Bayside West - Tampa, FL

The Bayside West community is a section of Tampa, Florida, a city with a history dating back to the early 1500s when it was referred to by the Native Americans as "Tanpa," meaning "sticks of fire." The town was utilized as a fishing village and renamed Tampa when initial explorers designed maps of the area.

In 1821, Florida was officially purchased from Spain by the United States, followed by the establishment of Tampa in 1855. Railroad magnate Henry B. Plant established the Tampa Bay Hotel in 1891, which quickly became a popular holiday spot for celebrities; 1886 marked the establishment of Hyde Park, a Tampa subdivision.

The Henry B. Plant Museum on West Kennedy Boulevard features Victorian artifacts, as well as restored rooms of Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel. Popular annual events include the Tampa Regional Artists Meeting and Festa Italiana, a festival featuring Italian foods and crafts.

Residents of the Bayside West neighborhood enjoy living within minutes to the area's central restaurant location surrounding North West Shore Boulevard. With multiple eateries and pubs, residents don't have to travel far to enjoy tasty cuisine and beverages in a lovely beach atmosphere.

Popular seafood choices include the steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with lemon butter sauce, crab cakes and the signature lobster crab dip, a savory blend of lobster, crab meat, and Parmesan-sherry cream sauce. If your heart's set on steak, the stuffed filet mignon provides the best of both worlds, as this juicy eight-ounce filet comes stuffed to the brim with crab meat and topped with shrimp scampi.

If you've got barbecue on your mind, check out Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q, located on West Kennedy Boulevard. Voted "Best Ribs in Tampa Bay," Jimbo's serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry customers Monday through Sunday, excluding major holidays. Locals recommend the 1/3 or 1/2 slab of prime barbecue pig ribs, smothered in seasoned sauce and slow-cooked to perfection.

If you're looking for a great place that combines drinks, food, sports, and socializing, MacDinton's Irish Pub on South Howard Avenue has got it all. Locals rave over the pub's signature chicken pot pie, as well as its Monday game night specials that include $4 bomb shots and $2 beers.

For an exclusive night of dancing and drinks at one of the hippest clubs in Tampa, take a trip over to Blue Martini, also on North West Shore Boulevard. Famous for their global tapas menu and signature martinis, Blue Martini is a great place to mingle, socialize and dance the night away.

Residents of the Bayside West neighborhood walk and ride bikes, as well as drive or utilize buses provided by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). Bus stops can be found on main roads throughout the community such as West Shore Boulevard and Gandy Boulevard, as well as at the Britton Plaza Transfer Center on Dale Mabry Highway.

Local residents can easily access the Interstate 92 highway, allowing for convenient travel into the city. Residents and visitors can park on residential streets during the hours posted on the neighborhood's parking enforcement signs, and standard metered parking is available throughout the city of Tampa.

In addition to the neighborhood being safe for cyclists, there are approximately 40 miles of bike lanes throughout the city of Tampa. Uber ride services aren't an option in Bayside West, and residents do not normally hail taxis in the neighborhood; however, residents and visitors can reserve rides on line or via telephone through services such as Yellow Cab of Tampa and Airport Taxi Tampa.

Bayside West residents have access to multiple parks throughout South Tampa that provide a wide variety of amenities such as playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas and more.

Tennis enthusiasts frequent the Clifton "Cal" Dickson Tennis Center, an outdoor tennis park located on West Watrous Avenue, because of its multiple tennis courts and on-site lessons. When residents are in need of a good workout, they often visit Al Lopez Park on North Himes Avenue, as it provides multiple amenities such as jogging paths, walking trails and play courts. Families and dog owners also enjoy Al Lopez Park, as it features a large playground, fishing ponds and an additional dog park.

Popular annual events hosted by the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department include Veg Fest, a vegetarian food festival featuring multiple vendors specializing in vegan and vegetarian food, as well as Bark in the Park, a yearly event dedicated to raising funds and dog adoptions through the Humane Society. Both events are held in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park on Old Water Street in Tampa.

Bayside West's cost of living average exceeds the Tampa average by approximately 4 percent, with an average monthly rental cost of approximately $927 for a one-bedroom. A local bus ride into the city ranges between $1 and $2. Domestic and imported beers at local Bayside West pubs typically range between $3 and $6, but exact prices can fluctuate, as many establishments change their prices for happy hours and drink specials. Gas prices in Tampa are less than 1 percent higher than the national average.

When shopping for groceries, apparel and high-end merchandise, locals often head to North West Shore Boulevard and North Dale Mabry Highway. Grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Walmart Supercenter are located on North Dale Mabry Highway, allowing for convenient access to fresh produce, groceries, sundries and household items.

High-end retailers on North West Shore Boulevard include Williams Sonoma. Seedlings, an exclusive boutique specializing in high-value apparel, strollers and bedding for infants and children, is located on North Dale Mabry Highway.

West Shore Plaza on North West Shore Boulevard houses multiple well-known retailers such as The Limited and Brookstone, as well as Francesca's Collections, a popular boutique featuring unique jewelry, accessories and women's apparel. For fresh fruits and vegetables, locals recommend The Fresh Market on North Dale Mabry Highway, a specialty farmer's market and gourmet shop featuring fresh produce, fresh meats and bakery items.