Moving to Tampa, FL? Read Our Guide

Tampa is many things—a major business center and family-friendly town, and a place with beautiful beaches and world-class museum collections. Most of all, it’s a great place to live, whether you choose to be close to downtown, out in one of the many laid-back beach towns, or anywhere in between. If you’re Tampa-bound, here’s what you need to know about your new destination and how our Tampa moving services can help you reach it.

It’s Larger Than You Think

Before you finalize your plans for a residential move to Tampa, it’s good to have the lay of the land. That can be confusing, since the list of cities and counties included in the metro area can differ. The official U.S. Census Bureau definition of the Metropolitan Statistical Area—known as the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater MSA—includes not only Tampa’s Hillsborough County, but also Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. In some other definitions, it also includes Manatee, Sarasota, Citrus, and Polk counties.

Regardless of just which cities and counties fall within your own definition, the area is most often referred to simply as “Tampa Bay” or “Tampa-St. Pete.” This expansive area has a population estimated at more than 3.1 million people as of 2018 and it’s the fourth-largest metro area in the Southeast. That means you have more than enough choices when you’re looking for a spot that fits your lifestyle.

Making Your Way Around Tampa

Opinions on whether traffic in Tampa is a problem clearly differ. On one hand, Tampa took the #4 slot on WalletHub’s list of best cities in which to drive. On the other, the Tampa Bay Times published a list of the rush-hour bottlenecks that can turn your commute into a nightmare. The takeaway here? Like any populous area, your traffic experience probably depends on how close you live to your workplace. No matter where you move to, you can dial 511 for 24/7 information on traffic and road conditions on the most heavily traveled road segments.

Public transportation is provided by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), which operates the city’s mass transit facilities. It provides these services:

• The local fixed route and express bus service has 200 buses that travel within Hillsborough County
• The MetroRapid North-South service, which operates on weekdays from downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida area with limited stops
• The TECO Line Streetcar system offers a 2.7 mile line at no charge to take riders along downtown and through Ybor City and the Channel District
• The HARTFlex and HARTPlus Paratransit van services offer door-to-door pickup and dropoff

Outside of Tampa proper, you also have several other transportation choices, such as the services provided by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). The PSTA’s Suncoast Beach Trolley connects all of the beach cities in Tampa Bay seven days a week.

Tampa Bay Area Neighborhoods

Families, singles and retirees will all find a neighborhood to their liking in Tampa Bay. Move to neighborhoods close to downtown or along the coast, or suburbs throughout the area. Look into these neighborhoods and towns as you start your search:

• Ybor City: This is Tampa’s historical epicenter and one of Florida’s cultural jewels. This designated National Historic Landmark district has ties to several immigrant countries, making this a melting pot of international food, architecture, arts and people.
• Hyde Park: Prestigious—but still family-friend and pedestrian-friendly—this historic district has tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, and plenty of charm.
• Tampa Heights: This neighborhood just north of downtown Tampa is on the rise. After years of some neglect, it’s now one of the area’s most sought-after neighborhoods, thanks to new investments such as Armature Works, a 1910 streetcar barn that now hosts a food hall, rooftap bar, co-working space, restaurants and more. Prices are rising, but homes here are still within reach.
• Seminole Heights: Known as Tampa’s first suburb, Seminole Heights is noted for its mix of historic buildings which have become funky studio lofts and bungalows. It’s a great spot for families and singles who enjoy an easy walk to eateries, yoga classes, a park along the Hillsborough River, and proximity to downtown.

Because the coast plays such a large role in the Tampa Bay area’s list of great places to live, here are a few beach cities to consider:

• Clearwater Beach: Tourists and residents flock to Clearwater Beach for seemingly opposite reasons—the vibrant nightlife and the relaxing shore. It’s a small island, so getting around is easy unless it’s the height of tourist season.
• Indian Rocks Beach: This quaint town has waterfront property along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico, so you’re never far from outdoor activities. With just three miles of beachfront and about 4,000 residents, Indian Rocks Beach offers quiet living.
• North Redington Beach: This beach tow lies between Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and has plenty of beach accesses for residents and visitors. Home choices include a mix of single-family and multi-family housing.
• St. Pete Beach: This beautiful stretch of coastline consistently earns a place on “best beaches” lists. The city has about 10,000 residents counted among its permanent population, but nearly a third of the condos and homes are owned by seasonal residents, so the area is more crowded during cooler months. Whether you’re here full- or part-time, however, St. Pete Beach’s restaurants, shopping, culture, and beaches make it a world-class place to be.

Tampa for Families

If you’re looking for a city that offers plenty of things to do with kids, you’ll be in the right place in Tampa. From a famous theme park to the beaches, options such as these will keep your weekends booked:

• Busch Gardens: Set aside a full day to take in all of the fun at one of Florida’s favorite amusement park destinations. Consider getting an annual pass so you can make frequent visits without breaking the bank.
• Glazer Children’s Museum: Learning is cleverly disguised as fun and exploration at the museum, where kids of all ages can play in their own firehouse, design a train route in the Engineers’ Workshop, paint in ArtSmart, and much more.
• Horse Power for Kids & Animal Sanctuary: Kids between the ages of 7 and 15 can go horseback riding with experienced trail guides and interact with animals at the petting zoo on this non-profit rescue farm.
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Parents Magazine named this the #1 zoo in the country. It has activities just for little ones, such as small-scale rides, and you can see most everything in just a couple of hours.
• The Florida Aquarium: What kid wouldn’t want to pet stingrays and starfish and swim with sharks? In addition to a range of exhibits, you can take the 75-minute Wild Dolphin Cruise on a 72-foot powered catamaran.
• Adventure Island: This water park has a 17,000-square-foot wave pool, a lazy river, and 10 water slides.
• Museum of Science and Industry: Hundreds of hands-on activities await at this largest science center in the Southeastern U.S. Don’t miss the planetarium and butterfly garden.
• Water Works Park: Operated by the City of Tampa, Water Works Park has plenty of open green space, picnic areas, a splash pad and playground, and a dog park.

Education in Tampa

The Hillsborough County Public School District operates the public primary and secondary school system in Tampa. It includes 267 schools, including 43 charter schools.

Higher education institutions in the Tampa Bay area include:

• The University of South Florida, the fourth-largest public university in Florida
• The University of Tampa, a medium-sized private university with an urban campus
• Hillsborough Community College, a two-year institution
• Eckerd College, a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in St. Petersburg
• St. Petersburg College

Professional Sports

Ice hockey in Southwest Florida? You’ll find that and much more with a move to Tampa.

Check out these choices of pro sports in the Tampa Bay area:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
• Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
• Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)

Dining in Tampa

Sampling the local fare is a great way to get to know your new city. This list of Tampa’s best restaurants (and some of their signature dishes) from the Tampa Bay Times highlights the diverse cuisine that can be found throughout the area:

• Rooster & The Till: Gnocchi, lamb loin, sea bass belly
• Noble Rice: Chirashi, sushi and omakase
• Il Ritorno: White truffle risotto, short rib mezzaluna and capellini nero
• Edison: Food+Drink Lab: Wild Maine sea scallops, filet mignon and Florida black grouper
• Cafe Ponte: Beef tenderloin, lobster en croute and beef bolognese
• Dr. BBQ: Korean BBQ pork belly tacos, brisket and Italian beef sandwiches
• Ichicoro Ane: Ramen, poke and grilled pork belly
• Cena: Anitipasti, pasta and risotto

Tampa Arts & Culture

Moving to Tampa, it’s easy to fill your weekend calendar—the Tampa Bay area has some of the state’s best art and cultural destinations:

• The Tampa Bay History Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum with three floors of exhibits. Hands-on activities and immersive theater experienced explore 12,000 years of Florida history. Stay for waterfront dining at the cafe and visit the museum’s store with local artwork and crafts.
• The 53,000-square-foot Glazer Children’s Museum is for kids of all ages. Exhibits, special programs, and seasonal events will keep you coming back year-round.
• The Morean Arts Center is home to multiple arts venues in downtown St. Pete, including the Morean Center for Clay, Morean Glass Studio & Hot Shop, and the Chihuly Collection. Classes and group tours are available.
• Take a short drive to Sarasota and make a day of it at The Ringling, where you can enjoy the historic Asolo Theater, Circus Museum, Ca d’Zan Mansion and the lush gardens throughout the grounds.
• The award-winning Tampa Museum of Art focuses on modern, classical, and contemporary art and has one of the largest collections of Roman and Greek antiquities in the Southeast.
• Learn all about the “Cigar Capital of the World’s” role in Tampa’s development at the Ybor City Museum State Park. The museum is housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery building, surrounded by a Mediterranean-style garden. Take a guided tour through the park or a walking tour on your own.

Shopping in Tampa Bay

The seven-county Tampa Bay area offers plenty of shopping options, no matter your taste, style, or shopping list. VisitTampaBay.com has these suggestions:

• Hyde Park Village offers a pleasant afternoon of strolling along brick sidewalks in this tree-lined historic neighborhood. Browse brand-name stores and independent local shops all day, then stay for the nightlife and restaurants.
• The Shops at Wiregrass is an outdoor shopping mall with more than 100 specialty shops and restaurants.
• Ybor City is the destination for unique restaurants, boutiques, and, of course, cigar shops. Check out the Ybor City Saturday Market for local produce, art and more.
• Tampa Premium Outlets has it all, and at deeply discounted prices. Its 100 shops include brand names like Saks Fifth Avenue OFF5th, Tommy Hilfiger, and Coach.
• International Plaza is an enclosed, two-story shopping center close to Tampa International Airport. All of the luxury brands are here, as well as nightlife and dining in the adjacent outdoor Bay Street village.

Important Tampa Links

Use these links to help plan your move to Tampa and get settled once you’re here:

DMV/Driver’s License: New residents have 10 days from the date they either register a child in school or start working in the state in which to register their cars. You have 30 days to transfer your current out-of-state driver’s license.

Voting Registration: The website of the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office has everything you need to know about registering, polling places, and ways to vote.

Hurricane and Emergency Shelters: Find your nearest shelters on the website of The Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Evacuation Maps: You may be subject to mandatory evacuation if a hurricane is forecast to make imminent landfall. The City of Tampa offers a hurricane evacuation assessment tools, plus county evacuation maps and more.

Utilities Companies. Tampa offers a variety of utility services for your power needs, including electricity from Tampa Electrical company, natural gas service from TECO, and water and sewer services provided by The City of Tampa.

Trash and Recycling Services. Tampa’s Office of Solid Waste Services helps take care of trash collection and recycling services. The city also offers bulk trash collection and provides a schedule so you know when to expect pickup.

Call the Experts for Your Move to Tampa/St. Pete

Whether you’re coming to your new home from a nearby neighborhood, elsewhere in Florida, across the country, or even from another country, Suddath^® has everything you need to make your residential move to Tampa. You can choose to have us handle everything from end to end, or select one or more of our services.

We’ve been providing moving and storage services in Tampa for half a century, backed by customized customer service. Our expert move coordinators can help you plan every step of your move, from packing and loading, to storage and unloading.

We offer free moving quotes, with three convenient scheduling methods:

• Complete our online quote request form and we will contact you to set a time to visit your home and give you a free estimate.
• Get a smartphone video estimate by scheduling a time to show us your household goods with your mobile device.
• Call us and we’ll talk through your options for a free moving estimate.

Moving to Tampa, FL: FAQ