Tampa might not be the capital of Florida, but it’s one of its largest and most exciting cities. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, this diverse metropolis is known for its rich historical roots and contemporary style.
If you’re thinking of moving to Tampa, Florida, you might find yourself wondering, “What are the best neighborhoods in Tampa?” In this guide, we’ll seek to answer that question!
That way, you can find a Tampa neighborhood that fits your needs, preferences, and budget. Let’s get started!
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Tampa neighborhoods: An overview
The story of Tampa is an interesting one. Though the infamous conquistador Ponce de Leon discovered the Tampa Bay area during the 1500s, it wouldn’t see any residential or commercial development until the mid-1800s.
As such, Tampa is one of the youngest major cities in North America. However, despite this relatively short history, it’s home to dozens of fascinating historical buildings. Tampa has a unique style and flavor.
Like a few other Floridian cities, Tampa consists of a true melting pot of cultural identities, backgrounds, and influences. Cuban culture, in particular, has left an indelible mark on several neighborhoods.
Still, Tampa is a growing, changing urban landscape surrounded by lush suburban neighborhoods and warm gulf waters. As a result, you might want to find someone to buy your home so that you can move here right away!
After all, whether you want to live surrounded by skyscrapers or simple homes, there’s a neighborhood to match your style. Without further ado, let’s explore some of the best communities and neighborhoods in Tampa.
Best neighborhoods in Tampa
Tampa is a diverse and modern city that’s constantly growing.
Consequently, it’s home to dozens of distinct neighborhoods and communities, each with its own styles, advantages, and potential drawbacks.
The best spot for you depends on your preferences, housing budget, and household size. To make your search easier, we’ve divided our top picks into four distinct categories.
Read on to find out which Tampa neighborhood might be a good fit for you!
Best neighborhoods for young adults
College students and young adults will want to choose homes in vibrant, safe communities. Spots near local campuses also tend to be popular. As such, some of the best Tampa neighborhoods for these groups include:
- Seminole Heights
- North Tampa
Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot for quick commutes to school or looking to invest in a great starter home, these communities have a lot to offer. Let’s find out which one might be right for you./
Seminole Heights
Seminole Heights is a fascinating Tampa neighborhood. It’s an art-driven community of young intellectuals and artists filled with galleries, cafes, and old cottage-like homes.
Whether you’re looking for a great starter home or hoping to rent, there are plenty of Seminole Heights properties that are worth a second look.
Most homes in this neighborhood are bungalows that feature historic Floridian designs and contemporary amenities. Additionally, many of these properties are listed at competitive rent and sale prices.
Still, affording these places is often most manageable with the help of a roommate or two. Fortunately, this area is popular, so finding like-minded folks to share a home with isn’t challenging.
That said, unless you’re a University of Tampa resident, you’ll likely need to make an arduous commute to reach your University of South Florida classes. As such, many USF students choose to live in North Tampa.
North Tampa
North Tampa contains several smaller boroughs, such as Temple Terrace and the University district. These areas are notable for their high-density off-campus student housing.
The North Tampa neighborhood is also jam-packed with shopping centers, grocery stores, and hospitals. It’s an area that’s rich in resources and entertainment options, making it ideal for students and young adults.
Notably, this area is only about a ten-minute drive (about five miles) away from Busch Gardens. As such, residents may want to invest in an annual park pass. That way, you could enjoy the park at any time of the year!
Students looking to live close to the primary Tampa USF campus might want to choose a home in this area. Not only can you make it to class in no time, but Downtown is only about 20 away by bus or car!
Best neighborhoods for families
Find the best neighborhood for your family can be a little tricky. After all, you’ll likely want to consider the local school system, distance from high-rated hospitals, and commute times.
Still, we’ve found that the best Tampa neighborhoods for families include:
- Hyde Park
- New Tampa
Let’s take a brief look at each one to help you get to know Tampa’s kid-friendly neighborhoods a little better.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of the most beloved and celebrated communities in Tampa. It’s not challenging to understand why, especially after you’ve seen the beautiful homes and apartments in this area.
This historic area features gorgeous Old Florida architecture, including wide front porches and Neo-Georgian columns. These classic homes blend naturally with the new construction in the area.
Parents are bound to enjoy the fact that Hyde Park’s schools are some of the top-rated institutions in Tampa.
The Montessori Children’s House of Hyde Park is a K-12 (with prekindergarten programs) school with glowing reviews from parents and previous students. And it’s one of several options for parents and kids.
Whether you enjoy Old Florida homes or modern builds, you’ll find a property to fall in love with at Hyde Park. Besides, this neighborhood is only a short drive or walk away from Ybor City and Downtown.
New Tampa
New Tampa is one of the northernmost parts of the city, and it’s also a relatively new development. That said, it could be one of the most affordable, safe, and convenient places to raise a family.
Modern townhomes and apartments are plentiful and relatively budget-friendly, as are the growing subdivisions throughout the areas. Entertainment and shopping opportunities are often a short walk away.
Families can fall in love with the New Tampa Nature Park and its zooming zipline, wooden boardwalks, and kid-friendly climbing wall.
When it’s time to eat, you can stop by Tampa Premium Outlets for lunch and some shopping. This massive outdoor shopping center is home to more than fifty shops and restaurants, so everyone can find something they like.
Though the drive into the Downtown area can take an hour or longer in high traffic, New Tampa’s contemporary small-town vibe might be ideal for you and your household.
Best neighborhoods for professionals
Professionals working in the heart of Tampa’s financial district and the Downtown area may want to choose a home that’s close to work. After all, the morning commute down I-4 and I-275 can be hellish.
To reduce your commute time and enjoy the rich city life Tampa offers, be sure to consider:
- Downtown
- South Howard Avenue
These neighborhoods each pose unique advantages for professionals working in Tampa. The best choice for you depends on your preferences. In terms of price, these properties tend to be equally matched.
Downtown
The Downtown area is full of towering skyscrapers, unique businesses, and luxurious residential properties. If you’re a single professional, you can enjoy the heights of luxury by purchasing a contemporary condo.
Many of the small apartments and units found in the reflective skyscrapers throughout Downtown sell for less than a million dollars. Rent for these properties tends to average at about $2,382 a month.
If you choose to live in the Downtown community, you can enjoy short walks to nearby museums, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues.
For example, the historic Tampa Theatre is only a short stroll away from Downtown apartments. You can watch vintage and indie movies here, or take in a live show.
So, if you’re ready to embrace the opulent side of living in Tampa, be sure to view the properties in this affluent urban neighborhood. Of course, you might also want to consider SoHo.
South Howard Avenue
The South Howard Avenue neighborhood, better known as SoHo Tampa, is a small part of the Hyde Park area. It’s notable for its outstanding eateries, distinct bar scene, and exceptional shopping opportunities.
Professionals that play just as hard as they work may want to choose a SoHo apartment. There are more than a dozen bars in this neighborhood, each with a unique theme and menu.
The craft cocktails and live shows in SoHo Tampa are some of the most titillating in the city. You’ll also find almost every kind of cuisine in the neighborhood’s many restaurants, diners, and cafes.
Young professionals wanting to enjoy the best of Tampa’s nightlife, shopping scene, and professional opportunities may choose SoHo. Still, it’s essential to note that rent prices here vary between $1,000 and $2,000.
Best neighborhoods for retirees
Are you looking to retire to Tampa, Florida? If so, you may want to consider one of the following three neighborhoods:
- Davis Islands
- Palma Ceia
Each of these communities offers something special for retirees. Whether you’re an investor or looking for a budget-friendly property, one of these areas is bound to please!
Davis Islands
Retirees looking to enjoy the most sumptuous properties Tampa Bay has to offer may want to consider Davis Islands. These branching spits of land are home to some of the most opulent homes in Tampa Bay.
Most properties here have price tags that start at around $1,000,000 and only go up from there. However, patient buyers can find homes for less than a million dollars.
However, those looking for pristine waterfront property in Tampa Bay won’t want to wait to purchase a home in this neighborhood. Land in this area is precious, making it an ideal choice for investors and wealthy residents.
If you choose this neighborhood, don’t be surprised to find out that you’re living next door to the rich and famous! But if the grandiose homes in the Davis Islands area aren’t your style, you might want to try Palma Ceia.
Palma Ceia
Homes in Palma Ceia are far more affordable than those in the Davis Island neighborhood. Many homes sell for about $500,000, which is about half the price of David Island’s mega-mansions and villas.
Retirees looking to move to sunny Tampa on a stricter budget may want to choose this area because of its affordability and position along the bay. If you own a boat, you’ll love living in the Palma Ceia neighborhood.
Residents of Palma Ceia aren’t far away from medical care. The Memorial Hospital of Tampa Bay is less than two miles away from this neighborhood.
Consequently, retirees can enjoy a little peace of mind knowing that emergency care is only a few minutes away. Residents of Palma Ceia also aren’t far from the excitement of Downtown.
Still, this community is removed enough to feel entirely removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. As such, it makes an excellent place for active seniors and retirees.
Choose a Tampa neighborhood
Finding the best Tampa neighborhood can feel like a challenge. But hopefully, our guide helped point you in the right direction.
Still, it’s crucial to remember that we only mentioned a few neighborhoods throughout the Tampa area. In fact, Tampa’s borders continue to grow and expand every few years.
Tampa consists of six counties:
- Hillsborough
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Manatee
- Hernando
- Citrus
Each of these counties offers unique advantages to potential homeowners or residents. When choosing the best neighborhood for your household, you may want to research the county associated with each of your picks.
Before purchasing a home or signing a lease, you’ll also want to part ways with your current property. Be sure to use a home valuation tool to find out how much profit you could earn by selling your current home.
After all, moving to a new area can be an expensive process. Having plenty of extra funds could make your move far easier and less stressful.
What is an iBuyer?
Are you ready to sell your property quickly and easily? If so, you might want to contact an instant buyer, or iBuyer. Doing so can help you part with property without getting a real estate agent.
Additionally, homes purchased via this process often sell for cash. This means that you can enjoy an immediate boost in cash flow upon selling your home. Remember, moving can be expensive.
Experience the best Tampa Florida neighborhoods
Some of the best neighborhoods in Tampa include Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, and the South Howard Avenue (SoHo) area. Of course, the best spot for you and your household depends on your preferences and budget.
After choosing your ideal Tampa home, you’ll want to pack your belongings and sell your current home quickly. Fortunately, an iBuyer could help you part with your property and earn some cash.
If you’re interested in selling your home quickly, be sure to submit your home address to start the process.
