The Best Places to Live in Tampa, FL

Enjoying a tropical coastal lifestyle bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, FL, is a vibrant place to call home.

Indeed, Livability.com has Tampa on their 2024 list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. based on many factors, including growth, economic opportunities, and proximity to the beach.

But Tampa is a large metropolitan area, with many neighborhoods (over 80!) providing homes for every type of resident—from families to young professionals.

With so many choices, how do you find the best place to live for you?

Luckily, you have DRB Homes as your guide. Using our 30+ years of experience in building award-winning new homes and communities in over 17 regional markets, we have exceptional knowledge of the places in which we build.

So, let’s turn our expertise to this big city and find you some of the best places to live in Tampa, FL.

Best Neighborhoods in Tampa for Families

All around the Tampa area, families can find great homes in wonderful neighborhoods that feel tailored just to them. Close to impressive parks and schools, homebuyers looking for a great place for families might want to look to north and south Tampa neighborhoods.

To the south, there’s Plant City. This laidback area is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. There’s even an annual Strawberry Festival to celebrate its well-earned moniker. And kids of all ages will love living close to Dinosaur World!

Head north, and you’ll find yourself in the blossoming area of New Tampa. Planned communities are sprouting up all over New Tampa, with abundant dining and shopping options to match. Head a little bit north of New Tampa and you’ll find the community of Eagles Cove at Mirada. Enjoy an unparalleled coastal lifestyle in a brand-new single family home. This breathtaking community offers luxurious home designs that make it easy for your family to relax and enjoy this beautiful setting, while being just moments away from everything Mirada provides—including the 15-acre Mirada Lagoon!

Top Tampa Neighborhoods for Young Professionals

For the up-and-coming job seekers, the ones rising in their chosen career fields, and those driven to succeed in business, the Tampa area offers many opportunities. Of course, living in Downtown Tampa gives one direct access to the most bustling part of the region. But if living in the middle of the big city isn’t what you’re looking for, all you need to do is look just outside it.

Head east of Downtown Tampa, and you’ll find the Channel District. Living here will put you right next to the Tampa Convention Center, the Florida Aquarium, Amalie Arena (home of NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning), and Channelside (as locals call Channelside Bay Plaza) full of shops, restaurants, and night spots.

Another neighborhood to explore is actually one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tampa: Tampa Heights. This spot is currently seeing an evolution as new development paints the area. Get ready to experience small boutiques, craft breweries, and a hip, urban feel.

Or, head just a little north of Downtown Tampa and find the luxury townhomes in the private gated Lagoon Residences at Epperson. Here, you’ll enjoy 3–4 bedrooms (including a first-floor primary suite), private yards, low-maintenance living, and easy lagoon beach access. It’s like living in a secret resort right outside the big city. Perfect for anyone seeking to move upwards in their career: Just imagine the work parties you can host!

Most Affordable Places to Live in Tampa

Tampa is a big city: by some estimates, the third largest in Florida. And, it’s on the Gulf Coast. Keeping just those two factors in mind, you have to realize that Tampa isn’t the least expensive region. BUT, it can also be very affordable if you know where to look.

According to HomeSnacks.com—a website dedicated to compiling data from various professional sources and using that data to rank cities based on various criteria—the top 5 most affordable neighborhoods in Tampa are Drew Park, South Seminole Heights, Palma Ceia West, Culbreath, and College Hill.

You can also look to Biscayne Landing at Seaire, an affordable community with a luxury feel just south of Tampa. These single family homes are perfect for first-time homebuyers, but will reward you with an amazing life. Seaire is a community where innovation meets nature, where convenience meets serenity, where neighbors become friends, and where a 4.5-acre lagoon offers endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Best Suburbs Near Tampa

The great thing about Tampa is there are fantastic suburbs in every direction. Each provides spacious homes, proximity to the beach, outstanding schools, and, of course, everything the city has to offer in easy reach.

Just like HomeSnacks above, Niche.com is another site that consolidates lists of best places to live based on various criteria (suburbs, home price, etc.). It’s top 5 best suburbs of Tampa list is: Westchase, Keystone, Pebble Creek, Lutz, and Northdale. Each one of these received an A+ Niche Grade and an A for public schools. Pretty great!

Another suburb to explore is Serengeti in Spring Hill. This community of single family homes on oversized homesites (with only 1 homesite remaining) greets your every arrival with lush landscaping, wooden bridges, and pristine wetland conservation areas. Serengeti lets you live in a quiet natural setting, while being just minutes from Downtown Tampa.

Best Places to Live in Tampa for Outdoor Lovers

Obviously, being right on the Gulf Coast means Tampa is a fantastic place for those who love having outdoor adventures. Spend a day on a farm, hike through a state park, enjoy catching some rays on the beach, or hitting the Gulf in any number of water sports. No matter which neighborhood you choose to live in, you’ll always be close to some sort of outdoor excitement.

For lovers of adventure, you’ll definitely enjoy one of the biggest benefits of living in a new home in Eagles Cove at Mirada, Lagoon Residences at Epperson, or Biscayne Landing at Seaire—because each community features its own man-made lagoon! These lagoons provide all the benefits of living right on the coast just outside your front door—and then some! Water obstacle courses, private cabanas, and full-service bars are just a few of the features you’ll experience with lagoon living in these fantastic communities.

Multi-Generational Living in Tampa

As we’ve already said, Tampa offers families many options when it comes to finding the perfect home. But families take all shapes and sizes: some even include adult children, extended family members, or older parents. Multi-generational homes can be the ideal choices for such families, offering a way for families to be both close and separate all at once.

The DRB Homes communities of Eagles Cove at Mirada and Biscayne Landing at Seaire offer optional multi-generational suites. These suites are all a little different depending on the floor plan, but they do have similarities. Basically, they seek to give those living in them a private bedroom with closet, bathroom, and living space with the option for a small kitchenette. The “front door” to this suite is right off the main foyer, opens to the outside, or both. This gives even more privacy to both parts of the family, while remaining together under one roof.

DRB Homes Offers the Best Places to Live in Tampa

Tampa offers a diverse range of neighborhoods that cater to all types of lifestyles, making it one of the most attractive cities in Florida to live. Whether you're looking for urban energy, suburban tranquility, or somewhere in between, you’ll find a neighborhood that fits your unique needs and preferences.

For those seeking a modern and luxurious living experience, look no further than homes built by DRB Homes. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, DRB Homes has become synonymous with excellence. So, when you're considering a move to this beautiful city, be sure to explore various neighborhoods and discover how DRB Homes can help you find your dream home in one of the best places to live in Tampa.