Thinking about moving to Tampa?

I'm Jeremy Sullivan, Broker/Owner of Still Water Properties and a Tampa Bay real estate professional. My family moved to Florida in 1993, and when it came time to build a life of my own, I chose Tampa.

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Today, I help buyers and families relocating to Tampa Bay figure out something that's often harder than finding a house: Where in Tampa should I actually live?

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Tampa isn't one single lifestyle. You can live in a historic bungalow minutes from downtown, a waterfront home in South Tampa, a high-rise overlooking the city, or a newer home in a master-planned community 30–40 minutes outside Tampa.

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This Tampa relocation guide will help you understand the major areas, neighborhoods, housing options, schools, lifestyle considerations and some of the things I think you should know before moving to Tampa, Florida.

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Download My Free Tampa Neighborhood Guide

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Why Are So Many People Moving to Tampa?

Tampa has become a popular relocation destination because it offers a combination that's difficult to find in many major metropolitan areas: Year-round warm weather, no Florida state individual income tax, access to Gulf Coast beaches, professional sports, restaurants, entertainment, a major international airport and a wide variety of housing options. But one of Tampa's biggest advantages is also what makes relocating here confusing: There are a lot of very different places to live. Someone who loves Davis Islands may have absolutely no interest in Wesley Chapel—and someone looking for a large newer home in Wesley Chapel probably isn't looking for the same lifestyle as someone shopping for a condo at Water Street. That's why I recommend choosing the lifestyle and location first and the house second.

 

Where Should You Live in Tampa?

If you're relocating to Tampa, these are some of the areas I recommend understanding before you start looking at houses.

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South Tampa

If your vision of Tampa includes established neighborhoods, mature trees, historic homes, waterfront property, restaurants and being close to downtown, start with South Tampa. South Tampa occupies the peninsula south of Downtown Tampa between Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay. It offers convenient access to Downtown Tampa, Tampa International Airport and MacDill Air Force Base. Some of the neighborhoods you'll hear about include Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Palma Ceia, Bayshore Beautiful, Ballast Point. Sunset Park, and Beach Park. Housing ranges from historic bungalows and older ranch homes to modern new construction and multimillion-dollar waterfront estates. Bayshore Boulevard and Hyde Park Village are two of the area's defining amenities, while different parts of South Tampa offer very different experiences. Who should consider South Tampa? Buyers who prioritize location, established neighborhoods, proximity to downtown, restaurants and entertainment—and are willing to pay a premium for it.

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Downtown Tampa, Water Street & Channel District

If you want to be close to restaurants, sporting events, entertainment and the waterfront, Downtown Tampa and the Channel District offer a completely different Tampa experience. Much of the housing consists of condos, apartments and luxury high-rises, making this one of Tampa's most urban living options. Areas to know include:

Water Street, Channel District and Harbour Island. Water Street in particular has helped transform Downtown Tampa into a destination for luxury residential living, restaurants, hotels and entertainment.

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Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights has a personality that is difficult to duplicate with newer suburban development. It's located just north of Downtown Tampa and is known for historic bungalows, Craftsman-style homes, renovated older properties, independent restaurants, breweries and local businesses. You'll hear names such as:

Old Seminole Heights, Hampton Terrace, South Seminole Heights and Southeast Seminole Heights. If you want character and proximity to Tampa's urban core but don't necessarily want the South Tampa experience, Seminole Heights deserves a look.

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Carrollwood, Lutz & North Tampa

Head north and Tampa starts feeling much more suburban. North Tampa includes areas such as Carrollwood, Carrollwood Village, Northdale, Citrus Park and portions of Lutz. The housing mix includes established single-family neighborhoods, gated communities and newer development. This part of Tampa can be a great middle ground for buyers who want more space than they'll typically find close to downtown but don't necessarily want to move farther into Pasco County.

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New Tampa

New Tampa sits northeast of Downtown Tampa near I-75 and includes communities such as: Tampa Palms, Hunter's Green, Cory Lake Isles and West Meadows. You'll generally find newer homes, gated neighborhoods and master-planned communities with amenities such as pools, parks and golf courses. New Tampa is worth comparing directly with Wesley Chapel because the two areas can look similar on a map but offer different housing, commute and lifestyle options.

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Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel has experienced tremendous residential development and is one of the first areas I'd show someone who tells me: “I want a newer house, community amenities and more space, but I still need access to Tampa.” Major communities include:

Wiregrass Ranch, Epperson, Seven Oaks and Meadow Pointe. Master-planned communities are a major part of the Wesley Chapel housing market, and buyers will encounter everything from townhomes and entry-level new construction to larger luxury homes.

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One thing relocation buyers need to understand. Many newer Tampa Bay communities—particularly as you move into Pasco County—can have HOA fees and Community Development District (CDD) assessments. Don't compare two homes based solely on purchase price. Compare the total monthly cost of ownership.

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Land O' Lakes

Just north of Tampa, Land O' Lakes offers suburban and semi-rural options along with significant newer development. Communities include: Bexley, Connerton, Ballantrae, Concord Station and Dupree Lakes. Land O' Lakes is worth considering if you're comfortable being farther from Downtown Tampa in exchange for suburban living and potentially more space.

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Riverview

South and southeast of Tampa, Riverview is another major suburban option for relocation buyers. The area has experienced extensive residential development and offers a large selection of newer homes, townhomes and master-planned communities.

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If you're comparing Tampa's suburbs, I'd look at Riverview alongside Wesley Chapel and Land O' Lakes rather than assuming they're interchangeable.

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What Should You Know Before Moving to Tampa?

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1. Flood Zones Matter

Being near the water is one of Tampa's biggest attractions, but buyers need to understand flood zones, flood insurance and the property's elevation.

Two homes a few streets apart can have very different considerations.

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2. Homeowners Insurance Matters

Don't wait until you're ready to close to think about insurance.

The home's age, roof, plumbing, electrical system, wind mitigation features and flood exposure can affect insurability and cost.

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3. Your Commute Can Change Everything

Don't judge distances based purely on miles.

Living 15 miles from work doesn't necessarily mean a 15-minute commute.

When I help someone relocate, I want to know where you actually need to be during the week before recommending neighborhoods.

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4. Understand CDDs and HOAs

This is particularly important when considering newer master-planned communities.

A beautiful $600,000 home isn't necessarily less expensive to own than another $625,000 home once taxes, insurance, HOA fees and CDD assessments are considered.

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5. New Construction Isn't Automatically the Better Deal

Tampa Bay has a lot of new construction. Builders may offer incentives, closing-cost assistance or financing promotions, but you should compare the entire transaction rather than just the advertised interest rate or incentive.

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6. Tampa Isn't One Housing Market

South Tampa, Downtown Tampa, Seminole Heights, Wesley Chapel and Riverview shouldn't be evaluated the same way. That's why understanding Tampa's individual neighborhoods is so important when relocating.​

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Tampa Relocation FAQ

Is Tampa a good place to live?

For many people, yes—but whether Tampa is right for you depends heavily on what you're looking for. Tampa offers urban neighborhoods, established suburbs, waterfront communities and newer master-planned developments. The bigger question is which part of Tampa matches your lifestyle, budget and commute.

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What are the best neighborhoods in Tampa?

There isn't one “best” Tampa neighborhood. South Tampa, Davis Islands, Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Downtown Tampa, Carrollwood, New Tampa and surrounding suburbs all appeal to different buyers. I recommend choosing based on lifestyle rather than rankings alone.

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Where should I live if I'm relocating to Tampa with a family?

Start with your commute, housing budget, preferred home style, school requirements and how you spend your weekends. Those answers can quickly narrow Tampa Bay from dozens of possible communities to four or five worth seriously considering.

 

Is Wesley Chapel considered Tampa?

Wesley Chapel is north of Tampa in Pasco County. It's part of the greater Tampa Bay area but isn't within the City of Tampa.

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Is South Tampa expensive?

South Tampa generally commands a premium compared with many Tampa Bay suburbs because of its location, established neighborhoods, amenities and proximity to Downtown Tampa. Housing ranges considerably depending on the neighborhood and whether the property is waterfront.

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Should I live in Tampa or St. Petersburg?

That depends heavily on lifestyle, commute and housing preferences. Tampa tends to offer easier access to many suburban communities, while St. Petersburg offers its own distinct downtown, arts, dining and coastal lifestyle. It's worth spending time in both before deciding.

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How far is Tampa from the beach?

Tampa itself sits on Tampa Bay, but the Gulf beaches are primarily across the bay in Pinellas County. Actual drive times vary substantially depending on your starting point, destination and traffic.

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Does Florida have a state income tax?

Florida does not impose an individual state income tax, which is one reason the state is attractive to some relocation buyers.

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Should I use a Realtor when buying new construction in Tampa?

A builder's sales representative represents the builder's interests. Having your own real estate professional can help you evaluate communities, contracts, incentives, inspections, resale considerations and competing builders.

 

Download My Tampa Neighborhood Guide

Still trying to decide where you belong?

I've put together a 25-page Guide to Tampa's Most Popular Suburbs covering neighborhoods, housing, schools, restaurants, things to do and more.

DOWNLOAD THE TAMPA RELOCATION GUIDE

 

Meet Jeremy Sullivan

Tampa Realtor & Broker/Owner of Still Water Properties

 

My family moved to Florida in 1993. When it came time for me to decide where I wanted to build my own life, I chose Tampa. Now I get to help other people make that same decision.

 

As Broker/Owner of Still Water Properties, I help buyers and sellers throughout Tampa Bay, with a particular focus on people trying to understand where they fit within Tampa's very different neighborhoods and communities.

 

I'm not interested in telling you every neighborhood is amazing. I'll help you understand the tradeoffs—the commute, housing stock, location, insurance considerations, amenities and overall lifestyle—so you can decide which area actually makes sense for you.

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Jeremy Sullivan
Broker/Owner — Still Water Properties
Tampa Bay Real Estate
813-480-7411
Jeremy@StillWaterProperties.com