Hillsborough County / Tampa
Originally much larger, Hillsborough County was established in 1834 and included what are now the counties of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. The heart of Hillsborough County is the bustling city of Tampa. Many people think that Tampa/Hillsborough County has beaches, but that isn’t entirely true. The county does have many sandy “beaches” on Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, but the closest “real” gulf beaches to downtown Tampa are in Pinellas County which is about a 40 minute drive in relatively light traffic. But Hillsborough County still offers great waterfront homes for sale on the bays with plenty of opportunities for water sports, boating and fishing!
Hillsborough County is home to a variety of popular attractions that are sure to help motivate your family and friends to come visit. And for your everyday enjoyment there is no shortage of county parks, unique shops, great dining, and cultural & entertainment events. If you choose to live in Hillsborough County you’ll find that it radiates a combination of warm weather and a friendly ambiance.
Living in
Tampa
Living in
Apollo Beach
Photo courtesy of: Amusement and Parks
Apollo Beach is an unincorporated city on Tampa Bay known for its natural beauty and many secluded spots. Apollo Beach is characterized by quiet surroundings which is a far cry of the congested and heavily developed nearby cities. But when living here you are a short drive to all that Tampa has to offer!
This beautiful area offers plenty of outdoor activites. Go fishing, hiking, and see wildlife up-close while kayaking among the mangroves. One of the most popular things to do in Apollo Beach is to visit the popular Manatee Viewing Center where you can watch wild manatees swimming around the warm waters of the Big Bend Power Station which supplies power to the Tampa Bay area.
So, there’s a downside to living in Apollo Beach – you live alongside a coal-burning power plant. However, Tampa Electric (TECO) says they are committed to the environment and are in the process of converting one of the Big Bend power stations from coal to natural gas.
Perhaps because of the power plant, canal-front homes here tend to be less than other cities on Tampa Bay. So, if you are a boater and want to live on a canal off of Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach may be a good choice for you.
Living in
Riverview
Photo courtesy of: Franklin Development Corp.
Part of the unincorporated city of Riverview was settled in the 1830’s, which makes it one of the earliest Florida settlements. Riverview gets its name from the fact that much of the town borders on the Alafia River. If you are fortunate enough to purchase one of the homes on the river, you’ll find that you can easily boat from there into Hillsborough Bay.
Riverview is a relatively uncongested area where, if you like, you can find homes on acreage. There are plenty of parks and nature preserves here as well as a selection of restaurants and shopping but drive a little bit east from here and you’ll find yourself in a very rural area.
Living in
Brandon
Photo courtesy of: Judi Mclean
If you want to be near the action of a big city but prefer to live in a cozy, residential suburb, Brandon may be a great option for you. This unincorporated town is located just 11 miles east of downtown Tampa. But you don’t have to go into Tampa when you don’t want to. Brandon has plenty of restaurants, parks and shopping, as well as other necessities such as a local hospital.
In Brandon you will find more than a dozen distinct, affordable neighborhoods to choose from. They don’t have a coastline, but if you want waterfront, lakefront homes are available.
Living in
Ruskin
Photo courtesy of: Little Harbor Marinas
Founded on August 7, 1908, on the shores of the Little Manatee River, Ruskin is located just south of Apollo Beach. The town’s widely known agricultural history can be clearly seen at their community celebrations such as the Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival. They also celebrate the SouthShore Seafood & Arts Festival here every November and it is the largest outdoor festival in southern Hillsborough County.
But don’t retire in Ruskin if you want a hopping, social life in retirement. This town is more for those looking for an inexpensive home in a quiet area, with proximity to Tampa and easy access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Living in
Plant City
Photo Courtesy of: mbarrison / CC BY-SA 2.0
Plant City, named after the railroad developer Henry Plant, is nestled between Tampa and Lakeland. If you love strawberries, maybe this is the town for you! Famous for its strawberries, Plant City celebrates the Annual Florida Strawberry Festival which offers plenty of ways to devour strawberries, shows, contests, exhibits, and more. Visit Parkesdale Farmers Market, the largest family-owned strawberry and citrus market in Florida, where you can handpick your own strawberries and enjoy their famous strawberry shortcake.
Like other small, inland towns in the area, Plant City offers a easy-going lifestyle, warm weather year-round and affordable homes. From here it’s about a 35 minute drive into the center of Tampa and only 20 minutes to Lakeland which is a mid-sized town with a fair amount of social and cultural opportunities. (Note: Lakeland will be added to this website during future updates.)
