Tampa Bay Area Info
Living in the Tampa Bay Area Education Bay Area Attractions Sports and Recreation Needed Information

Climate

By the Gulf and Bay, area weather is moderate and freezing temperatures are rare. The average temperature is 72 degrees year-round, 60 degrees in January and 82 degrees in July. Precipitation averaging 50 inches per year keeps Tampa Bay lush and green throughout the year, with no snow, sleet, or ice.

Housing

A great advantage to the Tampa Bay area is the abundance of beautiful, affordable homes. Residents can choose from magnificence high-rises in cosmopolitan downtown areas, beachfront cottages with spectacular water views, and family-size homes in an array of neighborhoods. Apartments, condominiums, and town homes are also all over the Bay area.

For more information on housing opportunities in the Bay area, you may want to visit www.tampabay.org or www.tbo.com.

Transportation

The port of Tampa is the eighth largest in the country and Tampa International Airport is considered one of the finest and most passenger-friendly facilities in the world. Amtrak and CSX Railroad provide service in the Bay area as well.

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The Bay area offers a number of public and private educational programs for children and adults alike. A child must be five years of age on or before September 1st of the school year to be admitted to kindergarten. Florida law requires all students entering public school to have proof of a physical exam within the past year and certain inoculations. Parents also need to present proof of residency and a birth certificate for each child as proof of age. If the child is transferring from another school, school records should be made available to the new school. For more information, contact the applicable school board:

For a list of private schools accredited by the state, you may contact the Florida Department of Education at 850-245-0505.

Several colleges and universities are in the Tampa Bay area, including the following:

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The Bay area is loaded with wonderful attractions from theme parks to performing arts to museums. Some of the areas most popular sites include:

Adventure Island is a 19-acre family water theme complex featuring lagoons, waterfalls, white sand beaches and wild rides. For more information visit www.adventureisland.com.

Busch Gardens is a 300-acre African theme park that is sure to please animal lovers and thrill seekers alike. For more information visit www.buschgardens.com.

Caledesi Island State Park is Rated by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as the second-best beach in the country; this island paradise is accessible only by ferry or boat. For more information visit www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland .

The Florida Aquarium is one of the largest and most modern aquariums in the United States and the first to focus exclusively on Florida's water habitats. For more information visit www.flaquarium.com.

Florida Holocaust Museum is a repository for photographs, memorabilia, books, and other materials from and about the Holocaust. For more information visit www.flholocaustmuseum.org.

Florida International Museum houses grand-scale traveling exhibits like the renowned Treasures of the Czars and the Titanic. For more information visit www.floridamuseum.org.

The Florida Orchestra earns its designation as a major cultural institution. The versatile repertoire includes Masterworks, Super Pops Champagne and Coffee Series, Concerts in the Park, and programs tailored for children. It displays the talents of widely acclaimed conductors and solo artists. For more information, visit www.floridaorchestra.org.

Heritage Park is a 21-acre open-air historical exhibit of turn-of-the-century homes. For more information, call 727-582-2123.

Lowry Park Zoo is an 11-acre, natural habitat zoological park. For more information visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Museum of Science and Industry is a science center that houses an IMAX theater plus more than 300 hands-on exhibits, including a giant pinball machine and a Gulf Coast hurricane demonstration. For more information visit www.mosi.org.

Ruth Eckerd Hall embodies elegant design and nearly perfect acoustics. Its schedule includes top-drawer opera, dance, symphonic performances, and virtuosos, as well as popular concerts, comedy and Broadway musicals. For more information, visit www.rutheckerdhall.net.

Salvador Dali Museum is the World's largest collection of works by the renowned Spanish surrealist. For more information visit www.salvadordalimuseum.org.

The Science Center offers workshops, laboratories, computer center, nature trail, and a planetarium and is fun for every child. For more information visit www.sciencecenterofpinellas.com.

St. Petersburg's Bayfront Center recently completed a $23 million renovation of the 8,300-seat arena. The smaller 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theatre, also in St. Petersburg, hosts ballet, plays and concerts. For more information, visit www.stpete.org/bayfront.htm.

St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts houses art from all major periods, including several by Monet, in the intimate setting of a Mediterranean villa. For more information visit www.fine-arts.org.

The St. Petersburg Pier is a unique upside-down pyramid on St. Petersburg's waterfront featuring shops, restaurants, a food court, family entertainment, and a large aquarium. For more information visit www.stpete-pier.com.

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a popular, state-of-the-art venue for top-notch entertainment in Tampa. For more information, visit www.tampacenter.com.

Tampa Museum of Art houses exhibits art by internationally known artists. For more information visit www.tampamuseum.com.

Ybor City is a historic Latin neighborhood home to numerous art galleries, studios, boutiques, specialty shops, ethnic restaurants, and nightclubs. For more information visit www.ybor.org.

In addition to the many things to see and do in the Tampa Bay area, some of the world's most famous attractions are within an easy drive. Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, MGM Studios, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Sea World are all located in the Greater Orlando area and can be reached in less than two hours by car.

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For the sport enthusiast, Tampa Bay offers major league variety. There is something for everyone:

Springtime begins one of the areas biggest rituals. Several major league teams operate their spring training locally.

In addition, Tampa Bay features an arena football team, the Tampa Bay Storm, as well as superb college and high school athletics.

Other Activities

Surrounded by glimmering water, the Tampa Bay area is an oasis to boaters and fishermen. The Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay are filled with a wide array of marine life. Conditions in Tampa Bay are also ideal for sailing, sail boarding, water and jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports.

If you think you play from the rough now, try teeing off from one of the many golf courses in the Tampa Bay area. With several major golf tournaments, golfers and spectators flock to the area each year.

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Auto tags

Florida law requires that vehicle owners obtain a Florida tag immediately upon becoming employed in Florida, enrolling children in school, or claiming a Homestead Exemption. For more information about auto tags visit www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/titlinf.html.

Driver's licenses

Florida law requires that new residents must secure a Florida driver's license immediately upon becoming employed in Florida, enrolling children in public school or claiming a Homestead Exemption. Exceptions are U.S. military personnel serving at a duty station. To apply for a driver's license, a driver must furnish proof that he or she has already registered a motor vehicle. Testing centers are listed in telephone directories. Making an appointment will eliminate a long wait in line. Drivers must bring their old licenses with them. There is a fee associated with this service.

Taxes and homestead exemption

Newcomers are usually delighted to hear that Florida is the only state in the Southeast with no state income tax.

Counties, cities, and special districts levy property taxes. The state sales tax is 6%, but there may be additional tax assessed depending upon the county/city/district of the purchase. The first $25,000 of an owner-occupied dwelling is exempted from property taxes if the owner obtains a Homestead Exemption. Visit www.myflorida.com/dor/property/exemptions.html.

Registering to vote

American citizens may register at any Supervisor of Elections office. You must register at least 29 days in advance of an election if you want to vote at a polling place on Election Day. Applicants must take an oath that they are American citizens, 18 years of age, and reside in the election district.

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