This area of Tampa includes the unincorporated cities of Temple Terrace and Thonotosassa. The University of South Florida is at the heart of Northeast Tampa; this is Bulls Country! Downtown Tampa is just a 15 minute drive and the gulf beaches are less than an hour away. This area has a diverse population including affluent and middle class families, college students, young professionals and long time residents of the area.
Housing
In the heart of the USF area there are many family neighborhoods, apartment complexes, student living and newly constructed homes and condominiums. According to the Temple Terrace Fire Department much of Temple Terrace’s housing was constructed 25 or more years ago and most properties are well-maintained and in good condition today. A large section of housing surrounds the private Temple Terrace Golf Club and offers a lot of shade and lush vegetation as well as low traffic and well-kept houses and yards.
Out to the west of the Northeast Tampa region is the much more rural Thonotosassa. Here you will find homes that are well spread out and homes that are both new and old. The newest construction can be found in the luxury community of Stonelake Ranch which features a gated and guarded entrance, large acreage lots, and lakefront lots with private docks are available. Horses are also allowed to be kept on property.
Things To Do
Known as Tree City USA, for having the most live oak trees than any other central Florida city, Temple Terrace offers several great recreational parks. Riverhills Park offers primitive camping, boat and canoe launch into the Hillsborough River and walking trails; Lettuce Lake Park on Fletcher Avenue close to USF offers hiking and biking trails, scenic boardwalk, canoe launch in to the Hillsborough River; and the Morris Bridge Park just north of USF which is part of the 5,400 acre Flatwoods Park which offers a 7 mile paved multi-use trail, an extensive network of unpaved hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic pavilions and an education center. Hillsborough River State Park is one of Florida's first state parks; this original CCC Park is divided by the swiftly flowing Hillsborough River with a set of Class II rapids. The river provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Golfers will enjoy the close proximity to two fantastic golf courses: The Claw at USF, a public course just across the street from the main campus, and a private course at the Temple Terrace Golf Club on Bullard Parkway just a few minutes south of USF. Fun lovers and thrill seekers will love being close to the action at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island both located just a few minutes south of USF. Also nearby is the Museum of Science and Industry and IMAX theater as well as the University 16 Cinema.
Dining and Shopping
Being a college town this area has a good selection of restaurants and bars and even has its own brewery. The Yuengling Brewery, located just a block or two from USF features tours of the facility and an outdoor biergarten. Some of the specialty restaurants in this area include Clubhouse Sports Cafe, Gators Dockside, Antonios Pasta Grille, Gaspar Patio Bar and Grille, Hilton Garden Inn, Jojo’s Grill Seafood, Olde World Cheese Shop, Savvy Jacks Southern Gourmet, Sawatdee Thai, Vanias Cafe and Vallartas Mexican Restaurant. There are several popular food delivery services in the area that will deliver food from most area restaurants.
Shopping is limited to the University Square Mall, the Victorian Village Shopping Plaza and several department stores including Wal-Mart, Target and Big K. However, the International Plaza, Westshore Mall, Brandon Westfield Mall are all about a 30 minute drive or less from this area.
Traffic and Driving
Traffic can be busy during rush hour and during special university events on the main roads of Fowler Avenue, Fletcher Avenue and Bullard Parkway/Busch Boulevard. An advantage of living in this areas is that is is a central location bordered by I-75, I-4 and I-275 with easy access to Highway 301 as well. Transit is also available by the HART bus line and the Bull Runner for USF students.
Schools
Aside from well-known USF, Northeast Tampa is also home to Florida College, Florida College Academy, the Paul Mitchell School and charter schools Village of Excellence Academy and Terrace Community Middle School. Public schools incude: Lewis Elementary, Temple Terrace Elementary, Riverhills Elementary, Greco Middle School and King High School. There are two public libraries in this area, the Temple Terrace Public Library and the science library at MOSI. The library at USF is open to the public but only students and faculty are permitted to check items out.
Business
Commerce in this area is generated by retail stores, restaurants, university related businesses and organizations (including those in the area of research), Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and the University Community Hospital.
From Wikipedia