Tampa Named One Of The Best Places To Live For Young Professionals

When many people think of Florida, they think about retirement communities and so-called “snowbirds.” While Florida is an attractive place to retire - or to spend your winters - it is also a great place for young people to live. In fact, one national media outlet just named Tampa as an emerging hotspot for young professionals.

Young people have been moving to Tampa at a high rate - making Tampa one of the top cities in the country for Gen Z to move to recently. There is a lot that young professionals like about Tampa, including its affordability, great weather, low-stress lifestyle, and plentiful things to see and do. Whether you’re into kayaking, swimming, golfing, watching professional sports, arts, or dining out, Tampa truly has something for everyone.

Eaton Realty helps clients buy and sell homes throughout the greater Tampa area from our offices in Lithia. If you’re a young professional interested in buying a home in Hillsborough County, we will do our best to find you a beautiful place to live in what we think is one of the best cities in the world. Reach out today to talk to one of our Tampa real estate agents about your property search.

Find A Home Or Condo Right For You. Speak With A Tampa Realtor › 813-672-8022

Tampa Declared a Hotspot for Young Professionals by Business Insider

Media outlet Business Insider recently featured Tampa as a great place for young professionals to live. It specifically noted that Tampa has generated a lot of buzz on social media platforms like TikTok among Millennials (people born from 1980 to 1995) and Gen Z (people born from 1996 to 2010).

According to their research, there are many things that younger people love about Tampa, including:

• Affordability - Tampa’s cost of living is equal to the national average and far lower than many major cities. For example, the cost of living in San Diego is 44% higher than the national average. In Miami, the cost of living is 21% higher than the national average;
• The ability to focus on work without the constant pressure to be out socially (as one might experience in cities like Miami). While Tampa has nightlife, it is less of a “scene” than in other cities. There is also no expectation that you need to see and be seen to succeed at work;
• Gorgeous weather - Tampa’s weather ranges from 50s to 70s in the winter to 70s to 90s in the summer;
• Outdoor recreation and the ability to exercise outside year-round - Tampa has a multitude of parks and easy access to water and to beaches, making it a great choice for anyone who loves to spend time outside;
• The walkability of the city - Tampa has a walkability score of 86 out of 100, which puts it into the category of “very walkable”;
• Great beaches nearby, including Archibald Beach Park, Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater Beach, Davis Islands Beach, Fred Howard Park Beach, and Ben T. Davis Beach;
• Low key, less stressful atmosphere compared to bigger cities;
• Fantastic restaurants, including everything from fine dining to seafood to Southern, Cuban, Asian, and Spanish cuisine;
• Plentiful cultural opportunities, such as the Tampa Bay History Center, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Chihuly Collection, and Imagine Museum;
• Strong economy, with unemployment at just 3.1%;
• Opportunities for entrepreneurship - venture capitalists invested $43.1 million in Tampa in the first quarter of 2024 alone;
• Good nightlife and options for entertainment, including numerous professional sports teams, performing arts venues, and bars and clubs (including in the city’s famed Ybor City).

According to an analysis of census data, Tampa is within the top 10 cities where people aged 18 to 24 are moving. The data shows that younger people are leaving massive cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia - and flocking to smaller cities like Tampa.

Being named a great place to live for young professionals is wonderful news for Tampa. It demonstrates that the city has a lot to offer and shows tremendous potential for growth, with more young people coming to live, work, and buy homes.

Things for Young Professionals to Do in Tampa

If you are contemplating a move to Tampa, you may be wondering where you should live - and what there is to do. Tampa has no shortage of friendly neighborhoods, fun activities, and great food.

Neighborhoods

When it comes to neighborhoods, it really depends on your interests and where you will be working. Young people are attracted to many neighborhoods in Tampa (and many great suburbs as well!). A partial list:

• Uptown
• Channel District
• Hyde Park
• Harbour Island
• Courier City
• Carver City
• Downtown
• North Hyde Park
• Historic Ybor City
• Westchase (suburb)
• Carrollwood (suburb)
• Town ‘n’ Country (suburb)
• Temple Terrace (suburb)
• Lake Magdalene (suburb)
• Oldsmar (suburb)
• Northdale (suburb)

Many of these neighborhoods are close to shopping, bars, and restaurants - making it ideal for a young professional who wants easy access to things to do after work and on weekends. Some neighborhoods - like Ybor City - are great not only for clubs but also offer an unparalleled art scene. If you’re after a quieter lifestyle, many neighborhoods and suburbs of Tampa allow you to enjoy serenity while still being close to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Things To Do

When it comes to things to do for young people in Tampa, there is no shortage of activities. Fans of amusement parks will appreciate that Busch Gardens is just a short drive away - and that both Disneyworld and Universal Studios are an approximately 90-minute drive.

If you’re into culture, Tampa has tons to see and do. You can catch a film or live performance at the Tampa Theater, a historic theater and city landmark in downtown Tampa. There is also the Jobsite Theater, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Ferguson Hall, and Stageworks Theater. If you love art, you could check out the Tampa Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, the Henry B. Plant Museum at the University of Tampa, or SOLO Contemporary Fine Art.

Tampa Bay has a number of professional sports teams for young people who are into sports. Its teams include:

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• The Tampa Bay Lightning
• The Tampa Bay Rays
• Tampa Rowdies (soccer)
• Tampa Tarpons (minor league baseball)

Fans can take in a game at Amalie Arena, Al Lang Stadium, Tropicana Field, or Raymond James Stadium.

Other popular attractions in Tampa for young professionals include walking along the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.5 mile long pedestrian walkway along the Hillsborough River, or Bayshore Boulevard, a 4.5 mile long road with beautiful scenic views. There are also plentiful state parks, beaches, and the ability to do things like kayak or paddle board in the bay.

Food

When it comes to restaurants, Tampa has something for everyone - reflecting the diversity of the city itself. There are New American, Spanish, Mexican, seafood, Caribbean, Cuban, and steakhouse restaurants. Some of the hottest restaurants for young professionals include The Hub Bar, EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge, SpookEasy Lounge, The Patio, Repeal 18, The Dan, Green Lemon, Velvet Gypsy, Hattricks, and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant.

Ultimately, there are plenty of things to do in Tampa - no matter where your interests lie. The best part is that Tampa is a relatively small city, so it is pretty easy to get around to do the things that you want to do. Most people in Tampa or the surrounding suburbs also have easy commutes, making the city a great place to live.

Interested in Living in Tampa? Give Eaton Realty a Call

When news outlets start touting certain trends, it can pay to listen. Tampa's being named a hotspot for Millenials and Gen Z shows its attractiveness. With a low cost of living, gorgeous weather, and tons to do, Tampa is a great place for young professionals to live and work.

At Eaton Realty, we collaborate with our clients to help them find the best home and neighborhood. We know that purchasing a home is the biggest financial decision that most people will make in their lives, which is why we do more than simply hand our clients a stack of listings. We go above and beyond to help potential home buyers understand technical documents like disclosures and inspection reports. We’ll help you find a home you love that fits well with your lifestyle and budget.

If you are contemplating a move to West Central Florida, our Tampa realtors can help you buy or rent a home in the region. Learn more about any of our real estate services by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to speak to a member of our real estate team.