With its year-round sunshine, beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, mix of laid-back charm, and growing opportunity, Tampa’s neighborhoods are growing every year with new residents.
Thinking about living in Tampa, FL? This guide breaks down the best neighborhoods in the city, from historic districts with brick-lined streets to suburban communities built around schools and parks.
We’ll cover home prices, rental trends, and the character that makes each neighborhood unique—so you can decide which is the best neighborhood in Tampa for you.
Tampa Neighborhoods: Quick Facts
- Tampa has about 89 neighborhoods within its city boundaries.
- The average home value in Tampa is approximately $372,416.
- Median rent for an apartment in Tampa is $2,024 per month.
- Fun fact: Hyde Park’s Bayshore Boulevard is said to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world, stretching 4.5 miles along the waterfront.
7 Best Neighborhoods in Tampa for Every Lifestyle
Tampa’s neighborhoods each bring something different to the table. Some are known for top schools and quiet streets, others for walkable nightlife or waterfront views. Together, they show just how many ways there are to build a life in this city and what makes it one of the best places to move in Florida.
Below, you’ll find seven of the best neighborhoods in Tampa, with details on housing, commute times to downtown, and the unique features of each area.
1. Beach Park: Best for Families
2. North Hyde Park: Best for Young Professionals
3. Bayshore Gardens: Best for Retirees
4. Ballast Point: Best for Affordability
5. Davis Islands: Best for Luxury Living
6. Odessa: Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts
7. Seminole Heights: Best for Foodies and Culture Lovers
1. Beach Park: Best for Families
- Average Home Value: $1.3 million
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,008
- Commute to Downtown: 10–15 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Swann Circle Park, Beach Park Garden Club, Westshore Plaza
According to many of its residents, Beach Park offers the best of all worlds. While minutes from downtown, this neighborhood feels like a tucked-away suburb, and its oak-shaded streets and mix of Mediterranean and modern homes give it a classic, residential charm.
Families are drawn to the area for its strong schools and community feel, while shopping centers and parks add convenience. Beach Park is one of those rare areas where it’s possible for quiet and city living to coexist. Neighbors often gather at Swann Circle Park for community events, and weekends usually mean swinging by Westshore Plaza or heading to the waterfront (just a short drive away).
2. North Hyde Park: Best for Young Professionals
- Average Home Value: $543,254
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,460
- Commute to Downtown: 5 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Hyde Park Village, Koya, Bayshore Boulevard
North Hyde Park has become a favorite for young professionals who want to be close to downtown but don’t want to live right in the middle of it. The neighborhood blends sleek new apartments with restored bungalows, but while it feels modern, it’s not lacking in character.
The area has seen a wave of new development in recent years, with trendy restaurants, boutique fitness studios, and small breweries filling in alongside long-standing local businesses. It’s a spot where weekend farmers markets pop up, bike lanes connect you to nearby districts, and friends meet after work for happy hour without having to cross the bridge into downtown.
You’ll find coffee shops buzzing with remote workers, craft bars that stay busy well into the night, and easy access to both Hyde Park Village and the Bayshore waterfront. With a five-minute commute to downtown, it’s the kind of place where you can finish work, grab dinner, and still catch a sunset walk—all without getting in your car.
3. Bayshore Gardens: Best for Retirees
- Average Home Value: $690,151
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,944
- Commute to Downtown: 7 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Fred Ball Park, Gasparilla Parade, Bella’s Italian Café
Bayshore Gardens is where retirees trade busy schedules for morning walks along the water. The neighborhood leans toward condo living, which cuts down on maintenance costs and makes it easier for residents to stay connected with one another.
Although the pace here may be slower, the setting still encourages an active lifestyle. Fred Ball Park offers shaded benches and views of the bay, while Bayshore Boulevard’s sidewalk—one of the longest in the world—encourages daily walks and bike rides.
While quiet most days, this is not a sleepy neighborhood. The Gasparilla parade rolls through once a year, and spots like Bella’s Italian Café give residents a reason to gather. Add in tree-lined streets, lots of parks, and a view of the bay from your front step, and it’s easy to see why people settle here.
4. Ballast Point: Best for Affordability
- Average Home Value: $576,294
- Average Monthly Rent: $1.6k
- Commute to Downtown: 15 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Ballast Point Park, Leon’s Lobstah Shack, Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park Trail
Ballast Point offers a slice of waterfront living without the price tag of some nearby neighborhoods. Its centerpiece is Ballast Point Park, home to a 600-foot pier where locals fish, stroll, and catch breezes off the bay. Families head there for the playground and splash pad, while foodies know the area for laid-back spots like Leon’s Lobstah Shack.
The neighborhood has a comfortable, residential feel with tree-lined streets and close-knit community vibes. Bayshore Boulevard (so-called because it runs along the eastern shore of Hillsborough Bay) runs through the area, making it easy to bike, jog, or just take in the water views. Schools and small shops are nearby, giving residents daily convenience without losing the neighborhood’s relaxed character. It’s the kind of neighborhood where evenings end on the pier and weekends revolve around the water.
In short, Ballast Point attracts people who want Tampa’s coastal charm at a friendlier price.
| Pro Tip: Own a boat? Utilize CubeSmart’s boat storage after making the move to Tampa. |
5. Davis Islands: Best for Luxury Living
- Average Home Value: $1.4 million
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,715
- Commute to Downtown: 10 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Peter O. Knight Airport, Davis Island Yacht Club, Tampa General Hospital
Davis Islands has always stood apart from the rest of Tampa. Built in the 1920s on dredged land, the neighborhood now mixes Mediterranean-style estates with sleek modern homes, many of which sit right on the water. Beyond the architecture, daily life here feels a lot like being on vacation. Palm-lined streets wind past yacht clubs, tennis courts, and tucked-away restaurants, evoking the atmosphere of a private resort.
Cafés and casual restaurants give the islands a village-like feel, while Tampa General Hospital sits right at the edge, adding convenience and security. Residents have access to their own yacht club and a small private airport, plus tennis courts, parks, and marinas tucked into the shoreline. Despite the area’s exclusivity, it’s only a 10-minute drive to downtown. That means residents get both luxury living and city access without compromise.
6. Odessa: Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Average Home Value: $686,285
- Average Monthly Rent: $2,007
- Commute to Downtown: 30–35 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Lake Rogers Park, Suncoast Trail, Lake Keystone
What is the safest place in Tampa? The safest place in Tampa is often considered Odessa, a suburb that sits on the city’s northern outskirts. This is where the city gives way to open land, lakes, and quiet backroads. The homes here often come with larger lots, and many are lakefront or offer water access. It’s a draw for people who want more breathing room without leaving the metro entirely, such as families, retirees, and anyone seeking a quieter lifestyle.
You’ll still find local schools, markets, and community events, but the overall pace is slower than in the neighborhoods closer to downtown. Weekends here often revolve around the outdoors—boating on Lake Keystone, cycling the Suncoast Trail, or hiking in Lake Rogers Park. The longer drive downtown is the tradeoff, but many find the space, calm, and easy access to nature worth it.
7. Seminole Heights: Best for Foodies and Culture Lovers
- Average Home Value: $367,544
- Average Monthly Rent: $1,620
- Commute to Downtown: 10–15 minutes
- Neighborhood Highlights: Independent Bar & Café, Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, Rooster & the Till
Seminole Heights wears its history proudly. The neighborhood is lined with 1920s bungalows shaded by old oaks, but its reputation today comes from what’s cooking inside—craft breweries, coffee shops, and some of Tampa’s most talked-about restaurants. Over the past decade, the area has become known as Tampa’s creative hub. Trendy eateries like Rooster & the Till sit alongside vintage shops and art galleries.
The mix of old and new has given the neighborhood a distinct personality—one that attracts young professionals, artists, and long-time locals alike. On weekends, residents wander through the Sunday Morning Market or gather at indie bars and art spaces, giving the area a steady buzz of activity. It’s the kind of place where you can grab dinner at a chef-driven spot one night and catch some live music at a porch party the next.
Find Your Space in Tampa
Once you’ve found the neighborhood that feels right, the next step is making your move as smooth as possible. Tampa’s mix of historic homes, waterfront condos, and suburban communities means storage needs can look a little different here.
Most houses don’t have basements, garages can fill up quickly, and Florida’s humidity can be hard on certain belongings. Having additional climate-controlled storage nearby gives you more flexibility while you settle in.
We’ve got you covered. CubeSmart offers climate-controlled storage units, vehicle and boat storage at convenient locations across the city, so your things stay protected and accessible. Whether you need short-term space during the move or a long-term solution for outdoor gear and seasonal items, we’ve got options to fit your plans. Find a Tampa CubeSmart storage facility near you.
