Moving to Tampa with your family? The Big Guava offers affordable real estate, quick beach access, great schools, and lots of family-friendly things to do. If you’re thinking about living in Tampa, check out these top Tampa neighborhoods for families!

• Hyde Park
• Lutz
• Palma Ceia
• Seminole Heights
• Tampa Palms

Hyde Park

• Home Price: $254,353 median purchase price; $1,078 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Florida cities

Less than ten minutes away from Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park is an active community with plenty of family-friendly things to do—including live entertainment, restaurants, after-school programs, and more! Meanwhile, the Historic Hyde Park Association brings even more all-ages activities to the neighborhood with events like the Historic Hyde Park Home Tour. Other attractions in this popular Tampa neighborhood include the Bayshore Boulevard Greenway—which provides a pedestrian trail and bicycle lanes leading to Downtown Tampa—and several practical amenities like Tampa General Hospital and USF Pediatrics. Families moving to Tampa with children can attend nearby schools like Gorrie Elementary School, St. Johns Episcopal Parish Day School, and Wilson Middle School, as well as The University of Tampa. Another benefit of living in Hyde Park is its affordable real estate, which consists mostly of Shotgun and Craftsman homes, as well as quaint bungalows and multi-family residential complexes.

Things to Do in Hyde Park

Sign your kid up for after-school programs like Club J or Camp J Summer Camp, or take advantage of the pool and fitness center any time at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. Take the whole family to see empowering plays centered around the voices of women and girls at PowerStories Theatre. Browse unique antiques and other vintage treasures at Schiller’s Architectural & Design Salvage. Buy a bouquet from Posies Flower Truck on Wednesdays and Fridays, grab an ice cream cone at OddFellows Ice Cream Co, or browse the many other shops, restaurants, and events at Hyde Park Village. Start your morning with the Big Willa Latte, Bec Sandwich, and Salmon Gravlax Bagels at Willa’s Provisions. Grab Peruvian-inspired sandwiches like the Chicharron and La Carmencita, or try the Arroz con Pollo bowl at Meanchi’s. Stop by for a “Jersey Slice” in Tampa Bay with Santoro’s Pizza, offering the E-I-E-I-O (Meat Lover) Pizza, the Nonna Lisa (Grandma) Pizza, and Meatball Parm Subs. Or enjoy Greek dishes like the Keftede Sub, Loukoumades, or the Greek Chick Salad for brunch or lunch at Psomi.

Lutz

• Home Price: $237,500 median purchase price; $979 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Florida cities

Slightly north of the main Tampa metro area, Lutz offers the convenience of big-city life with the affordability and close-knit vibe of a small town. Lakes and marshes mark the landscape, making Lutz a great place for outdoor family fun like fishing and kayaking. This Tampa suburb boasts even more green space for families to explore, with public parks like Nye Park and Carolyn Meeker Dog Park. Lutz’s picturesque aesthetic is completed by quaint, scenic neighborhoods made up of affordable bungalows, Craftsman, and Contemporary homes. Lutz also has great Tampa area schools, like Lutz Elementary School, Steinbrenner High School, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School, and Carrollwood Day School, so families moving to the Tampa area can feel confident knowing their children will receive a top-notch education.

Things to Do in Lutz

Enroll your kids in the cheerleading or youth football program for children ages 5 to 14 at Lutz Chiefs Youth Football and Cheer. Rent a canoe or kayak and spend a day on the water, go horseback riding on the trail, or test your aim at the archery range at Lake Conservation Park. Drop the little ones off for a day of arts and crafts, music and dancing, and more at the counselor-staffed Play Center while you take on the 18-hole golf course, play a match of tennis, or swim laps in the heated pool at The Club at Cheval. Swing by Lutz Branch of the Hillsborough Public Library for Story Time, classes for kids and adults, and a large collection of books to explore. Start your day with a Smokey Western Omelette, Country Fried Steak & Eggs, or the Spinach-Feta Flatbread at The Breakfast Nook. Get Pan-Asian cuisine for lunch at Rice N Roll, serving up Sashimi Bento Boxes, Shrimp Tempura Rolls, or the Sweet & Sour Chicken or Pork Lunch Combo. Order family-sized meals like Stuffed Spinach Pizza, Chicken Philly Subs, and Penne Al Pesto at Capri Pizza & Pasta. Or enjoy dinner with the family at Villaggio’s, which serves amazing Tortellini in Brodo, Gnocchi Sorrentina, and Gamberi Villaggio.

Palma Ceia

• Home Price: $409,775 median purchase price; $722 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of Florida cities

As one of the safest places to live in Tampa, Palma Ceia is another great place for families moving to Florida to settle down. Craftsman, Neo-Colonial, and Mediterranean homes are common to the area, but stunning real estate is just part of the neighborhood’s charm. Palma Ceia is also bordered to the southeast by the beautiful Hillsborough Bay, offering waterfront views and bay-front green space like Fred Ball Park. This popular Big Guava neighborhood is also located just eight minutes from Downtown Tampa, where even more family activities await. Additionally, Bayshore Boulevard, a district full of specialty shops and eateries, is just a half-mile walk away! However, Palma Ceia’s most notable feature is its reputation as a prevalent golfing community, since the neighborhood is home to Tampa’s oldest private golf club: Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club, founded in 1916.

Things to Do in Palma Ceia

Engage with the arts as a family at Michael Murphy Gallery, featuring original works from the likes of Warhol, Picasso, and Dali. Shop functional fashion great for kids and adults alike at Why Not Boutique. Get equipped for family bike rides with specialized bicycles and gear from Outspokin Bicycles. Explore local history, including rotating exhibits like Cuban Pathways and Picturing Women Inventors from Tampa Bay History Center. Begin the day with a Bolt Cold Brew on Tap, Buddy Brew Screw, or Red Eye at Buddy Brew Coffee. Indulge in fresh bakery items like Seeded Seven Grain, Venetian Olive, or Scali Bread from Pané Rustica Restaurant & Bakery. Take the family to lunch at Kelp Sushi Joint, offering Kids Bento Boxes, Squid Kara-Age, Sashimi Plates, and the Angry Hamachi specialty roll. Order Nom Noms, The Grilled Cheese-Burger, the Cluck, Yeah! handheld, or the Butternut Squash Ravioli for lunch or dinner at Datz. Make reservations at Restaurant BT to savor Vietnamese fare like Snapper A La Saigon, as well as other plates from around the world, like Salmon A La Plancha.

Seminole Heights

• Home Price: $131,633 median purchase price; $958 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Florida cities

Seminole Heights is a historic neighborhood that grew from its humble start in the early 1900s into one of the most popular places to live in Tampa. Families are drawn to living in Seminole Heights thanks to the presence of great Tampa schools like Seminole Heights Elementary School, Broward Elementary School, and Hillsborough High School, but the neighborhood has many other benefits to offer, too. Residents can spend their days browsing eclectic shops, dining at locally-owned restaurants, and engaging with the arts as a family at local galleries. The streets of Seminole Heights are decorated with murals and boast a Bohemian flare. Meanwhile, residential areas consist of affordable Craftsman, Florida Vernacular, and Florida Cracker-style bungalows dating back to the early 20th century.

Things to Do in Seminole Heights

Help your kids appreciate the arts with a family trip to Susan Gott’s Phoenix Studio & Gott Glass Gallery to learn glass blowing and view sculptural glass, stone, and steel installations. Take the whole family to the Seminole Heights Sunday Market on the second Sunday of each month, where you’ll find fresh produce, works by local artists, music, and more. Tap into your wild side at ZooTampa and come face-to-face with amazing wildlife during kid-friendly events like Zoo School, Breakfast with the Animals, or Creatures of the Night. Begin your day refreshed with a Canyon Gold Milk Turmeric Latte, hot or iced Bellocq Fine Teas, or the Green Dragon specialty drink at Bula Kavananda Kava Bar & Coffeehouse. Split a Charcuterie Board with your choice of meats and cheeses, fill up on Carbonara Gnocci for dinner, or order Cavatappi a la Red from the kids menu for your little ones at The C House. Chow down on comfort food at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, an eclectic independent eatery and music venue serving up plates like The Dog House Salad, The Wino Burger, and more. Try Gangchu Chicken and other meals inspired by Korean street food, like the Braised Galbi Sando, Beef Bulgogi, or Tteokbokki at Gangchu. Or sample some of the “most xtreme tacos” like the Meatlovers Burrito, the Tijuana Taco, and the Chile Relleno Bowl at Xtreme Tacos.

Tampa Palms

• Home Price: $254,647 median purchase price; $1,026 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Florida cities

A planned community located near the Hillsborough River, Tampa Palms has been called “your small town by the river” by its developers. This neighborhood is ideal for families moving to Tampa who are looking for a laid-back community to settle down in. Real estate in Tampa Palms, which belongs to an HOA, is marked by an updated, tropical aesthetic and includes property styles from estates and townhomes, to single-family custom homes and apartments—many with palm trees and other native flora in the yard. Speaking of local plant life, Tampa Palm is bordered by large parks and nature preserves, including Cypress Creek Nature Preserve and Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Preserve. On top of its small-town feel and abundant outdoor recreation, Tampa Palms is a great place to raise a family because it is served by the highly-rated Hillsborough County School District, with local institutions like Tampa Palms Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, and Freedom High School.

Things to Do in Tampa Palms

Test your skills on the 18-hole golf course, play on one of the 11 Har-Tru tennis courts, or have your kids join the Tampa Summer Camps, After School Care Camp, or the Kids Corner at the world-class Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club. Swim laps in the Junior-Olympic size pool, let your kids cool off in the children’s pool, or play pickleball with the whole family at Compton Park. Rent a jet ski for a day of fun on the water through Xtreme Aquatic Rentals. Take your little ones to the playground, visit the observation tower for views of the Hillsborough River, or go on a ranger-led educational tour on the weekends at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. Have authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Ruby, serving Tom Kah Kai, Tom Yum Shrimp, or Pineapple Fried Rice. Sample the Spicy Basil Fried Rice, Pad Ka Proa, or the Panang Curry at Palm Thai. Eat your fill at Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery, serving the Dancing Krab Roll, Philadelphia Roll, and the Ninja Roll. Or chow down on classic bar food like Street Tacos, a Slider Flight, and Fattened Shrimp at The Fat Rabbit.

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Neighborhood and suburb statistics from AreaVibes