Best Moving Companies in Tampa, Florida

Tampa, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a city on the western coast of Florida. 

With an estimated population of 380,000, Tampa is the third largest city in the state, as well as the 53^rd in the nation. 

Located on an inlet reaching far into the west coast of Florida, Tampa is the economic center of Western Florida.

Since its incorporation as a city in 1887, Tampa’s population has shown an uninterrupted increase, barring a slight dip in the 1970s.

The city’s cost of living has also enjoyed a similar year-to-year increase of just over two percent.

This puts Tampa on the same level as other prominent cities with consistent growth, such as Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. 

Size of Tampa

In contrast to cities with similar size and population values, Tampa skews to the lower end of the density spectrum, with an average of 3,200 people per square mile.

With that in mind, living spaces shy away from high-rise condominiums, favoring single-family homes and suburban housing developments.

There are many reasons why people choose to move to Tampa.

Not only is Tampa famous for being home to the Busch Gardens theme park but there are also other popular places in the area dedicated to animals and wildlife, including a zoo, aquarium, big cat sanctuary, and a public manatee viewing area.

With all this, plus an excellent science and children’s museum, Tampa is an ideal place for families.

In fact, Tampa boasts some of the cleanest, safest, and family-friendly suburbs in the state of Florida.

This, in combination with the temperate climate and a myriad of outdoor activities, consistently make Tampa one of the most desirable places to relocate to in the country.

Foodie scene in Tampa

Tampa’s food scene would make any foodie fall head over heels immediately.

From traditional fare, food trucks, creative farm-to-table cuisine, international gastropubs, and fresh seafood, Tampa is bursting with culinary diversity.

Also, if you are looking for a beach vacation all year round, Tampa is the place for you.

It doesn’t matter in which neighborhood you decide to move; you are an hour away from enjoying the sun and surf of Tampa’s beaches.

Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach are one of the local favorites, but you could also venture out to St. Pete Beach or Treasure Island.

Any day of the week you can choose from a variety of museums and events around the city.

If you’re into art, don’t miss the Tampa Museum of Art and The Ringling.

There are also plenty of history museums and cultural festivals.

Topography in Tampa

However, not everything is “fun in the sun” in Tampa.

Living in Tampa has its pros and cons.

Common complaints include a relatively flat landscape and streets that are lined with strip malls and chain retail plazas.

On top of that, as the lightning capital, you can also expect daily thunderstorms throughout the summer and bear in mind that you will also need a hurricane emergency plan.

Driving in Tampa

Traffic can be a problem, as Tampa does lack one major urban feature—public transportation. 

Relying solely on the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system (HART), Tampa’s public transportation revolves around a bus-only infrastructure.

Despite its 49 routes, the HART system is only able to accommodate a daily ridership average of 40,000, just 2.8% of the county’s population.

Although there are plans in place to construct a rail system, for now, those looking into a move to Tampa would be wise to invest in a vehicle or transport their own from their point of origin.

Where to live in Tampa

As we mentioned earlier, Tampa is home to more than 380,000 residents.

Other adjoining cities, towns, and suburbs nestled around the Tampa Bay Area expand this greater metro to over 4 million inhabitants.

The best city neighborhoods in Tampa are the ones that are filled with character, and also thriving local businesses and restaurants.

Where to live in Tampa will depend entirely on the quality of life you desire.

The best city neighborhoods in Tampa are:

Hyde Park:

The best neighborhood to walk around with your family and dog (or cat).

There is also a historic district that was founded in the late 19^th century and is packed with bungalows, trees, and beautiful brick sidewalks.

Ybor City:

This historic section of Tampa is considered one of the trendiest neighborhoods around.

The area was founded in the 1880’s by immigrants and has become one of the leading communities in Tampa.

Take into account that if you’re into buying one of the historic homes here, you will need to abide by strict restoration codes.

Channel District:

The Channel District is brimming with local businesses and an assortment of high-rise condos converted into lofts and boutique shops.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to live in one of Tampa’s many suburbs, there are many planned communities ideal for young families and retirees. Some of the best suburbs in Tampa are:

Riverview:

Riverview is a relatively safe and family friendly community that is experiencing a growth spurt.

This suburb offers its residents a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Carrollwood:

Located 9 miles away from downtown Tampa, Carrollwood is one of Tampa’s premier residential communities.

Westchase:

This community is located between downtown Tampa and Palm Harbour and is considered to be one of the best suburbs in the county.

Things to consider before moving to Tampa

Moving into Tampa, or to any other city, requires organization, planning, and research.

You should sit down with your family and discuss all the details of the moving process.

Make a moving inventory, get rid of unnecessary items, create a moving calendar and set up a moving budget.

Also, consider essential questions like, do you want to live downtown or in the suburbs?

What is the cost of living in Tampa? How is the job market?

And for those of you who have kids, how are the schools in Tampa?

If you don’t know any of these answers yet, don’t panic. We can give you a head start.

Overall, we found that the cost of living in Tampa is reasonable and there is no state income tax.

The Tampa metro area ranks as a less expensive place to live compared to other Florida cities, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Also, Tampa has relatively inexpensive housing costs compared to other parts of the country.

However, between transportation, insurance, and childcare, the cost of living in Tampa is shaped by a number of factors.

As I mentioned earlier, Tampa doesn’t have a rail system in place and for most residents, especially those living in the suburbs, it is a long drive to work.

It may not seem much at first, but driving to and from work every day can have significant impacts on your budget if you factor in the cost of gas, tolls, and ensuring and maintaining your car.

Taxes in Florida

Regarding taxes, while Florida has no state income tax, don’t forget about property taxes and property insurance.

Tampa-area homeowners can expect a 2 percent hurricane deductible, which means that in addition to the cost of the premium, you will also be responsible for covering part of the damaged sustained by an unexpected hurricane.

Take into consideration not only the cost of schools but also childcare.

Tampa-based childcare centers may charge $250 a week for infant care during summer months but the rate can go up in August.

Also, don’t forget to research schools within the district before you choose a neighborhood to live in.

If a move to Tampa is in the cards, it's important to be aware that when comparing prices between moving companies, the overall moving cost will be based mainly on the travel distance.

If you are currently living in New York City, this will probably be relatively inexpensive, with an average price of $1,500; due to the relatively short distance of 1,140 miles.

On the other hand, a move across the 2,900-mile distance from San Francisco averages considerably higher, at $3,000.