The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Tampa Bay (And Knowing What the Locals Know)

Welcome to the Sunshine State, where the white-sand beaches are world-famous, the palm trees sway, and the spirit of a life lived on vacation beckons! If you’re reading this, you must be considering the bold move to Tampa, Florida.

While you check out this guide, I hope you’ll consider me (Christen, in case we haven’t met) more than your go-to mortgage maven, because Moonlight Mortgage isn’t your typical lender. Apart from taking the lead on your loan, allow me to also be your personal info source by way of this ultimate guide to moving to Tampa Bay. 

So, toss on your flip-flops and prepare to get excited about your possible move. 

If You’re Moving to Tampa Bay, Let’s Begin with Understanding Tampa vs. Tampa Bay

Before getting to all things Tampa Bay, let’s establish the definition of Tampa Bay. 

Because of our Super Bowl champion football team, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and our Stanley Cup hockey team, The Tampa Bay Lightning, people outside of the area often think Tampa Bay is the city’s name. I couldn’t let you move here and refer to your new surroundings incorrectly. I want you to blend in like a local or a gator in a pond (more on that aspect of Tampa in a minute). 

Tampa Bay can refer to either:

1. the body of water called Tampa Bay OR
2. the collective metropolitan area surrounding the city of Tampa—a region encompassing almost 3 million people and including the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, many other communities, and unincorporated areas of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. 

Now, You’re Ready to Learn All the Reasons Moving to Tampa Bay is a Great Decision

Born on Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle (the northern area of the state that looks like a handle), I’m a native Floridian—a rare breed in Florida.

I’ve lived across different parts of Tampa Bay since I was 18. When I was younger, I lived in the happening SOHO (South Howard Avenue) area of the city, and now I call the suburb of Riverview home. I know the area inside and out and can’t imagine living elsewhere. 

With our sunny days, heartwarming hospitality, and enough Cuban sandwiches to make your taste buds salsa dance, Tampa Bay has it all. From the thriving arts scene and a sizzling nightlife to family-friendly fun and outdoor adventures galore that you can enjoy year-round (cheesy, but we’re not shoveling sunshine), you’ll probably be asking yourself why moving to Tampa Bay took you so long.

But hey, before you get swept away by visions of dolphins frolicking in the Gulf and spectacular sunsets over the bay, we must get down to business.

Ever-Increasing Employment Opportunities

Perhaps you’re moving here for work or because you can work remotely. Maybe you’re a military service member or spouse, and your family is transferring to MacDill Air Force Base (we love our military families!), or you’re retiring and ready to play golf and have dinner and drinks with a view anytime you want.

If you’re interested in the employment sector (or even if you are done with it), here are some interesting facts to know about jobs in Tampa Bay: 

• Tampa Bay is the home to major operations for USAA, Raymond James Financial, Amazon, Citigroup, Mosaic, JP Morgan Chase, Bristol Myers Squibb, and many other large corporations. 

• The region’s top employers are (in order):

1. The State of Florida
2. MacDill Air Force Base
3. Baycare Health System
4. Publix Super Markets Inc.
5. Hillsborough County School District

A Strong Community for the Self-Employed

And if you’re in the camp of self-employed, like myself, the climate isn’t just sunny; it’s pro-business. Tampa Bay boasts having:

• One of the top 20 markets for startup activity in the nation.
• The title of Forbes’ 2nd Best City for Young Entrepreneurs. 
• Favorable corporate tax policies
• Global connectivity via the top-rated Tampa International Airport (go see the giant flamingo, ride the light rail, and dine in just for a day out).
• The best parts of a big city but a community culture that makes people and connections accessible.
• A higher-than-the-national average number of women-owned businesses. 

The Lifestyle—Sure, We Have to Work, But Let’s Talk Play in the Bay. 

Living in Florida never gets old. I’ve never had too many beach sunsets, too many bike rides down the Riverwalk, or enough of the delicious variety of cuisine found here. I’ve certainly never heard anyone complain about being sick of perfect sunsets, either. 

Inland Leisure

Tampa Bay has plenty of places to stroll or hang out on a weekend- or weeknight for that matter. Many suburb communities, such as FishHawk in East Hillsborough, are laced with wooded walking trails. Dog parks and winding waterfront sidewalks perfect for a walk or jog abound. And, the region is full of historic areas such as Ybor City (pronounced EE-bor- We’ll know you’re not from here if you say “WHY-bor”), where you can see the old cigar factories that hold the ghosts of Tampa’s past and the story of the Cuban cigar rollers who put Tampa on the map. 

Along our inland river banks and ponds, you will see a gator or five at some point- I told you we’d talk about them! We live with them. They live with us. Seriously, they like the sun as much as we do, and they really just sit there. If gators aren’t your thing, you’ll enjoy the wide range of beautiful herons, hawks, and cranes that are part of the everyday scenery.  

But back to ghosts, reserve movie tickets for the beautiful Tampa Theatre- our oldest theater. You can see a new release or a film-festival flick and reminisce about how people dressed up to go to this ornately beautiful Tampa destination. 

Right down the road, you can also visit The University of Tampa and the Plant Museum. Once an elegant hotel, this site hosted everyone from Thomas Edison to Sir Winston Churchill to Booker T. Washington. 

Tampa Bay isn’t just fun for adults. It’s a family playground as well. If you’re moving here with kids, there are many seasonal festivals, fairs, and events to head to as a family around Tampa Bay. One of the most spectacular that your kids will remember for years and may become a tradition is The Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. 

Shopping, treats, hot chocolate, a bright Christmas tree, ice skating, and the city view might make you think for a minute that you’ve been transported to Rockefeller Plaza. But then you’ll realize your hands aren’t numb and remember you’re still in Florida. 

For year-round enjoyment for the kids, however, there’s the Glazer Children’s Museum, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, the Florida Aquarium, and the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, to name just a handful of kid-friendly local spots. Around Tampa, plenty of community amenities, county and state parks, you-pick fruit fields, and state-of-the-art libraries offer free or low-cost weekend activities. 

And when you’re not taking in all that the area has to offer, your new home will be the perfect place to enjoy a grilled dinner, a glass of fine wine, and a piece of vacation right in your own backyard.

Beachside Leisure

Depending on where you buy your home in the Tampa Bay area, you’ll be anywhere from mere minutes to just an hour’s drive to the clear Gulf waters. St. Pete Beach is where I often meet family and friends for a day at the beach, a spicy margarita, and a fresh seafood dinner at one of our many excellent local restaurants.

When you arrive to search for your home or after you settle in, you should explore the historic and beautiful Don Cesar Hotel, otherwise known as The Pink Palace. Located on the shores of St. Pete Beach, it’s a place where visitors vacation and locals staycation. Stay a weekend or grab a day pass-You’ll feel like your social status went up a few notches, and you’ll be ever-grateful for this place you call your new home from the first sip of your fancy cocktail.

I’ll suggest, if you move here, and especially if you have a flexible work location (like anywhere your laptop can go), that you keep a beach bag with the essentials and a beach chair in your trunk- just in case you feel like escaping your office for a bit.

I promise that when you have to pull together a contract ridden with problems, the work will be easier if you can do it while listening to the waves crash in the office you set up at a local beachside resort. Feel free to celebrate when you’ve emailed it out with a local craft brew from 7venth Sun Brewery or Cigar City Brewing (try the Jai Alai if you like a hoppy IPA). Most beach bars, hotels, and restaurants sell our local beers.

Gulf Boulevard, a long south-north running gulf-front street, is an incredible cruising drive. It meanders from the south beach communities of Pass-a-Grille and St. Pete Beach through beach islands such as Treasure Island and Madeira Beach north to Clearwater (beware of busy beach seasons here, such as spring break and the summer months, as it’s crowded and draws many tourists). 

All along Gulf Boulevard, you’ll find plenty of public beaches with good facilities (once you’re a moved-here local, I’ll let you in on the private access areas), casual and fine-dining choices, shopping, and adventures such as parasailing, wave-running, and dinner cruises. 

Are You Ready to Move to Tampa Bay and Be Neighbors?

If you think it’s time to explore the idea of relocation to Tampa Bay or you know a move here is in your near future, I’d love the opportunity to listen to your needs (Want to be close to base? Near high-rated schools? Near the interstate?) and help you unlock the door to your dream home. 

I offer a variety of lending products to suit buyers’ needs, and what’s best- we’ll close quickly. I’ll find you the most competitive rate, the best product, and even give you my favorite restaurant recommendations. My goal is to deliver high-touch friendly service and build a relationship where you’re taken care of from the first call to closing and even beyond. Contact me today to help bring you home to Tampa Bay.