Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
So you have decided to move to Tampa, Florida. Whether you are moving there alone or with your family, you are sure to have a great time. Tampa has lots of excellent education, employment and business opportunities. It also has spectacular scenic views of the ocean, beaches, rivers, lakes and amazing greenspaces. Plus, the city has a wide range of exciting, enjoyable, entertainment options for children, adults and senior citizens. Tampa also boasts a wide array of comfortable housing options that are affordable on any size budget and offer easy access to work, school and play.
CALCULATE MY MOVE
The city of Tampa is located on the west coat of Florida near Tampa Bay, a mere stone's throw from the Gulf of Mexico. One of the southeastern United State's largest metropolitan areas, the Greater Tampa Area is made up of the cities of Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota and St. Petersburg as well as their four surrounding counties.
Tampa is surrounded by water. The Gulf of Mexico along with Tampa Bay form Tampa's western border. The Palm River is on the city's east, McKay Bay is north of the city and the Hillsborough River passes through Downtown Tampa.
Florida's largest and most diversified port, Port Tampa Bay, is located near the Channel District in downtown Tampa. The port handles container ships, cruise lines and tank ships. It employs over 85,000 people and generates annual revenues in excess of $15.1 billion. Opened in 1924, Port Tampa Bay is operated by the Tampa Port Authority and is the region's largest economic engine. Total port-related salaries, wages and local consumption in the Greater Tampa Area is estimated at about $5.1 billion annually.
Encompassing an area of 175.3 square miles, 61.8 miles of which is water, Tampa has a low-lying topography that's only 48 feet above sea level at its highest point.. Just over 385,000 people live in Tampa, while the Greater Tampa area has about 4 million residents. Tampa transplants feel very comfortable because most of the residents moved there from somewhere else. The city is growing at a very impressive rate with individuals of all ages, couples and families being drawn there because of its diverse employment opportunities, great retirement communities, excellent quality of life and vibrant, wide-ranging arts, entertainment and culture scene.
Many people also move to Tampa, Florida is because of its amazing weather and beautiful, scenic beaches and waterways. The city's average temperature in winter is a balmy 65.1 degrees. That makes Tampa very attractive. Plus, although the average summer temperature is almost 82 degrees, there's almost always a breeze blowing off a nearby body of water. Tampa transplants biggest concern is the city's summer weather with its daily rain showers, intense humidity and occasional hurricanes. But the easy access to the beautiful beaches nearby more than make up for it.
The median wage in Tampa, Florida is about $46,080 a year. But the cost of living is lower than the average American city of its size, so your money goes a long way. Housing prices are very affordable and there are lots of great housing options whether transplants are looking for a house, condo or apartment to rent, lease or buy. Commuting to and from work is breeze. The average daily commute is a little over 27 minutes. Plus, in the Greater Tampa area you can drive to work or take a bus, trolley, or streetcar into downtown Tampa, the Channel District, Ybor City or Harbor Island.
Tampa population is very diverse population when it comes to age, race, cultural background, sex, marital status and income levels. The median age of Tampa residents is 34.7. People under 18 make up 24.6% of the population, 18 to 24 year olds is 10%, 32.3% of Tampa residents are between 25 and 44, just over 20% are between 45 and 64 and people 65 and older make up 12.5% of Tampa residents. About 63% of the population is White, 26.2% is Black, 3.4% is Asian, 0.4% are Native American and 3.2% are of mixed race. In Tampa, the most common languages spoken are English, Spanish, French and Italian.
There are 196,703 women living in Tampa, making up 52% of the population. There are 180,469 men there. That's 48% of the population. Just over 40.49% of Tampa residents are married, 41.1% have never been married, 2.71% are separated, 5.15% are widowed and 13.26% are divorced. The average man living in Tampa earns $40,461 a year and the average annual income of women is $29,868 and the unemployment rate is 3.4%. Tampa's median family income is $65,196. That combination makes Tampa very attractive to people from all over the country.
If you are serious about moving to Tampa, Florida, there are several important steps you should take before you begin to pack. First, you have to decide where in Tampa you are going to live and if you are going to rent, lease or buy an apartment, condo or house. You should look or a neighborhood in Tampa where you would be comfortable. You should make sure it's in a location you will enjoy, has all the amenities you need and is being offered at a price you can afford. It's important to research it thoroughly before making a decision.
There are about 72 distinct neighborhoods in Tampa from which transplants can choose. The ten areas in Tampa that are considered the best for home buyers are:
Median home values in those neighborhoods range from $296,000 to $646,375 and the median income of the families living in there is between $73,000 and $142,082.
If you have a modest income and are looking for a more affordable area to buy a home in Tampa when you relocate there, consider researching homes in the following less expensive Tampa neighborhoods:
In these neighborhoods, the median home value ranges from $21,625 to $165,000 and the median income of people living in those communities range from $22,667 to just over $65,000. These communities may not be in Tampa's prime locations, but they often provide more space for your money, a lower income to home value ratio and a cost of living that's more affordable.
The median price of a home in Tampa is about $219,400, so many transplants often choose to rent a home or an apartment until they get settled. While it's possible to rent a home or apartment in Tampa for anywhere between $700 and $2000 a month depending on its size, location and amenities, the median price of a rental property in about $1,300. For that price people get all the modern conveniences and easy access to Tampa's diverse, dynamic, food, greenspace, entertainment, downtown area, waterways and transportation options. All transplants need to top it off is a friend with a boat.
Although the cost of living in Tampa is very affordable, transplants need a good job to provide them with the income they need. If your current job is not transferring you to their Tampa office, you should begin looking for a job in Tampa months before you plan to move there. Research shows Tampa had Florida's best job market in 2019 especially for tech and IT workers. The city's strong job market is bolstered by large employers like Publix Super Markets, BayCare Health System and other healthcare organizations, MacDill Air Force Base and the University of South Florida and other educational institutions. Plus, the hospitality and tourism industries are booming and employers are always looking for workers. Transplants should put them high on their job search list.
Once you have found a job and a place to live in Tampa, the next step is finding a good long-distance moving company to take your things to Tampa. Reliability and excellent customer service are two important qualities to consider when looking for the best long distance moving company for your needs. That's because most long distance moving companies charge very similar rates. The key is to find a reliable mover with the proper certifications, that is licensed, bonded and insured and has a track record for showing up on time, protecting their cargo and satisfying their customers.
When trying to decide which long-distance moving company you should hire to move your things to Tampa, there are several things to which you should pay particular attention. Those things include:
Consider only companies that are properly licensed, bonded and insured, have properly certified staff, receive outstanding reviews, respond immediately to your calls and have years of experience successfully moving people from state to state without significant problems.
The last step in deciding on the long-distance company you should use is the list of essential services they provide for the price. A good full-service moving company will offer tailored moving services or custom relocation packages designed to fit your specific needs. Free short-term storage, a guarantee all items will arrive at your destination safely, help with packing, handling all loading and unloading, the ability to complete the entire move in the timeframe you need and communicate key information on the route and other important details in a timely manner are all important services.
When moving to Tampa, Florida from another part of the country, you should begin the packing process several months in advance. This will enable you to carefully go through the things in your home and decide what you will keep and what has to go. By beginning this process months before you plan to move, you have time to sell, donate, give away and throw away all the things you don't want. This gives you significantly less items to move and can put some extra money in your pocket. The money can come in handy and dramatically reduce the number of things you have to pack and transport.
When packing for a long-distance move, it's essential to use professional strength moving supplies. Long distance moves increase the risk of belongings being damaged. Using high-quality professional, packing and moving supplies can help your valuable items arrive without being damaged. Buy high-quality moving boxes from a company that specializes in moving supplies. Fragile items should not be put in used boxes. Wrapping items in packing paper or newsprint protects them from scratches or other damage. The protective air pockets of bubble wrap provides cushioning for breakables.
Industrial strength packing tape can secure boxes and prevent them from collapsing.
To make it easier to keep track of which items you have packed and which boxes the things you need are in, label the boxes and attach an inventory list of the things in them. Pack items like out-of-season clothing, knickknacks, books and DVDs you rarely use first. Items like toiletries, bedding, computers and cookware that you use every day should be packed last. Write 'Fragile' on the moving boxes that contain breakable, delicate and sensitive items. Label each moving box with the name of the room from which the items inside came. This keeps the packing process organized and will help make unpacking a breeze.
If you look at the crime statistics collated by neighborhoodscout, you will find Tampa to be safer than 26% of US cities. With a total crime rate of 21.58% per 1000 residents, (4.18% of violent crimes and 17.40% of property crimes), many parts of Tampa are comparatively a safe place to live in with family or even by yourself. When you take the natural calamities aspect into consideration, Tampa as a city is vulnerable to floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and sinkholes, to quite some extent.
See also: Safest Cities in the U.S.
According to roadsnacks.net, the Orient Park neighborhood ranks as the worst area in Tampa. Their analysis was based on a number of factors like high unemployment, low median income, low home value and high crime rates. Some of the other infamous areas of Tampa include Highland Pines, Woodland Terrace, College Hill and Live Oaks Square.
With its warm and pleasant climate, beautiful beaches, budget friendly cost of living and enjoyable recreational activities, Tampa is surely becoming a growing hub in the United States. It’s not surprising then, that more and more people are moving to this comfortable city and that’s the main reason why demands for homes and subsequent rent prices are skyrocketing in Tampa. As suggested by reports, these high rent trends are here to stay for quite some time in the Big Guava.
Like in most places in the United States, January is the coldest month in Tampa, FL as well. The average January temperatures range between a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of around 52 degrees Fahrenheit, with a precipitation of approximately 2.27 inches, in the Big Guava city.
Like most other major cities, Tampa too has some areas that are termed as dangerous, owing to their high crime rates. While the overall crime rate in Tampa is around 22%, some of the areas that are more prone to be dangerous include College Hill, Orient Park, Highland Pines and also areas east of Downtown. All in all, the crime rate in Tampa is comparatively lower than all other major cities, so most parts of the Big Guava are safe, except for these infamous ones.
Tampa has amazing weather, and so does Miami. Tampa has beautiful beaches and great local activities, but so does Miami. So how do you decide among the best cities of Florida? When you look at the overall cost of living, (because at the end it all boils down to your budget, right?), Tampa is way more affordable than Miami in all aspects. According to Numbeo, you would need around $4,900 to maintain the same lifestyle as you would have with $5,700 in Miami.
So, if you’re looking for a more affordable cost of living, then Tampa is better than Miami for you. That said, Miami also has a strong education system and some of the best nightlife in the US. If that is what you’ve been looking for, then Miami could be a better choice.
From a plethora of educational and employment opportunities to spectacular landscapes and scenic views, Tampa is famous for all the right reasons. Popular as an economic hub for western Florida, Tampa has a lot of tourist attractions including the Busch Gardens, Museum of Science and Industry, Tampa Theatre, Adventure Island, Sunshine Skywalk and many others. Apart from these beautiful places, Tampa is also famous for its Ybor City which is rich in history and has a popular dining and nightlife culture.
Starting January 2021, the minimum wages in Tampa as well as other parts of Florida, has been increased from $8.56 per hour to $8.65 per hour. As per a few reports, the minimum wages in Tampa are expected to rise to around $10 per hour by September 2021.
Being the third most populous and vastly spread city in Florida, Tampa is a popular choice among many people who call it home. And with around 72 distinct neighborhoods that Tampa has, with each one having its own special charm, it is sure enough difficult to pinpoint the best one. But depending on a few common factors like high median income, low crime rates and proximity to amenities, Parkland Estates has been ranked as the best neighborhood of Tampa to live in. The area has a median home value of around $646,000 combined with a median income of around $142,000.
If you’re looking for an area with top notch schools for your children, then probably Ballast Point shall be the best place for you to live in Tampa. Plus, it is really close to beaches and water. If you want to stay in a neighborhood that has more young professionals like you, then Harbour Island is probably a good choice to consider. Basically, most neighborhoods have something to offer, and depending on your expectations as well, they can become the best part of Tampa for you to live in.
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