8 Things to Know Before Moving to Riverview, FL
Moving, or even just looking for a new place to call home, can be an exhausting and time-consuming endeavor. However, you can find several wonderful suburbs outside of to the Tampa Bay area that might make it worth your while. These smaller communities and towns are within easy driving distance of Tampa, Florida, making it convenient for those looking for a cheaper cost of living without sacrificing access to the area’s many attractions.
Riverview, Florida, is one of these suburbs. It is home to slightly more than 107,000 people and is located just north of Tampa. The first large-scale commercial chicken farm in Florida was established in Riverview in 1885.
Let’s check out eight things to know before moving to Riverview, FL!
1. Proximity to other cities
Tampa, the nearest major city, is only 14 miles away from Riverview. Using FL-618/Selmon Expressway, you can reach Tampa in less than half an hour, assuming the traffic is not too bad.
Because of how easily accessible Tampa’s employment, cultural, and recreational options are, the suburb of Tampa has become increasingly attractive. Riverview combines the best of the two worlds: the quietness of a suburb and the big-city amenities of Tampa.
2. Attend Hillsborough Community College
Riverview students attend schools in the Hillsborough County system. Residents’ children have a choice between Rodgers Middle School, Riverview High School, and Spoto High School, as well as Boyette Springs Elementary School, Frost Elementary School, Ippolito Elementary School, Symmes Elementary School, and Spoto High School.
Valrico Lake Advantage Academy, Winthrop Charter School, Bell Creek Academy, Creekside Charter Academy, Southshore Charter Academy, Kids Community College, Providence Christian School, Center Academy, and Tropical Acres Christian Academy are just a few of the many public charter and private schools in the area. Riverview is equally home to both Hillsborough Community College and the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
3. Visit the Bell Creek Nature Preserve or the Riverview Park and Civic Cente
Riverview, like many other cities in this part of Florida, has plenty to offer families with young children. Parks such as the Bell Creek Nature Preserve, the Riverview Park and Civic Center, Boyette Springs Park, the Paul Sanders Park, Eureka Springs Park, and Alderman’s Ford Park have brought a lot of attention to this city. Riverview is a wonderful place to live if you enjoy outdoor activities like biking, boating, rollerblading, or just getting out into nature.
Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, and Siesta Key are just a few of the many award-winning Gulf of Mexico beaches easily accessible from Riverview. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are just two of the many accessible recreational activities in Tampa Bay.
4. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average
The cost of living in Riverview is modest when compared to other nearby suburbs, especially when taking into account the current house prices in the Tampa- St. Petersburg area. With an overall cost of living index of 104, the city is only 4% more expensive than the U.S. average.
Rents in Riverview average $1,975 per month, while the median property listing price is $390,000.
5. Limited public transportation options
When compared to other major cities, the Tampa area lacks an expansive, or even sufficient, network of public transit. Many locals complain that HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation Authority) is unreliable and inconvenient.
You’ll likely need a car after you settle into your new home in Riverview.
6. The city has year-round warm weather
Riverview is about a 5-mile drive into the Hillsborough Bay region. This means that the climate generally shares the benefits of the Gulf Coast’s cities. May through October is the hottest time of the year, with average highs of 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, July is the hottest month in Riverview, with highs of 91 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Riverview experiences 2.6 months of winter, from December to February, with an average daily temperature of 76 °F. January is the coldest month in Riverview, with an average low of 52 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high of 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Work in the retail or educational sector
With a rate of 39.08%, Riverview’s job growth is encouraging. This is approximately nine points higher than the national average of 30.54%.
The retail sector and fast food restaurants provide a significant number of Riverview’s jobs. The average annual salary in this area is $68,442. However, there are opportunities for those with specialized skills to earn significantly more at BlueGrace Logistics, local school systems, and St. Joseph’s Hospital – South. Brandon and Tampa, two nearby cities, are where most locals commute each day for work.
8. The crime rates are higher than the national average
Crime rates in the city have been on the rise in recent years, from 25 for every 1,000 residents in terms of violent crime to 47.3 for every 1,000 residents in terms of property crime. Both violent and property crime rates are higher than the national average of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively.
Increased police visibility and other security measures in public areas are some of the actions taken by Riverview officials to counteract this trend.
To Sum it All Up
Some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches are located just minutes away from Riverview. Every day brings new opportunities for boating, fishing, surfing, and general beachcombing. The city is also conveniently located near Tampa and its many attractions. The pleasant climate is perfect for retirees (and, indeed, for anyone).
On the other hand, Riverview has a slightly higher cost of living than the national average, and residents should be wary of crime in the area.
