Brandon is part of Hillsborough County in Florida. It was named after John Brandon, who established the area in 1857. Like Tampa, Brandon has a humid subtropical climate. Brandon is known as a bedroom community for Tampa, Florida.
Brandon’s population is tallied at 113,000 people but increasing daily. The primary language spoken here is English, followed by Spanish, German and Tagalog, respectively.
If you’re wondering whether to move to the quaint community of Brandon, here’s a list of pros and cons you can review to know if it’s for you:
Pros of Living in Brandon
1. Cheaper Homes for Purchase
Purchasing a home in Brandon is considerably cheaper compared to Tampa, with the median home value being $164,000. Renting, however, is slightly higher at an additional $300 than the average rental rate in the city. A variety of housing styles are available in Brandon.
When it comes to property taxes, they’re also fairly reasonable. It makes sense to buy a property here, as you can also find several homes below the $100K range.
2. Low Cost of Living
With a fairly high median family income and low home price, Brandon is a great place to settle down. You’ll only spend around $750 a month for a medium-sized apartment. In terms of utility bills, the costs will depend on the number of occupants living in the unit and the level of utility usage. Other cities in Florida, like Miami and Orlando, can be expensive to live in compared to Brandon.
3. No Extreme Cold Weather
If you don’t like the winter cold, then Brandon is perfect for you. The temperature hovers between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit, making for an average of around 62. Winters are considered mild and dry.
Snow is rare, so this means you can participate in plenty of outdoor activities. You won’t need to worry about canceling your outdoor adventures with the predictable weather in Brandon, Florida.
4. More School Choices
Brandon has several schools in the area, making residents with kids satisfied with its strong educational foundation. You can have your pick from the 11 public schools, 6 private high schools and 41 private primary schools. Among the most popular ones is Brandon Academy, an IB (International Baccalaureate) certified academe.
Tampa’s proximity also makes it easy for college students to commute to universities such as Southeastern Florida University and Tampa College. They can also choose to conduct their studies at Hillsborough Community College.
Elementary Schools
- Brooker Elementary School
- Kingswood Elementary School
- Mintz Elementary School
- Limona Elementary School
Middle Schools
- Mann Middle School
- Burns Middle School
- McLane Middle School
- Yates Middle School
High Schools
- Brandon High School
- Brandon Academy
- Faith Baptist Christian School
- Central Baptist Christian School
5. Proximity to Tampa
Residents in Brandon have the option to travel to Tampa in as quickly as 19 minutes by car. This means having a job in Tampa is feasible, given the minimal distance. If residents want to find other entertainment options outside Brandon, it’s also not difficult to do so.
6. Ease in Finding Employment
In Brandon, access to jobs is simple. You can apply in the healthcare or retail industry. If you prefer to work in the city outside Brandon, there are also major employers in Tampa. Among them are Baycare Health System and JP Morgan Chase.
In Hillsborough County, one can also work for large companies such as the School District of Hillsborough County, MacDill Air Force Base and Hillsborough County Government. For retail jobs, there‘s plenty of work available at Westfield Shopping Center Mall.
7. Available Amenities
In Brandon, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. You can explore Gardenville Beach, Davis Islands Beach, Bahia Beach, Apollo Beach Preserve and Ben T Davis Beach.
For parks, you can visit Brandon Park & Recreation Center, All Persons Rotary Park, Paul Sanders Park and Bertha and Tony Saladino Park.
When it comes to dining establishments, try O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Boston Market, Olive Garden, Tibby’s New Orleans and Crafty Crab Restaurant.
For retail therapy, head over to the area’s largest mall, Westfield Brandon, where you’ll find JC Penney, Macy’s and Sears.
Looking for live music? Go to O’Tooles Irish Pub, where they also have delicious meals and drinks. Some of the other best bars in the area are Fox & Hounds British Pub, The Stein & Vine, Linksters Tap Room, Windmill Taphouse, The Vapers Manor and The Winghouse of Brandon 60.
Just like any other place, Brandon has its drawbacks. Here are some issues residents have raised:
Cons of Living in Brandon
1. Heavy Traffic
Brandon’s population has started to grow, leading to heavy traffic during rush hours. People choose to stay in Brandon for its low-cost housing and short commute to Tampa.
With limited public transportation, however, people drive their own cars, causing congestion on the roads.
2. Limited Transportation
The public transportation options in Brandon could use some improvements. There are no local trains or trolley. The bus routes are also limited.
3. Humidity
Brandon may not have freezing weather. However, since it’s close to the coast, the humidity can be intense, especially during the summer. The summers can be long and hot, averaging 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 degrees Celsius.
4. Not a Big City
Even if Brandon has been progressively growing with plenty of incoming residents, it still cannot be considered as having a big city lifestyle. Although its proximity to major cities makes it an ideal place to reside in.
Bottom Line : Pros and Cons of Moving to Brandon, Florida
Overall, Brandon has plenty of advantages. It’s family-friendly with a multitude of schools to choose from. Finding a job is not challenging, and it’s an affordable place.
In terms of amenities, Brandon delivers well with its fantastic range of restaurants, bars, shops and beaches. With a short distance to major cities like Tampa, you’ll surely have an endless number of things to do and places to explore.
For further inquiries, contact Cavalier Estates, LLC.
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