(Mar 20, 2023)
Brandon FHA homes for sale are affordable, the cost of living is low compared to other Florida cities, there are many family-friendly attractions and amenities, and the weather is excellent all year round.
Herein is a comprehensive overview of life in Brandon and reasons why you should consider purchasing your new home in this mid-sized city.
History and Overview of Brandon, Florida
Known as Tampa's bedroom community, Brandon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County and is part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The CDP is named after John Brandon, a settler who purchased acres of land in the area in the 19th century. The first church and school in the Brandon community were built on land donated by Brandon.
The community took off in the 1960s following the formation of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. The area has since grown significantly to become the largest unincorporated community in Florida, covering 35 square miles. Brandon is currently home to about 115 000 residents.
Brandon FHA homes for sale are some of the most affordable in the Tampa Bay area, with a median home value of under $200,000. This is considerably less than the state and national average. The city offers a dense suburban feel, with most residents owning their homes.
Note that it's possible to find decent homes below the $100,000 range. The property taxes in Brandon are also fairly reasonable, and the cost of living is lower than the national average.
There are a variety of housing styles available in Brandon, from condos and apartments to single-family homes.
Brandon is also safe, with crime rates much lower than Florida and national averages. The southeast neighborhoods are considered the safest. Transport-wise, the area is served by Interstate 75(I-75), which passes through the western part of the CDP. Brandon is also easily accessible from Interstate 4(I-4).
Brandon also boasts great weather all year round. Brandon will be perfect for you if you don't like winter cold. The area has a subtropical climate with warm weather most of the year. Snowing is rare, so you and your family can engage in many outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Schools Systems in Brandon, Florida
If you are raising a family in Brandon, the good news is that the community is served by some of the best schools in the Tampa Metro area.
Hillsborough County Public Schools, the third largest school district in Florida, operates the public school system in the region. The public schools in Brandon are above average, with reasonable enrollment rates, graduation rates, and teacher-to-student ratios.
The school district oversees extracurricular activities, including sports, athletics, arts, and more. Several excellent private schools also serve students in grades pre-K through K-12. Overall, you will be satisfied with the region's good educational foundation. Below is an overview of the schools in Brandon, Florida:
Public Schools
Elementary Schools
- Brooker Elementary School
- Mintz Elementary School
- Kingswood Elementary School
- Limona Elementary School
Middle Schools
- Burns Middle School
- Mann Middle School
- McLane Middle School
- Yates Middle School
- Symmes Middle School
High Schools
- Brandon High School
- Bloomingdale High School
Private Schools
- Brandon Academy
- Bell Shoals Baptist Academy
- Faith Baptist Christian School
- Immanuel Lutheran School
- Nativity Catholic School
- Central Baptist Christian School
- Providence Christian School
Colleges/Universities
- Emmaus Baptist College
- Hillsborough Community College
- Southern Technical College
Also, Tampa's proximity means you can access the sound tertiary-level educational system serving that area, including universities like Tampa College and Southeastern Florida University.
Attractions, Amenities, and Things to do in Brandon, Florida
Some of the top attractions that you can enjoy with your family includes:
Pump It Up
If you are looking for fun activities with your kids, you can add Pump It Up to your checklist. Pump It Up on Lumsden Road is one of Brandon's top children's attractions.
This large playground has numerous features to give your children a fun indoor experience. Pump It Up features several bouncing castles, inflatables, glow-in-the-dark accessories, group activities, and more.
It is the perfect spot to host kids' private birthday parties, play dates, and other special events in Brandon. The facility handles the setup, monitoring, and cleaning, making for easy and convenient occasion planning.
Further, Pump It Up provides drop-off services, where you can leave your children to have fun while you engage in other activities.
Legends Escape Rooms
There's no better place than Legends Escape Rooms for a great indoor family adventure in Brandon. Situated on Brandon Boulevard, Legends Escape Rooms is one of Brandon's most popular family attractions. It is an exciting and memorable attraction with several mystery-filled rooms.
You are locked in any of these rooms and given one hour to solve tasks, find clues, complete puzzles, and essentially Sherlock-Holmes your way out of the rooms.
This attraction will test teamwork, meticulous observations, problem-solving, collaboration, and working well under pressure while having fun.
There are six themed rooms in Legends Escape Rooms, including the challenging Wild West Heist. All ages are welcome at Legends Escape Rooms, but adults must accompany children below 12.
Paul Sanders Park
Paul Sanders Park is a non-staffed park situated on Bloomingdale Avenue. The park was named after long-time Brandon resident Paul Sanders. It's a scenic park with old moss-laden oak trees that provide shelter from the hot Florida summers.
The park features sheltered picnic areas available for rent. There is a lovely playground where kids of all ages can have fun and frolic around. Other picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Paul Sanders Park is famous for hosting birthday parties, field trips, fundraisers, and community events.
The park also boasts other amenities, including public parking, biking trails, paved trails, walking trails, and restrooms. It's also pet-friendly so you can tag along with the four-legged family members.
Astro Skate Family Fun Center
Are you down for adrenaline-pumping activities the entire family can enjoy? You can check out the Astro Skate Family Fun Center on Robertson Street. This top-rated fun center has an incredible roller rink complete with traditional wooden flooring, modern lighting, music, and more.
Here you get to skate along to the music of your choice. You and the kids can bring your skating gear. If not, there are rental options on the premises where you can pick up a pair. Need to learn how to skate? No worries.
Astro Skate Family Fun Center also offers skating lessons for kids and adults to help you gain confidence on the rink. The fun here does not end at the rink, though. There are pool and snooker tables and an eatery serving tasty treats.
Westfield Brandon
Westfield Brandon, formerly Brandon Town Center, is one of Florida's five Westfield shopping malls. This shopping mall is situated directly off Interstate 75 in the western parts of Brandon.
Operational since 1995, Westfield Brandon is home to chain stores, department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, and other shopping establishments.
Several notable brands with anchor stores at Westfield Brandon include Dick's Sporting Goods, Macy's, JC Penney, Books a Million, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), Dillard's, and Sears. You can visit the mall with your family or friend for the ultimate shopping experience.
Oakfield Lanes of Brandon Inc.
Oakfield Lanes of Brandon Inc., located in Thousand Oaks, offers lots of fun for the entire family and is worth checking out. It's a trendy local attraction that provides a unique bowling and dining experience with family and friends in Brandon.
Bowling here can be competitive, but it offers an enjoyable experience for everyone. Oakfield Lanes of Brandon Inc. features over 30 bowling lanes with automated scoring.
The establishment also hosts dodgeball tournaments. You can always grab something at the snack shop if you work up an appetite.
All-Person's Rotary Park
All Person's Rotary Park, situated on Parsons Avenue, offers fun amenities for the entire family. The free non-staffed park features playgrounds for kids of all ages, picnic areas, a splash pad, and a grill. All Person's Rotary Park also has outdoor shelters that you can rent annually.
Due to the abundance of these shelters, restrooms, green open spaces, public parking, and other amenities, the park is a popular location for hosting special events like birthday parties, community events, and more.
All Person's Rotary Park is also pet-friendly, so you can bring along your furry family member as long as they are leashed and you clean after.
Bertha and Tony Saladino Park
Bertha and Tony Saladino Park is a non-staffed community park on Bryan Road suitable for all-family fun. The park features two basketball courts, a baseball field, two kid's playgrounds, an open lawn, and shaded walkways. There are also picnic shelters, tables, and areas where you can host special events.
Bertha and Tony Saladino Park are also unique in that it has a 2.6-acre dog park. The dog park has two sections- one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Other amenities available at the park include public parking and restrooms.
DayDreams Day Spa
DayDreams Spa is an excellent option to explore to experience soothing massages and other spa services if you want to relax and unwind after a tiring work week. DayDreams Spa is a unique establishment that offers terrific body massages and good body treatment. Their highly professional services will leave you satisfied and relaxed.
DayDreams Spa has a friendly and welcoming staff, and the spa serves cold beverages while you enjoy your treatments. It can be fresh air from the bustle of everyday city life. Other top-notch services you can receive here include facials, pedicures and manicures, and body treatments in a friendly environment.
Sweet Memories Antiques and Collectibles
If you want to buy unique gifts, extraordinary items, trinkets, or even potential family heirlooms in Brandon, you can head to Sweet Memories Antiques and Collectibles on Parsons Avenue. Sweet Memories Antiques is a hidden gem. This unique antique store has a lot to offer and provides a remarkable shopping experience.
If you want to gift a loved one or friend something they will never forget, Sweet Memories Antiques has a wide variety of rare items you can choose from. These include jewelry, pottery, sheet music, glasses, old books, home décor, furniture items, collectibles, and more.
The Culinary Scene - Dining in Brandon, Florida
Florida is known for great food, and Brandon is no different. The township has a thriving culinary scene that delights locals and visitors alike. Brandon boasts restaurants, eateries, and cafes that cater to all palates, from complex dishes to typical comfort foods.
Brandon has you covered if you like enjoying your food in different settings. From upscale restaurants with a formal ambiance to cafes with a laid-back and chill vibe, there are many options to plan your gastronomic adventure. One option you have to try out in Brandon is Stein and Vine.
Launched in 2012, Stein and Vine is among the most highly-rated restaurants in Brandon and the Tampa Bay area. It is a laid-back woodsy restaurant where traditional and modern elements meet - picture old-school brick walls and multiple TVs in a single space.
Stein and Vine serve delicious American dishes and international options on top of a wide selection of beer and wine. The menu includes famous delicacies like smoked fish, lobster, scallops, tacos, chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups.
Other great restaurants in Brandon include Jesse's Steak and Seafood, Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen, Bonefish Grill, Taste of Berlin German Restaurant, and Olive Garden Italian Restaurant.
The Best Neighborhoods to Live in Brandon, Florida
If you have decided to relocate to Brandon, the next step is determining where exactly you want to live. Brandon FHA homes for sale are available in many great neighborhoods, including gated communities and developments.
Below are some top neighborhoods you should consider when purchasing a home in Brandon.
Bloomingdale Village
Bloomingdale Village is a community that started development in 1997. It is part of the greater Bloomingdale community. Most homes in the neighborhood are new single-family homes and condos.
The homes here tend to be mid-sized to large, with three to four bedrooms with several bathrooms. Built around a lake, Bloomingdale Village is the largest neighborhood in Hillsborough County and is a reasonably affordable option if you are starting or raising a family.
The neighborhood features amenities, including a community sports complex, Bloomingdale Golfer's Club, and two county parks. Students from Bloomingdale Village usually attend the highly-rated Burns Middle School, Brooker Elementary School, and Bloomingdale High School.
Sterling Ranch
Sterling Ranch is a community of attached and single-family homes nestled in the southwest parts of Brandon. The houses here are older, built more than two decades ago, and typically have between two and five bedrooms with several bathrooms.
While the housing at Sterling Ranch is relatively affordable compared to other cities in Florida, it is on the higher side compared to other Brandon neighborhoods.
Sterling Ranch features excellent amenities, including a large swimming pool, a non-staffed park with picnic areas, and a kid's playground. There are three public schools close to Sterling Ranch, including McLane Middle School and Symmes Elementary School.
Several great private schools also serve the area. Sterling Ranch is a short drive to Brandon's main amenities, including the shopping center, restaurants, the city's parks, and the offering of nearby Tampa.
Brandon Hills
Brandon Hills is a walkable neighborhood with reasonably priced midsize (three and four-bedroom) single-family homes and condos. The neighborhood has a sparse suburban feel with lots of open spaces. Most of the residents in Brandon Hills own their homes, with a very small percentage of rented homes.
It is a beautiful community for starting and raising a family. Brandon Hills is also close to the township's schools, attractions, and amenities. Brandon Hills Special Dependent District is tasked with the administration, continued development, and maintenance of the amenities in the neighborhood. These include the swimming pool and common areas.
Conclusion
Brandon FHA Homes for sale should be among your top considerations if you are looking for a new place to call home in Florida and are eligible for the advantageous FHA loan.
The homes cost less than the state and national average, the cost of living and crime rate is low, the area is served by one of the best school districts, the weather is excellent all year round, and Brandon is close to everything that makes the Tampa Bay area a great place to live. You can be confident that you'll make the right choice with Brandon, Florida.
(Mar 20, 2023)
