes Pasco and Hernando counties north of Hillsborough County. These areas connect to the metro through the Veterans and Suncoast Parkways and Interstate 75. Citrus County is at the very northern end, considered part of the Tampa Bay Area and the Florida Nature Coast.

The coalition of Tampa Bay Area governments also includes the counties to the south: Manatee, which borders the southern end of Tampa Bay, and Sarasota. Polk County to the east is also included, as it has some city suburbs and Interstate 4, the east-west artery connecting Tampa to Orlando.

For the purposes of presenting a few top places to live in the Tampa Bay Area, we’ve excluded the City of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and Sarasota, which you can learn more about in their respective best neighborhood profiles. We’re also excluding outlying Citrus, Polk, and Manatee Counties. We’re also not including neighborhoods inside the City of Tampa, like the beautiful Davis Islands or Ybor City.

No matter where you live in Tampa Bay, this region is one of the best places to call home. You gain beautiful beaches, endless entertainment options, and an affordable lifestyle. For the towns near Tampa Bay, try these communities.

Citrus Park

North of Tampa in Hillsborough County, the Citrus Park community is known for its top-rated schools, easy access to Tampa International Airport, and the upscale Citrus Park Mall. The suburb started as, you guessed it, a citrus growing area, but it’s developed into a residential community.

Citrus Park isn’t incorporated, so you won’t find a traditional downtown with a Main Street and stores. But don’t worry about feeling isolated. The Citrus Park Town Center is a significant destination for the entire region. Numerous stores pack the indoor mall, which also has entertainment with a movie theater and a regular event schedule. Its dining choices include chain favorites like BJ’s Brewhouse and Aunt Annie’s Pretzels.

People also like how Citrus Park is zoned for some of the top-ranked schools in Hillsborough County. School districts in Florida are managed by their counties, and Hillsborough is one of the largest in the United States.

Being further away from downtown, the lots here tend to be larger. Some have significant acreage, meaning many parks are in the area. You may have heard of Big Cat Rescue, featured on the Netflix show The Tiger King. That’s here, as is the Zaksee Florida Bird Sanctuary.

The median list price in October 2024 was $454,500, with 208 homes for sale. Citrus Park had nine distinct neighborhoods: Carrollwood Meadows, Logan Gate, and Bellamy Road.

Clearwater

Beautiful sunrise in Clearwater Beach FL

TripAdvisor recently ranked Clearwater Beach as the No. 1 beach in the US and the third best beach in the world (yes, WORLD!). But it’s not all about beaches here: Clearwater has five parks, including Sand Key on the Clearwater Bay and Mocassin Lake Nature Park, with its classic Florida views.

The city sits in the center of Pinellas County and is the closest gulf front beach for Tampa residents. It’s partially on the mainland, while the beachfront is on barrier islands. Tampa International Airport is only 40 minutes away by car. Its accessibility makes it a popular vacation and spring break destination.

Clearwater hosts interesting attractions like The Pier 60, home to the Sugar Sand Festival, and The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, former home to Winter from the movie Dolphin Tale. Residents across Tampa come for the performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall and festivals at Coachman Park.

Clearwater Beach has a walkable downtown area and the “Jolly Trolley” to get you around. The district stays active from sunrise through sundown with many nightlife options. As it’s the nearest Tampa Bay Beach, it can get busy during spring break and the summer months.

On the mainland, driving your car or using public transportation is easiest. There are more commercial shopping districts, public schools, and businesses based in central Clearwater.

The median list price in October 2024 was $350,000, with 2,300 homes for sale. Prices were down 15% year over year, but it’s important to note the area experienced Hurricanes Helene and Milton the month before these numbers were pulled. Clearwater had 18 neighborhoods, with popular choices being Sand Key, Island Estates, and Clearwater Beach. Some of the beachfront neighborhoods are used as vacation rentals.

Dunedin

Skyline view of Dunedin Florida

With its charming downtown area, Dunedin is perfect for those looking for an artsy vibe. It’s a special place in Pinellas County that retains the charm of its Scottish founders, including annual events celebrating the culture and heritage of Scotland.

But there’s more to this city than just an old-world vibe in the historic district: gorgeous beaches on the Gulf Coast are accessible via a short drive down Edgewater Drive (US 19). Honeymoon Island State Park awaits over Causeway Blvd. Use it as a launching point for the top-rated Caladesi Island State Park, Honeymoon Island, and their unspoiled beaches. Caladesi’s white sandy beaches also frequently make lists as the best in the nation. They stay more pristine because you need a boat to reach them, but that’s part of the charm. A day trip here is a world apart from the excitement of Tampa Bay living.

Hammock Park near downtown has waterfront views, thanks to Cedar Creek. The town has plenty of other pocket parks to take the dog on a walk or play with kids. The bike-friendly downtown connects to the 45-mile Pinellas Trail, encouraging outdoor recreation.

Other attractions include the Dunedin Historic Museum, Dunedin Golf Club, and Dunedin Brewery. The Toronto Blue Jays use the town for their spring training base.

The median home price in October 2024 was $430,000, with 508 homes for sale. One perk of Dunedin is the range of homes for sale, which includes waterfront, condo living, and suburban.

Land O’Lakes

Land O'lakes aerial view

You’d be right if you’re picturing a community dotted with lakes! Located in Pasco County, Land O’Lakes is a suburban community that’s great for those seeking affordability and access to nature trails and boating activities.

A highlight of the area is Conner Preserve, an expanse of untouched natural beauty spanning 2,980 acres. The preserve functions as a link in the wildlife pathway between Starkey Wilderness Preserve and Cypress Creek Preserve. Locals get access to hiking and sports recreation between all the parks.

There are also ranches in Land O’Lakes, as it’s still home to some of the area’s original settlers who relied on agriculture. However, the area mixes the old and new as developers take advantage of the former ranch and agricultural lands to support the expanding Tampa metro. Live on beautiful lake properties with the amenities of a master-planned community.

The median list price in October 2024 was $445,000, with 1,142 homes for sale. Top neighborhoods included Dupree Lakes and Lake Padgett.

Oldsmar

Oldsmar is a great option for Tampa Bay area residents looking for a prime location without being in a downtown location. The residential commuter town sits on the border of Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, where the Lake Tarpon Canal meets Mobbly and Old Tampa Bay. It gives locals access to job opportunities throughout the metro.

The town started with an automobile pioneer buying thousands of acres to develop as a real estate venture. When it didn’t expand as he anticipated, he sold the tracts of land. As Tampa expanded, living here became more attractive.

Oldsmar has developed with Tampa Bay throughout the years. The city is at its eastern border and the Tampa International Airport is just 20 minutes away. Oldsmar is an affordable escape from Tampa’s more laid-back environment. Yet it’s one of the closest cities to the thriving downtown center.

The town has numerous parks for outdoor recreation and an Empower Adventure Park with ziplines. The Tampa Bay Downs horse racing track is nearby. It earns high marks as a safe community to live.

The median list price in October 2024 was $425,000, with 202 homes for sale. Options include some historic old Florida-style bungalows, which add to the area’s charm.

Palm Harbor

Life in Palm Harbor is about relaxation. Just north of St. Petersburg, this is where people go to play and kick back. But don’t worry; it offers a variety of charming neighborhoods if you don’t want to commute.

One of Palm Harbor’s claims to fame is its Innisbrook Resort Golf & Club. The championship course hosts the PGA Valspar Championship each March and has been a top 100 course listed in Golf Digest. But the resort is more than Golf. Members have championship tennis, multiple pools, dining, fitness, social activities, and more. The resort is one of the Tampa Bay area’s most popular attractions.

Historic Florida Avenue and Tampa Road are lined with locally owned boutiques and restaurants. Spend a day browsing this walkable downtown area. The region’s festivals and events, including the Music at the Palm Harbor Citrus Festival and the Taste of Palm Harbor, draw people from all over Tampa Bay.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy their Palm Harbor lifestyle. Besides golf courses, there’s a beautiful lake with access at Chesnut Park. The recreation department manages six outdoor parks, sports facilities for adults and youth, and three indoor community centers. Jump on the Pinellas Trail at Wall Springs Park, a top outdoor destination for local bicyclists.

The median home price in October 2024 was $419,500, and there were 806 homes for sale in Palm Harbor. This Tampa suburb offers many waterfront properties and luxury homes. Some face Saint Joseph Sound and beautiful Honeymoon Island’s sandy beaches.

Safety Harbor

Another bayside suburb in Pinellas, Safety Harbor, faces Old Tampa Bay and Philippe Creek. Its relaxed, small-town vibe makes it a perfect place for those looking to downsize or retire. The charming Main Street area has activities like the Safety Harbor Song Fest and dining options to make your evenings and weekends fun.

The town is known for its historic sites and healing waters. The Safety Harbor Resort & Spa on the bay has provided patients with therapeutic treatments since 1925. There are also several parks, like Tampa Bay’s Philippe Park, where you can relax in the shade of oaks beside the Tampa Bay. Stay long enough, and you might glimpse dolphins playing and chasing fish. A dog park is on Alligator Lake, but don’t let the name discourage you. It is fenced for your furry family’s protection.

The median list price in October 2024 was $600,000, with 141 homes for sale. The town is minutes from Oldsmar, Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg International Airport, and downtown Tampa, making it a convenient place to live. The range of homes for sale varies between waterfront to small midcentury homes initially built for the retirement set.

Seminole

Guitar hotel in Seminole Florida

Seminole blends residential suburb living with outdoor experiences. This city in Pinellas is inland, but it does frame the Long Bayou and has Lake Seminole. Even better, it’s minutes from prized Madiera Beach and Treasure Island whenever you want a beach day.

The town of Seminole has its own YMCA, several parks, and an 18-hole golf course. Lake Seminole Park has a two-mile trail, fishing piers, and a public boat ramp. It’s probably the best-known city park, but Boca Ciega Millennium Park has a more rustic feel with moss-draped oaks and its observation tower.

Residents have access to the 45-mile Pinellas Trail, perfect for that long bike ride or connecting to other nearby communities.

Locals have many other expected things to do, from dive bars to movie theaters. On hot or rainy days, head to the local arcade or go bowling.

The location makes it a convenient suburb for commuters in Pinellas County. The median list price in October 2024 was $405,000, with 546 homes for sale.

Wesley Chapel

This Tampa suburb is an excellent community for those seeking a suburban lifestyle. It sits along the Tampa Bypass Canal and features plenty of trails, parks, and lakes. In Wesley Chapel, you have easy access to Tampa down I-75 while living near some of Florida’s most scenic wilderness preserves. That makes it popular for outdoor enthusiasts who also need access to great job opportunities.

Cypress Creek Preserve has six miles of hiking and biking trails through 4,200 acres of wetlands and pine flatwood forest. You can also explore nearby Bruce B. Downs Wilderness Park or the Lower Hillsborough River Wildlife Preserve. For recreation, check out the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus with its 98,000 sq ft indoor facilities and growing outdoor sports fields. Play on the 18-hole golf course at Saddlebrook or at next-door Pebble Creek’s championship courses and country clubs.

Another perk is the Wesley Chapel Town Center, where shopping, dining, entertainment, and living options are in one place. Its convenience to I-75 draws people from the surrounding suburbs to the lively outdoor mall atmosphere. More choices abound at The Shops at Wiregrass, another retail center that residents visit for shopping, restaurants, movies, and more.

The median home price in October 2024 was $460,000, with 2,200 homes for sale. You can find a nice balance of properties, from condos and townhomes to family homes and impressive estates. Those looking for new construction homes will find communities under development here. It does have a longer distance from downtown Tampa, but it is a direct route southbound on I-75.

Living in the Tampa Bay Metro

These towns near Tampa showcase the many ways to live the Florida lifestyle. Find a dream home with views of Tampa Bay, or go for a more laid-back atmosphere in one of Tampa’s convenient suburbs. Rest assured, the Tampa Bay area will have the right town for you to call home. Plus, all the amenities of living near a major city mean you’re a day trip from International Airports, sports arenas, Busch Gardens theme park, and much more.

Updated October 2024

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Preston Guyton