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Wall Street Journal says Millennials and Gen Z are flocking to Tampa

People gather in the streets to enjoy an outdoor market.Tall green trees line either side of the road. Vendors are set up under white tents.
A huge outdoor market occurs monthly in Water Street Tampa | Photo by Andrew Harlan

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article titled, “Tampa: Why Gen Z and Millennial Tourists Are Flocking to This Retirement Mecca.” This seems a fitting followup to a story they published in 2022, “Tampa Moves From Grit to Glitter.

Both stories site the $3.5 billion Water Street Tampa development as one of the key reasons why so many people, especially young people, have Tampa on their radar. I first came to this city in 2009 to attend the University of Tampa. At that time, there was no Riverwalk, no Water Street, Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf were only ideas, and Curtis Hixon Park under construction.

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Tampa emerges as a top destination for food and fun

The restaurants that have received MICHELIN stars in the city weren’t around just yet. 14 years ago I could still understand why people love this area so much. Bayshore Boulevard remains a pedestrian and cyclist’s paradise. The Tampa Theatre absolutely captivated my imagination, and the local streetcars were and are too charming for words.

Today, the allure of a burgeoning food scene, the prolific rise of luxurious apartments, the University of Tampa’s position as a top tier academic institution for bachelors and graduate programs, easy access to the top beaches in America, while also being the host city of one of the best run sports organizations in the world (let’s go Bolts), have transformed the profile of Tampa.

In case you’re curious about Tampa’s many accolades over the years:

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