HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$208,900 |
$169,500 |
$135,200 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$169,400 |
$142,500 |
$99,200 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also higher
than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price range in
Hillsborough County. Median prices shown above are for the Tampa/Saint Petersburg/Clearwater MSA. The
statistics are meant to give you a feel for the area as compared to others you may be considering and to
show the direction of the market.
Taxes
Visit Buy a Home in Florida for comprehensive property tax information.
Weather
Average High/Low in January 73/50, in July 90/72
Hillsborough County is one of three counties that make up “Greater Tampa Bay”. Greater Tampa Bay is home to over 2.5 million people. The region attracts millions of tourists each year, but it is much more than a tourist destination. Tampa Bay is the west coast anchor of Florida’s High Tech Corrider in a state that was ranked #2 as the best places in America for start-ups. It has Florida’s largest port for import/export and is known as a top growth market for manufacturing, especially in the medical industry. Tampa International Airport is the #1 ranked airport in the country and three hospitals ranked as “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News and World Report serve the area.
Events
Arts & Culture
While many people relocate to the Tampa Bay area for its desirable Florida lifestyle and superb business climate, once here, they're thrilled to discover a vibrant arts community. Tampa Bay offers a wide variety of museums, performance halls, festivals, and galleries, and it is "home" to three of the most-visited non-profit arts operations in the entire state. The area also offers several educational art institutions, such as the University of South Florida College of Visual and Performing Arts, home to the Contemporary Art Museum. In addition, a new Tampa Museum of Art (2010) will anchor a growing cultural arts district, which will include a new $30 million art conservatory and the busiest performance hall in the entire South! It's no wonder Tampa Bay is considered a cultural oasis.
Visit:
American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship
Henry B. Plant Museum
Kid City Children's Museum
Stageworks Theater Company
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Tampa Museum of Art
Tampa Theatre
USF Contemporary Art Museum
Parks & Recreation
The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department (PRC). Is the largest department of its kind in the Southeastern US and serves 9 million people annually. The County has more than 70,000 acres of parkland and 2 year-round recreation centers offering activities and classes for all ages.
There are several state parks in the Greater Tampa Bay area that offer beaches, hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, kayaking – all of the typical recreational things one likes to do in parks. There is one unusual state park called Ybor City Museum State Park located in Tampa. Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to the frontier near Tampa and built a city that became the "Cigar Capital of the World." From the opening of the first cigar factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City flourished. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City's unique cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar making industry.
One can fish the inshore backwaters of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ruskin, Palmetto, Bradenton, Anna Maria and Sarasota bays for snook, redfish, trout and tarpon. Tampa Bay is Florida's largest open-water estuary covering 398 square miles at high tide. The bay is a popular destination for recreation, and supports one of the world's most productive natural estuaries. Salt water and fresh water mix and provide nurseries for young fish, shrimp, and crabs. The bay is also home to dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees. With many areas developing and loosing key wildlife habitats, Tampa Bay is flourishing from fish restocking initiative and sea grass re-plantings.
Despite the environmental pressures from growth and development in the region, Tampa Bay continues to attract a remarkable variety and number of birds. Most spectacular are the great breeding colonies where thousands of birds of some 25 species--including pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, ibis, spoonbills, terns, and skimmers--come to rear their young. These large colonies are found on islands, where nests are safe from predators and disturbance. Mudflats and sea grass meadows in shallow sections of the bay provide a bountiful fishing ground for resident, migrant, and wintering shorebirds. Open waters are habitats for loons, grebes, and ducks
Fall is a terrific time of year to enjoy one of Tampa Bay's treasures -- its incredible assortment of sea, shore and songbirds.
In addition to the bay's full-time avian residents, fall brings thousands of "snowbirds" who -- just like their human counterparts -- spend the winter in the bay area, or at least stop by to refuel before continuing on to Central and South America. Beginning in late August, birdwatchers flock to their favorite parks to catch a glimpse of these temporary visitors, including beauties like the painted bunting, black tern and hooded merganser.
Beaches
Off the west coast of Pinellas County, you’ll find 10 barrier islands. (Hillsborough County fronts Tampa Bay) They are connected by a stretch of road called Gulf Blvd. There are 12 “Tampa Bay” towns/beaches and each possesses it’s own individuality.
For comprehensive information on all Florida beaches and gift certificates to the best Florida restaurants on or near them, check out The Florida Beach Book!
Golf
As is true for most of Florida, the Greater Tampa Bay area is known for golf. Over 100 private, semi-private and public courses await you! The city of Tampa’s three courses are open year-round to the public. Babe Zaharias, Rocky Point and Rogers Park provide everything you need for a great game of golf, including natural beauty and pleasant weather. All three courses are challenging to a golfer at any level and are affordable.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Sports
Tampa is a big city and as such, spectator sports are plentiful.
Enjoy the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightening, Tampa Bay Downs, Tampa Bay Storm, Tampa Bay Greyhound Track, University of South Florida, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees Spring Training.
Visit The Tampa Bay Sports Commission to learn more about events in the Tampa Bay area: http://www.tampabaysports.org/
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional sports information.
Hospitals
There are almost 20 hospitals and four trauma centers offering superior services in the area. Three area hospitals are ranked "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Reports and many other facilities and health care professionals have received national recognition in their areas of specialty. The area also benefits from the major medical research conducted in area facilities, and two teaching hospitals working with the University of South Florida Medical School.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Johnnie B. Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute
Kindred Hospital
Shriners Hospital for Children
St. Joseph's Hospital
Tampa General Hospital
University Community Hospital
University of South Florida Physicians Group
All Children’s Hospital www.allkids.org
Bay Pines VA Medical www.bay-pines.med.va.gov/
Brandon Regional Hospital www.brandonhospital
Memorial Hospital of Tampa www.memorialhospitaltampa.com
Town & Country Hospital www.townandcountryhospital.com
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
Argosy University/Tampa
Eckerd College
Florida College
Florida Metropolitan University
Hillsborough Community College
ITT Technical Institutes
Keller Graduate School of Management
National-Louis University
Nova Southeastern University
Saint Leo University
Southwest Florida College
Stetson University College of Law
The Art Institute of Tampa
The International Academy of Design and Technology
Troy University
University of Phoenix
University of South Florida
University of Tampa
Webster University
For comprehensive information on Lifelong Learning, visit Your Florida Lifestyle.
Airports
The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Tampa International Airport in Tampa, rated #1 in the country. Other important airports include the Tampa Executive Airport near Brandon and Peter O. Knight Airport near Downtown Tampa.
Shopping
International Plaza is the area's "upscale" mall, centrally located near the airport. Nearby in both distance and class is Westshore Plaza. Citrus Park Town Center is another relatively nice choice in the NW suburbs. Both Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue have a presence in Tampa.
Hyde Park Village located within the heart of one of Tampa’s oldest and most glamorous neighborhoods is home to a mix of shops – from high-end designer boutiques to local shops with interesting and fun things to buy.
In Ybor City you’ll find vintage clothing stores, art galleries, outdoor cafes.
Centr Ybor offers more shopping and dining options.
Antique shops, vintage clothing stores, weekend markets that feature handmade jewelry and crafts, and most major chains round out the area's ever-changing, ever-expanding retail environment.
Hillsborough County, Florida, Cities & Towns
Hillsborough County only has three incorporated places, all which are chartered as cities under Florida law:
Despite its large population, most of the area of the county is unincorporated, and falls directly under the county government's jurisdiction. Many, but not all, are Census-designated places.
Unincorporated
Census Designated Places
Additional Resources
Hillsborough County Government:
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/
Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.tampachamber.com/
Featured Towns/Cities
Rather than select one town in Hillsborough County, we have chosen to focus on the Tampa Bay area and talk about the various regions.
Central Tampa Bay Area (Downtown and Airport/Westshore areas)
Downtown/South Tampa/Ybor City
The downtown skyline marks the bustling waterfront region of downtown Tampa, and provides the backdrop for some of the area's most recent tourism developments. The St. Pete Times Forum, Channelside entertainment district, and Garrison Seaport provide visitors and residents alike with plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation. The Forum serves as the home to professional hockey and arena football, plus many other world-class concerts and events.
At Channelside, numerous shops, restaurants and an IMAX theater center around a Mediterranean-style courtyard complete with fountain and skyline terrace views. Cruise passengers from near and far get treated to the newly-renovated terminals at the Garrison Seaport. Rounding out the east side of the downtown waterfront is the spectacular Florida Aquarium. Anchoring the west side of downtown along the scenic Hillsborough River is the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Museum of Art, University of Tampa and the Henry B. Plant Museum (formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel), and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Just a few blocks away is Ybor City, a National Historic Landmark District and former "cigar capital of the world." Ybor City also doubles as the nightlife capital of Florida's west coast. During the day, visitors can explore the heritage and ethnic diversity of the area at the Ybor City State Museum, then dance the night away at any number of clubs and hotspots in Centro Ybor or all along the main thoroughfare of the infamous 7th Avenue.
Airport/Westshore
Located along the bay and surrounded by natural beauty, the Westshore area lies between downtown Tampa and the award-winning Tampa International Airport. This strategic location has made the Westshore region a top draw for corporations and business activity, which means the local landscape is filled with a multitude of accommodation and restaurant choices for the leisure visitor as well. With more than 6,000 hotel rooms in the area, there are many quality properties for you to call "home" during your stay. New dining concepts are featured on the Westshore menu, from seafood to steaks and everything in between. Professional sports also have a place here, with Raymond James Stadium (home to the World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Legends Field (spring training home of the New York Yankees) centered firmly in this community. For those with a different sport in mind, the area boasts an upscale retail market with Westshore Plaza and International Plaza offering the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Tiffany's. Since many of Tampa's major highways, interchanges and bridges pass through Westshore, you're guaranteed easy access to and from all of the hot spots, be it an early morning walk along the waterfront, a day-long adventure at an attraction, a shopping excursion in one of the many malls and boutiques, an afternoon at a museum, or dinner with friends.
East Tampa Bay Area
Brandon/Plant City/SouthShore
Easily accessible from both I-4 and I-75, this community entertains residents while taking advantage of the weather with waterfront activities, outdoor arts festivals, and manatee viewing areas. Some tremendous shopping also exists at area malls and retail centers.
The Florida State Fairgrounds provide this region with an ever-changing marquee of year-round events, festivals, and shows. Equally as impressive is the region's extensive restaurant scene, with menus and price ranges to satisfy every craving and fit every budget.
Northeast/Northwest Tampa Bay Area
Busch Gardens/North Tampa Bay
A mix of natural and man-made wonders characterize the North Tampa region and allow you to experience the best of Florida. Attractions top the list of things to do here, with Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, and the Museum of Science & Industry.
Don't miss the chance to discover the history of the Florida "cracker" at a working cattle ranch or take in the natural beauty of the area with a trip to the Hillsborough River State Park, a 16,000-acre preserve where you can paddle down the river and catch a glimpse of Florida's wildlife.
The University of South Florida adds a touch of diversity to the area by offering great collegiate sports, performances, exhibits, and lectures in the arts and humanities, and a great venue for big-name concerts at the Sun Dome.
Tampa offers a diverse mix of housing. Waterfront high rise condominiums have fabulous views, Craftsman bungalows from the 1920’s are plentiful, golf course communities abound and townhomes in waterfront gated communities beckon.
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in the Tampa Bay area, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in the Tampa Bay area who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
