Homes For Rent In Gibsonton, FL
Eaton Realty offers a full suite of real estate services to individuals and families throughout West Central Florida. If you are looking to buy, sell, invest, or rent a home, we can help you achieve your goals. If you’re interested in renting a home in Gibsonton, Florida, check out our available listings on this page or reach out to us today.
Living in Gibsonton, Florida
Located approximately 12 miles from Tampa, Gibsonton is a town of approximately 18,500 people. Also known as Gibtown, Gibsonton has long been known as a haven for people who worked in the carnival and circus industry. Today, Gibsonton retains its unique charm while attracting residents with its low cost of living and close commute to Tampa along Route 41.
History
Gibsonton was founded in 1884 by James Gibson, Sr., which is how it got its name. More than 50 years later, Gibsonton became famous as a wintering town for people in the carnival and circus industry. Its location was perfect for “sideshow” people, given that the Ringling Brothers headquarters were in nearby Sarasota, Florida.
The community was once considered the “oddest town in America.” This was because so many people from the circus lived in Gibsonton, including Percilla the Monkey Girl, the Lobster Boy, the Giant and his wife (the Half-Woman), and the Anatomical Wonder. The town was built to accommodate residents who were outside of the norm, with special chairs for exceptionally tall and heavy folks at the beer hall and low counters at the post office for shorter individuals.
Gibsonton even had special zoning so that its residents could keep circus trailers on their lawns and train exotic animals at their homes. Its local economy was dominated by the carnival industry, with 3 factories that manufactured Ferris Wheels and carousels, and the International Independent Showmen’s Association (with more than 4,500 members). While the circus isn’t as popular as it was in Gibtown’s heyday, it still has a significant influence on the town.
Things To Do
Gibsonton is a family-friendly place to live. It is located right at the mouth of the Alafia River, alongside Hillsborough Bay. If you’re into boating, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, or simply walking along the river, you will have plenty to do in Gibsonton. You can also visit many local parks, including the Gardenville Beach, the Jeanie and Pete Johnson Nature Preserve, or J.B. Gibson Park.
Gibsonton is home to the Gibtown International Independent Showmen’s Museum, which is run by the Independent Showmen's Association. This museum tells the storied history of carnivals and circuses in the United States. It includes exhibits such as one of the first Ferris Wheels in the U.S., outfits from famous carnival stars, and carnie trailers. It also hosts the largest trade show in the carnival industry each year.
Other great attractions in Gibsonton include the Showtown Bar and Grill for dining and drinks. Locals also enjoy dining at The River’s Edge Bar and Grill, Jerry’s Dockside Bar and Grill, and the Riverview Tap House. Tampa is also a relatively short drive away, where residents can take advantage of more adventurous dining options, see a show, go to a professional sporting event, check out ZooTampa, or go to Busch Gardens.
Of course, given its location, Gibsonton also isn’t far from Gulf Coast beaches. If you want to spend a day on a white sand beach with gentle blue waters, then you’ll find it an easy day trip from Gibsonton.
Education System
Gibsonton is part of the Hillsborough County School District, which is known for its excellent schools and low student-to-teacher ratio. Public schools include Gibsonton Elementary School, Corr Elementary School, Eisenhower Middle School, and East Bay High School. There are also other options for schooling, including the public Eisenhower Exceptional Center and the private First Baptist Christian School.
Renting vs. Buying a Home in Gibsonton
Located just about 12 miles southwest of Tampa, Gibsonton has a somewhat competitive housing market. As the Tampa region continues to expand, housing prices will likely continue to rise in Gibsonton.
The median sale price of a house in Gibsonton is close to $340,000. On average, a home in Gibsonton rents for $2,345. Depending on the type and size of home that you need, a rental property in Gibsonton could go for anywhere from $415 to $3,500 per month. There are a mix of homes for rent in Gibsonton, including single-family homes, multi-family houses, condos, and townhouses.
Depending on the rental property that you select, your monthly rent in Gibsonton might be as much as a mortgage payment would be. If you think that you are ready to purchase a home in Gibsonton, we can help you search for a house that meets your needs and fits within your budget. If you aren’t ready to make the leap, then we can work with you to find the best rental property.
Home prices in Gibsonton have risen steadily over the past few years, which means that buying may be a good investment. However, renting is often the better option for several reasons. If you aren't sure that you want to stay in the area, then you will have more flexibility with a rental compared to buying a home. You also won’t be required to save up 10 to 20% of the purchase price for a down payment or pay for maintenance and repairs on the house.
Every person’s situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution in real estate. At Eaton Realty, we understand that buying a house might not be the right option for everyone. Our Hillsborough County real estate agents can help you understand the pros and cons of buying vs. renting and offer you personalized advice that is based on your circumstances. Whether you decide to rent or buy a house in Gibsonton, we will work hard to get you into a home that is right for you.
Why Rent a Home from Eaton Realty?
Eaton Realty is a full-service real estate company. This means that we not only help clients buy, sell, and rent homes - we also offer property management to landlords in Hillsborough County.
In other words, most of the properties that we rent to clients are the same properties that we manage. For this reason, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be treated well as a tenant.
We professionally manage each rental property in accordance with the highest industry standards. Our team utilizes an online platform to streamline maintenance and repair requests and respond quickly to any tenant concerns. Regular property inspection is part of our service so that we can spot and fix issues before they become a bigger problem. We work hard to make sure that our tenants have great, clean, well-maintained homes - and that our landlords are thrilled with our management of their properties.
We use a three-step rental process to allow tenants to find and move into a rental home as quickly as possible. It starts with a property search. We keep all of the properties that we manage listed on our website at all times, with the vacancy date for each property part of the listing. This means that you can plan ahead and easily look for properties in Gibsonton based on when you want to move. You don’t have to wait for a property to become vacant to put it on your wishlist - you can apply now for a future move date.
Each property listing page includes an application that is accessible through an “apply now” button. Our application process is made to be as simple as possible to help you apply quickly without needless or repetitive paperwork.
Finally, when you move into your new home in Gibsonton, you can take advantage of our Resident Benefits Package. This package includes tools to save you both time and money, such as one-call utility setup, online rent payment, responsive maintenance services, monthly delivery of air filters, and more. We offer this package to make it as easy as possible to get settled into your new Gibsonton house, without having to waste time and energy on the details.
Talk to a Rental Realtor
If you’re looking to rent a home in the Tampa area, Eaton Realty is here to guide you through the process. We offer a simple, three-step rental process to make it easy for prospective tenants to find and rent a great home in a town that is right for them. Contact us today to get started on the process.
Other Cities to Consider
Eaton Realty works with landlords throughout West Central Florida to provide high-quality property management services. As such, we have properties available in cities and towns across Hillsborough County. If you would like to explore cities other than Gibsonton, we can help you find a home in towns like: