Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Tampa

Moving to Tampa? Not only is Sunshine City one of the best places to live in the Southeast, but Tampa is also one of the best cities for dog owners. With affordable housing, cultural history, and plenty of things to do, this Florida city is a great place to call home. Here are five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Tampa!

Ballast Point

  • Home Price: $317,267 median purchase price; $1,088 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Tampa neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Families, retirees

Ready to buy a home in an affordable Tampa neighborhood? Ballast Point offers a variety of housing styles, from ranches to modern two-story homes. With MacDill Airforce Base less than ten minutes away, this safe Tampa neighborhood is popular among active military, along with retired military and veterans, for off-base housing. There are even draws for Ballast Point families, including quality Tampa public schools Ballast Point Elementary School, Madison Middle School, and Robinson High School in one of the safest places to live in Tampa. Plus, Ballast Point residents will always have fun things to do beneath the Florida sun at places like Ballast Point Park, nearby Hillsborough Bay, and Downtown Tampa.

Things to Do in Ballast Point

Play tennis, sail, or enter fishing tournaments after becoming a member at Tampa Yacht & Country Club. Get your heart pumping during Zumba, take a self-defense class, or lift weights at Joe Abrahams Fitness & Wellness Center. Explore the walking trails with your pup, fish, or join the adult-only kickball league at MacDill Trail at Gadsden Park. Try a Berry Fruity Bowl, Honeydew Milk Tea, Thai Frappe, and more at Boba and Berry. Enjoy classic Mediterranean favorites like Babaganush, Falafel Dinner Plate, or Mousakka, and end your meal with a piece of Baklava at Bayshore Mediterranean Grill. Build your own bowl or pick traditional Asian dishes like Lo Mein Tenance, Stand Bahn Mi, or Kung Pow! at Asian Kitchen. Or visit Big Ray’s Fish Camp for some of the best seafood in Tampa like Deviled Crab, the Shrimp Roll, or a Grouper Reuben.

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Hyde Park

  • Home Price: $254,353 median purchase price; $1,078 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Tampa neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, retirees

If you want to be near Tampa’s city center, consider living in Hyde Park! Located south of Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park provides a variety of 19th-century housing options with Old Florida architecture, like Neo-Georgian bungalows and Victorian-style homes. Located along Bayshore Blvd, this residential neighborhood is one of the safest places in Tampa, and it’s home to Bayshore Linear Park Trail, providing residents with biking and walking trails beside Hillsborough Bay. Not only is this South Tampa neighborhood conveniently located, but Hyde Park’s proximity to Tampa General Hospital makes this a great area for medical professionals wanting to live near the hospital. And with The University of Tampa just outside the neighborhood’s borders, Hyde Park is also perfect for students and staff.

Things to Do in Hyde Park

Shop luxury brands like Zadig & Voltaire or at local boutiques like Downtown Dogs and Sunni Spencer, dine at unique restaurants, or attend events like Fresh Market or Trivia Night at Irish 31 in Hyde Park Village. Enter the ring and throw your best left hook at Punch Boxing. Learn about Tampa’s role in the Spanish-American War, see souvenirs from the old Tampa Bay Hotel, or attend annual events like Fourth Friday or Upstairs/Downstairs at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Find brunch favorites like Papas y Huevos, Philly Sox, or Margherita Benny paired with a Bloody Mary at Water + Flour. Order Mexican dishes like Loco Nachos, Shrimp Taco Bowl, or Carnitas street tacos from Green Lemon. Grab a seat on the patio for Beef Gornazola Pizza, Spinach Florentine, or Taco Pizza at Sally O’Neal’s Pizza Hotline. Or spend date night on South Howard Avenue (SoHo), and taste a Fancy AF, Safe Word, or another specialty cocktail when you pop into Ciro’s.

Palma Ceia

Photo via @thewertzgroup

  • Home Price: $409,775 median purchase price; $722 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Tampa neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Families, retirees

As one of the safest neighborhoods in Tampa, Palma Ceia is a great place to raise a family or settle down after retirement. Families living in safe Palma Ceia will appreciate being close to well-rated Tampa schools like Roosevelt Elementary School and Plant High School. Plus, professionals seeking jobs in Tampa’s healthcare industry can find opportunities nearby at HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital. Located on the western side of Hillsborough Bay, this Tampa neighborhood is removed from the hustle of downtown, but still includes plenty of urban amenities like Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and Bayshore Boulevard Greenway, one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the world. Along with its many fun things to do in Tampa, Palma Ceia has a variety of housing options—from spacious Bungalows to Ranch-style homes.

Things to Do in Palma Ceia

See fine art collections, purchase a hand-carved frame, or attend art-centered events like Burner: A Group Exhibition of International Street Artists at The Michael Murphy Gallery. Bring your kids and pups to play at Palma Ceia Park. Get your heart pumping with cycling or circuit classes from CAMP. Treat yourself to a spa day with a Thai Massage, Vitamin C Facial, or a Spa Pedi at Enchanteria Day Spa. Have brunch in Tampa at Byblos for Lebanese dishes like Labneh, Baba Ganuj, or Gryo & Potato Hash. Order Italian favorites like homemade Frutti Di Mare, Carnivora, or Burrata at Matteo Trattoria & Pizzeria. Savor Tandoori Lamb Chops, Chicken Tikka Masala, or Butter Chicken from Flames Indian Cuisine. Or chow down on Brisket Sandwiches and Already Infamous Duck Wings, add skewers to your Bloody Mary, or sample street tacos on Taco Tuesday at The Soho Backyard.

Riverside Heights

  • Home Price: $151,350 median purchase price; $1,464 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Tampa neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Located along the Hillsborough River is the safe and cozy neighborhood of Riverside Heights. A great Tampa neighborhood for both young professionals and families, this area is known for its budget-friendly homes, quiet streets, and beautiful parks within walking distance. Residents can find affordable housing in Tampa, ranging from Bungalows to modern homes—and those wanting to rent in Tampa can find spacious condos and apartments, too! Children living in this safe Tampa neighborhood can attend Graham Elementary School or Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet School. And if you need to commute to Downtown Tampa, Riverside Heights is a quick ten-minute drive to the city center.

Things to Do in Riverside Heights

Pick up indie records or rare CDs at Steelworker Records. Stroll around Duran Park or Plymouth Park with the kids and dogs. Sign up for pottery or glass classes at Taylor Art Studio. Sign up for early childhood education classes at Community Roots Collective. Get your fill of some of the best burgers in Tampa like Thee Bacon One or Thee Big Smack at Thee Burger Spot. Chow down on an Arepa with Cheese, Salchipapa sandwich, or Paisa Rice at Mom’s Mary Restaurant. Or check out Woven Water Brewing Co for locally-brewed beers like the Bleue Cloud hard seltzer or a Peanut Better & Jelly Super Fruited Sour ale.

Seminole Heights

  • Home Price: $131,633 median purchase price; $958 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 47% of Tampa neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Families, retirees

This safe Tampa neighborhood is perfect for young and established families looking for a hip place to call home—or for retirees looking for a social, yet easy-going, Tampa neighborhood. Consisting of Old Seminole, South Seminole, and Southeast Seminole Heights, the Seminole Heights neighborhood is a century-old cultural hub lined with brick roads, eclectic shops, art galleries, unique eats, and quirky bars. Full of historical Bungalows and restored Victorian homes with wrap-around porches, the community of Seminole Heights works hard to preserve its unique character with annual Home Tours. Seminole Heights is also home to the highly-rated Seminole Heights Elementary School.

Things to Do in Seminole Heights

Stop by Vintage Post Marketplace for home decor antiques. Learn to blow glass or buy pre-made glass art at Phoenix Studio & Gott Glass Gallery. Eat Breakfast with the Animals, ride the Tasmanian Tiger Coaster, or watch Florida Panthers prowl and African Penguins waddle at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Start your morning at the speakeasy-inspired coffee shop, The Blind Tiger Cafe, for a Nitro Cold Brew or Cafe Bombon. Dig into South Porch flatbread, Blackened Tuna Tacos, or Hot Vodka Ravioli at Front Porch & Bart’s Tavern. “Nourish your soul and stomach” with dishes like The Hippy pizza, Southern Fish & Chips, or The Good Burger—and be sure to save room for a piece of Ella’s Key Lime Pie—at Ella’s American Folk Art Cafe. Or snack on incredible bar food like Drunk Grilled Cheese, Fish Reuben, or Vegan Jackfruit Tacos paired with Prairie Vanilla Noir or Lost Coast Mosaic Citra IPA at Mermaid Tavern.

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Moving to Tampa soon? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facility locations throughout the Tampa area that can help with your transition. Find cheap storage units in Tampa!

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