Tampa is the ideal place to bask in the laid-back Florida lifestyle while enjoying all the amenities a major metropolitan city offers. Whether you're looking to tap into the city's ever-growing job market or hoping to take advantage of more than 240 days of sunshine each year, living in Tampa is a fit for everyone.
If you're thinking of moving to the Tampa area, here are 10 things to know before you go.
Tampa provides all the amenities a big city can offer, without paying the huge price tag that typically comes with it.
The cost of living in Tampa is 6.5 percent cheaper than the national average, which means your money will go further. Renters will appreciate that the average one-bedroom apartment is about $250 cheaper than the national average.
One of the most popular events in Tampa is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Celebrated just about every year since 1904, this spirited event has been described as Mardi Gras but with pirates.
The majority of the route runs along Bayshore Boulevard into downtown with pirate characters tossing coins and beads from floats. The parade ends near the Curtis Hixon Waterfront park where musical performances and other festivities carry revelers into the night.
Yes, Tampa welcomes retirees, and St. Petersburg is a popular location for spring breakers each year.
However, due to the excellent job market, affordable living conditions and excellent amenities, Tampa has become a hotspot for upwardly mobile millennials.
Tampa has its fair share of traffic problems. You can expect to deal with heavy traffic daily on all major highways going in or out of the city.
If you prefer to rely on public transportation, Tampa has a trolly car, the TECO Line Streetcar and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) city-wide bus system. If you're traveling a bit farther, Tampa also has an international airport and an Amtrak station.
Ybor City is one of Tampa's trendiest neighborhoods and was once called the “Cigar Capital of the World."
Now popular with college students and the younger demographic, this historic neighborhood has some of the city's best Latin American cuisine, boutique and vintage shops, museums, tours and more.
Central Florida is known for having the best of both worlds when it comes to the weather. If you're looking for a place that doesn't get too cold in the winter, yet doesn't experience Miami's blazing heat, Tampa is an excellent option.
The average temperature during winter months hovers right around 62 degrees and it averages around 83 degrees during the summer. Although summers are quite humid, most residents thoroughly enjoy the temperate winters.
Job prospects are important to anyone thinking about relocating. Tampa has thriving healthcare, technology, finance, and supply chain industries. Top Tampa employers include Tampa General Hospital, JPMorgan Chase, Citi, The Port of Tampa, AgileThought and Accusoft.
What makes Tampa even more attractive is that the state doesn't have an income tax. Your salary will go further in this metropolitan city.
Living in Tampa means prime access to the state's best beaches, popular theme parks and unforgettable attractions. You can spend a day golfing, bicycling, roller-blading, kayaking, boating and paddleboarding along Tampa Bay. Or, hop on over to the Tampa Zoo, Busch Gardens or the Tampa Aquarium.
If you prefer museums and cultural excursions, the Henry B. Plant Museum, Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and several high-quality art museums are within easy reach of all Tampa neighborhoods.
Tampa is the place to be if you consider yourself a foodie or a connoisseur of craft beer. With the highest concentration of craft breweries in the state, Tampa can be an excellent option for those who enjoy a high-quality local brew. Many of Tampa's breweries rely on local ingredients and flavors, which truly sets their beers apart from the rest.
Tampa is also home to the famed Cuban sandwich and offers many food and beverage options for every palate. Depending on the area you choose to settle in, you'll have easy access to Southern barbecue, Latin and South American food trucks, South Asian cuisine and unique bistros.
Sports fans will love having access to professional sports all year long. Tampa boasts four major sports teams: Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning, United Soccer League's Tampa Bay Rowdies and National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Tampa Bay area also hosts many of the nation's spring training camps.
Are you ready to take advantage of the great weather, excellent food and hundreds of activities Tampa has to offer? Take the next step towards moving to Tampa and find the perfect apartment here.