First of all, welcome! As a Tampa resident, I can confidently say you're about to fall in love with this city. Not only is it a booming business center, there's also an endless list of things to do and places to see – including Tampa's beautiful beaches. If you've always dreamed of living near the beach, you've basically just won the lottery. Here are my favorite beaches with nearby apartments in Tampa:
Clearwater Beach
Crowned as the #1 beach in the nation by Trip Advisor in 2018, Clearwater Beach is a must-see. It's incredibly popular among locals and tourists alike, so I admit finding a parking spot can sometimes be brutal. Luckily, there are a ton of incredible Tampa apartments nearby. Broadstone Clearwater is only a 10 minute uber or 30 minute bike ride to the beach so you'll never have to worry about parking (and you'll be able to get a quick workout in before hitting the beach - it's a win-win!) Another housing option is Solaris Key, which offers luxury one, two and three-bedroom apartments overlooking Tampa Bay and less than 20 minutes from Clearwater Beach. In addition to the stunning beach, there are also attractions like leisure charters, dolphin watching and the Clearwater Aquarium nearby. Say "Hi!" to Winter for me!
St. Pete Beach
Another absolute jewel is St. Pete Beach, which is just west from the heart of Tampa. Filled with sugar white sand and emerald green water, this is one of my favorite spots to spend a Saturday. It's not as busy as Clearwater Beach, so you can sit in the sun and enjoy a book or hop on a jet ski and enjoy the wake. A perfect apartment in Tampa would be Skyline Fifth, especially if you're bringing a furry friend with you when you move (it's pet friendly!) Not to mention this building is a high-rise, so the sunset views off the apartment's private balconies are incredible.
Ben T. Davis Beach
If you're planning to fly from Minnesota to Tampa, this beach should be your first stop. Only 5 minutes away from Tampa's International Airport, Ben T. Davis Beach is another divine destination. This narrow beach stretches along the Courtney Campbell Causeway that connects Tampa to Clearwater, making it almost impossible not to stop and soak up some rays. However, if you're lucky enough to live at 5 West Apartments, you'll always be a quick 5-minute drive away from this convenient oasis. Another Tampa apartment I would recommend is 2Bayshore. It's not only less than 20 minutes away from Ben T. Davis Beach, but this community also borders the SoHo district and Hyde Park, so there's plenty to do after you spend a day on the water (like go to The Hyppo for natural, gourmet ice pops... yum!)