Finding a new house or apartment is tough—especially when you’re moving from out of state and aren’t familiar with the area! A good way to start is to narrow down the areas you’d like to live in. Here, we’ll cover seven of the best neighborhoods in Tampa, FL. From Uptown to Palma Ceia, you’re sure to find somewhere you’ll be excited to move to in Tampa.
Table of Contents
1. Uptown
One popular neighborhood in Tampa, FL is Uptown, also known as the University Area.
As you might have guessed, this neighborhood sits next to the University of South Florida, Tampa campus. Uptown is an urban area with a variety of restaurants, parks, and performance venues. It’s highly walkable, with good public transportation and biking infrastructure.
Some of the highlights of life in Uptown include the diverse community, the nearby beach, and Busch Gardens, a popular amusement park. Uptown also ranks highly in its nightlife. Thus, it’s a good area for young professionals but has solid public schools for families with kids.
Uptown has recently undergone revitalization. Although Uptown’s rent prices are increasing, apartments are relatively inexpensive in this area, and homes are slightly more affordable than areas in the rest of Tampa. For those who want to live in an up-and-coming neighborhood with plenty of entertainment, Uptown is a great bet!
2. Hyde Park
The historic neighborhood of Hyde Park contains areas like Bayshore Boulevard, Hyde Park Village, and South Howard Avenue, also known as SoHo. It lies south of Tampa’s downtown along the bay.
Hyde Park features a mix of urban and suburban living, with plenty of restaurants, a strong nightlife, and solid public schools. While it may have slightly less biking and public transit access compared to Uptown, it remains a highly walkable area.
In Hyde Park Village, you’ll find many places for neighborhood residents to come together, including shopping and the Cinebistro, a gourmet restaurant and movie theater. SoHo also contains plenty of entertainment, ocean access, and a huge variety of restaurants.
3. Virginia Park
Virginia Park is another great neighborhood in Tampa, FL. Located in the south part of the city, Virginia Park is a quiet, residential area.
This neighborhood offers a variety of parks, including the popular Marcelino Chelo Huerta Jr. Friendship Park. It’s also within walking distance of the bay and close to Tampa’s downtown!
The public schools in Virginia Park belong to the Plant School District, which is very highly rated. Know that the cost of living in Virginia Park is relatively high, even compared to the rest of Tampa. Thus, this area is good for families and offers plenty of amenities for those who can afford it.
4. Seminole Heights
Seminole Heights lies north of Tampa’s downtown and has a variety of historic homes for families. It is a vibrant, walkable area with plenty of stores and restaurants. It’s also close to Tampa’s zoo.
Seminole Heights provides access to high-quality public education; its Hillsborough High School ranks highly, especially in terms of diversity and opportunities for college prep. Other Hillsborough County School District schools are great as well! Thus, this is another good Tampa, FL neighborhood for families.
5. Ybor City
Ybor City, the former Cigar Capital of the World, contains many remnants of Tampa’s history. In fact, it’s one of Florida’s three National Historic Landmark Districts—and is home to the Ybor Museum State Park, as well as other museums and attractions.
After the disappearance of the cigar factories in the 1950s, Ybor City underwent revitalization and now offers shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
Ybor City has areas that are very affordable, with an average cost of living below the cost of living for Tampa and even slightly lower than the average cost of living in Florida.
6. Davis Islands
Davis Islands, in South Tampa, is right outside the downtown and contains a mix of residential and business areas.
This Tampa, FL neighborhood has an interesting history; the area was built in the 1920s by combining two natural islands. Today, Davis Islands contains a variety of parks. Its proximity to the water also makes it a popular neighborhood in Tampa; residents can visit the Davis Island Yacht Club and the Seaplane Basin, a beach area.
The Tampa International Airport is located in Davis Islands, making for convenient travel.
Just be prepared for the high cost of living in Davis Islands, even compared to the rest of Tampa!
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
7. Palma Ceia
Last but not least, Palma Ceia is another great neighborhood in Tampa. Located southwest of the downtown, this neighborhood ranks particularly highly in being good for families, with a suburban environment, high-quality public schools, and a variety of restaurants and parks. The neighborhood is known for its red brick roads.
Palma Ceia has a high cost of living compared to Tampa. However, it contains diverse types of houses and price ranges!
Moving To Tampa
Now you’re aware of some of the many neighborhoods that Tampa, FL has to offer. Whether you’re a student interested in the University Area, a young professional moving to an apartment, or a family moving with kids, Tampa has a place for you.
Read our other blogs for advice on the rest of the moving process, including timing your move, budgeting, and packing your belongings. And, if you’re looking for a Tampa, FL moving company, consider hiring UniMovers. UniMovers is a labor-only moving company in Tampa that offers services at fixed rates. In addition, UniMovers hires local college students. Thus, working with UniMovers as your Tampa moving company will contribute to your new community!
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground! For bustling, walkable neighborhoods in Tampa, check out Uptown and Hyde Park. For a suburban family life, you can explore options in Virginia Park, Davis Islands, and Palma Ceia. Lastly, for areas with a rich history, Seminole Heights and Ybor City are great options. We love it in Tampa and know you will too!
Sophie Pollack-Milgate has a day job as a research assistant. In her free time, she likes to read 10% of the library books she checks out, complain about how either ice or heat are ruining her runs (depending on the season), and modify recipes beyond recognition.
