The Pros & Cons Of Living In Ybor City

Ybor City is a vibrant, historic section of Tampa Bay. This neighborhood has long been known as a hub for nightlife. In more recent years, it has become a trendy place to live as well.

Ybor City has so much to offer. It is walkable, has easy access to public transportation, and is close to all of the arts, history, culture, and nightlife that a person could want. Yet it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Located in the heart of Tampa, homes in Ybor City tend to be smaller, there is limited parking, and you’ll have to deal with crowds and tourists.

At Eaton Realty, we specialize in finding exactly the right homes in the right cities and neighborhoods for our clients. While city living isn’t for everyone, if you want to be close to the action, we can help you find an absolutely perfect home in Ybor City. To learn more or to talk to a Tampa real estate agent about your home search, reach out to a member of our team.

Find The Right Neighborhood For You. Speak To A Local Tampa Realtor › 813-672-8022

Benefits of Living in Ybor City

Just one square mile in size, Ybor City is home to approximately 4,000 people. Its roots can be traced back to cigar manufacturing, when a Spanish cigar manufacturer moved his operations from Cuba and Key West to the northeast side of Tampa. Many workers in these operations came from Cuba, Spain, and Italy, which helped to create the rich cultural background that Ybor City is famous for today.

Ybor City grew and thrived until the Great Depression, as automated cigar-making replaced the art of hand-rolled cigars. The area went through a substantial decline until the 1980s, when Ybor City became known for its thriving nightlife. Over the years, Ybor City has become a hub for artists, with numerous art galleries and artist studios. 

Today, Ybor City remains a popular place to visit, with museums, galleries, clubs, and more. It has also become a great residential neighborhood. There are plenty of charming small homes throughout the neighborhood, plus plenty of older factories and buildings that have been converted into loft spaces and condominiums.

As with any neighborhood, there are pros and cons to living in Ybor City. Below, we explore some of the upsides and downsides of this fun area of Tampa so that you can make a decision for yourself about whether or not you’d like to live there.

Very Walkable

Ybor City has a high walkability score of 84, making it a “very walkable area.” This designation means that most errands can be done on foot. This isn’t surprising, given Ybor City’s small size of just about 1 square mile. You could traverse the entire neighborhood in under an hour!

Whether you want to get a quick cup of coffee, stop at the grocery store, or go out for dinner and drinks, it’s all a short walk away in Ybor City. If you work in Tampa, getting to work is also a snap. With wide sidewalks and short blocks, it’s also easy to navigate the neighborhood.

Affordable Real Estate

Ybor City is one of the more affordable neighborhoods to buy a home in Tampa. The median home sale price in Ybor City is right around $320,000. The market is fairly balanced, which means that neither buyers nor sellers are advantaged in the current market. This can make it easier to purchase a home in the region.

By comparison, the median home sale price in Tampa as a whole is $435,000. Depending on the neighborhood, this price could be significantly higher. If you want to get into the Tampa real estate market, Ybor City might be a great place to start.

Convenient Public Transportation

In addition to being extremely walkable, Ybor City is also a stop on the TECO streetcar line. The trolley is free and makes 11 stops between Ybor City and downtown Tampa. If you don’t have a car and need to go further than you want to walk, the trolley is a great free option.

Great Shopping, Nightlife, and Entertainment

Ybor City is an incredibly fun place to visit and shop. The historic 7th Avenue is full of vintage jewelry shops, boutiques, and locally-owned stores. The Ybor Local Market is also a great option for fresh food and crafts.

There is also tons to see and do in terms of entertainment. In Ybor City, you can find live music at bars and a number of venues. You can also check out local galleries and museums or simply stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy the colorful street murals. There are also community events that happen throughout the year, such as Gasparilla, Tampa’s annual pirate festival.

Amazing Restaurants

Ybor City is well-known for its incredible restaurants. Owing in part to its history as a hub for immigrants working in cigar factories, there are many amazing cuisines to choose from when dining in Ybor City. Some favorites include Columbia Restaurant, Casa Santo Stefano, Rosenheim Restaurant, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, and La Terrazza Restaurant. Of course, you can also pick up a Cuban sandwich - a Ybor City delicacy that adds salami to the Miami-style Cubano.

Rich History and Culture

Ybor City is and was a true melting pot. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tampa, it was home to Cuban, Spanish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants. This is reflected in its current-day offerings, including the many amazing restaurants throughout the neighborhood.

The neighborhood is also known for being a sort of mecca for artists. When the neighborhood was in decline, many artists took advantage of the opportunity to purchase property to use as studios and galleries. Today, this helps to make Ybor City one of the most unique and interesting places in Tampa.

Drawbacks of Living in Ybor City

Of course, Ybor City is still right in Tampa, and city living isn’t for everyone. While there is a lot to love about Ybor City, its more urban setting and nightlife may not fit certain lifestyles. These downsides may not deter you if you are committed to enjoying the best that Tampa has to offer within minutes of your front door.

Higher Rents

While real estate is relatively affordable when it comes to buying a house in Ybor City, rents in the neighborhood tend to be higher. On average, you’ll pay $1,979 per month for a one-bedroom unit in Ybor City. This price goes up to close to $3,000 a month for a larger 3-bedroom place. These prices are 21% higher than the national average for rent.

Of course, this rent is in line with the average rent in Tampa, which is about $2,200 a month. There are neighborhoods in Tampa with much less expensive rent, so if you are more price-sensitive, you might want to check out other areas of the city.

Smaller Homes with Limited Parking

If you are looking for a large, spacious house, then Ybor City probably isn’t the place for you. Many of the available properties for sale in Ybor City are 1,500 square feet or less. If you need or want more space, then you probably will want to look outside of Ybor City.

Parking is also pretty limited in Ybor City. Many properties for sale do not have any off-street parking. If they do offer parking, it might only be one space. If having your car is a priority or if you have more than 1 vehicle, then you might not want to buy a house in Ybor City.

Of course, Ybor City is very walkable and has access to public transportation. A car isn’t necessary if you live in this neighborhood! However, if you do have a car, then you will want to make sure that your home search in Ybor City includes places with parking spaces.

Noise and Crowds

Ybor City can get crowded, especially during festivals and peak tourist season. The same reason that you want to live in Ybor City - the art, history, culture, nightlife, dining, and shopping - is why people want to visit the neighborhood. If you are someone who likes quiet and calm, then you might not find Ybor City to be the best choice for tranquility.

While Ybor City isn’t as nightlife-focused as it was in the past, it is still a popular place to go out for a drink. As a result, there is often music and noise later into the night than in many other neighborhoods. If this isn’t something that you’d enjoy, then you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Want to Buy a Home in Ybor City? Give Us a Call

Ybor City is an absolutely gorgeous neighborhood that is overflowing with personality, culture, and fun. Its real estate prices are very reasonable when it comes to buying a home, making it a smart choice if you want to invest in Tampa real estate. While it isn’t for everyone, it can be a great option if you like city living and want to be close to the action.

Eaton Realty helps buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords with all of their Hillsborough County real estate needs. Whether you want to buy a house right in the heart of the city or prefer a quieter suburb, we can help you make your dreams a reality. If you’d like to learn more about buying a house in Ybor City, give us a call at 813-672-8022 or fill out our online contact form.

Considering Living Outside Of Tampa? 

In addition to breaking down the pros and cons of living in Ybor City, we’ve also detailed the pros and cons of living in cities outside of Tampa in Hillsborough County. 

• The pros and cons of Riverview
• The pros and cons of Lithia
• The pros and cons of Plant City
• The pros and cons of Brandon
• The pros and cons of Apollo Beach
• The pros and cons of Gibsonton
• The pros and cons of Temple Terrace