Living in Tampa comes with many incredible benefits, such as beautiful weather, amazing job opportunities, and top-rated education options. If you are thinking about moving to Tampa with your family and want to be outside of the city, then you might want to consider living in a suburb. If you have already explored the best suburbs of Tampa and want to know more about family-friendly options, then we’ve got you covered! These are the best Tampa suburbs for families. You can also check out our guide to the best neighborhoods in Tampa for families to see if living in the city is right for you!
Table of Contents
Citrus Park, FL | One of the Best Suburbs in Tampa for Families with Many Outdoor Activities
- Population: 28,178
- Crime rate: 5% below national average
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Median home price: $446,000
Citrus Park is one of the best areas in Tampa for families. This beautiful suburb is only 16 miles northwest of Downtown Tampa, so you can be in the city within 20 minutes. When living in Citrus Park, you will have access to many exciting family-friendly activities such as the famous Big Cat Rescue and In the Breeze Ranch. Florida State Road 589 runs directly through Citrus Park, making it easy to hop on the freeway and commute to Tampa or other nearby cities.
Citrus Park is located in the Hillsborough County Public School District, which, according to Patch.com, was recently ranked as the #1 school district in Florida for diversity and #4 in best school districts for athletes.
Land O’ Lakes, FL | Nice Suburb With Amazing Waterfront Real Estate
- Population: 35,929
- Crime rate: 16% below national average
- School district: Pasco County Schools
- Median home price: $425,000
Land O’ Lakes is a census designated place just 19.4 miles north of Downtown Tampa. Land O’ Lakes has its name for a reason. The CDP is home to over 100 lakes, providing many lake-front living opportunities. So, if you have always dreamed of having waterfront views, then Land o’ Lakes is the place to be! Land o’ Lakes borders the Cypress Creek Preserve, where you and your family can enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping across the 7,400 acre park.
Students living in Land O’ Lakes are served by the Pasco County School District, which contains 103 schools and 77,125 students. Land O’ Lakes High School is one of the best schools in all of Tampa and was recently ranked as the #1 high school in the Pasco County School District by US News.
Wesley Chapel, FL | Up and Coming Tampa Bay Suburb With Top-Rated Schools
- Population: 64,866
- Crime rate: 3% below national average
- School district: Pasco County Schools
- Median home price: $415,000
When searching for the best places to live in Tampa, you can’t ignore Wesley Chapel. This Tampa suburb is 23.3 miles northeast of Downtown Tampa. Families are flocking to Wesley Chapel, and the CDP has seen a 47% increase in population over the past decade! This increase in population has led to many new attractions being built in the area. Tampa Premium Outlets opened in 2017, and the 850,000 square-foot Shops at Wiregrass space is always growing.
Wesley Chapel has three middle schools and three high schools that are in the Pasco County School District. The area is also home to three top-rated charter schools: Pinecrest Academy, Union Park Charter Academy, and Innovation Prep.
Valrico, FL | Quiet Area Great for Small Families
- Population: 37,895
- Crime rate: 20% below national average
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Median home price: $474,900
Valrico is one of the best Tampa, FL suburbs for families. This cozy area is 16 miles east of Downtown Tampa and contains gorgeous small family homes with big yards and lamp-lined streets. Most of the neighborhoods in Valrico are set away from major roads, making it a safe place for your children to play without worrying about too much street traffic. The Diamond Hill Golf Club is situated in northern Valrico and offers junior golf programs as well as golf lessons for kids.
Valrico is easily one of the best suburbs of Tampa for schools. In addition to the wonderful public schools, there are many highly-rated private schools in the area, such as Bell Shoals Academy, Foundation Christian Academy, and Grace Christian School. Valrico is also home to FISH, a Christian group with resources for homeschooled families.
Palm Harbor, FL | One of the Most Picturesque Suburbs of Tampa Wonderful for Families of all Sizes
- Population: 61,366
- Crime rate: 11% below national average
- School district: Pinellas County Schools
- Median home price: $401,250
Located in the top-rated Pinellas County School District, Palm Harbor, Florida is a beautiful census-designated place just 28 miles west of Tampa and 8 miles north of Clearwater. Palm Harbor is known for its beautiful beaches and parks. Your family can take in the views at places like Crystal Beach Pier and Wall Springs Park.
One of the biggest benefits of living in Palm Harbor is that there are many real estate options. No matter how big or small your family is, there is something for you. This area features small, single story homes as well as large, two story homes with up to 5 bedrooms! The western half of Palm Harbor borders the ocean, so you can opt for a beachfront home.
Safety Harbor, FL | Family-Friendly Area With Affordable Real Estate
- Population: 17,072
- Crime rate: 43% below national average
- School district: Pinellas County Schools
- Median home price: $419,000
Safety Harbor is one of the best suburbs of Tampa for families. This gorgeous suburb is located 19.5 miles from Downtown Tampa, just across the Old Tampa Bay. Safety Harbor is a very walkable area and is home to many incredible shops and restaurants. So if you have older children, you can feel confident letting them walk around the area. There are two public schools within the city: Safety Harbor Elementary School and Safety Harbor Middle School.
When living in Safety Harbor, you will have access to some of the best medical care in the state. Safety Harbor is home to the award-winning Mease Countryside Hospital, so you can rest assured that your family will always have easy access to some of the best doctors in all of Tampa.
Westchase, FL | One of the Safest Tampa Suburbs
- Population: 25,952
- Crime rate: 61% below national average
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Median home price: $520,000
Located halfway between Tampa and Palm Harbor, Westchase is easily one of the best suburbs of Tampa. This area has a great mix of condos, townhomes, houses, and apartments, making it perfect for nearly anyone. There are many fun things to do in Westchase, such as the West Park Village town center and the Old Memorial Golf Club. Westchase is one of the safest suburbs of Tampa, FL, with a crime rate that is 61% lower than the national average and 58% lower than the state average.
When it comes to suburbs of Tampa with good schools, Westchase is at the top of the list. Hillsborough County Public Schools has over ten schools in and around Westchase. If you have older children, then you will be happy to know that Westchase is close to the University of Tampa, the University of Florida, and Florida College.
Cheval, FL | Residential Area Perfect for Those Looking for a Laid-Back Lifestyle
- Population: 12,522
- Crime rate: 65% below national average
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Median home price: $490,000
Cheval is one of the best places to live in Tampa, Florida for those who want a quiet and laid-back style of living. Cheval is a largely residential area, so there is not much street traffic or tourist traffic. Although the area is quiet, you can still enjoy the many cozy cafes in restaurants in the area, such as The Tavern at Cheval and Revelations Cafe. Cheval is also home to St. Joseph’s Hospital North, which has been named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the United States by Fortune/Merative.
There are not any schools located in Cheval, but the area is just a stone’s throw away from award-winning schools such as Sunlake Academy of Math and Science and Steinbrenner High School.
Indian Rocks Beach, FL | Small Tampa Bay Suburb With Some of the Best Real Estate in the City
- Population: 4,213
- Crime rate: 8% below national average
- School district: Pinellas County Schools
- Median home price: $765,000
Located just 27 miles west of Downtown Tampa, Indian Rocks Beach is a tight-knit community, with a population of just over 4,000. You will get to know your neighbors in this safe Tampa suburb. Indian Rocks Beach is one of the best suburbs of Tampa when it comes to real estate. Although the average home price is higher than average, nearly every home in the area comes with stunning waterfront views and is within walking distance of a nearby beach. This Tampa suburb has over two miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico, with 26 public beach accesses.
Because of the beautiful beaches, Indian Rocks Beach is a very popular area among tourists, making it great for those who love a busy lifestyle. Although the area is busy, it is full of family-friendly shops and restaurants, so you can rest assured that the tourists in the area will not make too much noise or get too rowdy.
Keystone, FL | One of the Safest Tampa Bay Suburbs
- Population: 25,211
- Crime rate: 61% below national average
- School district: Hillsborough County Public Schools
- Median home price: $812,500
Keystone is one of the best Tampa, Florida suburbs for families of all sizes. Keystone is located 25 miles northwest of Downtown Tampa and consists of beautiful family homes with large yards and spacious streets. Of the 5,160 households residing in Keystone, 4,380 of them are families.
Families flock to Keystone due to the amazing schools and low crime rates. Keystone is home to some of the top schools in the Hillsborough County Public School System, such as Northwest Elementary School and Martinez Middle School. Keystone also has one of the lowest crime rates in all of Tampa. Keystone has a crime rate that is 61% lower than the national average and 58% lower than the Florida average.
Map of Tampa Suburbs for Families
Any one of these Tampa suburbs for families would be a great place to settle down and raise your family. When you are ready to discuss your move, then let the best Tampa movers help you! 2 College Brothers is the ‘Smartest Move You’ll Ever Make.™’ Give us a call today at 813-922-1528 to request a free quote!