Moving to Tampa

Welcome to Your New Home in Florida

When you move to Tampa, you’ll live in brilliant sunshine among the natural beauty of palm trees all year long. This vibrant city offers an ideal blend of outdoor living, exciting job opportunities, a warm climate and amazing beaches. With so much to offer, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area has grown nearly twice as fast as the rest of the U.S. in recent years.

Jobs in healthcare, finance, tech and tourism attract young professionals to The Big Guava. Singles enjoy the lively nightclub scene in communities like Ybor City and SoHo. And with attractions like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa is family-friendly too.

We Can Help You Get Settled in Tampa

Moving to the Tampa metro area can be a daunting task, even if it’s just around the corner. We’re here to help. Penske has many convenient truck rental locations in metropolitan Tampa. To get you started, the Penske Metropolitan Tampa Team offers these simple moving and driving tips for the do-it-yourself mover:

Tips for Moving to Tampa

• Consider moving in the winter when it’s cooler. If you move in the summer, do so in the morning or evening.
• Keep an eye out for pop-up thunderstorms, which are common during “rainy season” in Tampa (Memorial Day through mid-October).
• Stay cool in the heat and humidity by drinking water and taking breaks.

Tips for Driving in Tampa

• Rush hour can be congested — especially on heavily traveled roads like I-275 and I-4.
• Consider using toll roads like the Crosstown Expressway.
• Stay cool in the heat and humidity by drinking water and taking breaks.

10 Things To Know When You Move to Tampa

• 1. Tampa Spreads Out Far and Wide
  • When people talk about “moving to Tampa,” they typically mean the greater Tampa Bay metro area, which includes the city of Tampa plus St. Petersburg, Clearwater and other nearby cities. More than 3.1 million people live in the region, which extends across more than 2,500 square miles and is among the largest in Florida.
• 2. You’ll Find the World’s Best Beaches in Florida
  • With a location on the spectacular Gulf Coast, you’ll have access to Tampa’s 35 miles of pristine beaches, including Clearwater Beach, Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach. Tampa-area beaches are famous for their white sand and crystal-clear blue water, making them popular spots for surfing, snorkeling and sunbathing.
• 3. Tampa Offers a Wealth of Career Opportunities
  • Careers in healthcare, finance, education, tourism and tech draw young professionals to the Tampa metro area. Top employers include BayCare Health System, Raymond James Financial and the University of South Florida, which is also home to Moffitt Cancer Center, a renowned research institution. There’s a strong military presence here too; MacDill Air Force Base employs about 31,000 people.
• 4. There Are Many Great Places To Live in Tampa
  • Safe, friendly neighborhoods dot the Tampa Bay area landscape. Westchase is a planned community with quality schools, golf courses and family-friendly amenities. Hyde Park is a desirable upscale neighborhood featuring historic homes and tree-lined streets. The red brick-lined streets of Ybor City — a historic neighborhood originally founded by Cuban cigar manufacturers — are popular among singles and creatives. And for people who prefer city living, the Channelside District offers amazing waterfront views in close proximity to downtown Tampa.
• 5. Tampa Is an Outdoor Lover’s Paradise
  • Moving to Tampa means falling in love with the outdoors all over again. The area’s subtropical climate includes mild winters and year-round sunshine, making it ideal for boating, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking and waterfront dining. And when it gets hot and humid in the summer, you can always cool off with a trip to the beach, pool or water park.
• 6. Families (Especially Millennials) Love Tampa
  • The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is the top destination for Millennials and young families who want to move somewhere new. The cost of living in Tampa is 3% less than the national average, and there’s no shortage of activities for the entire family. Here, you can see exotic animals at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, feed a stingray at The Florida Aquarium or splash around at Adventure Island Tampa Bay. Up for a day trip? Disney’s spectacular theme parks are just an hour or so up I-4 in Orlando.
• 7. Sports Fans Call It “Champa Bay”
  • Not only has Tampa become a sports hot spot, it’s also a title-winning town. The NFL’s Buccaneers are two-time Super Bowl champions, and the NHL’s Lightning (which locals call “The Bolts”) are a three-time Stanley Cup-winning franchise. And while Major League Baseball’s Rays haven’t won a title yet, they’ve reached the World Series twice. When you live in Tampa, you can also take in Spring Training games for multiple MLB teams in February and March, including the Braves, Orioles, Tigers, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates and Blue Jays.
• 8. There’s a Fusion of Flavor in Tampa
  • From Michelin-starred restaurants to unique cigar bars and lounges, the Tampa dining scene is second to none. You can enjoy Native American-inspired cuisine on the waterfront at Ulele, taste a premium cut of beef at Bern’s Steak House, or sample the Cuban American flavors of the legendary Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest. Enjoy more casual fare? You’ll find mouth-watering Cuban sandwiches, fresh grouper, deviled crab and other local delicacies at eateries throughout the region.
• 9. Celebrations Are Bigger (and Better) in Tampa
  • Locals in Tampa love to party, and the Cigar City is filled with huge celebrations. One of the most unique is the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, which kicks off with a parade of pirate-dressed swashbucklers and attracts about 300,000 spectators along Bayshore Boulevard each January. Tampa also hosts legendary nightlife, including abundant rooftop bars, clubs, discos and live music venues.
• 10. Tampa Is for Art Lovers
  • Tampa’s lively arts scene includes numerous galleries downtown. The Salvador Dalí Museum celebrates the surrealist art of its namesake, while the Tampa Museum of Art features an extensive collection of modern and contemporary exhibits. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) displays the work of internationally known photographic artists, while the Straz Center for the Performing Arts brings Broadway to the Gulf Coast.

Moving to Tampa, FL? We Offer Complete Service

Whether you’re moving to a mid-century home in South Tampa, a high-rise in downtown Tampa or a beachfront condo on Clearwater Beach, the Penske Metropolitan Tampa Team is ready to help.

• Get everything for your move from Penske and our moving partners. See Moving Supplies & Services.
• We operate over 100,000 vehicles at more than 2,500 locations.

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