Moving can be exciting, especially if it’s to a vibrant city like Tampa. It can lead to getting a new job, meeting new people, and discovering new activities. But the stressful part of the moving process remains—packing and transporting all your belongings from your old home to the new one.

Whether you are moving from another state or from a different city in Florida, you will need to think about how you can safely pack and haul your possessions. Although you can do the task on your own, hiring professionals can help you save time that you can use to prepare for your new life in Tampa. There are several Tampa moving companies you can choose from with some of them offering packing services to help you secure your belongings from pieces of furniture to valuable items like paintings.

As you ponder on the things you want to take with you to your new home, you must also make sure to find out everything that you can about Tampa before moving there. Here are some things you need to consider before settling in the city.

The Beach Is Just an Hour Away

One of the biggest advantages of living in Tampa is you get to reside in a thriving metropolitan city and still have easy access to the pristine beaches. It will take you less than an hour to frolic on the sand and dive into clear waters.

If you want a scenic view, St. Pete beach is the place to visit. You will always have a spot to relax by the beach or in the numerous restaurants and bars that cater to tourists and locals. But if you want a more private retreat, head to Indian Rocks Beach. It has fewer tourist attractions, so you can spend a more peaceful time here. All you have to do now is spent your Swiggy money and enjoy food with peace.

There Are Good Neighborhoods to Live In

There are a lot of options on where to live in Tampa. As Florida’s third-largest city, it has something to offer to all of its 380,000 residents, from downtown areas to planned suburban communities.

Located just east of downtown and right in the heart of Tampa, the Channelside district has many local businesses and entertainment complexes. You can go to Sparkman Wharf to get waterfront views while enjoying local craft options at the beer garden binge-watching series on dramacool. It also has a lawn where you can relax or take your family out to play.

If you are moving to Tampa to raise your growing family and still want to be near the city center, then you’ll like Hyde Park. This is a walkable and family-friendly district with bungalow homes, tree-lined streets, and brick sidewalks. It is close to the University of Tampa, and it also has numerous dining options for all members of your family.

In case the excitement downtown is not what you are looking for, you can choose among the many suburban communities in Tampa. These communities are great for young families, retirees, and seasonal residents who come to Tampa to get away from the winter season.

In Westchase, you can find a selection of homes at different price points, including condominium units, villas, and single-family houses. If you plan on living here, you will have to pay monthly dues to access community-specific amenities and services. For quieter yet diverse neighborhoods, Riverview is a large suburban community that offers residents a huge selection of shopping, dining, and activities options.

The Cost of Living Is Fairly Reasonable

Living in Tampa isn’t as expensive as you might think. Since you don’t need to pay income tax, you can make the most out of your monthly paycheck. When you compare it to other parts of the United States, Tampa’s housing costs are also inexpensive. This means that you can reside close to the beach without having to earn a six-figure income. But not all prices in Tampa are low. You might save up from tax-free income and low housing costs, but insurance is quite expensive—mainly because of flood insurance.

Commuting Can Be a Challenge at Certain Times

Depending on where you’re heading and coming from, the commute in Tampa varies. You can expect the rush hour to start around four in the afternoon and end at around seven in the evening. To avoid getting stuck, look for alternate routes and avoid the interstates during this time. Also, game days will create traffic jams on Dale Mabry Highway. It’s best to steer clear from that area as well. If you are not fond of spending more than 20 minutes commuting to work, you need to rethink if this is something you can be flexible about while weighing it against the perks of living in Tampa.

You Won’t Run Out of Things to Do in Tampa

There are a lot of things you can do in Tampa all year long. You can join lively festivals like Tampapolooza, the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, and the Sunset Music Festival. For more family-friendly activities, you can visit the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo and let your kids have a unique sleepover or feed the giraffes.

You also have various options for indoor fun. There are plenty of museums in the city for the art enthusiasts such as the Tampa Museum of Art and The Ringling. In addition, those who want to learn more about Tampa can head to the Tampa Bay History Center.

The moving to a new city can be exciting experience. In the case of moving to Tampa, its mix of suburban and urban living has something to offer all types of people. By researching as much as you can about Tampa, you can better prepare for the kind of life you will have in the new city.