Greater Brandon
Brandon, Lithia, Seffner, Valrico
The largest suburb of Tampa, you can find anything you need; retail, restaurants, home improvement...you name it, Brandon has it! The perfect place for anyone working downtown, but not wanting to call the city home, Brandon is roughly 13 miles east of downtown Tampa; located at the I4 and I75 corridor, it’s the perfect place for commuters to call home.
Home to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Top Golf, iFly, Dave & Busters, TGH Ice Plex, Fishhawk Sports Complex, Alafia River State Park, Lithia Springs Park, and much more!
Lakeland
Located right along I4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is a key place for any state-wide commuters to call home. And as the name hints, Lakeland is home to 38 different named lakes within the city boundaries, and are the heart of the city's culture, neighborhoods and recreation. In historic Downtown Lakeland, you'll find shops, casual and fine dining restaurants, pubs and craft breweries, and more. Where local markets still thrive, Lakeland is focused on maintaining a small home-town feel.
You can spend the day at the Polk Museum of Art, Hollis Botanical Gardens, Silver Moon Drive-In, the Florida Air Museum, Safari Wilderness, Colt Creek State Park, or any of the other various activities Lakeland has to offer!
Rural Hillsborough
Dover, Plant City, Thonotosassa
If you're looking for the peace and quiet of a country setting, while still being an easy commute to Downtown Tampa, have no fear...it's here! Plant City is located roughly 25 miles east of downtown, and is packed with old city charm. Featuring a quaint historic downtown, it’s the perfect balance of small-town charm with close commute to Tampa, and has adopted the motto “Embracing the Future, While Preserving the Past”. Dover and Thonotosassa are a little closer to downtown - 20 miles and 15 miles respectively - and offer a little more of a country setting than Plant City.
Home of the annual Strawberry Festival, Historic Downtown Plant City, Edward Medard State Park, Keel & Curley Winery, Lake Thonotosassa, and Dinosaur World.
South Shore
Apollo Beach, Riverview, Ruskin, Sun City, Wimauma
Located between Tampa and Bradenton, South Shore is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing areas in southern Hillsborough County. Riverview has become a popular destination for Downtown Tampa commuters after Brandon reached its capacity, enabling homeowners to get bang for their buck with bountiful new construction in the last decade. Areas of Apollo Beach and Ruskin offer waterfront living and dining, with public boat ramps. Sun City Center is "America's Premier 55+ Community" boasting being one of the most affordable senior communities in the country, offering an exceptional range of recreation and social amenities.
Still close to nature, you can find the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve and Dog Park, the Bell Creek Nature Preserve, Bahia Beach Nature Preserve, and Little Manatee River State Park just to name a few!
St. petersburg
Nicknamed the Sunshine City, St Pete is a vibrant city known for arts and culture, shopping and dining, outdoor recreation, and a thriving and inclusive LGBTQ+ community. Home to world famous museums and galleries, the city boasts an ever-expanding independent arts scene focused on maintaining a tight-knit community.
Entertainment is practically endless...from Vinoy Park and Jannus Live, to the Dali Museum and the Chihuly Collection, to the Sunken Gardens Botanical Park, Weedon Island Preserve, and Ft. Desoto Park and Dog Beach - St Pete has something for everyone.
Tampa
Midtown, New Tampa, Soho District, Tampa & Seminole Heights,
Temple Terrace, Water District, Ybor
Previously called "The City of Palm Trees and Cranes", Tampa has found itself in the middle of some extensive city renovation and expansion. Plans include bringing more local retail, dining, and nightlife while still maintaining that small town feel. The home town of the Buccaneers, the Lightening, the Rowdies, and the Rays being a quick drive across the bay - the city has earned itself the nickname of "Champa Bay".
There is plenty to do in Tampa, including the Florida Aquarium, Zoo Tampa, regional dinner cruises, Eureka Springs Conservation Area, the improv Comedy Theatre, the Straz Center for Performing Arts, Tampa Theatre, MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Big Cat Rescue, Hillsborough River State Park, Lettuce Lake State Park, Sparkman's Wharf and the Riverwalk, Gasparilla, and countless music, art and food festivals throughout the year!
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