Tampa Retirement Guide

As the third largest city in the state of Florida, Tampa offers residents all of the big city amenities they are looking for combined with the fantastic climate that draws people to the Sunshine State in the first place. In addition to tons of amenities and great weather, Tampa is also located right on the water and filled with outstanding shopping and dining options.

Tampa Area 55+ Communities

Tampa and the surrounding areas are exploding with new active adult communities.

Here are a few great options to explore:

Valencia Del Sol – Wimauma, FL

One popular choice nearby is Valencia Del Sol by GL Homes. Valencia Del Sol’s convenient Tampa location makes it easy to enjoy having fun in the sun along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Offering a robust and extraordinary 55+ lifestyle, Valencia del Sol caters to residents looking to socialize and stay physically active. Active adults will enjoy the 25,000 square foot Clubhouse offering an array of resort-style amenities including a fitness center, grand social hall, a relaxing pool and spa, tennis and pickleball courts as well as a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. A full-time, on-site lifestyle director will be dedicated to organizing a wide variety of fun events, clubs and opportunities for making new friends all year-round. This amazing new community features a stunning selection of twin villas and single-family homes starting in the $300k’s that provide the ultimate in 55+ living at an incredible value.

Request more information about Valencia Del Sol here.

Bridgewater Landing – Riverview, FL

(813) 395-2613 | Website

Bridgewater Landing is a neighborhood of attached villas and detached single family homes within a Continuing Care Retirement Community located just off I-75 in the southern greater Tampa metro area.

Residents enjoy a 13,000 square foot community clubhouse with a pool, exercise room and gathering rooms. Dining facilities are also on premise and dining options may be available Bridgewater Landing residents. Apartment living options are now under development and will be available soon.

Del Webb Bexley – Land O’ Lakes, FL

(813) 412-8842 | Website

Del Webb Bexley is a fairly new gated community of 850 single-family homes that just started construction in 2018. Amenities here will include a 17,000 square foot clubhouse with a state-of-the-art fitness center, a resort-style outdoor pool, a full-time activities director, and a homeowners’ associate to take care of general maintenance. 

New homes at Del Webb Bexley are available in three different series that each offer three different floor plans. Altogether, those nine floor plans range in size from 1,372 square feet all the way up to 2,852 square feet. The prices for those homes start in the mid-$200s and can get as high as the low-$400s. 

Medley at Southshore Bay – Wimauma, FL

800 495-6496 | Website

Medley at Southshore Bay is a community of 655 attached villas and single-family homes that is located in Wimauma, between Tamp and Bradenton. Available amenities here include a community clubhouse, fitness center, outdoor pool, and a large lagoon. 

The homes are Medley at Southshore Bay range in size from 1,396 to 2,775 square feet. Those homes come complete with all of the bells and whistles that today’s buyers are looking for, and they are usually priced in the mid-$200s to mid-$300s. 

Esplanade at Artisan Lakes – Palmetto, FL

941-882-5077 | Website

Esplanade at Artisan Lakes in Palmetto, Florida offers residents extraordinary amenities for an inspired lifestyle.

Esplanade at Artisan Lakes has something for everyone. Offering over 800 manicured acres with lakes, preserves, winding streets and mature trees in the middle of a picturesque location.

Esplanade at Artisan Lakes is located on the I-75 corridor between Bradenton and Tampa Bay, a convenient drive to great beaches and only thirty minutes from Tampa International Airport.

Esplanade at Starkey Ranch – Odessa, FL

813-428-6995 | Website

Esplanade at Starkey Ranch is a community of luxury homes and resort amenities in Odessa, Florida with easy access to some the best attractions Tampa Bay has to offer.

Residents will enjoy an extraordinary range of resort-style amenities on site, but they also have easy access to nearby shopping, dining, medical care, outdoor recreation, beaches, nature reserves and the many cultural attractions in Pasco County and nearby Tampa.

This community is part of the master planned community of Starkey Ranch.

Villages of Citrus Hills – Citrus Hills, FL

Another nearby favorite among my readers is the Villages of Citrus Hills. While not a 55+ community, the Villages of Citrus Hills is a Florida Retirement Community with single family homes and maintenance free villas that have been built with today’s demanding baby-boomer in mind. But what makes the promise of Florida Retirement in the Villages of Citrus Hills truly come together for today’s new breed of active adult retiree is its extraordinary collection of world-class community country club amenities and extensive social activities. Depending on the style and neighborhood you choose, home and home site packages range from the mid $300s to more than $1.2 million.

Request more information about the Villages of Citrus Hills here.

Tampa History

The name Tampa comes from the Native American tribe that originally called this area home. Its literal translation is “sticks of fire.” The name was a reference to the many lightning storms that occur here during the summer months.

Before the 1880s, the town of Tampa was just a small fishing outpost. However, the discovery of phosphate in the area combined with the arrival of railroad transportation turned Tampa into a boomtown overnight, and it was one of Florida’s largest cities by 1900.

Tampa Demographics

According to the 2010 census, there were a total of 335,709 people living in Tampa. That was a 10% increase over the previous census, and the population is estimated to have grown by another 10% since then.

Tampa Lifestyle

No matter what you are passionate about, you can find a way to pursue those passions all over this large city. Some of the best lifestyle benefits you will find here include experiences like visiting Busch Gardens Tampa, the Florida Aquarium, and Lowry Park Zoo.

In addition to those major attractions, residents also love kicking back and relaxing at places like Lettuce Lake Regional Park or Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. And if that still isn’t enough, you can follow the city’s three professional sports teams all year round.

Tampa Culture

As with any major city, there is an endless amount of cultural opportunities to explore throughout Tampa. The Henry B. Plant Museum is a fascinating experience that explains the significance of Plant’s famous railroad coming to town. Then there are the amazing museum experiences at the Tampa Bay History Center, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Tampa Museum of Art.

If your cultural desires are more theatrical, you will appreciate the beautiful Tampa Theatre and The Straz Performing Arts Center. Both provide amazing settings for your favorite plays, musicals, and operas.

Tampa Shopping

Shopping in Tampa can be an overwhelming experience, but your best bet is to start at the most popular destinations like Hyde Park Village or International Plaza and Bay Street for the classic outdoor mall experience.

When you are ready to expand your shopping destinations, you might want to venture a bit south to the Ellenton Premium Outlets, or check out the Big Top Flea Market!

Tampa Restaurants

Like everything else in Tampa, the name of the game when it comes to dining is VARIETY! There is a little bit of everything in this city. When looking for a quick bite, some of the local favorites are Los Comparres for Mexican, Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop for deli sandwiches, and Chicago Paulie’s for the best hot dogs in town.

For those who are looking for a high-end dining experience, you simply can’t go wrong with Bern’s Steak House, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and Steak, Mise En Place, or Edison: Food+Drink Lab. Each of these restaurants offers a slightly different take on classy dining, but they will all blow your mind with their unique combinations of food, service, and atmosphere.

Whether you prefer to live right in the heart of the city or out in the suburbs, there is no denying that the Tampa area is overflowing with opportunity and excitement. And that is exactly why the third largest city in Florida continues to grow at such a rapid pace!