Your Guide to Buying a Home in Tampa, FL

In 2001, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drew sellout crowds at Raymond James Stadium, the Tampa Bay Lightning continued to thrill hockey fans at the Ice Palace and the University of South Florida Bulls played their fifth football season. The Outback Bowl, a major New Year's Day College Football Bowl Game that matches teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference, will host its fifteenth year in Tampa.

But it's not all about the game in Tampa and Hillsborough County, from Busch Gardens in the east to beaches in the west, the Tampa Bay area is a haven for fun. Don't know where to begin? For starters, how about exploring the Florida Aquarium, racing in go-carts, monkey watching at Lowry Park Zoo, sight-seeing and shopping at the Shops at Channelside and experiencing thrills at the IMAX theater, then heading over to Centro Ybor for a bit of nightlife or fine dining. Then again, if outdoor fun is your preference, how about paddling down Hillsborough River by canoe? To be sure, Tampa Bay is home to attractions that can satisfy virtually anyone's thirst for life.

Tampa's New Streetcar System - The TECO Line Streetcar System plays an important role in supporting the cruise and tourism industry, providing easy access to attractions, restaurants, movie theaters and other venues in the area. And, in addition to providing tourist and cruise passengers with a convenient way to see Tampa, the new streetcar system will also connect major parking hubs so residents can take the streetcar to and from events and work.

There are many other things to do some of which include:

Some of the best places to shop can be found in Tampa and its surrounding areas. Some places to head are International Plaza, Shops at Channelside, Old Hyde Park Village, University Mall, Westshore Plaza, Citrus Park Town Center, Brandon Town Center and Centro Ybor.

But the thing that most people think of when they think of Tampa Bay is THE BEACH! Tampa has some of the most beautiful beaches around. No question about it, once your feet hit the sand, it is hard to ever want to go back to the working world!

Tampa and Hillsborough provide educational opportunities to unlock doors in nearly any field, at any level. In fact, the greater Tampa area is home to 25 colleges and universities with 138,000 students from over every state and over 100 countries.

Hillsborough Community College's Institute for Corporate and Professional Services provides businesses and industries with customized training tailored to meet specific needs. The University of South Florida, the nation's 13th largest university, boasts the largest business school in Florida. The University of Tampa, a private institution, is also well regarded for its MBA and liberal arts programs.

Hillsborough County Tax Assessor 813-272-6011
www.hcpafl.org
For information about the Homestead Exemption, reassessment due to change of ownership.