Get your bearings before you start searching for an apartment:

  • South Tampa is home to an assortment of neighborhoods, boutiques, and restaurants. This trendy sector of the Bay Area encompasses SoHo, historic Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Westshore, and Bayshore. The city’s young professionals populate Hyde Park and SoHo (referential to the street South Howard in Hyde Park), along with students from the University of Tampa. Bayshore is lined with beautiful picturesque houses, and is also the location of the infamous Gasparilla parade.
  • Downtown Tampa houses many corporate buildings, but only a few residential buildings. Many people that work downtown live in South Tampa and commute into the downtown area. Two large high-rises are recent additions to the skyline: Element and SkyPointe. These have recently drawn more residents to the locale. Channelside is adjacent to downtown, containing the Port of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, a surplus of rentals lining the port, and the Channelside entertainment complex, filled with restaurants and bars. This business district is close to I-275, the Selmon Expressway, and I-4.
  • West Tampa is a neighborhood of Tampa dating back over 100 years. The residents of Seminole Heights live in historic bungalows. While the neighborhood is largely comprised of families, there is a growing student population in the region, drawn to underground gems such as Ella’s Americana Café and the Independent Bar. With easy access to I-275, this is a central location for many students who attend USF, but also want to be close to nightlife in South Tampa.
  • North Tampa is most often referred to as “New Tampa”, which more accurately denotes the neighborhood of Tampa Palms. North Tampa can also encompass areas including Carrollwood, Lutz, and flourishing Wesley Chapel. The University of South Florida is situated in Northeast Tampa. Many students live in the vicinity of the university and in nearby Tampa Palms neighborhoods. Visit ApartmentsForBulls.com to search for USF apartments. Wesley Chapel and Lutz are thriving in economic and residential growth after the addition of several schools, businesses, and the Shops at Wiregrass.
  • East Tampa is comprised of a few different neighborhoods. Ybor, another historic Tampa district, is known for its creative culture. 7th Avenue is home to art galleries, music venues, and themed bars and nightclubs. Nearby Brandon tends to be more family-oriented. However, with easy access to I-75 and the Selmon Expressway, students and professionals residing in Brandon are able to commute easily to school and work in Tampa.

Get to know…Lutz

Lutz has grown from a community of orange growers into a true bedroom community of Tampa. Although the town has turned into a popular area for young families, it still retains the charm and traditions of old Lutz. The tree-lined subdivisions and neighborhood feel of apartments in Lutz offer residents that small-town feel, with easy access to the city. Apartments near the heart of Lutz provide a haven from the hustle and bustle of the city, with all the amenities of a large metropolitan area.

Apartment Living in Lutz

Lutz apartments offer easy access to the New Tampa, USF, and Land o' Lakes/Wesley Chapel areas. The town has become a popular destination among young families who still want to take advantage of Tampa, without the noise and traffic of the city. Lutz apartment living brings those amenities to the more intimate setting of a quiet community.

Lutz residents who work at USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, USAA, or other businesses in northern Hillsborough County will find that apartments in Lutz are both convenient and appealing. As the area has grown, it has also come to boast a variety of apartments, sure to suit the tastes of the most discerning residents. Apartments in Lutz are ideal for young professionals who seek a family-oriented neighborhood.

Lutz's Community Culture

Drive through Lutz, and you can still find hints of the town's rural roots. At the heart of old Lutz are the original Lutz school house and the Lutz public library. Located just off Us-41, these two historic landmarks remain the hub of Lutz tradition and community events. Each year, the town still elects a "guvnah" who presides over the Lutz Day parade and other festivities throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Lutz school house is home to a haunted house each Halloween season. These family-friendly traditions, along with the neighborhood's robust sports league offerings, make Lutz apartments an excellent locale for growing families.

But the town has grown up in the last twenty years, expanding north of its original center. Lutz now supports two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Although Lutz still retains some of its agricultural feel, the town is now home to more families than farmers. Residents may stop to pick up fresh produce at the corner fruit stand, and then complete their shopping at one of several grocery stores.

Things to Do in Lutz

No longer a sleepy town of orange groves, Lutz now provides easy access to lots of entertainment options. Local restaurants have emerged throughout the community, renewing that "local flavor." Notable dining includes established Italian restaurant Villagio, Pacific-style Mexican restaurant Mekenita, and Splash an Ocean Grill.

Lutz residents can also head north to the shops of Wiregrass, in Wesley Chapel, for multiple shopping and dining experiences. The restaurants and bars of New Tampa are also within easy reach. To the south, both Carrollwood and Northdale are quite accessible. While Lutz isn't an "after hours" destination, these other areas provide late-night entertainment options.

Getting around Lutz

Lutz lies north of Tampa, surrounding US-41 and extending north almost to the Hillsborough-Pasco County line. Livingston Avenue also runs through Lutz, meeting County Line Road and giving residents access to Bruce B Downs, I-75, and the Wesley Chapel area to the north. Lutz residents can head south to Bearss and access I-275, which comprises the main artery for commuters heading south to the USF area or downtown Tampa.

The public bus line does go to Lutz, but routes and hours are limited. The best way to get around Lutz is by car. Lutz residents will find that they can arrive at virtually any destination in the Tampa area in less than 30 minutes.

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentTampaBay.com or any of our advertising partners.