7 Things to Know Before Moving to Tampa
Maybe your company is planning to relocate your job to the Tampa Bay area. Or you’re fed up with harsh winter weather and want to move to a warm climate. Whatever the reason for a possible move to Tampa, you’ll want to brush up on the factors that make this city — the third largest in Florida — a unique place to live.
In January, Everybody’s a Pirate
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest has been a part of Tampa since 1904. So when January rolls around, feel free to break out your best pirate gear and join the other hundreds of thousands of mateys in Downtown Tampa for boats, parades, and swashbuckling. If you don’t have a pirate costume, don’t worry about spending the money to buy one—it’ll come in handy for the Bay Area Renaissance Festival held about a month later.
Speaking of Festivals, There’s Many More
If you enjoy a good outdoor event, with plenty of music, food, and of course, sunshine, Tampa has many to choose from. From the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival at Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa to Reggae Rise Up Florida in St. Petersburg, to the Sunset Music Festival, there is music to suit all tastes. Art is also in abundance, with events such as the Harbour Island Art Walk in South Tampa, which features art, jewelry, home and garden collectibles, and specialty foods.
For Roller Coaster Junkies, Busch Gardens is It
With its lovable animated characters and princess breakfasts, Disney has much to offer its visitors. But for those looking for a theme park that thrills more than it delights, Busch Gardens and its six major roller coasters—Kumba, Montu, SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, Cobra’s Curse, and Scorpion—might be worth a visit. And if the roller coasters don’t offer enough thrills, then you may want to ride Falcon’s Fury, which simulates what it would feel like to fall face first toward the ground from 335 feet in the air.
Pro Sports Fans Have Options
Whether you’re a baseball, football, or hockey fan, Tampa has a team to root for. The Tampa Bay Rays play in St. Petersburg, but that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have a strong local fan base. And for those who aren’t fans of Tropicana Stadium, the team is planning to build a new stadium in Ybor City, providing it finds the money for the project. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in Raymond James Stadium, not far from the Tampa International Airport, and the Tampa Bay Lightning play in Amalie Arena Downtown.
You’re Never Far from Some of the State’s Best Beaches
Even though there aren’t many beaches within Tampa’s city limits, many are just a short drive away. Clearwater Beach, located northwest of the city, stretches for 2.5 miles and offers local attractions such as dolphin watching and fishing charters. It also tends to attract visitors from the north, so be mindful of the tourists you may run across. Fred Howard Park is a beach and nature preserve located on the north end of Tampa Bay's barrier islands. The park is connected by a mile-long causeway to the town of Tarpon Springs, and Indian Rocks Beach offers a less crowded alternative to some of the more popular beaches in the area.
Uber’s Great, But So Is Public Transportation
If you’re planning a night out Downtown and don’t want to drive, you have options aside from Uber. You can take a ride in an eco-friendly, open-air, electric vehicle offering door-to-door service with the complimentary, app-based Downtowner or hop aboard HART’s In-towner Trolley Line. There are even water taxis that cross the river. You can also ride the TECO Line Streetcar, which connects Ybor City with the Channel District. The best part of TECO: Rides are free on Saturdays through September 2018.
The Restaurant Scene Is Really Good
When many think of Tampa, the culinary scene isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. But with its mix of offerings, ranging from mom-and-pop ethnic spots to fine dining, Tampa has as much to offer as any major city. Craft beer has become a staple of the city and so have food halls. So, whether you’re into steakhouses or taco joints, you’re sure to find an option for your tastes and budget.