10,007 People Say Tampa Is 14th Best Place to Own a Home

To be more accurate about it, the 14th-Best-Place ranking was based on a survey of 10,007 homeowners across the country.

Porch.com surveyed a total of 10,007 homeowners representing all states in the U.S. in July and August 2015 regarding their sentiments about the cities and communities where they live and the survey results showed that TAMPA is considered the 14th best place to own a home in the country.

Homeowners rated cities and communities based on the following factors:

• Climate
• Commute
• Economic opportunity
• Educational opportunities
• Resident satisfaction
• Healthy living
• Real estate confidence
• Security and safety
• Tax fairness
• Walkability

Here are the 30 Best Cities to Own a Home in the U.S.:

1.   Denver, Colorado
2.   Grand Rapids, Michigan
3.   Washington, D.C.
4.   Virginia Beach, Virginia
5.   Rochester, New York
6.   Orlando, Florida
7.   San Jose, california
8.   Colorado Springs, Colorado
9.   Minneapolis, Minnesota
10. Seattle, Washington
11. Miami, Florida
12. Buffalo, New York
13. Las Vegas, Nevada
14. TAMPA, Florida
15. Charlotte, North Carolina
16. Sacramento, California
17. Raleigh, North Carolina
18. Kansas City, Missouri
19. Boston, Massachusetts
20. Nashville, Tennessee
21. Dallas, Texas
22. Detroit, Michigan
23. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
24. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
25. Tucson, Arizona
26. New York, New York
27. Portland, Oregon
28. San Antonio, Texas
29. Los Angeles, California
30. Atlanta, Georgia

Tampa got its highest ratings in tax fairness, getting the No. 2 spot, and in real estate confidence, getting the No. 6 spot.

Tampa’s rankings in all factors:

Tax fairness — No. 2
Real estate confidence — No. 6
Walkability — No. 20
Resident satisfaction — No. 22
Educational opportunities — No. 24
Economic opportunity — No. 27
Climate — No. 32
Commute — No. 50
Healthy living — No. 53
Resident satisfaction — No. 22
Educational opportunities — No. 24

Walkability and the Tampa Riverwalk

Several projects that greatly enhanced the Tampa Riverwalk have improved Tampa’s walkability. Now the Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile continuous path along the banks of the Hillsborough River, connecting several parks, attractions, hotels, restaurants,outdoor gathering places and public parking facilities.

Parks along the Riverwalk:

Water Works Park
Riverfront Park
Curtis Hixon Waterftont Park
Henry Plant Park
MacDill Park
Tony Jannus Park
University of South Florida (USF) Park
Columbus Park
Convention Center Park
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park

Attractions along the Riverwalk

Ulele Restaurant
Patel Conservatory
David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
Tampa Bay Hotel
Henry Plant Museum
John F. Germany Library
Tampa Museum of Art
Glazer Children’s Museum
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Kennedy Boulevard Plaza
Marriott Waterside Hotel
Tampa Convention Center
Docks and eBoats
The Sail Pavilion
Heroes Plaza
Amalie Arena
Pier/Water Shuttle Stop
Platt Street Underpass
Tampa Bay History Center
Historical Monument Trail
Yacht StarShip
Channelside Bay Plaza
Port Cruise Ship Terminal
American Victory Shop
The Florida Aquarium
South Plaza

Tampa Real Estate Market

Tampa ranked high in real estate confidence. Over the years, Tampa has been lauded for its housing affordability and for real estate investment opportunities. The median price for homes in the Tampa area has been generally increasing from month to month and from year to year. Last year, BiggerPockets, considered the biggest online real estate investment community, ranked Tampa as the 6th best market for real estate investment, giving investors an average return rate of 16.42%.

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