What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Tampa, Florida?

Tracing its founding to Fort Brooke’s establishment, which took place in the 1820s, Tampa, Florida, boasts a long and rich history. The city is set on Tampa Bay’s northern shore, right at the mouth of the Hillsborough River. It’s one of the largest metropolitans in Florida and was incorporated in 1855, but its initial growth was not as fast as other US cities.

The city’s growth back then could be attributed to repetitive yellow fever bouts and poor transportation links. Besides, the natives (Seminole tribe) were not receptive to foreigners. But after the completion of the first railroad links, industries in Tampa blossomed, and immigrants came in to stay.

Today, Tampa, Florida, is one of the US’s modern trade, financial, and tourism hubs. If you’re contemplating living there, then lots of festivals, recreational opportunities, culinary options, job opportunities, and high-quality education, among other perks, await you. You may, however, need to deal with the negatives, including tropical storms, poor public transportation, humidity, and hefty home purchase fees.

The Cuban sandwich is perhaps what best defines Tampa’s culinary world. Pick any five restaurants in the city randomly, and the chances are that the sandwich is available in at least three of them. That’s how popular the dish is.

But Cuban sandwich aside, Tampa also boasts a wide range of delicious ethnic dishes you could enjoy once you relocate to the city. With dozens of farm-to-table food points and food trucks, you won’t struggle to find where to catch a meal. Plus, Latin-inspired restaurants are available in plenty, as if to give you a taste of what it feels like to be a native Latin.

If corporate or chain establishments are your thing, Tampa has got you covered too. Grab your lunch or dinner at Bern’s Steakhouse, whether it’s French or American cuisine. Forget about restaurants that pop up and die in 10 years or less; this particular one has stood the test of time, having been in existence for at least 60 years.

As a wine lover, Berns Steakhouse will not let you salivate anymore. The restaurant is an award-winning establishment courtesy of its wine.

As a parent, education for your children is a priority, and Tampa will never disappoint when it comes to that. The city is home to Florida’s best educational institutions and academies, ranging from elementary schools to high schools to universities.

Serving Tampa’s metro area is the Hillsborough County School District, a renowned institution in the US. If you’re looking for an institution of higher learning, you have options such as the University of Tampa and the University of Florida to choose from.

It should not be lost on you that learning institutions are never the same. So, it pays to do a little research on these institutions in advance.

Most cities around the world have limited job opportunities, despite having good education systems. Tampa is not a city that produces graduates to roast maize or work as shoe shiners in the streets. Landing a job in the city is not a big deal as such.

In 2019, Tampa emerged as one of the best cities in terms of job opportunities, according to WalletHub. From hospitality industries to educational and healthcare institutions, you have all the leeway to choose where to work. There are also grocery and supermarket hiring regularly.

Do you fancy engaging in some recreation? Tampa makes it possible to forget all your daily worries (at least for a moment) and enjoy the fun. Stroll in Busch Garden and Adventure Island parks or visit the Tampa Bay Grand Prix for a one-of-a-kind experience. Dinosaur World and The Florida Aquarium are also worth a visit.

While living in Tampa, you may also want to explore the Tampa Riverwalk, Water Works Park, or the Glazer Children’s Museum. The list of attractions is long, and you could go on and on. What is amazing is that some of these recreational spots offer discounts, so you don’t need deep pockets to explore what the city offers.

Want to live near a beach without breaking the bank? While Tampa may not be the cheapest city to live in under the sun (at least for now), it beats most American cities hands down in that sense.

For once, income tax is not in the vocabulary of Tampa and Florida as a whole. Thus, you can save lots of money if you’re not the extravagant type. Add to this the city’s 2% or so property tax rate, and you’ll get the sense of what it means to live in Tampa.

On average, a home in Tampa costs far much less than a home in most cities in the United States. With $220,000 (as of 2021), you can purchase a decent home in Tampa. And while you may incur some extra charges (HOA fees), the overall cost will still be within a friendly pocket range.

You will need to have a robust HVAC system in your Tampa home to deal with high humidity and heat index during summer. Perhaps that’s the time you may want to hang out near a beach. And with the city having several awesome beaches, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to catching a swim.

However, when the rains come, you may need to limit or do away with outdoor activities because of high humidity. Rains and humidity in Tampa are at their worst during May through September. If being outdoors is all you want during that period, Tampa is not the place to be.

A city is as good as its public transport system. And while you may be having your car, it’s not immune to breakdowns. Just imagine waking up one morning only to find that your car can’t start.

In Tampa, there is no reliable public transport system to turn to if your car fails. There is no railway service to transport people and goods between the city’s center and its suburbs. So, if you’re living some miles away from the city center, you must either own a car or hire a taxi.

The majority of houses in Tampa have been placed under Florida Homeowners Association (HOA), which is known for its strict regulations. Once you’ve decided to purchase any HOA-managed property in Tampa, you must be prepared to comply by paying all related fees, including repair and renovation charges.

Before purchasing a home in Tampa, it is advisable to check the management of the home. If money is not a problem, however, you can go ahead and buy yourself a home. After all, HOA’s stringent regulations are there to protect the community and ensure homes remain habitable.

While Tampa is not entirely synonymous with storm risks, it’s not immune to storms either. The fact that it’s a coastal town means that a hurricane can strike hard without warning, and floods also occur here. If you own a home in Tampa, it pays to have flood insurance.

Once you have solid insurance cover by your side, you’ll want to remain extra vigilant, especially during the months of June through November. That’s the time when a hurricane can hit Florida. Weather reporters will typically sound an alarm for you to vacate your home in advance in the event of a storm.

Related Questions

Is Tampa a Safe Place to Live?

Like any other city in the world, Tampa is not 100% safe. That said, the crime rate in Tampa is lower than in most American cities. The city is about 19% better than the national average crime rate in the country.

What is Tampa’s Racial Composition?

The latest American Community Survey (ACS) statistics reveal that Tampa comprises 4.31%, 23.62%, 65.41% Asian, African Americans, and White Americans. Other races, including Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, constitute a combined 6.67% of the city’s population.

Is living in Tampa Expensive?

Life in Tampa is 9% less expensive than the national average. That makes the city affordable to many people. If you live in Tampa, you won’t have to pay income tax.