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Homes For Sale in Tampa Bay, FL
Florida’s West Coast is home to jewels aplenty, but the Tampa Bay area shines the brightest. This coastal urban sprawl hugs the eponymous 400-sq. mi. harbor that flows out to the vast Gulf of Mexico. And with over 3 million residents, the Tampa Bay area is easily one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country.
The Best Of Florida's West Coast
It’s hard to define the Tampa Bay area; it encompasses a large expanse of land, with three main cities and several smaller towns and communities in between. It also doesn’t help that the Tampa Bay area doesn’t have clearly defined boundaries. The most popular and widely accepted definition is that the Tampa Bay area is made up of parts of the Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Some maps also include sections of Hernando and Pasco counties. As a result, the Tampa Bay area is a colorful salad bowl– diverse, thrilling, and endlessly surprising in all aspects, from food and lifestyle to local real estate opportunities.
Tampa is one of the Tampa Bay area’s three chief cities, spread out on the harbor’s north shore. With nearly 176 sq. mi. of total area and a population of approximately 380,000 residents, it’s also the region’s largest city land- and population-wise. Tampa was nicknamed “The Big Guava” in the 1970s by a local journalist, but the city is now also known for another nickname: Cigar City, which is attributed to one of Tampa’s historic neighborhoods.
The Tampa Bay area’s two other main cities are located in Pinellas County. St. Petersburg and Clearwater are neighbors on the Pinellas peninsula and are often grouped together because of their proximity to each other.
The larger of the two, St. Petersburg (also referred to as “St. Pete”) is renowned for its art scene and beaches. Its local population numbers around 260,000 residents, which live across the city’s 135 sq. mi. of sunkissed land. North of St. Petersburg lies Clearwater, which is also located west of Tampa across Old Tampa Bay. Although it’s the smallest of the Tampa Bay area’s three main cities, Clearwater is by no means tiny; the city occupies nearly the entire upper half of Pinellas peninsula. Clearwater is highly regarded for its three-mile, white-sand beach and resort feel.
What to love about the Tampa Bay area
World-class art within reach: From surrealist art to fine-art photography, the Tampa Bay area has treasures to offer art and culture vultures. Even children can find something of interest in the local art scene.
Almost perpetual sunshine: Living in the Tampa Bay area feels like being on an endless vacation. Winters in the region are mild, sunny, and relatively dry. Summers are hot and humid, but the sea breeze blowing from the Gulf of Mexico helps buffer the heat. And for sun-worshippers, St. Petersburg might be extra appealing: it receives 361 days of sun every year, earning it the moniker “Sunshine City.”
Beaches galore: The Tampa Bay area is home to a long list of white-sand beaches fronting the Gulf of Mexico, all of which can be enjoyed all year round. With beach access comes a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as resorts and wellness options for anyone who wishes for a quick getaway.
Exploring Real Estate In The Tampa Bay Area
Coastal properties, low- to high-rise condos overlooking the beachfront, and spacious single-family homes located in tree-lined neighborhoods are just some of the homes for sale available in the Tampa Bay area.
The best places to live in Tampa Bay
Tampa
Variety– in terms of price, property type, and age– is what you can expect in Tampa’s local housing market. And while just about every market sector is well-represented, what dominates Tampa real estate are single-family homes and apartments. A good chunk of residences in the city were built between the 1940s and 1990s, but you can also expect a sizable collection of more recent builds as well as new construction.
Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Tampa include:
Historic Ybor City, the so-called Cigar Capital of the World and a National Historic Landmark District– one of three in Florida. Located northeast of downtown Tampa, this neighborhood boasts a rich Cuban heritage and an assemblage of Florida-style bungalows, condos, and townhomes. Homes for sale in this iconic Tampa Bay community start at the mid $300,000s.
Hyde Park, which includes the areas of South Howard Avenue (SoHo), Hyde Park Village, and Bayshore Boulevard. This is considered one of Tampa’s more affluent neighborhoods, where average home values typically hit the million-dollar mark. Hyde Park is also notable for its variety of traditional architectural styles, such as Tudor and Antebellum.
Davis Islands on Hillsborough Bay, connected to the mainland by two access points: South Plant Avenue Bridge and Columbia Drive Bridge. It feels very much like its own little world, complete with local dining options and annual festivities. Davis Islands’ signature real estate offering are its pastel-colored luxury homes inspired by the Mediterranean. You’ll also find historic properties, ranch-style residences, and more contemporary homes in this neighborhood, where prices range from $600,000 to over $1.8 million.
Parkland Estates, a tree-lined residential neighborhood approximately three miles away from downtown Tampa. One of the most coveted places to live in the Tampa Bay area, homes for sale in Parkland Estates have an average value of approximately $1.9 million. In the mix are historic homes from the 1920s and newer custom estates, all of which enjoy easy access to downtown and Old Tampa Bay.
St. Petersburg
Among homes for sale in the Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg’s local real estate offers some of the highest appreciation rates in the entire country. Buyers and investors alike will be pleased to know that over the past decade, homes here have appreciated by approximately 199%. But it’s not only the increasing home values that draw people to St. Petersburg. Sunshine, water recreation, and being one of the oceanographic research centers in the region endear it to many as well.
There are many fabulous neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, such as:
Downtown St. Petersburg, the heart and soul of the city. It has all the essentials of a lively neighborhood: local shops, bars, cafes, and a good smattering of exciting local events. Condominiums and townhomes– both waterfront and inland– are found throughout downtown St. Petersburg, with list prices ranging from as low as $300,000 to over $6 million.
Historic Old Northeast, the first residential neighborhood in the city. A slice of old Florida, the community’s streets are lined with magnolias, live oaks, and a handsome set of single-family residences in different styles, from Craftsman bungalows to luxe Modern estates. Condos and townhomes complete the local real estate offerings, which have an average value of approximately $1.2 million.
Snell Isle, a waterfront and mostly residential community less than three miles away from downtown St. Petersburg. At its heart lies the sprawling Vinoy Resort and Golf Club and its century-long history. Homes for sale in Snell Isle have an average value of about $2 million and cover a wide range of architectural styles; the neighborhood even has a small collection of Prairie-style residences.
Shore Acres, a coastal enclave that fronts Tampa Bay with a diverse housing stock that’s composed of single-family homes, luxury estates, condos, and townhomes located on- and off the water. These properties have an average value of $750,000, and because of Shore Acres’ high desirability, homes for sale in the neighborhood are usually sold fast.
Clearwater
A home in Clearwater means living a short distance away from almost every water activity imaginable in the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay. That said, there’s more to the local lifestyle than being on the beach. Furthermore, strong real estate investment opportunities, impressive historic appreciation rates, and a vast array of housing options– in an equally wide range of styles and prices– make Clearwater quite a force to be reckoned with in the Tampa Bay area.
Make the following neighborhoods part of your home search:
Sand Key, located on the northern tip of a barrier island off the coast of Clearwater. The neighborhood is famed for its spectacular sunset vistas, which residents enjoy from private perches in Sand Key’s condos– the most dominant property type in the community. These condos, which were mostly built in the 1970s and 1980s, come in all shapes, heights, and sizes.
Island Estates, simply one of the best choices in the Tampa Bay area for anyone searching for waterfront homes for sale. This self-contained island community offers single-family homes, and though they come in different price points, views of Clearwater Harbor are almost always guaranteed. Island Estates is also home to a quintessential Tampa Bay attraction: the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Beach, situated south of Island Estates and home to what is considered one of the best beaches in the country. And a high price tag is attached to that prestige. With an average home value of approximately $1.2 million, Clearwater Beach is also among the most highly valued neighborhoods in the Tampa Bay area. It’s all about luxury coastal living here, whether you opt for a waterfront single-family estate or a beach condo.
Old Bay District, nestled along Clearwater Harbor. Its homes– which include 1980s condos, ranch residences, bungalows, and custom waterfront estates– all enjoy close proximity to Clearwater Beach and downtown Clearwater, as well as a selection of reputable schools and public amenities.
There’s more homes for sale to discover in the Tampa Bay area. To get a fuller picture of the local real estate market, get in touch with me, Len Lipply, and the rest of the Gulf Coast team at Lipply Real Estate. If you wish immediate assistance, you can also call me at 727.642.0255.
A Taste Of The Tampa Bay Lifestyle
Beaches
Even if you choose to live in the farthest part of the Tampa Bay area, you’ll still be a short 30-minute drive from the best beaches in Florida’s West Coast.
On top of the list is Clearwater Beach with its sugary white sand. It’s easy to see why it was recently recognized as the best beach in the Southern U.S; although packed with beach- and water-based activities, it’s a well-maintained public space with pockets of quiet if you just want to lay out and relax.
Southwest of St. Petersburg, you’ll find Fort de Soto Park and its five interconnected islands. In its entirety, the park covers over 1,100 acres, making it the largest of its kind in the local park system. A seven-mile trail connects various parts of the park and also doubles as your main access point to Fort de Soto’s beaches.
Wining and Dining
In the Tampa Bay area, foodies will also find much to celebrate. The local culinary scene is a cornucopia of dining experiences, from cozy cafes and scenic waterfront eateries to Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants.
Lilac at the Tampa EDITION is one of Tampa’s three Michelin-starred restaurants; a love song to Mediterranean cuisine with Chef John Fraser at the helm. Mediterranean flavors are also at the heart of East Bistro in Clearwater, but this time the mood is homey and laidback. As for hearty surf-and-turf feasts in an elegant setting, locals love to go to Bascom’s Chop House. Down in North Redington Beach is The Conch Republic Grill, a Key West-inspired eatery that specializes in Caribbean cuisine and “super-fresh” seafood. You can enjoy the house specialties just as you like it with their Conch Platter. Guppy’s on the Beach also has a seafood-forward menu, made even better as the restaurant is located surfside.
Outdoor recreation
If you’ve had your fill of the Tampa Bay area’s beaches, don’t fret. Rivers, forests, wetlands, and adventure parks with obstacle courses and guided tours are scattered throughout the region. You’ll never run out of outdoor activities when you live here.
Manatees are some of Tampa Bay’s most treasured friends. You can say hi to them at the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. It connects to the Great Florida Birding Trail, which also means various opportunities for bird watchers to spot local shorebirds.
For those who love to pedal, cycling paths ribbon throughout the Tampa Bay area. The five-mile Bayshore Boulevard Trail is one of the best spots for urban bicycling in Tampa. Not far is the Tampa RiverWalk, which connects several attractions along the Hillsborough River. Some of the bike paths in Tampa Bay pass through wilderness areas, such as the Flatwoods Park Trail and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. Meanwhile, there’s some excellent mountain biking to be had at Alafia State Park in Lithia.
More outdoor recreation awaits in Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa. Open year-round, this vast state park is a local hotspot for hiking, camping, and horseback riding. River-based activities are also offered. Those with fishing licenses can try to reel in bream and bass. Thrill seekers, on the other hand, can try to brave Hillsborough River’s Class II rapids on kayak.
Arts, culture, and entertainment
The Tampa Bay area’s urban centers are filled to the brim with an assortment of arts, culture, and entertainment options.
Essential museums to visit in the region include the Smithsonian-affiliated Tampa Bay History Center, the Glazer Children’s Museum in downtown Tampa, the Cracker Country Living History Museum within the Florida State Fairgrounds, and the Henry B. Plant Museum, which is an amazing repository of exhibits that detail life during Victorian-era Tampa.
Art is front and center in many places in the Tampa Bay area. The Imagine Museum is dedicated to contemporary glass art from around the world. More glass art can be found at St. Petersburg’s Chihuly Collection, which shines the spotlight on Dale Chihuly’s impressive body of work. St. Petersburg is also the home of the Salvador Dalí Museum– it’s a surrealist and impressionist wonderland. Meanwhile, the works of renowned photographers are showcased at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
Various entertainment venues are also scattered throughout the Tampa Bay area. First and foremost is the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, where you can watch Broadway productions, concerts, the Opera Tampa, and the Tampa City Ballet. The historic Tampa Theatre, built in the 1920s, is the place to go for independent and documentary film screenings. Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park also turns into a massive outdoor entertainment venue every year for the annual Gasparilla Music Festival.
Come Home To Tampa Bay
I’m Len Lipply, a Tampa Bay local and real estate specialist. For over 13 years, I’ve been guiding aspiring homeowners to their dream homes in the area, whether it’s a beach home or a stylish estate in one of Tampa Bay’s most unique communities. It would be an absolute honor to do the same for you.
Get in touch with me and the rest of the Gulf Coast team today or call 727.642.0255 to start your adventure with Lipply Real Estate.
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