Downtown Tampa, Florida Skyline at night, building logos blurred for commercial use

7 Reasons Why You and Your Family Should Consider Moving to Tampa

Considering moving to Tampa? You’ll be in good company: more than 51,000 people moved to the Tampa/St. Pete metro in 2018 alone, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

If you’re not sure if the west coast Florida life is right for you, we’re giving you seven reasons why you’ll want to at least consider making the move:

1. A Year-Round Beach Vacation

Tampa is nestled along the eastern perimeter of Tampa Bay, so you’ll be in close proximity to the water just about everywhere you go. Also, top beaches in St. Pete and Clearwater are just a short drive away.  

2. A Booming Job Market

Many Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in Tampa, including Publix Super Markets, WellCare, and TECO Energy. Healthcare, financial, and supply chain are among the most common industries here. Also, the port in Tampa is the nation’s seventh largest.

Even better news: the job market keeps growing. Right now, the job growth rate in Tampa is slightly higher than the U.S. average. 

3. No State Income Tax

Not paying state income tax can help you stretch your money even further. This alone can be a major financial game-changer for families with children.

4. Relatively Inexpensive Cost of Living

According to Numbeo, it costs about $3,045 for a family of four to live in Tampa (rent excluded). 

No state income tax lends to a lower cost of living in Tampa compared to similar cities in other states. In addition, the housing market is relatively lower than comparable metros.

5. Public Transportation

Tampa offers a variety of public transportation options to help you navigate the city. 

You can take the TECO Streetcar, which travels between Ybor City and Channelside Bay Plaza. There are also more than 200 buses and Amtrak rides throughout the city.

If you prefer walking, Tampa is home to the world’s longest continuous sidewalk — along Bayshore Boulevard — which is 4.5 miles long.

6. An Abundance of Special Interest Activities

No matter your age or interest, there’s plenty of things here to help you enjoy life. Tampa is home to Busch Gardens, a zoo, an aquarium, and an outdoor water park. There are also several museums throughout the metro from art to science to children’s activities and more. 

Festivals abound year-round, dedicated to things like margaritas, music, art, and food. And if you’re a sports fan, the city also hosts several nationally-recognized sports teams.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of three NFL teams in Florida. The Tampa Bay Rays (baseball) play in St. Petersburg at the Tropicana Stadium, which is just across the bay from Tampa. And Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey) won the Stanley Cup in 2004.

Combined, these teams ensure tons of sports entertainment year-round.

7. A Foodie’s Paradise

No matter your palate, Tampa has no shortage of restaurants to please your tastes. The city is a melting pot for international cuisine and domestic favorites like seafood, southern cooking, and even farm-to-table. You’ll also find a fair number of food trucks throughout the city for even more diversity.

Start Moving to Tampa with New Legacy Homes!

Are you excited about moving to Tampa yet? Let New Legacy Homes help you build your Florida dream house!

Check out our available floor plans today and discover all the best things Tampa has to offer.