Picture this: You just moved to Tampa Bay, FL and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just sit back and eat Cuban sandwiches all day, unfortunately). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for TBAY 101, our guide to all things Tampa + St. Pete citizenship.
The essentials
Voter registration
Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots in Hillsborough or Pinellas.
Driver’s licenses and vehicle registration
New residents in need of a Florida driver’s license will need to provide proof of legal status, a Social Security document, and two documents confirming your residential address.
To register your car in the state of Florida, you’ll need to bring proof of State car insurance, proof of your identity (in the form of a driver’s license, passport, or ID card), and a Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form to any Hillsborough or Pinellas County office (such as the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s downtown office at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. County Center, 14th Floor, Tampa).
Initial registrations may be subject to a $225 fee.
You can make an appointment at any of Hillsborough or Pinellas county offices to obtain a State driver’s license. Registration for your vehicle is conducted on a walk-in basis.
Healthcare
Establishing yourself with a primary care provider is one of those things you’ll be glad you did when you need one. Reach out to the professionals at Tampa General Medical Group, Baycare Medical Group, or LoCicero Medical Group, to name a few. Pro tip: Websites like DocSpot filter physicians by location, patient reviews, insurance, language, and more.
Educational needs
School registration
Prepare your student for the school year by registering them with Hillsborough or Pinellas county public schools. Here, you’ll find your school zone (based on your home address), a list of registration and immunization requirements, and the student entry form. With your required documents in hand, you’ll then make an appointment at your student’s zoned school to complete the registration process.
For information on Tampa Bay’s schools, public and private, check out our guide.
Library card registration
If you think libraries are only for renting the occasional book, think again. Register for a library card at your nearest Hillsborough or Pinellas branch, or apply for a temporary card online, to take advantage of services like:
- Ukulele program
- Events
- eBooks, music, and movies
- Online databases
- Private meeting spaces for groups
- Books-by-mail
- Museum passes
To get your card, you’ll need proof of identity and proof of address. Tampa Bay residents of any age can apply for a free card to be used at any Hillsborough or Pinellas branch.
Home necessities
Recycling
Thanks for thinking green. For everything you need to know about recycling in Tampa Bay, from where to place your bin to pickup times and accepted materials, check out need-to-know info for Tampa + St. Pete.
Utilities
Moving is exciting, but no one wants to unpack by candlelight. Establish your services with Tampa Electric or Duke Energy by creating an account or updating your address in your existing account. Pro tip: You can complete a free virtual energy audit to learn how you can save money and energy every month.
Internet providers
No connectivity issues here. Check out some of the internet providers in the Tampa Bay area:
- Spectrum | Internet service starting at $30 per month for 12 months
- Frontier | Fiber 1 Gig internet service starting at $49.99 per month for 12 months
- WOW!| Internet service starting at $25 per month
- EarthLink | Fiber internet starting at $39.95 per month for 12 months
- HughesNet | Internet service starting at $54.99 per month for six months
The ultimate TBAY initiation
Having a State driver’s license and an 813 or 727 area code may qualify you on paper, but you’re not officially a TBAY resident until you’ve taken part in some local fun that is only found in the Cigar City or the Sunshine City.
Bike around the area
We don’t have a lot of hiking opportunities here, but the biking is delightful. Consider going on a scenic cruise down Bayshore, the Courtney Campbell Trail, or the Pinellas Trail.
Eat
You haven’t truly earned your stripes as a TBAY resident until you’ve sampled some of our Gulf-fresh seafood. Head to a fish camp or pick up some at a local market to chef up at home.
Champa Bay
Between the on-a-roll Bucs and the Lightning, we’ve got plenty of action to take in around here. Check out the full spread of TBAY sports in our guide.
Is there something you’re still left wondering about to get you properly established in the Big Guava or the Burg? Ask us your question and we’ll do our best to answer it for you, like a good neighbor.
City Guides are sponsored by Water Street Tampa.
