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Friday, March 17, 2023

Getting to Know Tampa- Your Moving Guide

City of Tampa, FL

Are you looking to move to Tampa? Whether it’s the warm sunshine, decadent food, spirited culture scene, or inviting people, the Tampa Bay Area has perks that appeal to everyone!

Moving can be a stressful experience, but this guide’s information about living in Tampa will smooth your transition to the Florida West Coast. In addition to detailing the Bay Area amenities and attractions, we’ll explore topics like neighborhood options, cost-of-living comparisons, and job possibilities to give you insight into what life could look like if you decided to call Tampa home.

Get to know Tampa Bay

Tampa Florida aerial view

One of Florida’s largest metro areas, the greater Tampa Bay region consists of nine counties stretching from Sarasota to Citrus. At its core rests three major cities: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater– all within the central Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

With the multiple entertainment and lifestyle options scattered across such a vast geographic territory, it’s no wonder why 3.1 million people call the Tampa Bay area home! It ranked the fourth-best place to retire by US News and World Report for 2022, surpassing former Florida favorites like Sarasota and Naples. The media attention means the metro is getting even more interest!

For our guide on moving to Tampa, we’ll focus on the City of Tampa and the suburbs inside Hillsborough County. The city limits run along the northern end of Greater Tampa Bay, from the peninsula between Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, up along the Hillsborough River, and northeasterly towards the University of South Florida. But you can find more information on great places to live around Tampa, including deeper looks at St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Sarasota.

A brief history of Tampa

Our past shapes our culture and our future, and nowhere is that as true as Tampa. Its rich and diverse history is shaped by indigenous cultures, Spanish explorers, and modern growth.

Before European contact, the area was inhabited by Native American groups such as the Tocobaga, who thrived on the region’s abundant natural resources. Spanish explorers, including Pánfilo de Narváez and Hernando de Soto, visited in the 16th century but failed to establish lasting settlements due to resistance from indigenous groups and challenging conditions.

In the 19th century, Tampa began to take shape with the establishment of Fort Brooke in 1824, which served as a military post during the Seminole Wars. The city’s growth accelerated in the late 1800s when Vicente Martinez-Ybor brought the cigar industry to Tampa, founding the Latin quarter Ybor City. This area became a melting pot of Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, making Tampa a cultural and economic hub.

The connection to pirates is part of Tampa’s folklore. There is little historical evidence to confirm Jose Gaspar’s existence. He is said to have been a notorious pirate who raided the west coast of Florida in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. According to the legend, Gaspar used the islands and waters near Tampa Bay as a base for his pirate operations before meeting his demise in a final battle. This pirate lore inspired Tampa’s famous Gasparilla Pirate Festival, an annual event that began in 1904, and locals sail a mock pirate ship into the Bay each year. The pirate culture influenced its professional sports teams and other iconic events.

The discovery of phosphate in the region further boosted its economy, while the construction of railroads connected Tampa to the rest of the country. By the early 20th century, Tampa had become a key port city, particularly for shipping and military operations during World Wars I and II.

Cost of living is just average

cost of living in Tampa FL

Florida can be a pretty pricey place to live, especially along its beautiful beaches and coastal cities. Tampa is an attractive option if you want to be in a waterfront city. Because it’s not directly on the coastline, it’s a cheaper place to live, but you still have access to the expansive Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough River, and other creeks that are part of its watershed.

Looking at Sperling’s Best Places Index, Tampa’s overall cost of living aligns with the state average, 103.7 versus 103.3, respectively. Overall, it runs 3% over the national average for spending. Housing is slightly more here, mainly because it is a dense urban area. It’s cheaper for healthcare but slightly more for miscellaneous costs. All the other expenditures are pretty much in line with what you pay across Florida.

A family of four with one adult working and two children would need to bring in $70,370 a year (in 2023 figures) after taxes to cover all the essential expenses.

People are moving here

While the entire metro has over 3 million residents, the city of Tampa has 403,364 residents as of 2023. That’s less than Miami but more than Orlando. From 2010 to 2020, just over 49,000 people were added to the city population. Tampa is growing at a rate of about 1.1% a year.

moving services

Tampa’s Economic Development Council, which assesses the entire metropolitan statistical area (MSA), expects an additional 9% of growth by 2040. Hillsborough County is forecasted to increase by 10.9% to 1.88 million residents.

A well-rounded job market

One reason Tampa keeps growing is its diversified job market. First, the local economy has stability, thanks to MacDill Air Force Base and the University of South Florida, one of the state’s largest public universities. Healthcare is another leading employer. The BayCare health system is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area and operates several hospitals.

In addition to these industries, Tampa has a significant financial and professional services sector. Around one of every four professional services businesses in Florida is in the Hillsborough County region. It has headquarters and branches for influential corporations like Raymond James, JP Morgan Chase, USAA, Citi, and MetLife. For example, Citi employs 8,000 people, and the campus is the company’s second-largest office nationally.

The tech industry continues growing, with projections that Tampa will add 3,700 jobs by 2027. The number of IT-related businesses has already increased by 27% from 2018-2022. Forbes ranked Tampa as the top emerging tech hub because of its industry growth and second for the best places for young entrepreneurs.

Life sciences is another quickly expanding part of the Tampa job market. Hillsborough County has become the center for North American operations for Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Johnson and Johnson branches. The metro already had the Moffitt Cancer Center, LifeLink, and Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals.

Defense and security are a linchpin part of the Tampa economy. Numerous mission partners and specialized intelligence firms support MacDill Air Force Base as defense contractors.

For more accolades, Tampa is also a leader in women-owned businesses and small business employment. The city has no less than eight accelerator programs or incubators that nurture its business-friendly environment.

Warm and tropical all year

warm tropical weather in Tampa FL

Tampa is part of central Florida, so expect classic warm Florida weather. Its location on a huge bay near the coastline does help moderate the subtropical climate a bit. Still, those same sea breezes create afternoon thunderstorms during the summer, when temperatures can be 91F or higher. Expect sunny weather to give way to torrential downpours and fierce lightning. They really do appear from nowhere and disappear just as quickly. Winters are generally mild, with average highs around 74F.

Probably one of Tampa’s greatest risks comes during the annual hurricane season. The Tampa Bay is actually a shallow waterway. If a tropical storm or hurricane makes landfall in the right way, it can push water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Bay. The additional water pushed into the Bay could send a storm surge for miles inland, including the city center, and cause significant damage. Tampa has had some close calls, but it has been many decades since the city has suffered a direct hit in this way. Still, it’s something that officials discuss and plan for. Residents watch storm forecasts closely, especially for Gulf-side storms. And, even if the city avoids a direct hit, the rains and winds can still damage homes and businesses.

Be ready for traffic

The fastest and most convenient way to get around Tampa is with your own car. Unfortunately, this creates traffic congestion downtown. Busy roads are a fact of life, especially on Interstate 275, Interstate 75, and Interstate 4 junctions and around the airport during rush hours. The city also has key toll roads for getting around, like the Veterans Expressway and Selmon Expressway. Unfortunately, as Tampa becomes more popular, traffic congestion continues to increase. Drives across the bay bridges can back up for miles.

However, there are places where you can ditch the car. Live in any of the downtown communities or around the Channel District, and you can use the trolley system to move between attractions in Ybor City and the Convention Center. A pirate-themed water taxi will transport you between the Channel District, destinations along the Hillsborough River, and the Davis Islands.

Hillsborough County does have a public transit system that primarily relies on a bus network. It runs express and limited express routes during prime traffic flow times.

Finally, some parts of town, particularly around downtown or the Bayshore communities, are more bike and pedestrian-finally. Some are served by a bike share program.

When you need to travel farther, the Tampa International Airport conveniently has flights domestically and internationally. The airport is directly on I-275 and the Veterans Expressway for easy access. Locals also have even more flight choices across Gandy Boulevard at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

A top destination for healthcare

health care system in Tampa FL

Numerous healthcare providers of every specialty and need service Tampa Bay Area residents. Find what you require, from urgent care centers to disease specialists.

Tampa General Hospital is well-ranked by the US News and World Report in five adult care specialties, including diabetes and rehabilitation. It’s also one of the busiest transplant centers nationwide, having performed over 10,000 transplants. The USF Morsani College of Medicine is affiliated with the hospital for training future medical professionals.

St. Joseph’s Hospital, run by BayCare, is another large-scale provider with a specialty children’s and women’s hospital.

The Moffitt Cancer Center is a top-rated institution for cancer treatment and research. It’s the state’s only comprehensive cancer center.

With the growing biotech presence in the region, Tampa is home to some incredible healthcare resources from pharmaceuticals like Pfizer and Bausch & Lomb, plus headquarters for Quest Diagnostics.

The school system is huge and high quality

teacher with students in a classroom

Hillsborough County Public Schools is one of the state’s largest school systems and the seventh-largest in the nation. It provides public education for over 218,000 students across 303 schools: 203 elementary schools, 121 middle schools, and 65 high schools. Additional schools include four career careers, four technical colleges, and 54 charter schools.

With so much variation, each school has unique programs to meet diverse student needs and interests. The district runs on a School Choice, where families can select a school with a program that matches student interests.

Some notable achievements of Hillsborough Schools include the 2020 #1 Elementary Magnet school year, the Florida 2020 Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the 2019 Presidential Award of Excellence in mathematics and science.

The size of its district enables it to offer an incredible array of unique programs. Students can take coursework and everything from aerospace to video game design. Expansive career and technical education programs provide 17 different career courses. Students may graduate having earned one of over 89 certifications, including cyber security and certified veterinary assistance. Additional academic accelerators are available through International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and Dual Enrollment classes.

An impressive selection of things to do

things to do checklist

In a waterfront metro of this size and diversity, you can bet there’s an exceptional roster of activities to match. And you’d be right! Here are some highlights of attractions and activities you’ll have close at hand when you live in Tampa.

Dining

Fresh seafood? Check. Southern-style cuisine? Check. Latin flavors? Check again! Tampa’s food scene has always been outstanding; it’s just outsiders are taking notice.

For those looking for a more upscale experience, the city boasts several high-end steakhouses and fine dining establishments like the world-famous Bern’s Steakhouse in Hyde Park or the flagship Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Many casual dining options, including traditional American cuisine, international flavors, and trendy gastropubs, are spread across Tampa from SoHo to the Armature Works development. You can’t miss its Cuban sandwiches or grouper baskets. The craft beer options include the famous Cigar City brand.

Shopping

Ready for some retail therapy? Shop til you drop at any of Tampa’s shopping malls or districts. One of the most popular destinations is the International Plaza and Bay Street, which features over 200 stores, including high-end luxury brands and popular department stores. For those looking for a more unique shopping experience, Hyde Park Village is a charming outdoor shopping experience with boutique shops and specialty stores.

The Westshore Plaza features a mix of chain department stores and specialty retailers, conveniently located near the airport and Dale Mabry Blvd. For, the Tampa Premium Outlets offers bargain hunters designer brands at discounted prices.

In addition to these popular shopping centers, Tampa has many local markets and boutiques selling handmade goods, artisanal foods, and locally sourced products.

Golf

The only problem you’ll have golfing in Tampa is picking your favorite course. The metro boasts over 100 public and private golf courses catering to all skill levels.

Many of the courses make use of the low-lying natural landscape and wetlands. Some of the most famous courses are the TPC Tampa Bay, designed by Bobby Weed and host of the PGA TOUR Champions event. Other notable courses include the nationally recognized Westchase Golf Club, the public Rocky Point Golf Course, and the Claw at USF.

These are just courses inside Hillsborough County–the world-class Innisbrook Resort is over in Palm Harbor in Pinellas County!

Sports

Professional and amateur teams represent Tampa in various leagues. The most winning sports team is the Tampa Bay Lightning, the professional ice hockey team, with three Stanley Cup victories in 2004, 2020, and 2021. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the city’s beloved NFL team. They won their second Super Bowl championship in February 2021. The Tampa Bay Rays play in Major League Baseball; they haven’t won a World Series but won the American League championship in 2020.

In addition to these professional teams, Tampa hosts minor league baseball and has spring training facilities for the New York Yankees. The city hosts multiple annual sports events, including the powerboating Thunder by the Bay, the International Dragon Boat Festival, the Gasparilla Distance Classic, and the Valspar Championship Golf Tournament.

Attractions

Where do we even start? Locals have so many choices for entertainment. Maybe start with the theme park Busch Gardens-Tampa Bay with its high-speed and dramatic roller coasters? Perhaps its sister water park Adventure Island, with its cooling water slides and lazy river, sounds perfect right about now.

Slow down more with family-friendly attractions. The Florida Aquarium is a state-of-the-art aquarium featuring over 20,000 aquatic animals and interactive exhibits. Lowry Park Zoo has over 1,300 animals from around the world, interactive exhibits, and rides. And the Glazer Children’s Museum is a hands-on museum designed for growing minds.

Stretch your legs at the Tampa Riverwalk, a scenic pedestrian path along the Hillsborough River. The walk includes parks with outdoor entertainment facilities. One such park is Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which features outdoor art exhibits, splash pads, and a concert pavilion. The Tampa Riverwalk is where you’ll catch lighted boat parades, family-friendly festivals, and scenic downtown views.

Parks and recreation

And, if Tampa Riverwalk wasn’t enough, find over 176 parks, 700 miles of trails, and 61,000 acres of nature preserves in Hillsborough County. Tampa has no shortage of places to be outside, play sports, or get on the water. Besides the mentioned Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Bayshore Boulevard is famous as the world’s longest continuous sidewalk; it spans for miles Bayfront and is a popular path for biking and morning runs. Al Lopez Park is a large green space with walking trails, a fishing pond, picnic areas, and sports facilities. Hillsborough River State Park awaits just northeast of Tampa or, upriver if you want to boat it. The park has hiking trails, camping, and canoeing or kayaking along the Hillsborough River, where you might spot alligators, turtles, and native birds.

Arts and culture

The Straz Performing Arts Center has long been Tampa’s leading venue for traveling Broadway shows, opera, and theater. But it’s not the only venue on the arts scene, as the restored Tampa Theatre also hosts Broadway shows, community events, and films.

The historic Cuban part of town, Ybor City, is known as the city’s nightlife center. College students hit up the many bars, but there are also art galleries, museums, restaurants, and traditional cigar shops. It’s here Tampa earned its nickname “Cigar City,” and you can see the craft continuing today.

And how can we talk about Tampa without mentioning its most famous festival, the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival? The pirate fest takeover and accompanying street and arts festival is an iconic January event heralded by the arrival of the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar into Tampa Bay. The following parade is a lively, if not rowdy, event akin to Mardi Gras.

The Tampa art and cultural scene includes the Museum of Art beside the Tampa Riverwalk, the murals at the Channel District, and the Tampa Ballet and Opera. Shows pass through the Amalie Arena, the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater, and the Palladium. Hyde Park and the River Arts districts has art galleries.

Demand is influencing the real estate market

Like many markets, Tampa has experienced ups in median sale prices and downs in available inventory. According to local experts, luxury home sales have declined the most in Tampa, down about 44% from 2021 to 2022. However, the build-to-rent market grew and jumped 42% due to rising mortgage rates and inventory stress.

As 2024 began, Tampa’s housing inventory remained low but was growing, like much of the nation. Single-family home supply was up 27% year-over-year (YOY) by October 2024, a total reversal from being 26% down in January 2023. The median sale price was $421,620, a 1.2% decrease. However, the October 2024 data was impacted by the two hurricanes that passed through the Tampa Bay area–Helene and Milton, two weeks apart. Still, the month’s supply of inventory for single-family homes was around 3.3 months, showing Tampa real estate remained in demand. For townhomes and condos, supply jumped 49% YOY, and the median sale price was stable at $289,000. Townhomes and condos were at a 4.6-month supply.

However, Tampa and Hillsborough County are large markets with multiple neighborhoods to consider. You can try to live inside the Tampa city limits or one of the top surrounding suburbs.

Tampa Regions

Like any major city, Tampa has developed diverse and eclectic communities with their own personalities. As you get to know Tampa, you’ll hear about communities like:

  • South Tampa: Its reputation as a more upscale side of town includes neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, and Bayshore Beautiful.
  • Downtown Tampa: The business center has transformed into a work-live-play lifestyle, with a university downtown, high-rise condos, Tampa Riverwalk, and the Channel District.
  • East Tampa: The culturally rich communities include Ybor City, College Hills, and Jackson Heights
  • West Tampa: On the other side of the Hillsborough River, and tucked south of I-275, West Tampa is a suburban area.
  • Seminole Heights: North from downtown, the neighborhood has charming bungalow homes and lots of creatives
  • Westshore: Close to the shopping mall, airport, and the secondary business district
  • Davis Island: Popular among local celebrities, the islands promise a quiet, residential lifestyle near the waterfront
  • New Tampa: The master-planned community north of the city focuses on family amenities

Tampa moving resources

If you’re moving into the City of Tampa, the mayor’s office has a list of resources helpful for new residents.

Electricity is provided by TECO, also known as Tampa Electric.

Driver’s licenses, vehicle title transfers, and registration updates are handled by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle division. You have ten days to obtain Florida-based insurance and change your vehicle registration and 30 days to get a Florida driver’s license. Search to see which DMV center is closest to you.

Water utilities are managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as “Swiftmud” or SWFMD. You can use Tampa’s portal to activate your utilities. If you have a lawn, be aware there are watering restrictions.

Anyone moving to Hillsborough County should check if they’ll live in a flood zone. This could impact your homeowners insurance premiums and is just good to know should major storms head your way.

Drawbacks to Tampa Bay Living

As compelling as Tampa living is, it has some downsides to be aware of when deciding to move here. While it is a waterfront city, you won’t find the classic white sand beaches anywhere in Hillsborough County. Sure, there are a few beaches, like over in Apollo Beach or off Courtney Campbell Causeway, but they’re not the pristine experience you’d expect from Florida living. But don’t worry; over in Pinellas County are plenty of world-class beaches, like at Fort De Soto Park or St. Petersburg Beach. Your ideal beach day is a day trip away.

We mentioned the traffic congestion before, but it’s worth mentioning again. The rush hour’s busy roads back up easily, especially around the bayfront bridges. Weekend traffic jams happen, especially on days perfect for beach weather. Those are the primary access points for Pinellas County commuters. It combines to make the Tampa Bay area the 10th worst city for drivers. The good news is Miami is still worse than Tampa.

Not everyone likes the hot weather that comes with Florida living. It lingers in Tampa for much of the year, with summer months seeing day after day in the high 90Fs. Heat indexes and humidity make it feel even hotter, especially if your neighborhood is more inland. Air conditioning is a must!

Floods from hurricanes are a real risk. The closer you live to a drainage canal, river, or bayfront, the higher your risk. Average home insurance rates are increasing in Florida, and it may be wise to carry flood insurance, given Tampa’s low-lying nature. Homeowners insurance costs an average of $3,000-$5,000 depending on the size of the home, its age, location, and replacement value.

Get Help Moving to Tampa, FL

Life around Tampa Bay is robust thanks to an eclectic mix of attractions and activities for residents. The city’s warm climate and waterfront make it an ideal location for enjoying life outside, from water sports to golfing to exploring the many parks and nature preserves. The thriving arts and culture scene adds to the city’s entertainment roster, and the shopping opportunities are vast.

With so many housing options and a strong job market, Tampa is truly an attractive destination for those looking to relocate. Explore the city’s vast neighborhood and lifestyle options with a local real estate agent who has deep knowledge of each area’s advantages.

Updated December 2024

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Preston Guyton