The Pros and Cons of Living in Tampa, FL

Warm Gulf Coast waters, incredible seafood, lively nightlife, and sunshine 12 months a year. With perks like that, you’d think Tampa, FL was the perfect place to live and work! Indeed, ask many Tampa residents, and they’ll agree that Tampa is a top American city. Like all cities, though, The Big Guava has a rough edge or two, which we’ll look at below. Check out the pros and cons of living in Tampa, FL below.

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PRO: Living in Tampa, FL is Good for Families

For young and growing families, a city rated highly for families is always a good choice. Tampa gets an A- from Niche.com, a grade that’s just shy of phenomenal. Many of Tampa’s neighborhoods are quiet and safe, with natural flora and fauna to be found at every turn. The amenities in Tampa are well-suited to families also, including the beach, boating, and many amazing parks. Suffice to say that, in Tampa, there’s something for every member of the family.

CON: The Humidity in Tampa Can Often Feel Oppressive

If you’re moving to Tampa from “up north,” there’s one thing you need to get used to quickly; the humidity. If you’ve never been in this type of wacky weather before, it can be surprisingly debilitating. It’s so thick it seems to sap your energy and make everything feel soggy. In other words, the humidity here is no fun whatsoever. Luckily, the winter in Tampa sees quite a bit fewer humid days. Still, prepare to curse the sticky, wet feeling you’ll often get if you’re outside for any length of time. This definitely isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s also still one of our top cons on this list of pros and cons of living in Tampa, FL!

PRO: Finding a Quiet Place to Settle Down is Possible

Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida, with over 320,000 residents. However, the Tampa / St. Petersburg metro area is home to over 4 million folks. Amazingly, it’s still relatively easy to find a nice, quiet place to live, with birds singing and great neighbors. Ybor City is one of the best of Tampa’s neighborhoods, but there are plenty more. They include Hyde Park and the Channel District, both of which are lovely.

CON: Living in Tampa Means Dealing With an HOA

Besides the additional expense of paying HOA fees, many of them are overly aggressive in their tactics in Tampa. That means adhering strictly to HOA rules lest you get a fine or worse. Throw in the special assessment fees that HOAs can legally charge, and the problem is even worse. Plus, repair charges on the neighborhood can also be assessed. In short, the HOAs in Tampa are a real pain. When searching for a home, be sure to check the fine print if your home will be HOA controlled. For example, if you have a boat, RV, or camper, you might not be able to park it in your driveway. If not, a Tampa storage unit might be your best bet. This is a solvable con on this list of pros and cons of living in Tampa, FL!

PRO: Access to Excellent Storage Living in Tampa

Many folks rent a Tampa storage unit before buying a house. That way, they can take their time and find the perfect place to settle down and not have to fight with the HOA. Since we’re the storage experts in Tampa, we have a wide variety of storage units around the city, great for storing all sorts of stuff. Boats and jet-skis, for example, as well as RVs and other adventure gear. SMEs rent storage units for their business, too, but you can store just about anything with us. Check out our top pics for the best storage units and facilities in and around Tampa, FL.

PRO: You Can Enjoy Outdoor Activities Year-Round

If you enjoy biking, hiking, boating, sailing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and more, Tampa will be a paradise. You can do all of those things practically the entire year in Tampa! Imagine surfing in January while, in New York, they’re frozen solid! The possibilities to enjoy life outside are truly endless here, no matter what the date is on the calendar. That’s even more true in Winter when things cool down enough to get truly comfortable. In short, if living your life outside is what you love, Tampa will be a dream.

CON: Occasionally, Mother Nature Gets Rough in Tampa

There’s no denying the fact that, from June to about November, Tampa sees a lot of rough weather. It usually doesn’t last long, but flooding can be a problem. So is the wind that sometimes blows off the Gulf of Mexico, which can be dangerous and, occasionally, deadly. One bit of good news is that thanks to our location, Hurricanes usually don’t hit Tampa directly. That being said, from June to November, it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on the weather.

PRO: Housing Prices in Tampa Are Affordable

As the 18th-largest population grouping in America, Tampa should be one of the most expensive to live in also. The surprising fact, though, is that we don’t even break the Top 40! Housing prices here are just slightly above the national average, and rental prices too. That’s a surprise to many, especially given the caliber of city Tampa happens to be. It’s one of the best Pros of all the pros and cons of living in Tampa, FL.

CON: Alligators are an Actual Problem

Florida is known for many things but, most infamously, our alligators. We’ve got millions of them here! You’ll see them in lakes, streams, ponds, and, well, any body of substantial water. While mostly not a threat to adults, alligators can be dangerous for small children and pets. Yes, you’ll see people canoeing and kayaking, but it does come with the risk of an alligator encounter. Our recommendation; if you want to avoid gators, stick to the beach.

PRO: Tampa Public Schools are Rated Highly

With a B+ average, your children will be in good hands in Tampa’s 163 public schools. Many, like Plant High School, get an A+, which is fantastic. Your kids will get a great start with a quality education that will help them later in life.

PRO: Tampa’s Nightlife is Vibrant, Exciting, and Fun

With many excellent bars, clubs, and restaurants, the nightlife in Tampa is off the chain! Better still, the vibe all over the city is super chill but energized at the same time. There’s a great mix of people from all walks of life and many different cultures also. It’s one of the best perks of living in Tampa!

The Pros & Cons of Living in Tampa, FL

There you have it, there are way more “pros” than “cons” living in Tampa, FL. We think you’ll agree, even with a few blemishes, Tampa is still beautiful. If you need help with a storage unit, chat with us online. You can even rent a Tampa storage unit online. (It’s easy!) Until then, we hope you thoroughly enjoy everything Tampa has to offer. And hey, if you’ve just arrived, welcome home!

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