Moving to Tampa? Part of the Tampa Bay metro, this coastal Florida city offers family-friendly activities, top schools, a strong job market, and more. Here are the 15 pros and cons of living in Tampa.
Pros of Living in Tampa
From a diverse job market to scenic beaches and parks, here are some of the pros of relocating to Tampa.
Pro: Thriving Job Market
With a variety of career opportunities and industries, Tampa is a great city for young professionals to pursue their dream job. The unemployment rate is only 3.8%, and several Fortune 500 companies are based in Tampa—including The Mosaic Company and Crown Holdings. Other large employers made the Fortune 1000 list, like Bloomin’ Brands and Primo Brands. Those living in Tampa can also find careers in defense with MacDill Air Force Base, finance with companies like Raymond James, healthcare with organizations like Moffitt Cancer Center and Tampa General Hospital, or trade at the Port of Tampa.
Pro: Top-notch Tampa Universities
Students seeking higher education can find plenty of opportunities with various colleges in Tampa. Study advertising, aerospace, or computer science at the University of Tampa. Take undergraduate courses in nursing, mass communications, or engineering from the University of South Florida, one of the best colleges in Florida. Study to become a medical assistant, phlebotomy technician, or massage therapist at the Ana G. Mendez (AGM) University‘s Tampa Bay Campus. Or explore careers in accounting, broadcast production, and carpentry from Hillsborough Community College.
Pro: Outdoor Activities in Tampa
With several beaches and parks in Tampa, it’s easy to spend the day in the Florida sun. Head out for a swim at Ben T Davis Beach. Play a game of sand volleyball, relax by the water, and more at Cypress Point Park. Sign up for the Tampa Dolphin Tour, the History Tour, or the Celebrity Home Tour at Tampa Water Taxi. Go canoeing along the Hillsborough River, watch the kids run wild on the playground, or soak in scenic views from the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park. Watch the sunset, visit Sparkman Wharf, attend events like the July 4th Boat Parade, and more at The Tampa Riverwalk. Or go camping, fishing, or walking along one of the many trails at Hillsborough River State Park.
Pro: A Great Place to Retire
Though Tampa is great for all ages, it’s also known as one of the best cities for retirement, offering affordable neighborhoods, warm year-round weather, no state income tax, and access to top healthcare. Popular neighborhoods for retirees in the Tampa area include Bayshore Beautiful and Beach Park—with each offering plenty of housing, things to do, and access to medical care facilities like HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital and Bayshore Pointe Nursing & Rehab Center. The city also offers a variety of options for retirement communities and assisted living in Tampa—however you wish to spend your golden years, Tampa is a great place for it.
Pro: Thriving LGBTQ Community
With a vibrant LGBTQ community, people from all backgrounds will feel welcome in The Big Guava. Tampa’s inclusive LGBTQ scene makes it easy to connect with others—one of the reasons why Tampa is among just seven Florida cities to receive a perfect score for LGBTQ inclusivity. Support the local LGBTQ community by attending or participating in Tampa Pride in Ybor City, also known as the GaYBOR District. LGBTQ business owners can also find support through the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber, which has been operating since 1983. And when you want to enjoy the nightlife in Ybor City, you can go dancing, watch drag shows, and more at popular gay bars in Tampa like Bradley’s on 7th or gay-friendly Reservoir Bar.
Pro: Family Activities in Tampa
There is no shortage of family-friendly activities in Tampa to choose from. Explore animal habitats like the Wetlands of Florida or the Coral Reef, or book an encounter with penguins and sloths at the Florida Aquarium. Spend the day with the kiddos going down water slides, relaxing in the lazy river, and more at Adventure Island. Sign the kids up for summer camp, ride the carousel, or see over 1,000 animals like the bald eagle, Caribbean flamingo, or Komodo dragon at ZooTampa. Take the kids to learn how to cook pizzas, try on costumes in the Twinkle Stars Theater, and see Big John—the world’s largest triceratops—at Glazer Children’s Museum. Attend a live star show at the Saunders Planetarium & Digital Dome Theatre, learn about physics while playing a game of mini-golf at the SciLinx Mini Golf course, or sign the kids up for an overnight camp-in at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI). Or visit kid-friendly attractions like Air Grover, Elmo’s Safari, Cookie Monster’s Canopy Crawl, and more at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Pro: Growing Tampa Arts Scene
Residents can tap into the City of Tampa’s vibrant arts and culture scene. Admire Tampa murals and art located along the walls of the city’s streets. Peruse exhibits like The Art of Coptic Egypt, sign the kiddos up for summer art camp, or attend events like Art & Aces at the Tampa Art Museum. See exhibits like TutuTango and Photo Ybor: Then and Now—or sign up for classes like Photography 101 and Cellphone Photography at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. Attend live concerts and performances put on by The Florida Orchestra and Opera Tampa at the Straz Center. Or see classic and modern films, attend live comedy shows, and more at the Tampa Theatre—the city’s “non-profit movie palace.”
Pro: Professional Tampa Sports Teams
From major league baseball to hockey, the City of Tampa offers sports fans plenty of opportunities to cheer on their favorite teams. Watch the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) and the Tampa Tarpons (MiLB) hit a home run—or watch the NY Yankees (MLB) train for their upcoming season—at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Get tickets to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) play at Raymond James Stadium. Head over to Benchmark International Arena to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) race across the ice. Or join fans to root for the Tampa Bay Sun FC (USLS) to score a goal at Riverfront Stadium.
Pro: Tampa Festivals & Events
Stay busy with year-round festivals and events in Tampa! Celebrate comics, anime, and gaming every August at the Tampa Bay Comic Convention. Support the Armed Forces Families Foundation by participating in the Skyway 10K. Dress up like a pirate for the Gasparilla Invasion, attend the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, and more during the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Watch Downtown Tampa transform into a huge arts show at the annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts—which features over 250 artists. Grab a bite at Taste of the Riverwalk, participate in the lantern parade, and more during weekend-long Tampa Riverfest. Ride the largest traveling Ferris wheel in North America, watch the Llama & Alpaca Shows, and indulge in fair food at the Florida State Fair.
Pro: Great Tampa Restaurants
You’ll find a variety of cuisines and award-winning restaurants to dine at in The Guava City. Start your day with a Breakfast Cuban Sandwich or Cuban French Toast paired with Horchata Iced Coffee from Flan Factory for breakfast in Tampa. Try a bowl of Spanish Bean Soup, Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad, or Empanadas de Picadillo from Columbia Restaurant—the oldest restaurant in Florida! Order the Yucca Frita, Puerco Asado, or Platano Relleno from La Teresita. Explore Nepalese favorites like the Mustang Aloo, Bhanta Ko Tarua, or Nepalese Fried Rice from Gorkhali Kitchen. Try Native-inspired eats like Gator Tail, Tocobaga Tuna, and Native Loaded Chili at The Ulele. Or devour rotating dishes from Michelin award-winning restaurant Rocca—such as Spaghetti al Limone, Shrimp Fritti, or Dry Aged Rohan Duck—and save room for a piece of Burnt Cheesecake!
Pro: Cigar City Hosts Vibrant Nightlife Options
It’s easy to enjoy a night out on the town with the many options for Tampa nightlife. Try seasonal, locally-brewed beers like Oops! All Wheat, Secretly A Horse, or Barb Ross paired with appetizers from Cigar City Brewing. Go dancing in Tampa with friends or catch a live performance at District 8 Night Club. Soak in a gothic atmosphere while enjoying Game Night Wednesdays at the vampire-themed Dracula’s Legacy Wine Bar & Bistro. Sip classic and signature cocktails like a Moscow Mule or Steal My Sunshine while singing karaoke at LALA Tampa. Enjoy drinks, grab a bite to eat, and play games in the Mega Arcade at Game Time Players. Or hit up The Castle, a popular multilevel dance club, on Friday or Saturday nights.
New to Tampa? Explore Our Local Moving Resources
Cons of Living in Tampa
Even though Tampa offers a strong job market, outdoor fun, and family attractions, there are some drawbacks to calling Tampa home. Here are some potential cons of relocating to Tampa.
Con: High Housing Cost
If you’re planning on living in Tampa, it’s a good idea to be aware of the high housing costs you may face. As a very desirable coastal area, Tampa’s housing prices are 38% higher than the national average—with a median purchase price of $254,600. However, buying a home in Tampa remains more affordable than in other major Florida cities like Miami, which has a median home price of $344,300. And though housing costs are above the state average, there are still plenty of affordable neighborhoods for Tampa residents to call home.
Con: Long, Hot Summers
Those not fond of hot, humid summers may find Tampa’s weather uncomfortable between May and October. Tampa’s climate is subtropical, with a 12-month-average humidity of 74%. Coupled with the humidity are the toasty temps, with the average summer temperature rising above 86 degrees. However, with all that summer sun, the city experiences 246 days of sunshine—that’s 41 more days of sunshine than the average U.S. city. The warm winters are a nice trade-off too, with an average winter temperature of 74 degrees—so snowbirds looking to escape the cold often migrate here.
Con: Tropical Storms
Located along the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa often faces tropical storms. The common months for tropical storms in Tampa are June to November, when the ocean water is at its warmest. Residents need to be aware of potential hazards such as flooding rains, strong winds, storm surges, and hurricanes—fortunately, there are ways to prepare for tropical storms, including assembling a hurricane kit with essential items such as a weather radio, canned food, and enough water for three days. Since Tampa often experiences rough weather, there are also various government emergency resources available to help citizens—be sure to sign up for Alert Tampa for real-time updates and warnings.
Con: Limited Tampa Public Transit
Those who rely on public transit will find that Tampa has low ridership and limited service coverage. As a car-dependent city, this makes it a challenge for those who don’t drive. However, the Tampa mass transit options are expanding—with the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) offering buses through the MetroRapid SYSTEM and the TECO Line Streetcar in Downtown Tampa. Bike enthusiasts also can take advantage of more than 130 miles of bicycle lanes! With the League of American Bicyclists ranking Tampa as first in the nation for bicycle-friendly businesses, you can visit one of 60+ bike-friendly establishments while out cycling.
***
Moving to Tampa, FL? Extra Space Storage offers secure self storage options to help with your move. Find Tampa self storage near you!
The team at Extra Space Storage understand that moving to a new city can be stressful, which is why we’ve created our Best Places to Live selections to help make the process easier. We’ve done the research for you—considering factors like cost of living, job market, local attractions, and education—to provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area. Check out our methodology page today to learn more about how we select the best places to live.
