Tampa area - YBOR heights neighborhood

[Prashant Sharma]

Hey BP members,

I'm looking at a potential duplex property in the Tampa area to purchase as an out of state investor. I have read about YBOR area in general as being the cool, hip area filled with young professionals with plenty of nightlife and bar scene. However, most of the deals that make any sense at all in Tampa seem to be in YBOR heights, or further up in Seminole heights. Is YBOR heights (and surrounding areas) considered "up and coming" or more like war zones? Is it more like B, C (or D?)?

Thank you!

[Lucas LeBlanc]

@Prashant Sharma, I have to disagree with @Jennifer Moore on this one. Ybor is definitely considered an "up and coming" area, but people have been saying that for over a decade. There have been some developments recently that are helping move this along (potential new Tampa Bay Rays stadium being the biggest one), but the majority of Ybor is closer to a D (I personally wouldn't walk there at night). The best part of Ybor is right around 7th Ave, but as soon as you go north of I-4 things start to get pretty sketchy. Ybor Heights is similar, but it varies block to block. Investors have been improving some of the houses there, but it is a slow moving process.

Seminole Heights is much more of an actual up and coming area. It is a pretty large area though, so there are still some rougher pockets, but the majority of Seminole Heights is a decent area at this time.

While SOHO (South Howard) has a few bars that are popular with the college crowd, it is one of the more desirable areas of Tampa. There are a ton of condos around there and you'd be hard pressed to find a good deal for anything as prices have been pushed way up.

Hope this helps!