Tampa Palms - Tampa, FL

Built largely during the mid 1980s, Tampa Palms was named "the top master planned community in the US for 1987" by the National Association of Homebuilders. Built to be an entire city, not just a neighborhood, the homes and buildings were designed for variety, not to be a cookie-cutter community.

Although Tampa Palms does not have a museum of its own, the Contemporary Art Museum on the nearby campus of the University of South Florida features ever-changing exhibits of photography, sculpture and other art forms. The Market Square at Tampa Palms, a venue located near I-75 and Bruce B. Downs, also hosts a variety of events, such as the annual Arts and Crafts Under the Palms art show.

While Tampa Palms primarily features popular chain restaurants like Subway and Olive Garden, a smattering of unique eateries also dots the area.

Orchid Thai Restaurant, on Palm Pointe Drive, features pad Thai made from locally sourced ingredients, so your Thai cuisine arrives at your table fresh from a garden. Enjoy the huge plate of sauteed seafood with onions, basil leaves, bell peppers and string beans, and substitute chicken if you prefer.

If you're in the mood for sushi, stop by Sushi Raw at lunchtime, and snag a chicken katsu bento with rice, veggies, gyoza and egg roll. For dinner, you must try the Japanese curry and Sushi Raw's signature Summer of Love roll with a glass of plum wine.

Alternatively, Fushia Asian Bistro on Amberly Drive serves up authentic Chinese delicacies, like spiced radish and beef in a clay hotpot and Chongqing lazi chicken. For those a little less adventurous, more Americanized dishes like veggie lo mein are also on Fushia's rather extensive menu.

When it comes to night life, most residents of Tampa Palms head outside the neighborhood. Peabody's Billiards and Games, however, is a local hang-out much appreciated by the locals for its daily specials, like Taco Tuesday. Here you will also find poker tournaments and a variety of other gaming options.

Most Tampa Palms residents own cars, as the majority of errands requires a personal vehicle. Although it allows convenient access to Highway 75 and 275, Tampa Palms only has one bus line crossing through it, making public transportation somewhat inconvenient. Taxis are not common, but Uber's ride-share service is active in the Tampa Palms community.

Although it doesn't have many bike lanes, Tampa Palms does have a series of biking/pedestrian paths, as well as wide sidewalks, making it a pleasure to travel within the neighborhoods or parks via bike or foot.

Tampa Palms prides itself on having a full-fledged park system with five parks rather than a single central park like most other planned communities in the Tampa area. Compton Park, owned and operated by the Tampa Palms Owners Association, is exclusive for Tampa Palms residents and requires a resident's ID. With an indoor weight room, a heated junior Olympic swimming pool, a children's pool, ball courts, playgrounds and a picnic areas next to a picturesque lake with a fountain, Compton is frequented by many local residents.

Amberly Blvd, conveniently located at the corner of Amberly Blvd and Burchette Drive, provides night illuminated jogging trails and state-of-the-art playground equipment. River Park, a state park, sits on a 45-acre nature preserve along the Hillsborough River. A great place for canoeing, hiking, building campfires, camping or playing, River Park remains popular with residents as well as other families and outdoor enthusiasts in the Tampa Bay area.

Dogs are allowed in all of the Tampa Palms parks. They must be kept on leash, and waste must be collected.

Welcome to the picturesque neighborhood of Tampa Palms in Tampa, where your Florida journey is ready to take off! If you're in search of the perfect rental, get ready to explore an array of options that cater to diverse preferences and budgets. Tampa Palms offers a variety of homes that embody the essence of Florida living. For those considering a one-bedroom apartment, you might pay around $1,552 per month. Alternatively, if a house is more your style, the average house for rent costs around $3,016. For those dreaming of a more permanent stay, the average house price typically hovers around $395,000. Whether it's the local parks, the vibrant city life, or the sense of community that calls to you, Tampa Palms eagerly invites you to your new rental or future forever home.

While primarily a residential area, Tampa Palms does have a few shopping hubs with big box stores where the locals can buy necessities. A few unique shops do exist, however, such as the cleverly named You Do the Dishes on Amberly Drive. A paint-your-own-pottery studio with a coffee bar and snacks, patrons can pick out a ceramic piece to paint, ranging from espresso cups to elephant statues. Grab a cup of tea and a pastry, and let your imagination run wild. This place is great for a fun night out or just a relaxing hour of creative meditation.

Charles Jewelers provides a wide variety of fine quality jewelry by well-known designers such as Charles Garnier "Paris" Christopher Radko Ornaments and Chrysalis as well as Nao by Lladro, Pandora, and Waterford, among others. Stop in and see why they have a reputation for honest dealings and true quality in their merchandise.

The grocery scene in Tampa Palms is dominated by large chain stores like Publix and BJs Wholesale Club. If one ventures a little further south into the University of South Florida area, a variety of specialty grocery stores can be found. Stop by MD Oriental Market on Fowler Avenue or A-Green Supermarket on Fletcher Avenue for your Asian food staples. The Oasis Bakery and Foods in the Skipper Square Shopping Center provides a selection of Middle Eastern foods, as well as fresh, frozen and bakery items. Also in the nearby University of South Florida area is the North Tampa Market, a local farmers market held the second Saturday of every month all year round. Pop in for fresh local products, handmade crafts and live music.