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Tampa, Florida is a big, sprawling Gulf Coast city that wears its student energy in two very different pockets. The University of South Florida drops tens of thousands of Bulls into the University Area on the north side, while The University of Tampa sits right on the edge of Downtown along the Hillsborough River. Between them you've got named districts like Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Ybor City, and Channelside, plus the Riverwalk that ties Downtown together. You can walk Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, catch a Lightning game, or post up for the Gasparilla pirate parade every winter. Tampa's a car town that's slowly getting more walkable, and as a student renter you'll pick your corner and make it yours.
Right by USF and packed with the most student apartments in the city, so it's the default for Bulls who want to walk or shuttle to class.
Steps from The University of Tampa and the Riverwalk, walkable and central.
The polished, walkable district near UT with parks and tree-lined streets.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Tampa.
HART buses cover the city and run express service into Downtown, including from the USF area. The TECO Line Streetcar loops Downtown, Channelside, and Ybor City for free, which is clutch if you live near that corridor. USF's Bull Runner shuttle handles the campus loop and nearby apartments, so plenty of Bulls skip driving to class. For students near the right corridor, the streetcar and Bull Runner cover daily trips.
Biking works in flatter neighborhoods like Hyde Park and parts of Seminole Heights, and the Riverwalk is great for getting around Downtown on foot. Students in the walkable districts can handle daily errands on foot or by bike. The flat terrain makes cycling a comfortable option in those neighborhoods. Downtown's Riverwalk makes walking an easy way to get around the core.
Tampa runs on cars, full stop, and most students keep one. Spread-out Tampa means a car still makes life easier once you leave your immediate area. Students who drive should expect to rely on a vehicle for most trips across the city. For getting around beyond the walkable pockets, a car is the practical default.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
It depends on where you land. Near USF in the University Area, shared apartments often run $700-$1,200 per person per month, which is the more wallet-friendly side of town. Down by The University of Tampa and Downtown, expect more like $1,200-$1,800 for a studio or one-bedroom. Splitting a three or four-bedroom with roommates is the move if you want to keep your share down.
Browse student housing near each Tampa-area university.