We’re a Best Old House Neighborhood

And not just because we think so! Seminole Heights was selected by the editors of This Old House Magazine as one of the eight best communities in the country in which to buy and enjoy an old house. I am often asked “where should I stay in Tampa?” In a state known for blinding sunlight and shoddy high-rise condo construction, Seminole Heights offers shady streets, with solid homes fronted by gardens both wild and manicured. The neighborhood’s many parks offer ample opportunity to commune with nature, and families looking for strong public schools will be thrilled by Hillsborough High, recently named one of the best schools in the country by Newsweek magazine. One thing’s for sure: The community fabric here is strong. “We’re all about porch parties and potlucks,” says resident Suzanne Prieur. “We want to make sure our old-fashioned way of life here is preserved.”

The Houses:
This is Florida, so you’ll find plenty of Spanish Mission and Art Moderne–style homes here. But Seminole Heights is best known for its single-story Craftsman-style bungalows, built in the 1920s to accommodate the thousands of families who relocated to Tampa after railroad lines were established. These houses feature full-length porches with stone or brick supports, and plenty of built-ins The article emphasized the beautiful neighborhood landscaping, the local parks, our Craftsman bungalows, and Newsweek magazine’s choice of Hillsborough High as one of the best schools in the country.

Pick up the July/August 2009 issue to see the full list of 51 neighborhoods or view the Editor’s Picks (including the Seminole Heights entry) online.

You can also read more about this great neighborhood in the November 2008 issue of American Bungalow magazine.