The best places to live in Tampa
There are over 80 officially named neighbourhoods to choose from in Tampa, so it isn’t always easy for newcomers to decide where to live. New arrivals often start with a short-term rental when they first relocate here, which buys a little breathing space to explore the city before settling on an area. Pinpointing the right neighbourhood gets easier once you’ve worked out your priorities.
Real estate agents tend to have a firmer grasp of Tampa’s property market, and they’re a useful source of local knowledge when you’re weighing up your options. When you’re choosing a neighbourhood in Tampa, weigh up your housing options, your budget, your lifestyle, how close you’d be to work and, if you have children, how close you’d be to good schools.
Here are some of our insights into the most popular areas and suburbs in Tampa.
Renting Accommodation in Tampa
City living in Tampa
City living in Tampa is a draw for new arrivals who want to be close to the action, and many start out in a short-term rental near the city centre. Public transport here is fairly limited, but it does the job in the more central neighbourhoods.
You can ride the free TECO Line Streetcar from downtown out to Ybor City, by way of the Channel District, which is handy for reaching the central sights. If you live close to downtown, you’ll also have the best access to Tampa’s main attractions, plus a wider choice of restaurants and nightlife.
Harbour Island
Harbour Island is just across the bridge from downtown but still within the city limits, and it’s mostly private, gated residential communities. There’s a good spread of housing, from high-rise condos and apartment complexes to row houses and larger family homes.
Because it’s so close to the city centre, residents have plenty of dining and entertainment on their doorstep. The nearest TECO Line Streetcar stops are a short hop across the channel in downtown and the Channel District, so getting around the central areas is easy.
Seminole Heights
A few miles north of downtown, Seminole Heights has become one of Tampa’s most characterful inner-city neighbourhoods. Its streets are lined with restored early-1900s Craftsman bungalows, independent restaurants, coffee shops, and a growing crop of craft breweries.
You’ll find a younger, creative crowd of professionals and small families here. Many come for the walkable, slightly bohemian feel. Families aren’t short of schooling options either. There are several public elementary schools nearby, and Seminole Heights has its own charter high school.
Lifestyle in Tampa
Getting Around in Tampa
Family-friendly suburbs of Tampa
Families settling in Tampa often come for the quality of life, and that pull is strongest for those relocating with children. Larger properties are easier to find away from the city centre, so most of the family-friendly suburbs are a little further out. Tampa has plenty of decent public schools, along with private and international options, so parents should factor in how close a neighbourhood is to the right school.
Swann Estates
Close to the city centre but still leafy and low-key, Swann Estates is a small, family-friendly suburb in South Tampa where residents enjoy a good balance of urban and suburban living. Families here are zoned to some well-regarded public and private schools, which makes it a popular choice for those with children.
Most of the housing is comfortable single-family homes. Everyday shops and parks are close by, and the boutiques and restaurants of South Howard Avenue are only a short drive away.
West Meadows
Out in New Tampa, West Meadows is a fairly affluent, family-friendly suburb. Residents do have the city’s bus network to fall back on, but most rely on a car of their own. The homes are mainly spacious family houses and townhouses with gardens, and many are inside gated communities.
Good schools are plentiful, which explains the area’s popularity with families. Newcomers tend to settle in quickly, and the strong sense of community helps.
Beach Park
If you’re moving to Florida to live by the water, Beach Park is the obvious pick. It’s one of South Tampa’s more upmarket waterfront neighbourhoods, and many of the homes here have private docks on the bay. The properties are mostly spacious family houses with generous gardens. Buyers are drawn to top-rated public schools like Plant High School, and this makes the area a sound long-term investment.