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Relocating to Tampa? Your Tampa Relocation Guide

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History of Tampa

Although Tampa is a relatively young city, the history of the area stretches back to the 16th century. In 1519, Ponce de Leon landed with his three small ships on the peninsula that he later named Florida. He visited what was to become Tampa Bay in 1521.

Now almost 500 years later, there's good reason Tampa Bay is ranked as one of the Best Places to Live and Work in America. It has what employers-and individuals-are looking for: a diverse and expanding business mix with a multilingual, highly trained workforce supported by outstanding educational institutions. It's no wonder it's considered one of the best locations for start-ups in the country. Add in a Chamber of Commerce that is committed to attracting new businesses and helping them grow - the future couldn't be brighter.

The business climate in Tampa Bay couldn't be better. It boasts a healthy mix of businesses, from financial services and bioscience, to technology, tourism and international trade-to name but a few.

The Tampa Bay area with its 3.7 million residents has the largest population in Florida and the second largest in the Southeast. It covers a seven county area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, Sarasota and Polk counties. Tampa Bay also ranks among the best metropolitan areas in the nation for its low cost of living. With no state income tax and low cost of housing, health care and groceries, there's no shortage of people who want to live and work here.

What the experts are saying about Business in Tampa Bay:

  • Selected as one of two of the world's major emerging financial centers. (Nomura Research Institute- Japan's largest think tank, research and consulting firm)
  • The 3rd "Most Economical City to Conduct Business" by KPMG's Competitive Alternatives Study.
  • 9th in the nation as one of "America's 50 Hottest Cities." (Expansion Management Magazine)
  • Out of the top 40 largest cities, listed as one of the "Best Cities for Entrepreneurship." (Entrepreneur.com)
  • Named one of "America's Best Places to Live and Work" and rated as a "Four Star Community." (Expansion Management Magazine)
  • Appeared on Forbes/Milken Institute list of "Best Places for Business and Career"
  • Selected one of "America's Hottest Cities for Business Relocation and Expansion." (Expansion Management Magazine)
  • Ranked number 4 out of 354 in Places Rated Almanac. (Criteria: Cost of living, climate, transportation, j education, the arts, healthcare, recreation. (Places Rated Almanac)

In business transportation, Tampa International Airport is a national jewel, regularly ranked by travelers and publications such as Condé Nast, as a leading global airport. The Port of Tampa is the busiest in Florida in tonnage and is home to a rapidly growing cruise industry. Tampa/Hillsborough County is at the nexus of the region's Interstate Highway system, with I-75, I-275 and I-4 serving the region.

Redevelopment is also a priority of the City of Tampa with 4 designated redevelopment districts: Channelside, Drew Park, East Tampa and Ybor City. The city and the state offer incentives for redeveloping the urban core.

Sources: Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and www.whytampabay.com

Auto Tags and Drivers License Centers

Under Florida State law, new residents must apply for their auto tag registration and a Florida title at any of the Tax Collector's locations and provide documentation of ownership. All owners must be present or an appointed power of attorney.

As of November 1, 2009, several legislative changes have gone into effect to comply with Real ID Act mandates. Starting Jan 1, 2010 a New Driver License & ID Card Requirements.

  • If you have an out-of-state license, you may be able to convert your license without taking a written or road test. Review the requirements for citizens and non-citizens.
  • You must obtain vehicle insurance from a company licensed to do business in Florida. Click FL Dept of Hwy Safety to learn more about getting your driver's license and auto tag.
  • One thing is for sure, Floridians may not hold both a driver's license and identification card simultaneously. Click Here to find the closest office to where you will be living.

Education

Tampa and Surrounding County Public Schools Tampa Bay Area Private Schools Tampa Bay Area Colleges and Universities
  • University of Tampa is a medium-sized private university located on approximately 100 acres of prime riverfront land in the heart of downtown Tampa. It offers a world-class, innovative liberal arts education with over 120 areas of study. The MBA program is one of the largest in Florida and UT is one of the elite private schools in the Southeast to have AACSB accreditation.
  • Univerisity of South Florida is a public university that serves more than 39,000 students and offers 228 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine, through its 11 colleges. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
  • Hillsborough Community College a public, comprehensive institution of higher education with many programs from which to choose. HCC has multiple locations across Hillsborough county including, Brandon, Dale Mabry, Macdill Plant City, Southshore and Ybor City. It also offers Distance Learning.
  • Eckerd College is a private, coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences offering over 40 majors. It is known distinctively for marine science, environmental studies, international relations and global affairs, creative writing, organizational studies, study abroad, and civic engagement. Nearly 40% of each Eckerd graduating class goes on to pursue advanced degrees, and Eckerd is among the nation's leaders in the percentage of its graduates who earn doctoral degrees.
  • Saint Leo Univerisity was the first Catholic College in Florida. Today, Saint Leo University offers more than 40 academic degree and certificate programs to more than 14,000 students at its main campus, on military bases and community colleges located throughout seven states, and through the university's Center for Online Learning.
  • St. Petersburg College is a multi-campus, two-year/four-year public institution with 10 learning sites throughout Pinellas County. More than 63,000 students a year are served by SPC. Learning sites are in St. Petersburg (four), Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, Largo and Seminole.
  • Stetson University College of Law was founded in 1900 as Florida's first law school, Stetson University College of Law has educated outstanding lawyers, judges and other leaders for more than a century.
  • Argosy University
  • Florida College
  • Florida Metropolitan University
  • Florida Baptist College
  • ITT Technical Institute
  • Keller Graduate School of Management
  • National-Louis University
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • Southwest Florida College
  • Art Institute of Tampa
  • International Academy of Design and Technology
  • Troy University
  • University of Phoenix-Tampa

Hospitals

There's no shortage of quality healthcare and resources in the Tampa Bay area. In fact, there are almost 20 hospitals and four trauma centers offering superior services in the area. Three area hospitals are ranked "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Reports and many other facilities and health care professionals have received national recognition in their areas of specialty.

Our community also benefits from the major medical research conducted in area facilities, and two teaching hospitals working with the University of South Florida Medical School. With a healthy medical community and its support industries, Tampa Bay residents receive top quality health care and medical services.

A sampling of our healthcare institutions:

Jobs

Tampa is both a wonderful place to live and a great place to work. The Tampa Bay area has become one of the top destinations for companies looking to relocate and expand. Examples of corporations who have recently decided to relocate major portions of their operations to the Tampa Bay area are:
  • Coca-Cola Enterprises
  • T. Rowe Price
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Pricewaterhouse Coopers
  • Among the factors attracting such corporations to the Tampa Bay area are the lower cost of doing business, the availability of qualified employees and the pro-business attitude. The growth of corporate relocation to the Tampa Bay area is expected to continue. Industry clusters that the Tampa Bay area is focused on attracting are corporate headquarters, financial services, international trade, manufacturing and distribution, technology and bioscience.

Some of the major employers in the Tampa Bay area include:

If you are looking for a job in the Tampa Bay area, here are some helpful links:

Check out the The Tampa Tribune or The St. Petersburg Times and for all your local news and weather.

Keep up to date on the business happenings with the Tampa Bay Business Journal

Tampa's Television Stations

Moving Companies

Post Office

For all offices: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) Website
Calculate Postage Website
Locate a Post Office Website

Trash Pickup and Recycling

WM Waste Management

Utilities

Telephone

Brighthouse Networks (813) 436-2325
Verizon (800) 483-4200

High Speed Internet

Brighthouse Networks (813) 316-2626
Verizon FiOS (800) 483-4200

Digital Cable

Brighthouse Networks (813) 684-6400
Verizon (800) 483-4200

Tampa Area Attractions

Combine a perfect climate, tropical breezes and some of the nation's most popular attractions, and it's easy to understand why the Tampa Bay area is a favorite tourist destination. And its residents get to enjoy the fun all year round! More than 5 million people experience Busch Gardens annually, and the Lowry Park Zoo is ranked as the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the country. Visit several renowned aquariums, the largest science center in the South and the largest collection of exotic big cats in the world. We've got more than a dozen major attractions in all! Come see the Florida State Fair, the world famous Gasparilla Pirate Festival (or one of the many family-friendly festivals. If you love fun, you'll love Tampa Bay.

A sampling of the Tampa Bay area attractions includes:

The beaches along Florida's Gulf Coast and surrounding the Tampa Bay Area are among the best in the nation. With a Tampa Area beach ranking in as number one on "America's Best Beaches" from Dr. Beach in both 2005 and 2008 number two in 2006, 2007 and 2009, our pristine white sand and gorgeous water are certainly not to be missed.

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