Tampa, Florida

Cigar City has no state tax and high-income job growth. These factors, combined with incredible weather have generated a population with plenty of Millenials and Gen Z residents, defying outsider expectations of Florida. Tampa also has tons of breweries and innovative ways these breweries contribute to the city's cultural scene. This includes fun events like "Yoga Pants & Craft Drafts,” the "Running for Brews" club, The Brew Bus tours, and Nebraska Mart, a new casual concept aimed at younger crowds brought to you by Cigar City Brewing. The key selling point to lure their young guests? Shuffleboard courts.

On the plus side, it has beautiful water and beaches, warm weather, parks, nightlife, lots of activities and events as well as thriving breweries and a vibrant music scene.

On the minus side it has traffic that irritates people and locals aren’t known to be the best drivers. It’s not a headquarters city and the school system can be touch and go. Overall, it offers neither a cozy small-town experience nor big-city life. It's kind of a tweener. Some people dig that and some don't.

Tampa’s lifestyle is in large part driven by water play. Swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, jet skiing, and even canoeing/kayaking. It isn’t a beach town but 30 minutes away are some of the nicest beaches in the country. The city also has great bike/running trails and plenty of beautiful parks for play. In addition to going out to play, Tampa locals love to watch the pros play. Five professional sports teams call Tampa home and they are extremely loyal. Finally, if you’re looking for nighttime play there are plenty of options in Ybor or SOHO/Hyde Park. While people come for the outdoor experiences, many stay for the rest of it.

If you want to see what people do for fun and culture in Tampa check out the calendar of events.

Tampa's economy is notable for its diversity. Helpful in case you move here for a job and decide to look for other work. It's strong in finance, healthcare, tourism, technology, defense, and manufacturing. It has a good mix of large employers and growing industries and the unemployment rate is steady around 5% so jobs are aplenty. Categories of strength include:
-Finance and Professional Services:
The city is home to numerous banks, financial service companies, and insurance firms as well as dozens of professional services -- legal, accounting, and consulting firms.

-Healthcare and Life Sciences:
Tampa has a robust healthcare sector, with several major hospitals and research institutions. Biotech and life sciences are also growing fields, with research centers and biotech companies contributing to the local economy.

-Tourism and Hospitality:
The tourism industry is vital to Tampa's economy and is a dominant part of the economy thanks to the climate, beaches, cultural attractions, and sports teams.

-Technology:
Tampa is emerging as a tech hub, with an increasing number of tech startups and established technology companies. Tech was here pre-COVID but plenty of entrepreneurs fled to Florida in the last several years and the city supports these innovaters through various incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces.

-Defense and Aerospace:

The presence of MacDill Air Force Base contributes to a strong defense sectors and companies involved in aerospace and defense manufacturing have a big presence in the area.

-Manufacturing and Distribution:
Tampa has a sizable manufacturing base, including electronics, medical devices, and other high-tech products.
The city's port and strategic location make it a key player in logistics and distribution.

The largest employers in the city and area include:
BayCare Health System: one of the largest health care providers in the region.
Hillsborough County Public Schools:: The school district is one of the largest employers in the area, providing numerous jobs in education and support services.
Tampa General Hospital:: This leading medical institution offers a wide range of employment opportunities in healthcare.
Publix Super Markets: Publix, headquartered in nearby Lakeland, Florida, has a significant presence in Tampa, providing jobs in retail, distribution, and logistics.
JP Morgan Chase & Co.: This global financial services firm has substantial operations in Tampa, particularly in back-office functions and customer service.
University of South Florida: USF is a major employer, offering jobs in education, research, administration, and support services.
MacDill Air Force Base:The base employs both military and civilian personnel, contributing significantly to the local economy.