Get to know…New Tampa

Population22,466
CountyHillsborough

Known for its well-manicured landscaping and unique community layout, New Tampa brings the convenience of city living to the comfort of the suburbs. The area is located north of the University of South Florida. Bruce B Downs Boulevard, a major transportation artery, runs the length of New Tampa, extending north from Bearss Avenue, all the way to the Hillsborough-Pasco County line. This popular rental area of Tampa includes Tampa Palms, Hunter's Green, and Cross Creek – three well-established New Tampa areas that help create a deeper sense of community with frequent resident activities and opportunities to meet new people.

THINGS TO DO IN NEW TAMPA

One of the best aspects of living in New Tampa is the changing landscape and exciting new additions to the community. Just when you think you've visited all the best spots, you'll find a new favorite shop or restaurant or a fun event right around the corner. Here are just a few of the many things to look forward to in New Tampa.

New Tampa Things to Do

(Clockwise from top left) New Tampa YMCA, Flatwoods Park, Wiregrass Mall, Mr. Dunderbak's, New Tampa Regional Library, Yamato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

A WALK IN THE PARK

One of the most popular outdoor getaways in New Tampa is beautiful Flatwoods Park, a 5,400 acre facility that is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. Best known for its seven-mile paved loop road, which serves as a multi-use trail, this park is perfect for biking, running, or just enjoying the scenery during a leisurely walk. Picnic shelters, grills, and tables are also available throughout the park.

FUN AND EXERCISE FOR THE FAMILY

The New Tampa Family YMCA is a recent addition to the area, and has created a warm and welcoming environment for residents of all ages. With new and updated equipment, like free weights, treadmills, and mixed weight machines, the YMCA is an excellent resource for keeping up with your fitness goals. By offering a variety of programs geared towards youths, teens, and adults, this facility makes it easy for everyone to gather in one place for fun and fitness.

ANNUAL EVENTS WHILE YOU SHOP

Nearby Wiregrass Mall has dozens of events planned throughout the year, including the popular Fresh Market at Wiregrass every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. From November to January, the mall offers a synthetic ice-skating rink that can be booked for bigger parties. This time of year also includes a gorgeous tree lighting event called Symphony in Lights!, which features different themes and music each year.

BOOKS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Located on Cross Creek Boulevard, the New Tampa Regional Library features a modern design with updated technology and an impressive selection of books. With a community room, snacks and beverages, and free Wi-Fi, this library has all you need to relax and pick up your next book. It is also a convenient spot to study for exams or get work done away from home.

BLOCKBUSTER SHOWINGS

Can't wait to see the sequel to your favorite movie? Muvico Starlight 20 is a huge theatre located just off of Bruce B. Downs in the middle of New Tampa. In addition to stadium seating and other perks like D-Box seats, the theater has a full concession stand, party room, and game room. If you'd rather grab dinner somewhere before the movie, the theater is directly next to several restaurants in the plaza, like Taste of New York Pizzeria.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE AROUND NEW TAMPA

While the New Tampa YMCA and the multitude of public parks make New Tampa an ideal location for families, the area has recently enjoyed a spurt of development designed to appeal to a younger crowd. Now residents need not leave New Tampa for an evening out. A growing list of restaurants and bars means New Tampa has increasingly become a destination for those in neighboring communities as well.

DINING AT WIREGRASS

Delicious dining spots at Wiregrass Mall include Prime Bar, Grillsmith, and 365 Caffe Italiano. If you have a sweet tooth, visit Le Macaron for colorful French pastries, or Blondie's Cookies for a slice of cookie cake. Popular Yamato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar serves sushi, teriyaki, tempura, and teppanyaki.

LOCAL FAVORITES

For generous portions of your favorite Chinese dishes, visit Liang's Bistro just off of Bruce B Downs. They offer drive through service, as well as a casual, unassuming dining environment inside. One of the most talked about restaurants in town is Mr. Dunderbak's Biergarten and Brewery, which offers a fantastic tavern-style atmosphere with hearty German dishes and international beers.

HEALTHY OPTIONS

Looking for a spot with great options for your dietary needs? Ciccio Cali Tampa Palms features a versatile menu with customizable meals, including delicious swaps like spaghetti squash and kale blends in massive lunch and dinner bowls. They also feature live music and yoga during certain times of the week.

SCHOOLS SERVING THE NEW TAMPA AREA

Below are a few schools serving apartments near New Tampa.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Children in grades K-5 are zoned for New Tampa Elementary School.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Middle school students are zoned for Liberty Middle School.

HIGH SCHOOLS

High school students are zoned for Freedom High School.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Some of the main private schools include Halo Academy, Montessori Academies of New Tampa, American Youth Academy, and Primrose School of Cross Creek.

Please note that public school zoning is subject to change from time to time. Please visit the Hillsborough County School District Website to confirm school zones before making a housing decision.

SHOPPING IN NEW TAMPA

The Shops at Wiregrass is one of the most notable shopping spots in New Tampa, offering boutiques, department stores, and other retail favorites in a well-developed outdoor setting. A little bit north of this mall is a brand new outlet mall, Tampa Premium Outlets, that features more than a hundred new shops in a convenient location with little traffic and sculpted landscaping.

New Tampa has several shopping plazas packed with convenient stores like Best Buy, Michael's, Joann Fabrics, Petsmart, Office Depot, and Bed, Bath & Beyond. For your grocery needs, there are several Publix locations, as well as a Wal-Mart, Super Target, Winn-Dixie, and much more. If you're into comics and board games, head over to the new Coliseum of Comics for a big selection with gaming nights and annual events.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN NEW TAMPA

With the addition of several schools, businesses, and the shopping malls in New Tampa, this area is thriving in economic and residential growth. Residents will have unique opportunities for employment and can enjoy a sense of community among residents during various networking events. The most common type of jobs in the area are professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as health care, retail trade, and food services. Several banks in the area, like Wells Fargo and Fifth Third Bank, may be good employment options for new residents. Big retailers like Target and Home Depot always offer seasonal job positions for extra cash during the year.

New Tampa has numerous medical offices and facilities in the community, including Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel just at the northern border and New Tampa Surgery Center on Cypress Ridge Boulevard.

TRAFFIC AND DRIVING NEAR NEW TAMPA

New Tampa is convenient to the University of South Florida area, but its location makes reaching the downtown area a bit more complicated. New Tampa apartments are ideal for those who plan to stay mainly in New Tampa and North Tampa. Meanwhile, public transit options are somewhat limited, so students and faculty will still need to drive to campus. Since USF is commuter-friendly, this factor isn't generally a problem for most students.

Although the public bus, Hartline, serves the New Tampa area, buses run mostly during regular business hours and stop only along Bruce B Downs Blvd. Residents of New Tampa apartments usually find that driving is the easiest option. Recent construction has made travel by car even faster. Interstate 75 essentially bisects New Tampa, then runs south to Interstate 4, the main corridor to both downtown Tampa (to the west) and the Orlando area (to the east). North of New Tampa, Highways 54 and 56 provide access to the communities of Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and Land o' Lakes.

(Photo credits, clockwise from top left) New Tampa YMCA, Flatwoods Park, Wiregrass Mall, Mr. Dunderbak's, New Tampa Regional Library, Yamato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentTampaBay.com or any of our advertising partners.