If you’re preparing for moving to Tampa with kids, narrowing down your choice of neighborhoods is probably big on your to-do list. Tampa is a good place to raise a family and it was recently ranked one of the top 10 family-friendly cities in America thanks to its cost of living, school quality, crime rate, commute times, and parks.
Here’s a look at the seven best neighborhoods in Tampa for families with the amenities you’re looking for.
Tips for Choosing the Best Neighborhoods in Tampa for Families
Where do families live in Tampa? New Tampa north of I-75 is a popular area for families with newer communities of townhomes, condos, and ranch homes. New Tampa is more removed from the city with lots of outdoor recreation, low crime, and lower home prices. South Tampa is one of the most popular places to live in Tampa for families who want to be near the water and city living with safety, walkability, top-rated schools, and attractions. You might also consider Tampa suburbs for families if you’re looking for more space and affordability.
Here are some resources that may help you narrow down your options:
- Best school districts in Tampa
- Safest neighborhoods in Tampa
- A guide to South Tampa
- Top Tampa suburbs
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Palma Ceia – One of the Safest Tampa Neighborhoods for Families with Tampa’s Best High School
- Population: 4,500
- Median home price: $593,000
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Location: South Tampa region 4 miles southwest of downtown
Palma Ceia is one of the best places to live in Tampa for families with nearly everything you’re looking for. It’s got walkability with great parks and outdoor recreation like golfing, the neighborhood Palma Ceia Park with a playground, and Bayside Boulevard with views of downtown and the bay.
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What makes Palma Ceia one of the best family neighborhoods in Tampa? For starters, Palma Ceia is served by Plant High School, one of the best high schools in Tampa! It’s also one of the safest neighborhoods in Tampa with 74% less crime than Tampa on average.
LEARN MORE: Find out if living in Palma Ceia, Tampa is right for your family with the COMPLETE guide to the neighborhood’s lifestyle, transportation, history & things to do.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Largo, FL or let us introduce you to a local agent in the area.
Tampa Palms – Master-Planned Tampa Neighborhood for Families in the New Tampa District
- Population: 17,000
- Median home price: $344,750
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Location: New Tampa area 14 miles north of downtown Tampa
Tampa Palms is an award-winning master-planned community that was named America’s best master-planned community in the late 1980s. Located along the Hillsborough River, Tampa Palms is one of the best Tampa neighborhoods for families looking for affordability, safety, and tons of nearby amenities. There is 80% less crime in Tampa Palms than the Tampa average!
Tampa Palms is in the Hillsborough County school district and served by the highly rated Tampa Palms Elementary School. There’s also a childcare center right in the neighborhood for working families with young kids.
The bounty of kid-friendly activities also help Tampa Palms rank as one of the best neighborhoods in Tampa for young families. There’s a swim and tennis center and five parks including Lettuce Lake Park with a boardwalk, canoeing, a fishing dock, and a playground.
Tampa Palms is made up of 24 residential villages with over 2,200 homes plus two apartment villages with over 2,100 units. You’ll find a great mix of single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and apartments to choose from.
FIND OUT MORE: This living in Tampa Palms guide covers the neighborhood’s culture, location, amenities, and more!
Lutz – Great Tampa Suburb for Families with One of Tampa’s Best High Schools
- Population: 22,000
- Median home price: $338,750
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools and Pasco County Schools
- Location: 15 miles north of Tampa in Hillsborough County and Pasco County
Want to live outside the Tampa city limits? If the suburbs are calling to you, it’s hard to beat Lutz, one of the best places to live near Tampa for families. Lutz is served by two of the best school districts in the Tampa area: Hillsborough and Pasco. Depending on where you live, kids attend top-rated schools like Denham Oaks Elementary School (Pasco County Schools) or Steinbrenner High School (Hillsborough), the #2 high school in Greater Tampa!
Lutz has a small-town feel with affordable homes and plenty of amenities families can appreciate. The Brooker Creek Nature Preserve and Lake Park are perfect for enjoying a beautiful day outdoors. The Chevel Golf and Athletic Club is an exciting golf club with tennis, golf, fitness, aquatics, and a youth play center and summer camps. Families also flock to Lutz for its safety with a crime rate 30% below the national average.
LEARN MORE: Our guide to moving to Lutz, FL gives you better insight into this charming suburb and why families love it.
West Meadows – Affordable Neighborhood in Tampa for Families
- Population: 2,500
- Median home price: $299,000
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Location: New Tampa area 21 miles north-northeast of downtown
West Meadows is one of the most affordable places to live in Tampa for families. West Meadows has a very suburban feel with 12 residential “villages” or communities. Each village has its own architecture, amenities, and home styles including townhomes and single-family homes. Some villages are gated. You’ll find prices ranging from the $100s to the $400s.
What makes West Meadows a great place to live in Tampa for families? You can start with above-average schools like Turner Elementary School and Clark Elementary School. West Meadows also offers tons of kid-friendly amenities. The highlight is the West Meadows Community Club, a clubhouse with two playgrounds, a dog park, fitness center, pool, and party room plus tennis, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and baseball. The entire family will spend a lot of time here!
You can learn more by visiting the West Meadows Property Owners Association website with info for potential buyers and residents.
Hyde Park – Affluent Family-Friendly Neighborhood in Tampa Near Downtown & Shopping
- Population: 20,000
- Median home price: $664,000 to $1.4 million depending on the area
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Location: South Tampa area 1 mile southwest of downtown adjacent to the University of Tampa
This upscale historic district is best known for its nightlife, dining, and the high-end Hyde Park Village open-air shopping district. However, it also offers plenty of draws for wealthy families.
Hyde Park has a great art scene with local artists and a new Hyde House development with co-working spaces and event rooms. It’s close to Tampa General Hospital and USF Pediatrics which provides primary and specialty pediatric care and the University of Tampa. Families with young children appreciate the excellent schools in the neighborhood. Primrose School of South Tampa is a private preschool and daycare. Gorrie Elementary School which has won the Five Star School Award, Golden School Award, and the Florida School Recognition Award.
While Hyde Park is one of the safest and best neighborhoods in Tampa for young families, it does come at a high cost. This is one of the most expensive areas to live in South Florida.
Wesley Chapel – Popular & Affordable Tampa Suburb for Families Near New Tampa
- Population: 45,000
- Median home price: $332,500
- School district: Pasco County Schools
- Location: 32 miles north of downtown Tampa near New Tampa, Land O’ Lakes & Lutz
There’s a lot to love about Wesley Chapel! It’s in the award-winning Pasco County Schools district named the College Board AP District of the Year 10 years running and one of 250 national districts on the AP District Honor Roll. There are now three high schools in Wesley Chapel to accommodate how fast the area is growing.
Wesley Chapel has been named one of the Best Cities for Young Families in Florida thanks to its schools, home prices, family income growth, and number of households with kids. While home prices are growing, families can still find a great value in Wesley Chapel and enjoy a close-knit community feel.
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Wesley Chapel is also home to tons of family-friendly attractions like AdventHealth Center Ice, the region’s largest ice sports facility, and Epperson Lagoon. This 7.5-acre lagoon is a summer paradise with tropical beaches, slides, crystal clear water, family lawn games, and a swim-up bar. It’s open to residents of the Epperson community but limited access is available to non-residents for a fee.
FIND OUT MORE: This COMPLETE guide to living in Wesley Chapel, FL covers the cost of living, great Wesley Chapel neighborhoods & more.
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Land O’ Lakes – One of the Best Places to Live Near Tampa for Families
- Population: 38,000
- Median home price: $329,000
- School district: Pasco County Schools
- Location: 19 miles north of downtown Tampa by Wesley Chapel and New Tampa
Looking for an affordable, safe place to live near Tampa with great schools? Make sure Land O’ Lakes is on your list. Not far outside Tampa, families enjoy being close to the beach but away from the traffic, crime, and bustle of the city.
Land O’ Lakes High School is one of the top 10 high schools in Tampa and the top school in Pasco County Schools. Nearly half of all students complete at least one AP Exam for college credit!
DISCOVER MORE: Find out if moving to Land O’ Lakes, FL is right for your family with this total guide!
Map of Neighborhoods in Tampa for Families
Have you settled on the right neighborhood for your family? Once you’re ready to get started on your move, give us a call at 2 College Brothers for a free moving estimate. We’ll help you skip the stress and heavy lifting so your family can get started exploring your new neighborhood.
