Renee is a native of Tampa Bay and I moved here when I learned there was a place where it does not snow. By the time I had reached high school age, I felt I had shoveled enough to last a lifetime.
Florida is #1 at attracting new residents and Tampa Bay tops the fastest growing list. What are its strongest attractions? Is it the weather? Availability of jobs? Relatively low taxes? According to economic development folks, it is all of those things,and more. Tampa is Zillow’s top pick for first time home buyers. That has to do with home availability and affordability.
We think that the reasons go deeper than that. It goes to the very core of why we consider this area Paradise. It has a lot to do with options. Decades ago they were saying we needed national sports teams, and a strong cultural base. As a region, We’d say we’re there. On top of that we have a LOT of recreation & entertainment possibilities. We are definitely spoiled.
If you are into art, it seems like a new museum is opening all the time around here. Craft breweries and distilleries are hatching throughout the Bay area. You may not visit most of them, but you may be drinking their products in your local restaurant or watering hole.
Restaurants exist for every palate and pocketbook. One can visit a fresh market practically every day. At certain times of the year, one can even escape the modern age to spend a weekend (or several) in a 16th century English village without the benefit of a time machine (at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival).
We can walk on the beach, kayak, paddleboard, windsurf, go-cart, golf, horseback ride, canoe, fish or parasail, take an art walk, visit a museum or art gallery or see a show at a performing art center almost any day of the year. There’s also continuing education at an amazing number of libraries, colleges, universities, and through a great local OLLI Program.
Residents here treasure long-standing relationships, and most also embrace newcomers without hesitation.
Newcomers LOVE Paradise News.
When you meet a newcomer, be sure they know about Paradise NEWS!
They can just Google ‘Paradise NEWS’ to find us. So can You! You will be amazed what you can learn THERE!