Highland Park - Tampa, FL

A region in the panhandle that locals often refer to as New Tampa, the Highland Park neighborhood has grown rapidly since the late 1990s. The neighborhood was undeveloped until the late 1980s when the city of Tampa began expanding outward and developed the area.

Culture plays and important part in the community of Highland Park. The Tampa Museum of Art houses a variety of paintings and sculptures, and the museum holds many new exhibits year round.

Held annually Pride and Passion helps kick off National Gay Pride month with drinks food and live music. Also held annually, Pavilion provides Tampa's premium black-tie event with music, a red carpet, dancing and plenty of food.

Small bakeries, quaint coffee shops, popular chains and an eclectic blend of International and American establishments make up the list of eateries in the Highland Park area. Whether you want fresh seafood, sushi or a simple burger, this neighborhood has something to satisfy your craving.

Catch Twenty-Three provides an up-scale dining experience for anyone looking for fresh seafood in the Tampa and Highland Park area. This restaurant has been recognized as one of Tampa's top seafood restaurants by USA Today. Popular menu items include the deep dish quiche, crispy red-stripe beer battered calamari and the java-crusted skirt steak.

For those looking for a relaxing place to meet friends, the Irish 31 neighborhood pub has a large selection of drinks and menu items to choose from. Locals love the griddle cake breakfast sandwich, and the Mulligan stew satisfies the hungriest of appetites. If you desire something a little different, the shrimp po' boy has always been a crowd pleaser.

The Zen Bistro provides a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for nights when you just don't feel like cooking at home. Excellent customer service and menu items including dynamite mussels and honey-walnut shrimp keep you coming back for more.

As far as a night on the town goes, Highland Park remains quiet and sleepy. Most residents take a short drive to Downtown Tampa or St. Petersburg for dancing, live music and events.

The Skipper's Smokehouse offers live music on the patio six days a week. The Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and Casino also lies to the east of the neighborhood. Try your hand at the nickel slots or sit in on a riveting table game with some of the most skilled players in the area. The casino also has a spa and live entertainment nightly.

Hillsborough Avenue and Sheldon Lane both lead into US 19 and the Veteran's Expressway. Also in proximity to the neighborhood lies Interstate 275, which heads straight into Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Automobile travel provides the most convenient and popular method of travel in the area, and public parking remains readily available and free, which makes driving to work and shopping areas extremely convenient. Residents generally don't walk, but the roads deliver a safe method of travel for cyclists.

The Tampa International Airport lies to the south just off Veteran's Parkway for travelers, and you will find a convenient bus shuttle to and from Tampa for free. Unfortunately, Uber operates just outside this neighborhood's boundaries, but a cab can be reserved by a simple phone call. Like many large southern cities, cab companies don't patrol the downtown areas waiting for someone to flag them down, instead you can find several downloadable phone apps to find a cab company quickly and efficiently.

Outdoor activities are always plentiful for both residents and visitors to the neighborhood. Residents of Highland Park love heading to the Bay Bridge Park for a wide range of exercise and fun. The park features a picnic pavilion that can be reserved for a low cost. You will also find a large fenced-in playground for children and tennis courts, and pets can come with you as long as they remain on a leash.

The Lake Rogers Park offers 272 acres of unspoiled woods and nature trails. Enjoy fishing, boating, swimming and even primitive camping for the more adventurous.

Close by, Tampa hosts an annual Chalk Walk arts festival, which features over 50 local artists who create wonderful works of art on the sidewalks. Children can participate in crafts and admission remains free.

The cost of living around Highland Park remains around 20 percent higher than the cost of living in Downtown Tampa. The reason behind this lies in the fact that the Highland Park area lies close to the beach, which makes it an excellent tourist destination. The area also consists of many retirees who enjoy living a more comfortable lifestyle.

For those considering living in this neighborhood while working in the city, a free bus shuttle provides rides from this area to downtown for free. A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,100 per month, and a domestic beer will set you back around $5 at a local pub. Commuters will enjoy the fact that gas prices hover around 1.6 percent lower than the national average.

From high-end specialty shops to tiny mom-and-pop discount establishments, you can find nearly anything you want in the Highland Park area. Tampa and St. Petersburg also provide a variety of shopping malls and famous chains to choose from, like Macy's, Sears and Abercrombie and Fitch.

The Couture Designer Resale Boutique lies just a short drive away in Tampa. The store features a selection of upscale brands at cheap prices. You will also find accessories, purses and other items to complete your wardrobe. If you need a special gift for someone, the Simply Elegant Unique Gift Boutique has a selection of one-of-a-kind accessories, jewelry, clothing and gifts for all ages.

Most central street locations have at least one major grocery store, with chains including Publix, Winn-Dixie and Randall's.