Tampa
Moving to Tampa
The “Big Guava”— just like the “Big Apple,” only about a thousand miles south and right on the (warmer) water. With a hip social scene and dozens of parks and beaches, you will never be bored on this colorful coastal metropolis.
Climate
With Tampa’s subtropical climate, you can expect warm weather usually ranging an annual average high of 81 and low of 65 degrees. Because of its snug location to the equator, Tampa is infamous for its humidity, averaging on 74.1 percent annually. If this worries you, look on the bright side. Remember, this means no more chapped lips or dry skin!
Neighborhoods
In Tampa, there’s a neighborhood for everyone. You’ll have the option of being close to restaurants, nightlife, and shopping—or living in a historic neighborhood with a close-knit community. There’s an environment for everyone in Tampa, and we’ve gathered just a few of the greatest:
Historic Kenwood
On the National Register of Historic Places, Kenwood boasts the highest concentration of 1920’s bungalows in Florida—each with a unique design and beautifully restored.
Ybor City
First settled by immigrants from Spain, Cuba, and Italy, this is the Latin hub of Tampa, with Cuban coffee, paella, and Seventh Avenue, the main entertainment strip. It sparks Latin flare and European culture into the young and old alike.
SoHo/Hyde Park
With more of a contemporary, trendy air, this neighborhood is great for young adults—but will not turn away the more mature, either! A mix of restaurants, rooftop bars, parks, shops, and fitness centers are all within a short walking distance.
Seminole/Tampa Heights
An eclectic community, Seminole Heights and Tampa heights are peaceful neighborhoods for antiquing, distinctive charm and hole-in-the-wall food spots like TacoBus, a refurbished school bus selling 24/7 tacos, and Thee Burger Spot, a burger joint where you can use a donut as your bun.
Belleair
A wealthier suburb of the Tampa area, Belleair has great schools and is a top neighborhood for families.
Treasure Island
A happy little beach town with plenty of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and above average schools, Treasure island is an ideal community for any resident.
Cost of Living
Although above the U.S. cost of living average, housing is relatively inexpensive in Tampa. There is no state income tax, although a high expense to be aware of is insurance — particularly because of the potential for flooding. Welcome to Florida!
Entertainment & Activities
Forbes magazine once named Tampa as one of the “best outdoor cities in the nation,” and with a name like that, how could you not have fun living here? Take a look at the best things to do to in “Cigar City”:
- Attend Sanding Ovations or Clearwater’s Sugar Sand Festival, two of Tampa’s biggest sandcastle celebrations.
- How can you see Winter in 80-degree weather? At the Clearwater Marine Aquarium! Winter is the name of the star dolphin in the hit film “Dolphin Tale,” and lives out his days at the aquarium swimming and meeting his fans.
- Visit one of the many beaches the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas have to offer.
- Go to cigar smoking mecca—Ybor City. This vibrant, Latin quarter is also one of the most creative neighborhoods in the city, where you’ll never be bored.
- Celebrate pirate heritage at Gasparilla, a weekend-long festival similar to Mardi Gras—only instead of celebrating French explorers, it is a celebration of Jose Gaspar, a Spanish pirate.
- Appreciate Tampa’s art and culture at the Salvador Dali Museum or the Morean Arts Center.
- Honor the sea at Tarpon Springs, which is “sponge capitol of the world”. Holding heavy Greek influence, it is a living tribute to the sea.
Transportation
Tampa is notorious for its traffic, but not to worry—the city has many other ways of getting from point A to point B.
If walking is your preferred mode of transportation, Tampa has the world’s largest continuous sidewalk, Bayshore Boulevard, spanning four-and-a-half miles across the city.
TECO Streetcars are also an alternative mode of transportation, connecting Ybor City and Channelside Bay Plaza. Tampa also has 200 city buses in service, but most residents drive.
Tampa is city with character and charm, as well as an upbeat metropolitan atmosphere. And with the beach right there, moving there will feel like a permanent vacation!
Are you—or someone you know—one of the many people who will be moving to or from Tampa or the surrounding area this year? Make sure that your move is a SureMove. Just call SureMove toll-free at 866-347-2260 for more information about how we can help you with your Tampa interstate or cross-country move.
Call us at (866) 347-2260 for more information about how we can help you with your Chicago interstate or cross country move.