Are you dreaming of living in Tampa? If so, you’re not alone. Its subtropical weather beckons a steady stream of prospective Floridians each year. Known for its sunshine-filled days, panoramic beaches, and stunning Gulf Coast skylines, living in Tampa is undoubtedly enticing.
Defining the Tampa region is tricky. For many, the Tampa area has become synonymous with the entire Tampa Bay Metropolitan Region, encompassing Hernando, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. In contrast, others refuse to accept that Tampa is anything but Hillsborough County alone.
No matter where you place the borders, one thing is clear: Tampa is attractive. Since Florida has no state or income tax, the cost of living is optimal compared to other similarly sized American cities. Pair that with its thriving economy, and Florida is most certainly an attractive location for home buying. As the third most populated city in Florida, Tampa residents take entertainment and recreation to a new level. Let’s dive in and unveil the benefits this dynamic city showcases and which Tampa neighborhoods outshine the rest.
1. Living in Tampa is Dreamy.
Welcome to Tampa, an alluring city where dynamic urban culture meets Atlantic coastal living, compelling homebuyers to lay down roots. Because Florida attracts people worldwide, Tampa houses diverse and ever-growing communities. Lifelong Floridians have grown accustomed to a wealth of outdoor events, activities, and social gatherings. The recreational lifestyle of Florida creates an abundance of opportunities to mingle with transplanted and original residents from all walks of life. For many, the shared experience of packing up a lifetime of belongings and memories and relocating to a dynamic community fosters a welcoming and empathetic environment.
Is winter season looming, and do fishing, boating, golfing, and other outdoor activities sound better than shoveling snow and scraping ice? This dreamy state offers bountiful sunshine, allowing year-round outdoor festivals, and its warm, sunny climate makes the thought of a snow shovel a distant memory. Dive into a land where urban life provides quick access to amenities, and the biggest concern of the day isn’t an ice storm; it’s proper sunscreen application.
2. Living in Tampa is Beautiful.
From sunrise to sunset, gorgeous tropical days, with an annual average high of 82°F, make living on the bright side an everyday experience. Love beachcombing? The Gulf of Mexico brings seashells to the West Coast of Florida year-round. St. Petersburg (St. Pete Beach) and Clearwater are famous beaches in the area. For a one-of-a-kind experience, chartering a boat ride to Caladesi Island State Park is well worth the effort. Once adventurers reach the island, kayak rentals are available for exploring an extensive mangrove forest. With abundant coastal trails and located only a few hours from the Everglades, living an adventurous and picturesque life in paradise is easy.
Remarkably, Tampa’s western coastline and surrounding shores offer breathtaking sunset views. A rare find on the East Coast, colorful show-stopping sunsets dazzle the glistening tides of the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa has prime sunset viewing hotspots for enjoying the colorful nightly panorama. Without a doubt, sailing into the horizon as the skyline and the ocean dance like a turning kaleidoscope is a spectacular experience. Living in Tampa is beautiful, from heart-stopping catamaran tours to evening yacht dining and casual dog-friendly beach sunsets.
3. Living in Tampa is Attainable.
Tampa is affordable compared to many other large cities, like New York City. The overall cost of living in Florida is 3% lower than the national average. As for housing opportunities, Tampa offers various neighborhoods and communities with diversified lifestyles and cultures. The “Cigar City” showcases a broad range of properties from suburban new homes to historical neighborhoods with unique architecture.
Overall, the attractive benefits of living in Florida, such as its climate, financial advantages, and recreational opportunities, often outweigh the drawbacks of high humidity and the threat of tropical storms for many residents. Residents who prioritize adaptation and preparedness quickly adapt to the weather conditions in Florida, making the pros and cons of living in the Sunshine State easily favorable.
Getting around Tampa is relatively easy with public transportation, considering more than 200 buses run throughout the Tampa Bay area. Additionally, the TECO Streetcar provides connections throughout the Channel District, Channelside Bay Plaza, and historic Ybor City. Regarding the pros and cons of living in Tampa, heavy traffic is a contender. Today, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have public bus and trolley systems which help to compensate in high-traffic areas.
4. Living in Tampa is Lucrative.
At every level, living in Tampa offers affordability and an evolving, dynamic quality of life. Since Tampa residents enjoy reduced housing costs, low cost of living, utilities, and no state tax, more of their hard-earned dollars remain in their pockets. Florida is well-known for being a business-friendly state, and its thriving and evolving infrastructure and land developments provide a robust job market. Accordingly, the workforce in Tampa is well-educated and seeded by its reputable colleges and universities. The University of South Florida and the University of Tampa are both highly-rated universities and funnel graduates into industries like healthcare, tourism, finance, and technology, just o name e few thriving business sectors within the city.
Speaking of tourism, millions of visitors explore the area annually, attracting warm-weather enthusiasts. The Sunshine State is a vast playground for exploring the Everglades and taking sea-loving adventurers. This flood of tourism provides countless hospitality jobs within the region, making the local economy ripe for new hotspots, nightlife, and recreational commerce. Overall, life in Tampa is lucrative; home prices are great considering the locale, the city’s amenities, and its evolving growth, making property investment ideal.
5. Living in Tampa is Exciting.
Believe it or not, there’s more to Florida than Disney, the theme parks in Anaheim and Orlando, or the sizzling nightlife in Miami. Surprisingly, Money ranks Tampa, Florida, specifically Ybor City, as one of America’s best places to live and travel.
Since Tampa Florida, is a melting pot of Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, historically, its culture, architecture, and recreational events are hard to beat. One worthwhile adventure is taking a 2.4-mile stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk in downtown Tampa. The entire downtown area is ideal for foodies who love fusion. Here, residents mingle with cultural events, a public art scene, and eclectic Latin-inspired cuisine, among many. For auto enthusiasts, Bayshore Boulevard is just east of historic Hyde Park and an ideal locale for a scenic drive.
In the Tampa Bay area, fans flock to sports venues to support and cheer on their teams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), and the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) in St Petersburg.
For family-friendly adventurous exploration, check out Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, Sparkman Wharf, and the Florida Aquarium. Additionally, the Museum of Science & Industry, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Museum, and the Dali Museum offer incredibly enriching experiences for all ages.
For the party people, Gasparilla Pirate Fest, an annual signature event in Tampa dating back to 1904, is sure to get your motor running. Named in honor of the famed Spanish Pirate Jose Gaspar and his lost treasure, this community event inspires treasure hunts, pirate ships, and Marti Gras-style parades celebrated throughout the bay.
The Best Neighborhoods in Metropolitan Tampa
One of the oldest neighborhoods in the area, West Tampa, is located west of the Hillsborough River, just about one mile from downtown Tampa. Homes here have an urban-suburban mix, and the schools are top-rated. This neighborhood offers nightlife entertainment with bars, dining, coffee shops, cafes, and parks for recreation.
North Tampa encompasses great neighborhoods, from The University of South Florida Tampa Campus to the Tampa International Airport. Wesley Chapel and Tampa Palms are rapidly growing family-oriented suburbs. These newly constructed neighborhoods offer a solid suburban feel, including shopping, dining, and excellent schools.
For young professionals, it’s hard to beat Uptown. Located in Hillsborough County, its dense urban vibe is filled with entertaining bars, restaurants, and recreation. Combine that with an A+ Overall Niche Grade, and this highly-rated community is a hot locale for homeownership.
Combining trendy atmospheres with old-world Floridian charm, the Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights areas are perfect for homebuyers who want to live in a vibrant cultural scene. These neighborhoods are notorious for being hipster enclaves and ideal for homebuyers searching for late-night fun, craft breweries, fusion foods, and cocktails.
Ready to Move to Tampa?
Imagine experiencing life in the Sunshine State. Suppose you dream of homeownership in a place where beautiful beaches, a warm climate, a thriving economy, and a robust job market come together. In that case, it’s time to call a lender and turn that dream into reality. Imagine seamlessly financing a future filled with endless recreation, golfing, boating, and enjoyment.
Whether a new life beckons in Tampa or the surrounding cities, one fact remains: life is better with sunshine and scenic views. Embark on a journey discovering the abundance of Floridian property types, from downtown condos to luxury master-planned properties to eclectic, off-the-beaten-path homes; realtors and lenders understand that a new way of life awaits in the Sunshine State.
Why not get the ball rolling and buy into the American dream by connecting with a lender who can finance your next real estate adventure? Now is the best time to improve your quality of life and finance a new home in Florida. Taking the plunge and purchasing a new property in Tampa is only a click or a phone call away.
The Steps are Simple:
Schedule a Call: An experienced loan officer can discuss your needs and guide you through the possibilities.
Get Approved: We’ll help you through the application process and facilitate the steps for approval.
Exhale: Put your feet up and feel secure knowing you made the best decisions about your home loan.
With proper guidance, you can get your first home, accommodate your growing family, and start that renovation project—whatever goal is on the horizon. An alliance with Mortgage Insiders will give you the confidence to know that your mortgage loan is setting you up for financial success. Mortgage Insiders offers today’s latest financial news and mortgage trends. Check out our channel for current events.
