Tips and Things to Know Before Packing up the Moving Van

A move can change your perspective on life and when you are looking for a true change, Tampa is a great place to find it in. Tampa is home to a variety of different people from all walks of life from retirees to rappers, to college students just trying to get by, you will find it all in Tampa, Florida. If this sounds like your type of place, here are some things to consider before heading out to Tampa.

Well Known Actors Live Here (Sort Of)

Celebrities are often spotted in Tampa and it has become a place where the wealthy elite can find a little peace, but Tampa does have its own set of celebrities. However, you will not see these two walking down the street. The movie “Dolphin Tale” and the sequel “Dolphin Tale 2” has inspired many to think about marine life in a different way. The two dolphins, Winter and Hope live in Tampa at the Aquarium on Clearwater Beach, so if you want to see some movie stars, stop by anytime.

Grouper is King

Not everyone is familiar with grouper. This type of white fish is a meaty form of seafood that is huge in Tampa. You will find it on a variety of restaurant menus in forms such as jerk, fried, and almost any other way you can think to prepare fish. Grouper is not a fishy tasting fish, so even if you are not a huge fan of seafood, you might like it, so give it a try.

Get Used to Spring Training

Spring training is a big event for Major League Baseball teams and every team has their own place they take the whole team to get them ready for the season. Tamp is a hot spot for not just one of these teams, but three. The Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankees all have their spring training in Tampa. During spring training, the streets can be a little more crowded as fans try to glimpse their favorite players before the start of the actual season.

You Will Need a Storage Unit

There are some places throughout the country where storage units are not exactly essential, but Tampa is not one of them. Due to its proximity to the ocean, basements are not an option for residents and attic spaces in homes tend to carry a lot of moisture due to an overabundance of humidity. Storage units in Tampa have become a vital resource for residents throughout the city. They are affordable and can help you store anything that might not fit in your new home or limited space apartment. They can also be instrumental in making the move more organized and storing seasonal items.

Lebowski

If you have watched the film, “The Big Lebowski”, you will understand what is going on in Tampa in late January. Each year, residents don their old bathrobes and compete in the movie’s bowling tournament. This celebration is known as Lebowski and it attracts all sorts of fun-loving people and each year more rock bands show up ready to play for their fans.

Gasparilla Days

The pirate known as Jose Gasparilla was made famous in Tampa and they still celebrate the famed buccaneer heritage. Residents of the city dress up each year for Gasparilla Days and participate in parades, parties, and all sorts of kid friendly and adult friendly activities for a whole week. You best be practicing your Pirate Speak now.

The Tampa Cuban

Ok, food feuds are not uncommon and if you live in a city that is famous for a specific food, you know the rival city is wrong. Here in Tampa, the food feud subject is the Cuban Sandwich and the rival city is Miami. Miami says they made the Cuban famous with glazed ham, shredded pork, pickles, mustard, and swiss cheese on a perfectly hot-pressed bun. Where that might be technically true, Tampa residents claim they have made it better by adding Genoa Salami. The best way to know for sure is to do your own research, so enjoy eating your Tampa style Cuban Sandwich.

Dale Mabry Highway

Every city has its own set of highways and in Tampa, the most popular one is Dale Mabry Highway. This is the highway you will take to get to most of your destinations, but before getting on the road, you might want to check the game schedule. Tampa is home to three major league teams, The Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On game days, Dale Mabry Highway gets very packed with fans coming to the games, so if you happen to get caught up in the traffic, you could be sitting at a stand still for hours as fans pour into the stadiums.

Tampa is a beautiful place to live and while being so close to the ocean, you will always find fun activities for you and your family. Moving to Tampa will take some getting used to, but soon you will find that the laid-back atmosphere of this Florida town is exactly what you need to enjoy life. Whether you are moving for leisure, retirement, job opportunities, or just a change of pace, Tampa is the place to be. Enjoy your move and make the most of your new life in your new city.