Moving to Tampa: Pros and Cons You Should Know

Tampa, Florida, often conjures images of sunny skies, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant urban life. Nestled on the west coast of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa is a city known for its diverse culture, bustling economy, and wide range of recreational opportunities. However, like any city, it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This blog aims to provide insights into Moving to Tampa: Pros and Cons, helping you make an informed decision about whether this coastal city is the right place for you. Let's get started.

Pros: Moving to Tampa

What are the advantages that are drawing people to this sunny city and making a move here? Let's find out.

Affordable Living Cost

Is Tampa affordable to live? Yes, it definitely is. Making a move to Tampa is light on your pocket due to its affordable cost of living. When you have decided to make a big move to this city, you must know the cost of living here. The housing costs are particularly cheaper in Tampa as compared to the nearby cities. For instance - the median sale price here is nearly $425,900 and in Miami it is $560,000. And the average rental price for an apartment is $1,543. This makes Tampa an affordable option for those who are planning to move to an affordable place near Florida.

Weather

The climate of Tampa is subtropical, which means mild and dry winters and hot and humid summers. The temperature never goes below 21-22 degrees Celsius in the winter and 36-37 degrees Celsius in summer. If you like clear and warm weather, Tampa is the place for you. Especially for those who find it difficult to live in colder northern climates. On the other hand, mild winters are also suitable for enjoying outdoor activities. So, whether you love enjoying the beaches, boating, or simply lounging in the sun, Tampa's weather will surely attract you.

Arts

Tampa is regarded as a cultural hub with various numbers of museums and theaters in the city. Tampa theatre organizes several events and eclectic films all throughout the year. Some popular museums to explore the life in Tampa, Florida are - Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa Museum of Arts, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Museum of Science and Industry to name a few.

Sports

It becomes difficult to find the community of your interest when you make a long-distance move. But if you are a sports enthusiast, you need not worry. Tampa has everything. Some of the major sports teams here are - Tampa Bay Rowdies (United Soccer League), Tampa Bay Lightning (National Hockey League), Tampa Bay Rays (Major League Baseball), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (National Football League). And there is more to it. Some new teams like Tampa Bay Strikers, are emerging slowly. The city also has numerous golf courses and fishing spots.

Festivals

There are a series of festivals hosted in Tampa. So, you will always be having something to celebrate. The festivals offer a great way to experience the local culture and community spirit. A handful of festivals celebrated here are - Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Sunset Music Festival, Tampa Riverfest, Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival, Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, Tampa Pride Parade, and the list goes on.

Community events

A place rich in culture, Tampa organizes multiple events throughout the year to foster a strong sense of belonging. Events like outdoor concerts, the Florida State Fair, and neighborhood gatherings provide residents with the perfect opportunity to engage with others and make them feel connected.

Food

Don't look anywhere than Tampa Bay if you are a food lover and want to enjoy the food that satisfies your taste buds. The city has a lot of varieties in terms of flavors and cuisines. You can head to the restaurants like Bern's Steakhouse, The Columbia, or The Oxford Exchange for appetizing options.

Cons: Moving to Tampa

While Tampa has many appealing qualities, it's essential to consider the drawbacks before making the move. Here are some reasons not to live in Tampa that you should keep in mind.

Hurricanes

The possibility of hurricanes in this region from June to November is high as it is close to Florida. The occurrence of natural disasters can cause significant damage to the properties and leads to disruption in daily life. So, if you are planning to come here, come prepared with everything.

Heavy Traffic

If you hate traffic, then prepare yourself to experience some of the worst nightmares of your life. The problem of traffic congestion has been rising here. The fact that makes it even worse is that the city is aware of the traffic problem, but still is very slow in adopting solutions to deal with the problem. Some people are of the notion that due to this heavy traffic, urban planners will be compelled to pay attention to improving public transportation, which will prove transformational in future.

Annoying Pests

You may enjoy outdoor time here, but you need to be cautious as you will have to find solutions to beat the peskier parts of nature - pests. The warm climate here gives rise to multiple mosquitos, termites, bugs and even alligators. Although the incidents of alligators are quite rare, you should be definitely having a plan to prevent yourself from any mishap.

Flat Landscape

The geography of Tampa is relatively flat. And it is a very big disappointment for the people who enjoy adventurous activities like hiking and mountain biking.

Job Market Competition

If you are thinking of reaching heights in your career, you will have to face disappointment if you are planning your move to Tampa. The job market has remained stagnant in the past few years. some of the heaviest hit sectors are healthcare, supply chain, finance and technology. However, you can secure employment if you have strong qualifications and experience.

Limited Public Transportation

Public transportation exists in Tampa Bay. But it is limited. There is no rail service here. So, daily commuters who need to get around the nearby cities without having their own vehicle, have to travel in the buses. There are fairly a good number of buses that runs in the city, but the services are limited in the outskirts of Tampa. So, if you want to move easily in and around the city, you should have your own vehicle.

Pros of Moving To Tampa

• Affordable cost of living as compared to the nearby cities.
• Subtropical weather, which means mild and dry winters and hot and humid summers. It makes outdoor activities open throughout the year.
• A cultural hub with multiple theaters and museums located in the city to explore the essence of Tampa.
• Perfect place for sports enthusiasts with numerous golf courses and fishing spots.
• Experience the local culture and community spirit with a series of festivals hosted here throughout the year.
• Food lovers can satisfy their taste buds with a variety of flavors and cuisines.

Cons of Moving To Tampa

• The possibility of hurricanes is high causing disruption in daily life.
• Traffic congestion is a big problem, and the place is very slow in adopting solutions to deal with the problem.
• The presence of peskier parts of nature - pests, mosquitoes, termites and bugs can make your living difficult here.
• Flat landscape. This could be a disappointment for people who love adventurous activities like mountain biking.
• The job market has remained stagnant in the past few years.
• Limited public transportation, especially in the outskirts of Tampa.

Is Tampa a Good Place to Live?

The answer to the question is Tampa a good place to live depends on your lifestyle and priorities. With a tropical temperature, life in Tampa, Florida is ideal for those who enjoys mild winters and hot summers. Having an affordable cost of living, it is an attractive option for those who are looking to save money.

A mix of public and private schools, welcoming atmosphere, higher education institutions, food festivals, sports opportunities and many more definitely makes Tampa a great place to live in. However, there are some potential drawbacks as listed above. So, keep the pros and cons of living in Tampa in mind before deciding to make a move here and you won't regret.

Conclusion

Moving to Tampa comes with a mix of benefits and challenges. By thoroughly evaluating the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether life in Tampa, Florida is meant for you or not. With the right expectations and preparations, Tampa can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.

And if your answer is yes to the question "Is Tampa, Florida a good place to live", urBin welcomes you to make your move easy. Our team plans, coordinates and executes a successful move to your new home. In addition, we also provide storage services through our innovative storage technology. You can install our application and create as many storages as you want. Keep a track on them through the application, making your items easy to navigate. Its time to make your move as seamless as ever before. Get in touch with us to know more.