The Tampa Area rates among the top destinations for vacations and is home to beautiful white beaches, lively atmosphere, and cultural attractions.   Consider this growing economy and thriving job market to turn your dream into a reality.

Tampa, the third largest city in Florida, is the economic hub for west central Florida. Its economic base is diverse covering fields in finance, healthcare, engineering, tourism, technology, and insurance.  Partnering with Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Tampa Bay Partnership, and Tampa Bay & Company, the city of Tampa provides a healthy and growing economy at the local, regional, and statewide level.  To evaluate its status and to attract strong and efficient jobs for county residents, a seven month cumulative report known as the Locational Assessment and Recommended Strategic Plan for Economic Growth was launched. This plan sought to identify suitable targeted industries, provide data that showed their strengths, and predict their growth over the coming years.

Ranking number 56 in US News Best Places to Live in the USA, Tampa is home to mostly transplants, whether they be job relocations or retirees.  College students attending The University of South Florida or The University of Tampa also contribute to the diversity and energy of the city.  With an unemployment rate and almost one percent lower than the national average, the city’s economy is strong.  Employees enjoy an annual median salary of $45,500, which is slightly below the national average of $50,000.  The job growth rate comes in at the top of the state with 2.25%, almost a full percent higher than the nation’s average.  Healthcare organizations are the largest employers in the area with the most popular places being BayCare Health System, Tampa General Hospital, and James A. Haley Veterans Hospital.

BayCare Health Systems, with a $4.4 billion operating revenue, is a non-profit health care system that connects individuals and families with fifteen hospitals and hundreds of other local urgent care and specialty clinics. Even with their 300+ facilities, they maintain a close connection to their patients and the community. The system offers internships on an “as-needed” basis including an Emergency Nurse Internship Program, a Labor and Delivery Internship, a Critical Care/Open Heart Internship Program, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Internship, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Internship.

Tampa General Hospital is a 1,010 bed non-profit hospital, the only hospital in Tampa Bay, and is one of only six hospitals in Florida to make Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals in 2019.  Founded in the early 1900s, Tampa General Hospital serves as the teaching hospital for the students of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Nationally ranked in 5 adult specialties and rated high performing in 2 adult specialties and 6 procedures and conditions, it specializes in cardiac services, cancer care, and integrative medicines.  The cancer center located on the main campus offers both inpatient and outpatient procedures and care.  Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are also offered at this facility and surrounding outpatient facilities.

The James A. Haley Veterans hospital provides care for veterans in the central Florida region.

MacDill Air Force Base, an active air force base located 4 miles south-southwest of downtown Tampa employs approximately 2,300 members.  It serves the military as a refueling station and serves the community and sports world by doing Super Bowl flyovers and air shows.

Education, tourism, and hospitality are also popular types of employment.  The University of South Florida and Busch Gardens also rank among the top job markets.  Busch Gardens is a 335 acre theme park that attracts thousands of roller coasters junkies and tourists each year.  It also houses over 2,700 animals.  Combined with the monstrous healthcare system, the education, tourism, and hospitality industries gather a workforce of 161,000 employees.

Third on the list is the neighborhood of Carver City/Lincoln Gardens. With a population of 2,181, most younger professionals, eighty percent of its residents choose to rent.
Young professionals

• Median income=$69,460
• Median home value=$134,500
• Median rent=$1,680
• Bachelor’s degree=39% and Master’s degree or higher=19%
• Families with children=15%
• Terrace Community School/Walker Middle Magnet School/Lutz Preparatory School/Bell

• Below average crime rate
• Restaurants, coffee shops, parks

Coming in at #4, Bayshore Gardens has a population of 2,900 of mostly young professionals and retirees.

Young professionals and retirees

• Median income=$118,933
• Median home value=$435,640
• Median rent=$1,101
• Bachelor’s degree=32% and Master’s degree or higher=33%
• Families with children=18%
• Terrace Community Middle School/Walker Middle Magnet School/Lutz Preparatory School
• Below average crime rate
• Restaurants, coffee shops, parks

Tampa is made for tourists who love animals. See thousands of animals and shows at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, the Florida Aquarium, Big Cat Rescue, or Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center. Catch up on your history as you tour the Henry B. Plant Museum.

First on the list of things to do in Tampa, according to travel.usnews.com, is the Tampa Riverwalk. Stroll, bike, walk, jog, or rollerblade the 2.6 mile trail that follows the Hillsborough River. Watch the orange glow sink into the glassy waters as the sun sets.

Head over to Armature Works Heights Public Market Tampa’s most recent go-to place for food lovers and architecture fans. This 22,000 square foot industrial market provides scores of eating options and retail shops. With direct access to The Riverwalk, many tourists enjoy shopping, shows, and suppers each day of the week.

Covering 297 acres, Busch Gardens calls to roller coaster junkies and thrill seeking tourists. The theme park is alive with animal shows, musical events, roller coasters, and Safari themed exhibits. If spending is a concern, this park is sure to fit the budget. It is older than Disney, but cheaper, allowing days of education and entertainment.

Whether you enjoy a show at the Tampa Theatre, drive, chip, and put out on a luscious golfing green, or spot dolphins out on a Tampa Boat cruise around the Tampa Bay waterways, you are sure to leave Tampa with a mind full of memories.

#3 best city to retire in America

• Median income=$53,816
• Median home value=$182,900
• Median rent=$1,067
• 30% college or associate’s degree/22% bachelor’s degree/12% Master’s degree or higher
• Assault, murder, rape, robbery, theft, and motor vehicle theft are far above the national average.  Burglary is slightly below the national average.

North Shore
Topping the list of best places to live in St. Petersburg, Florida, North Shore has a population of just under 9,000.  Mostly young professionals and retirees choose to live in this area.  They enjoy the restaurants, coffee shops, and local amenities.
Young professionals and retirees

• Median income=$78,700
• Median home value=$578,540
• Median rent=$1,000
• Residents lean liberal
• 48% rent and 52% own
• Master’s degree or above 28%
• St. Petersburg Collegiate High School/St. Petersburg High/Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary 

Known as the lightning capital of the world, Tampa has several professional teams that reside in Tampa. Following its famous nickname, “the lightning capital of the world,” the Tampa Bay Lightning play in the National Hockey League. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offer football fans plenty of opportunities to cheer in Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs brought home the NFL championship in 2003, and are frequently associated with Tom Brady.

On the baseball front, the Tampa Bay Rays are based in St. Petersburg and are members of the American League East Division. Since its beginning, the team has played at Tropicana Field. Additionally, spring training brings six major league baseball teams to the area.

Joining the North American Soccer League, the Tampa Bay Rowdies represent Tampa for the soccer fanatics.

The Tampa Bay Beach Bums bring volleyball tournaments to the beach volleyball courts of the Tampa Bay area.