Tampa was recently ranked as one of the best cities in the United States for people raising families. The rankings covered the top-25 metropolitan areas in the United States. Criteria such as average commute times, cost of living, school, park acreage per capita as well as crime rate were taken into consideration. These factors were determined to create a positive environment for quality family life and child development.
1. Public Education
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) operates the city’s primary and secondary public education system. It is the eighth largest school district in the country. It has more than 188,000 students. It provides over 207 schools with more than 133 elementary, 41 middle and 26 high schools. The district also has more than 72 additional schools that are charter, alternative, ESE and more. Twelve of the HCPS high schools were listed in Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Best High Schools.
There are also a number of public and private universities in the Tampa Area.
University of South Florida
University of Tampa
Hillsborough Community College
Stetson University College of Law
Jersey College
Eckerd College
St. Petersburg College
2. Cost of Living
The Tampa Bay metro consistently ranks as a place that is less expensive to live when compared to other cities in Florida such as West Palm Beach and Miami. It is also less expensive than smaller Florida cities such as Sarasota and Naples. The Economic Policy Institute released its estimates concerning the Tampa Bay metro region. The group states a family with two children and two adults, to live comfortably, would need to have a combined income of approximately $77,000 a year or a little more than $6,400 a month.
3. Sunshine
The Guinness World Record for having the most consecutive days of sunshine is held by Tampa; it is 768 days. When people have a family this type of weather means many things. People can save money by not needing to have a large amount of clothing to wear for different seasons. There is only a need to plan for summer and fall. Tampa Bay is a place that does not have winter weather. It is a place where parents and their children can enjoy being outside in the sunshine all year round.
4. Theme Parks And Amusement Parks
Tampa Bay is an area that features more than 164 different parks. Many families who live in other parts of the country must drive hours before they can enjoy a theme park or amusement park. Families who live in Tampa reside close to a wide variety of parks. That is why many people from other parts of the country gladly travel to enjoy what Tampa Bay residents have close to their homes. Here are a few of them.
The Giraffe Ranch at Dade City
Busch Gardens
Big Cat Rescue
Adventure Island
Lowry Park Zoo
Legoland
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium
Grand Prix Tampa
Escape Quest Tampa
5. Outdoor Fun
Tampa Bay is known as a place that provides families with many different options when it comes to enjoying the outdoors. It has many award-winning beaches. Kayaking is very popular with families. Many like to kayak out to Caladesi Island. It is located off the shore of Honeymoon Island in Dunedin. Just North of Tampa Bay is the Crystal River. This is a place where families can go and swim with the manatees. If people want traditional outdoor activities, there are plenty of places to go hiking, fishing as well as camping and more.
Tampa Bay is Florida’s third-largest city. It has over 370,000 residents. Many families enjoy the variety of arts and cultural events offered by Tampa. Tampa has an expanding job market and many families move there to start or grow their careers. Suddath is a moving company in Tampa, FL. They can help a family move to Tampa if they are ready to enjoy all the fun and sunshine experienced by Tampa residents.
