Southeast Tampa - Riverview, FL

The entire area known as Tampa was once home to the Calusa Indian Tribe. In the early 1500s, Spanish settlers brought disease to the area, which killed off all the native inhabitants. It wasn't until the mid-18th century that Tampa attracted new colonists. The land was perfect for growing tobacco, and to this day the tobacco industry remains a backbone of the area. The outer southeast area of Tampa currently has a population of around 14,000 residents.

The Ruskin History Project lies just to the south of outer southeast Tampa. The museum strives to preserve local art and artifacts from the area and holds fundraisers to ensure historic buildings receive the renovations they need. Each year, the museum holds a back-to-school event for local children with various art activities and exploration activities, free school supplies and snacks.

Close to everything, Outer Southeast Tampa provides a variety of restaurants to suit every taste. From fast food to elegant establishments, international cuisine and fresh seafood, this area serves as a melting pot for dining opportunities.

San Remo Pizza has some of the best pizzas in the area and provides an excellent alternative to the traditional delivery pizza chains. Locally owned and operated, this restaurant earns its reputation for fast and friendly service, fresh ingredients, and the thinnest crust in the area. Along with pizza, San Remo also serves up hearty helpings of lasagna and made-to-order calzones that you shouldn't miss.

For an elegant waterfront experience, Circles Waterfront Restaurant invites guests to dine at the outdoor tiki bar. Voted one of the best-kept secrets in Tampa by the Tampa Tribune, this restaurant features modern American seafood selections that satisfy any craving. Menu items include the seafood bouillabaisse, stuffed grouper, and the coral reef linguine. Top off your meal with a helping of one of the homemade desserts.

When you want to sample something spicy and different, the Pita Kebob in Ruskin tempts your taste buds with authentic Mediterranean food at family-friendly prices. If you are hosting an event, the restaurant also provides catering for any occasion. Sample the falafel pita sandwich, the fresh shawarma pita, or the vegetarian falafel platter.

Lively nightlife provides residents of the outer southeast area of Tampa plenty of activity after work and on weekends. The Blue Martini greets patrons with high energy, a global tapas menu, and live music. The bar also hosts theme nights for added fun. For dancing, the Castle plays a wide selection of music styles, including everything from new wave to pop. This club also has a full-service bar.

The outer southeast neighborhood of Tampa relies heavily on automobile transportation for getting around the city. Major roadways include U.S. 41, Interstate 75 and U.S. 301, which make it easy to travel back and forth into the city and surrounding areas. For parking, the city has over 22,000 public parking spaces, so you can always find a place to park your vehicle. Garages charge by the hour, street parking usually requires meter fees and private lots vary in terms of costs. Residents appreciate the monthly discounted parking passes.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit provides public bus transportation to downtown and various spots throughout the region, and Uber services the area as well. You can hail cabs in many parts of town, or call for a pickup.

While the downtown areas of Tampa can be very bike- and pedestrian-friendly, the outer southeast area remains better suited for travel by automobile.

Because the weather in the outer southeast area of Tampa remains close to perfect year round, many residents make outdoor exercise an important part of the community experience. At Rowlett Park, one of the most used parks in the area, patrons can enjoy jogging trails, picnic areas, a pier, and tennis courts. The park also provides a home to the first adult wheelchair softball field in the state of Florida. If you have pets, you will appreciate the enclosed dog area. Most of the park can be used free of charge with the exception of the pavilions, which require a reservation and a small fee.

For thrill seekers, Busch Gardens lies 20 miles to the north near downtown Tampa. This amusement park features African animals, various kiddie attractions, roller coasters, restaurants and shopping.

Every year, the Veteran's Memorial Park in Tampa hosts an annual run for the fallen. Participants can take part in the 1-mile walk, the 5K or the 10K run. The event also serves up hot dogs and all proceeds go to the military families of fallen soldiers from the area.

Living in the outer southeast portion of Tampa can be quite affordable, with the cost of living hovering around 2.2 percent less than the state average. Those looking for a one-bedroom apartment can expect to pay around $834 per month, and the price of public transportation to downtown Tampa costs $2.

For those planning on commuting, gas prices run about 1 percent lower than the national average, and if you like to entertain clients and friends, a glass of beer costs around $5.

Shopping aficionados have plenty of places to shop for both bargains and high-end merchandise. If you enjoy mall shopping, Tampa and St. Petersburg host several large shopping malls with anchors including Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Sears. The outer southeast area has many different locally-owned small boutiques for speciality items and hard-to-find gifts. The Wee Boutique remains a unique store in the area for families with young children. Not only will you find a large selection of resale clothes, shoes and toys, you can also find a selection of locally handmade items and baby gear. If you need something specific, the shop owner can help you locate it or make suggestions. Even though the store sells resale items, locals appreciate its extremely clean and affordable merchandise. Another specialty shop for modern styles and designer clothes and jewelry, The Look Boutique lies conveniently located along South MacDill Avenue. Originally from New York, the owner stays in touch with the latest fashions and can help you pull together a new look. Grocery shopping typically means going to one of the local large stores, such as Winn Dixie and Publix. You can also visit the Sanwa Farmer's Market, which lies just 18 miles north of the outer southeast neighborhood. The market has many hard-to-find ethnic foods, as well as many varieties of locally grown fruits and vegetables that you can't find in a traditional grocery store. The market also carries frozen food, meat, beverages and grocery staples.