Expat accommodation in Tampa

The accommodation in Tampa offers the city's new residents a diverse range of options, with something to suit just about every taste and budget. Most newcomers rent initially while they find their feet and get a feel for the city and its neighbourhoods. The renting process is fairly standard and in line with what one would expect in most major US cities.

Those who decide to buy property in Tampa later on will find it has great investment potential. Not only is the city's property market robust, but it continues to attract more people every year, which in turn increases the demand for rental property.

Areas and suburbs in Tampa

Home in Safety Harbour, Tampa by Julien Maculan

With six historic districts and more than 80 neighbourhoods, Tampa has plenty of diverse areas that have unique charm. Tampa has it all, whether you want beachside living or a suburban home on a tree-lined street. New arrivals must carefully consider where they choose to live in relation to their workplace and children's schools, as traffic in the city can be congested.

The revitalised Downtown Tampa is popular with young professionals and single new arrivals looking to be close to city amenities and their workplaces. Downtown Tampa has plenty of apartments and condos, but families can find the rare detached house as well. Channelside District is also another fantastic neighbourhood for young professionals who are seeking proximity to trendy restaurants and shops.

Families moving to Tampa also have several neighbourhoods that are also home to excellent schools. The Historic Hyde Park area is a great neighbourhood for families who want access to highly-rated schools but also proximity to Downtown Tampa. Those who have room in their budgets will love Davis Islands. These family-friendly islands are 10 minutes away from the downtown area and have cycling infrastructure and plenty of green spaces that enable children to enjoy time playing outside.

Read Areas and Suburbs in Tampa for more information on the city's neighbourhoods.

Types of accommodation in Tampa

The standard of accommodation in Tampa is generally good. Most buildings are well maintained, and property sizes are generous. New arrivals searching for their new home will have a range of options to choose from, including apartments, condos, duplexes and larger family houses.

Apartments

Modern self-contained apartments within a larger building can be found in most parts of Tampa. They tend to be fairly well-priced and are a particularly popular choice among those living in downtown Tampa, where space is limited.

Condos

Condos are a compromise between houses and apartments. The major upsides of condo living, especially for newcomers to the city, are more space and the benefits of communal living. Condos are self-contained units within a bigger complex where residents share a range of amenities, including communal swimming pools, gyms, gardens, and laundry facilities.

Single-family homes

Over half of Tampa residents live in houses, so newcomers looking for a more spacious pad will find an impressive array of options. From humble craftsman-style bungalows to grand colonial revival mansions, there are properties to suit various tastes and budgets. A continuous stream of newly built properties is springing up to meet the demands of Tampa’s rapidly increasing residential population.

Finding accommodation in Tampa

Prospective residents should start their hunt for a home in Tampa well before they even start to plan the physical relocation. Demand for property is high in Tampa, and securing a suitable property is not always easy.

The best place to do some research would be on reputable online property portals. These allow those unfamiliar with the city to understand the different property types available in various areas and suburbs, as well as their prices.

Real-estate agents are another great source of information. These professionals have an intimate knowledge of Tampa’s property market and are well-placed to advise new arrivals about the available property types and suitable areas.

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Renting accommodation in Tampa

With more and more people seeing value in the lifestyle and career benefits of relocating to Tampa, the demand for property is high. As a result, new arrivals need to act quickly to secure rentals in sought-after parts of the city.

Making an application

Once prospective tenants have found a suitable home, they’ll need to express their interest directly to the agent or landlord. Credit and reference checks are standard. Expats moving to Tampa from outside the US should open a US bank account and set up a social security number before applying for a rental property, as this will likely speed up the process of securing a rental contract.

Leases, fees, and costs

Rental contracts in Tampa are usually valid for a year, with the option to renew at the end of the initial term. At the landlord's discretion, it may be possible to request a shorter lease. For tenants who want to negotiate any aspect of their lease, it is better to do so outside the peak holiday season, when there isn't as much demand for holiday rentals.

Anyone looking to rent in Tampa must pay a security deposit of one to two months' rent to secure the lease on a property. Deposits are fully refundable once the lease terminates, provided that the property is left in an acceptable state. For this reason, it is important to carry out a detailed inventory at both the beginning and end of the rental term, as damages will be deducted from the deposit.

Read Accommodation in the USA to learn more about national rental processes.

Utilities

Prospective tenants should invest time studying the terms of their lease agreements to determine which utilities are included. In most cases, the landlord covers standard utilities such as water and electricity, but optional extras such as internet, cable TV, and landline telephone services are usually for the tenant's personal account.

Electricity

Tampa Electric supplies the electricity in the city. Newcomers will have to start or transfer the electricity account to their names when they move into a new apartment. New arrivals can contact Tampa Electric telephonically or through the company's website to submit a service request.

It's recommended to submit the request at least five days before moving to ensure that the connection is active when moving in. New arrivals will need to provide the company with proof of identity, address, and social security number. They will also need to pay a security deposit. Fortunately, Tampa Electric offers various payment plans.

Gas

Natural gas is largely supplied by Peoples Gas in Tampa. Similarly to electricity, connecting natural gas is fairly simple and can be done online or telephonically. Newcomers will be required to submit a range of documentation, including their proof of address, identity, and social security numbers. Peoples Gas will also require a security deposit to start the service and will work based on the client's schedule. Gas and electricity bills are sent out monthly, and there are various ways to pay.

Water

Tampa's primary water source is the Hillsborough River, and The Tampa Water Department treats and supplies water throughout the city. The City of Tampa has developed a new website called Tampa Connect, allowing residents to submit various service requests seamlessly. Residents can request a new service using Tampa Connect. It's recommended that you submit a service connection request at least five days before moving in.

New residents must be aware that since 1992, Tampa has had water restrictions that dictate when residents can water their lawns, wash their cars, or use pressure washers. The schedule for these water restrictions is based on a resident's address.

Bins and recycling

The City of Tampa's Solid Waste Management Department oversees waste collection and recycling in the city. Waste is collected twice a week for all customers. Residents must ensure they place their closed blue bins on the curbside the night before their designated collection day or before 6am on the collection day. New arrivals must ensure the cart is removed by the end of the collection day to avoid fines.

The municipality provides green bins for recycling, and this is collected weekly. The bins must also be placed curbside by 6am on the day of collection. It's recommended that new arrivals wait for their recycling carts to get full before placing them on the curbside.

Internet

New arrivals moving to Tampa will have many options for high-quality and reliable internet services. Spectrum and Verizon are some of the best internet service providers in the city. These service providers offer a range of packages and speeds to suit various budgets.

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Accommodation in Tampa