New Resident Guide
Your Tampa move-in checklist
The practical first-month list: utilities, paperwork, and the local quirks worth knowing, with links straight to the official sources.
HomeNew Resident Guide
Not moved yet? Relocating to Tampa covers what to weigh before you go: the tax bill, insurance, HOA and CDD, the deadlines, and the communities in the area.
Set up electric service
TECO serves nearly all of the county. Start with Tampa Electric (TECO) ((888) 223-0800).
Water & trash
Water: City of Tampa Water inside the city; Hillsborough County Public Utilities elsewhere. Trash and recycling: City or county service depending on address. Your closing or lease paperwork usually names the exact providers; when in doubt, ask Hillsborough County Government.
Internet
Frontier Fiber, Spectrum, and AT&T Fiber are the most common providers. Availability is address-specific, so run each provider's address check before scheduling installation.
Florida driver license & vehicle registration
New residents have 30 days to get a Florida driver license and 10 days to register vehicles once employed or enrolled. Start at FLHSMV; local service is through the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
Register to vote
Update your registration at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
File for the homestead exemption
Florida's homestead exemption can reduce your home's taxable value by up to $51,411 for the 2026 tax year: $25,000 against all levies including school taxes, plus $26,411 against non-school taxes only. That second amount is adjusted for inflation every January 1, so confirm the current year's figure with the county property appraiser. File by March 1. File with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. More on the cost-of-living page.
Verify your schools
Assignments can differ street by street. Verify any address with Hillsborough County Public Schools before you commit. More on the schools page.
Get storm ready
Florida living includes hurricane season. Start with the Storm Ready page — live alerts, the kit, shelters, and pets.
Good to know
Tampa questions
What is the Florida homestead exemption and when do I file?
Florida's homestead exemption can reduce your home's taxable value by up to $51,411 for the 2026 tax year: $25,000 against all levies including school taxes, plus $26,411 against non-school taxes only. That second amount is adjusted for inflation every January 1, so confirm the current year's figure with the county property appraiser. File by March 1. In Hillsborough County you file with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
How do I find out which schools serve my address?
School assignments are set by Hillsborough County Public Schools and can differ street by street, so never rely on a listing or hearsay. Use the district's official address-lookup tools to verify before you commit to a home.
Which electric company will I have?
TECO serves nearly all of the county.
What county is Tampa in?
Tampa is in Hillsborough County, Florida. The county determines your property taxes, school district, and most local services — the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser is the authoritative source for any specific parcel.
Will my home have an HOA or CDD?
It depends on the community: many newer neighborhoods carry an HOA, a CDD, or both, while older areas may have neither, and the costs differ meaningfully. Our HOA & CDD guide explains how to check any property before you buy.
How worried should I be about hurricanes?
Hurricane season runs June through November and preparation is a normal part of Florida life. Hillsborough County has storm-surge evacuation zones — know yours before a storm is on the map. Our Storm Ready page keeps live alerts and the checklist in one place.
Which Tampa neighborhoods should a newcomer look at first?
It depends entirely on lifestyle: Hyde Park and SoHo for walkable historic charm, Water Street and the Channel District for high-rise urban living, Seminole Heights for bungalows and a food scene, Westchase and New Tampa for master-planned suburbs. Visit a few before deciding; they feel like different cities.
Do I need to think about evacuation zones?
Yes — Hillsborough County has lettered storm-surge evacuation zones, and knowing yours before a storm is on the map matters. Our Storm Ready page links the official Know Your Zone lookup.
Is Tampa walkable?
It depends heavily on the neighborhood. The Riverwalk ties together downtown, and areas like Hyde Park are genuinely walkable, while much of the metro is car-first. Visit at different times of day before choosing a neighborhood.
Take it with you
Email me the move-in essentials
One email with the guide, the printable one-pager, and Storm Ready. Occasional Tampa updates after that — unsubscribe anytime.