DISCOVER TAMPA, FLORIDA

Property Types 

Residential

Residential properties in Tampa include single-detached homes, apartment buildings, condominiums, and townhomes. Majority of the homes in Tampa are single-detached ones, followed by large and small apartment buildings. Usual architectural styles of homes in Tampa are Mediterranean, contemporary, ranch, and modern. 

Waterfront

There are several waterfront properties in Tampa. These properties range from hip condos to lavish estates overlooking the panoramic Tampa Bay.

Commercial

There are also a number of commercial real estate in Tampa. These include retail stores, warehouses, office spaces, or any establishment made for business.

Typical Features and Amenities

Typical Tampa homes for sale feature updated kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Other features worth noting are hardwood/tile flooring, bedrooms with en suite baths, walk-in closets, and landscaped lawns. Some homes even have private pools or spas. Homeowners who do not have a private pool or spa can have access to these amenities in their community. 

Condos for sale in Tampa commonly have swimming pools, tennis courts, and fitness centers. Residents can access these amenities by paying homeowners association dues. 

Life in Tampa, FL

Schools

Tampa is served by the Hillsborough County School District, the 8th largest in the US. Tampa has a total of 614 schools. 466 of these are preschools, 225 are elementary schools, 149 are middle schools, and 97 are high schools. College students have dozens of options for their tertiary education, which includes the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

Here’s a list of the top-rated schools in the region.

Elementary

• Mabry Elementary School

• Gorrie Elementary School

• Roosevelt Elementary School

• Northwest Elementary School

• Chiles Elementary School

Middle School

• Coleman Middle School

• Williams Middle School

• Farnell Middle School

• Roland Park K-8 Magnet School

• Tinker Elementary School

High School

• Hillsborough Virtual School

• Plant High School

• Sickles High School

• Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School

• Robinson High School

Lifestyle

One of the obvious perks of living in Tampa is being just an hour away from the beach. Locals are beach-loving people and they spend their weekends on the nearest beach with their family and friends. Some of the locals-recommended beaches in Tampa are St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Indian Rocks Beach, anf Fort Desoto.

Tampa residents are also big fans of professional sports teams in the NHL, MLB, NFL, and USL. Watching a game of Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Rowdies are common bonding activities.

Locals are also physically active, especially since the year-round warm weather permits them to enjoy many outdoor activities. One of the ways to keep themselves active is through stand up paddleboarding, skateboarding, biking, and 5K races. 

The art and music scene are also alive in Tampa. Festivals, museums, and performances are easy to find and there’s always something happening in every corner. For museums, there’s Dali Museum and Tampa Museum of Art. Performances happen at Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Jannus Live, and Amalie Arena.

Dining

There is no shortage of local dining spots in Tampa. While Tampa is known for their sumptuous Cuban sandwich, there are still many choices waiting to be discovered especially since many cultures are in perfect harmony here in Tampa. Here are some of the restaurants worth mentioning:

• Armature Works

• Bern’s Steakhouse

• Buddy Brew Coffee

• BurgerFi

• Caddy’s 

• Cigar City Brewing

• Ciro’s 

• Datz

• Davidoff Of Geneva

• El Cap

• Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill

• Goody Goody

• Metro Diner

• Mission BBQ

• Park & Rec

• The Columbia

• Wright’s Gourmet House

• Yummy House

Shopping

Shopping is part of everyday life in Tampa. Locals will find a variety of shopping options, from designer brands and boutiques to bargain outlets and large malls. No matter the price range or style you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here in Tampa’s shopping scene. Here are some of the recommended shopping destinations in the area:

• Hyde Park Village – Hyde Park Village sits in the historic district of Hyde Park. Enjoy shopping at the tree-lined streets and brick walkways.

• International Plaza and Bay Street – Find over 200 stores here at International Plaza and Bay Street. Some of the brands available are Crate & Barrel, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Gucci.

• Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center – Aside from providing tourism information, their gift shop is a must-visit for Tampa-themed memorabilia and apparel.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tampa is considered reasonable, taking into account its proximity to both the business side and beach side of the region. State income tax is zero and homes for sale in Tampa, FL are affordable compared to other properties in the US.

Take note that the property tax rates are at 2%. Insurance costs are also on the expensive side, particularly because of flood coverage. 

Employment/Job Opportunities

Tampa has one of the fastest growing job markets in the US. Tampa’s business district is full of skyscrapers, which means a lot of companies grow their bases here and provide many job opportunities for locals. Since many speak Spanish in Tampa, there are also many jobs that require bilingual employees. Some of the top industries in Tampa are healthcare, finance, supply chain, and technology .

Weather

Tampa weather varies from 52°F to 90°F throughout the year. Summers are long in Tampa and it’s hot, wet, and mostly cloudy. Meanwhile, winters are short, cool, and windy. The best time for outdoor activities is around late February to early May and mid-October to early December. For Tampa residents, 60-degree weather is already considered chilly.

Events and Activities

Tampa is known for its summer vibe, and the best way to enjoy it is by attending outdoor festivals. Here are some of the festivals locals attend in Tampa.

• Tampapalooza – Tampapalooza is a 2-day festival where everything local is celebrated, from local music and performances to local vendors and food. This festival is a family-friendly affair so children are welcome to enjoy the last few days of summer at Tampapalooza.

• Sunset Music Festival – Sunset Music Festival is one of Tampa’s most-attended music festivals. It draws a crowd of over 50,000 during the Memorial Day weekend every year. Expect colorful costumes, stages, and performances to entertain you.

• Tampa Bay Margarita Festival – Attend Florida’s biggest celebration of margaritas and live music. Apart from margaritas and music, there are shopping, games, and food options available. It’s an annual festival during the Memorial Day weekend.

• Gasparilla Pirate Fest – Since 1904, The Gasparilla Pirate Festival has been hosting festivities that depicts the invasion of the mythical pirate, Jose Gaspar (or Gasparilla). Jose Gaspar is a prominent figure in Florida folklore. Gasparilla season happens mid-January to mid-March.

Parks and Recreation

There are more than 200 public parks, big and small, in Tampa. Bring the entire family and enjoy a day at any of Tampa’s green spaces.

• Bayshore Boulevard Linear Trail – People consider Bayshore Boulevard Linear Trail as the world’s longest continuous sidewalk. Have a stroll at thr 4.5-mile sidewalk and enjoy breathtaking views of the bay and the estates fronting the bay.

• Lettuce Lake Park – Interact with aquatic birds and wildlife here at Lettuce Lake Park. The park is located in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River that consists of a hardwood swamp forest. Activities available are canoeing, kayaking, and education tours.

• Al Lopez Park – This 132-acre park consists of a nature trail, freshwater pond, and an athletics and a community center. It features a 1.2 mile interior loop asphalt multipurpose trail, which is 15-feet wide.

• Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park – Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is an 8-acre park featuring two interactive foundations, the Louver fountain and the Mist fountain. It sits next to Tampa Museum of Art and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Attractions

Locals won’t run out of things to do in Tampa. From family-friendly attractions to destinations that will take you down memory lane, Tampa is a city where every nook and cranny is interesting.

• Lowry Park Zoo – Meet some of the most interesting animals here at Lowry Park Zoo. The zoo has been serving Tampa residents since the 1950s, featuring animals such as white tigers, Komodo dragons, and sloth bears found in Asia. African animals include African penguins and meerkats. Meanwhile, their Primate World exhibits feature black-and-white colobuses, lion tamarins, and lemurs.

• Busch Gardens – Busch Gardens is a theme park for the entire family. It features various rides such as roller coasters, animal experiences, safaris, tours, as well as dining and shopping options on site. 

• Adventure Island Park – Summers in Tampa can be too hot; cool down here at Adventure Island Park. It features man-made lagoons reminiscent of the bayous of the Deep South. Slides are inspired by the Florida Everglades and the sands in the man-made beaches mimic that of the Mexican Gulf.

• Florida Aquarium – Discover under-the-sea creatures at Florida Aquarium. The exhibitions feature the wetland and shoreline habitats of Florida, where alligators, Burmese pythons, otters, tropical fish, and sharks can be found.  

• Big Cat Rescue – Big Cat Rescue is a rescue facility devoted to caring for big cats such as leopards, tigers, lons, and bobcats in a space that reminds them of their natural habitat. Activities available include night safaris and guided photo tours. Guests may also sign up as a volunteer. 

• Hillsborough River State Park – The picturesque Hillsborough River State Park features bayous and wetlands, mangroves, and different bird species. Activities to be enjoyed include canoeing and cycling. 

• Dolphin Tour at Tampa Bay – See wild dolphins in their natural habitat through tours. Apart from dolphins, visitors can also get a glimpse of sea birds.

• Henry B. Plant Museum – Henry B. Plant Museum is housed in a Victorian mansion designed with a combination of old English, Baroque, and Oriental aesthetics. The collections in the museum include memorabilia and artifacts that commemorate the growth and development of Tampa as a city over the years. Aside from the collections, its gardens, statues, fountains, and old canon are attractions in their own right.

Interested in living in Tampa, FL? We here at Viewpoint Realty International know Tampa like the back of our hands. We can help you choose your dream home overlooking the bay or find an investment property in the downtown. To get started, contact us at 727-584-7355 or [email protected]