Best Towns For Condo Living in Tampa Bay

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Interested in condo living in Tampa Bay? Then you’ve come to the right place! If you have ever considered condo living, you know there are many great perks.

First, It’s easier to “adult” in a condo. If you are kidless or your kids have left the nest, why not downsize? Minimize cleaning time, lower those electric bills, and spend that time and money enjoying the Florida lifestyle.

Another great thing about condo living in Tampa Bay is not having to slave over your lawn or worry about never-ending home maintenance. Sure, you’ll have to pay a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) fee in a condo community, but you’ll spend plenty of maintenance fees as a homeowner, and most are unexpected. In a condo, you have a fixed amount that you pay on a scheduled basis.

This monthly HOA fee covers a variety of property maintenance services and, in many cases, will also cover utilities, basic cable, and even pool and entertainment services. Some condos even offer shuttle services.

Condos are often strategically built near the places that most people like to frequent, such as restaurants, bars, shopping, pharmacies, coffee shops, medical services, galleries, and public transportation. And there is no exception to that rule in Tampa Bay.

Let’s take a look at some of the best areas for condo living in Tampa Bay.

Communities for Condo Living in Tampa Bay

Downtown Tampa

Gone are the days when downtown Tampa was a ghost town after dark. The downtown Tampa area is the place to be. According to the 2017 US Census Bureau, 13,929 people live in the downtown area, and surprisingly it’s not just millennials.(1) Why? Because there is truly something for everyone.

Tampa’s Riverwalk is a huge attraction. Nature lovers are drawn to the scenic riverfront. Foodies come from all around to eat at the trendy yet laid back restaurants on the river. Exercise buffs love to walk and jog along the Riverwalk. Dog lovers bring their dogs to one of the thoughtfully planned dog parks, and bookworms set up their blankets on the grassy riverfront to relax and enjoy a good book.

Tampa Florida skyline — Condo Living in Tampa Bay offers easy access to food, entertainment, and activities.

Looking for romance? Then you’ll love an evening on the Riverwalk. Start with dinner at Ulele and then stroll down the Riverwalk to the Straz Theatre for a show.

Let’s not forget about the sports fans, concert-goers, and lovers of the arts. Amalie Arena, home of the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, is also conveniently located in downtown Tampa.

Grab lunch, do some shopping, or catch a cruise ship out of the port at Channelside. Or, if you’d prefer, spend the day at the Florida Aquarium. If you’re looking for nightlife, Ybor City is just a hop and a skip away, and there is trolley service to Ybor from downtown Tampa.

As you can see, condo living in Downtown Tampa Bay offers something for everyone.

Downtown Tampa Condominium Options

Riverwalk Place Condominiums, 100 Ashley Drive South, Tampa, FL

SkyPoint Condominiums, 777 North Ashely Drive, Tampa, FL

The Towers of Channelside, 1103 East Cumberland Ave., Tampa, FL

Grand Central at Kennedy, 1120 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL

Downtown St. Petersburg

Downtown St. Petersburg is another hot spot for people on the move. On the first Friday of every month, Central Avenue is closed down and transformed into a huge block party. Complete with live music, food trucks, and drink vendors, it’s appropriately named “First Friday.”

If you can’t make it to a First Friday, Central Avenue has a regular offering of unique nightlife experiences. Take in a drag show or dance the night away at Enigma, enjoy some locally brewed craft beer at Bar@548, or enjoy a Kenwood Margarita and some Hushpuppies at the Old Key West Bar and Grill. Whatever you’re looking for, Central Ave won’t disappoint.

St. Petersburg, Florida, USA downtown city skyline at twilight on the bay.

Sports fans can delight in seeing the Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field, or if you have a need for speed, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg flies by at about 200 MPH every year in March.

There are too many museums to count for culture and arts enthusiasts, and the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts offers everything from Broadway shows to the finest jazz and blues music.

The St. Petersburg Pier is newly re-imagined and offers architectural beauty, outdoor art, beach access, and plenty of casual and upscale dining. It’s perfect for date night or to enjoy the sun and sand on a beautiful day.

Downtown St. Pete also offers plenty of room to run, too. The sidewalk along the downtown waterfront offers the perfect place to burn some calories. Watch for dolphins and other marine wildlife as you exercise and then unwind at Vinoy Park.

You’ll love all that downtown St. Petersburg has to offer. It’s cultural and artistic flair with the casual ease of flip flops and beach hair is truly a dream come true.

Downtown St. Petersburg

Parkshore Plaza, 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL

Bayfront Tower, 1 Beach Drive SE, St. Petersburg, FL

Bliss, 176 4th Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL

The Sage, 400 4th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL

Gulfport

It’s hard to sum up Gulfport in just a few words. Try fun, quirky, friendly, and colorful. Gulfport is a true melting pot of all kinds of people. If you like “come as you are” kind of living, then Gulfport is for you. It’s a small town with a huge heart.

No matter where you are in Gulfport, you are only steps away from the water and a salt air breeze. It offers unique shopping opportunities in the many shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Don’t be surprised to find yourself chatting with the artist who crafted some of your purchases.

Town Shores in Gulfport Florida provide for perfect condo living in Tampa Bay. Photo by Rachel Covello

If you are a foodie, you won’t be disappointed either. Gulfport offers pub food to fine dining and everything in between. There are more than 12 restaurants in this small town, and they are all delicious.

The Clam Bayou Nature park is teeming with birds, marine life, and plant life. Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding while taking in all the beautiful nature that Clam Bayou has to offer.

The beach on Boca Ciega Bay that offers white sand and calm water. There’s a picnic area, volleyball, a kids area, bocce ball court, and more. Williams Pier is a favorite fishing spot of the locals.

You will never be without something to do as Gulfport offers regular events and dancing in the historic casino building, art walks along the art district, fresh markets, 4th of July celebrations, and much more.

Gulfport is family-friendly, dog friendly and just plain friendly to all who are well-meaning and kind-hearted. You’ll feel at home wherever you go in Gulport.

Gulfport Condominiums

Town Shores Condominiums, 3210 59th Avenue South, Gulfport, FL

Kenmore House, 2850 29th Street South, Gulfport, FL

Golfview Condominiums, 6100 Gulfport Boulevard South, Gulfport, FL

Take Away

If you haven’t considered condo living in Tampa Bay, now may be a good time to do so. There are so many perks to condo living. Get ready to live a more active lifestyle and be right in the middle of all the action. Leave the property maintenance to someone else and get outside and enjoy the Florida sunshine!

Condo living in Tampa Bay includes more than St Petersburg and Downtown Tampa. There are additional condo living options in on St Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Sarasota, and Clearwater Beach. The condo options are limitless!

To learn more about LGBTQ-friendly places to live in Florida, click here.

**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.