If you’ve been looking for a great place for both you and your pet to live, your search can start and end with Tampa. Not only is Tampa one of the nicest and safest places to live in the Sunshine State, but it also is highly rated among pet owners.
Tampa recently took the No. 2 spot in WalletHub’s survey of the most pet-friendly cities in the country. Tampa was knocked off its perch as No. 1 in the previous year’s survey, but being runner-up is no slouch. The bottom line is that living in downtown Tampa with pets is nothing short of awesome.
As part of its No. 2 overall ranking, Tampa was listed as No. 5 in pet health and wellness and No. 13 in outdoor pet-friendliness. Among the factors that go into the survey are the number and quality of dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, and the availability of great veterinary care.
Owning a pet not only gives humans companionship, but it certainly helps relieve stress. Those factors have gone hand in hand with Tampa becoming a popular destination for people during the pandemic, where they can enjoy reasonably priced real estate, plenty of natural beauty and outdoor spaces, and the terrific weather. The same goes for pets, who thrive in relaxed, friendly, and safe places like Tampa.
Real estate market
The Tampa real estate market, including condos for sale downtown Tampa, remains extremely robust. According to Zillow.com, the average price of homes in Tampa is $387,130, representing an increase of 33.2% in the past year. Prices have been on an upswing since the pandemic, causing many people to realize that cities like Tampa offer the perfect setting and lifestyle for working from home.
Tampa remains a strong seller’s market due to a tight inventory of homes and rising prices. The best way to secure a favorable deal for downtown Tampa real estate for sale is to hire a licensed real estate agent who knows the neighborhood extremely well and will be able to find the perfect residence to meet all your needs, including having a pet. Once you’ve closed on a deal and moved in, it’s time to get out and about and discover why Tampa is so pet-friendly.
Dog parks
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park
If you’re looking for a great place for both you and your dog, head down to the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park along the Riverwalk. While you enjoy the great views of the water and the city, your dog will have fun getting some exercise and mingling with other pups on the large patch of grass. There’s a fenced area to keep pets safe and plenty of drinking water. There are also free monthly concerts for owners to enjoy.
Queenie’s Dog Park at Water Works Park
This is the perfect park for families who live in Tampa Bay real estate and have pets. Queenie’s Dog Park is also located on the Riverwalk, inside the Water Works Park. This park is a good place for both large and small dogs to run around in the large grassy area. What makes this park wonderful for families is that their kids can enjoy the playground and splash pad. The park is also the perfect place for a picnic and is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Deputy John Kotfila, Jr. Memorial Dog Park
This wonderful dog park in Channelside stands out for several reasons. First, it’s located under the Selmon Expressway and is completely shaded, which makes it extremely popular when your pup wants to get outside during the summer heat. Second, it’s fully covered with AstroTurf, so there are no worries about your pet tracking mud and grass into your car or home. There are modern touches for both pets and humans, including water fountains with built-in pet bowls and plenty of seating. The park honors Hillsborough County Deputy John Robert Kotfila, Jr., who died in the line of duty.
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park Dog Park
This is another park where you’ll enjoy the stunning surroundings while Fido enjoys running around with his furry friends. The dog park has separate sections for small and large breeds, so they stay safe and healthy. You can even come to this park by boat if you wish. It is part of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, which occupies a prime piece of land just north of the University of Tampa and across the Hillsborough River from the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Davis Island Dog Park
If you want to let your dog splash around in the bay, come to Davis Islands, where there is a dog beach as well as a dog park. The dog park portion has a lot of room where dogs can run around and offers access to the dog beach. A bonus is that the whole area has incredible views of the downtown skyline.
Pet-friendly businesses
Hyde Park Village
If you like to take your dog along on shopping and dining excursions, a trip to Hyde Park Village is a must. Many of the great stores and restaurants in this upscale outdoor mall allow pets and also set out water bowls for the animals. Many restaurants have outdoor dining areas where you can have your pets.
Restaurants
Many restaurants and other eateries in Tampa allow customers to bring pets. Among them include downtown restaurants like the Sail Plaza, Pint and Brew, and Yeoman’s Cask and Lion. Other eateries where pups are welcome include Revolution Ice Cream and Ginger Beard Coffee.
These are just some of the reasons why pet lovers enjoy living in downtown Tampa. If you’ve been thinking of looking for downtown Tampa Bay real estate, let the friendly experts at The McIntosh Group guide you through the process.