Moving to Citrus Park, Florida

Citrus Park is the kind of suburb that does exactly what it promises: good schools, decent shopping, safe streets, and a reasonable commute. It sits in northwest Hillsborough County, sandwiched between Westchase and Carrollwood, and it gives you a lot of what those pricier neighbors offer at a lower price point.

It won't blow you away with charm or character. There's no historic downtown or waterfront district. But if you need a functional, well-located suburb with solid fundamentals, Citrus Park delivers without the premium price tag of Westchase or South Tampa.

Why Move to Citrus Park

Citrus Park works because of where it sits. You're 20-25 minutes from downtown Tampa, 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport, and you have the Veterans Expressway for a faster commute option (toll road, but it moves). The Citrus Park Town Center mall anchors the commercial side with major retailers, restaurants, and services all in one spot.

The community is predominantly residential — subdivisions with screened pools, two-car garages, and decent-sized yards. It draws families, professionals, and retirees who want suburban convenience without the longer commutes you'd face in places like Wesley Chapel or Land O' Lakes.

The area shares some school zones with Westchase, which is a quiet advantage. You can sometimes access the same schools for $100K less on your mortgage.

Who it's for: Families with school-age kids, airport commuters, people who want Westchase-adjacent living at a lower price, and anyone who values shopping convenience.

Who it's not for: Anyone craving walkability, urban energy, waterfront living, or a distinct neighborhood personality.

Neighborhoods

Citrus Park has a mix of established subdivisions and pockets that range from modest to upper-middle-class.

• Fawn Ridge — Established community off Gunn Highway. Homes from the late 1980s-90s with mature landscaping. Reasonable HOA fees and a community pool. Solid starter-to-mid-range option for families.

• Westchester — One of the larger subdivisions in the area. Mix of home sizes and price points. Well-maintained common areas. Close to Citrus Park Town Center for shopping.

• Country Place — Gated community with a community pool and playground. Slightly higher price point but well-kept. Good family neighborhood with involved residents.

• Sweetwater — Near Gunn Highway and Linebaugh. Established neighborhood with homes from the 1990s. Some lakefront lots available. Quiet streets, good for families and empty nesters.

• West Park Village adjacent areas — The southern edge of Citrus Park borders Westchase's West Park Village. Living on the Citrus Park side gives you walkable access to West Park Village's restaurants and shops without paying Westchase prices.

• Northdale overlap — The eastern edge of Citrus Park blends into the Northdale community. Older, more affordable homes with good access to Dale Mabry Highway.

Cost of Living

Citrus Park offers solid suburban living at prices below Westchase and Carrollwood while providing similar access and amenities.

• Median home price: ~$380,000. You'll find updated 3-bedroom homes in the $340K-$400K range and larger 4-bedroom homes pushing $420K-$500K. Older homes needing updates can still be found under $320K.
• Average rent: $1,800-$2,400/month for a single-family home. Apartments and townhomes in the area run $1,500-$2,000/month.
• Property taxes: Hillsborough County millage rate. On a $380K home with homestead exemption, expect roughly $5,000-$6,500/year. Some subdivisions carry CDD fees of $800-$1,500/year — check before buying.
• Insurance: Standard wind/hurricane. Most of Citrus Park is not in a flood zone, which keeps insurance costs more manageable than coastal areas.

The honest take: You're paying a fair price for the location and school access. Citrus Park isn't the cheapest option in Hillsborough County, but it's meaningfully less expensive than Westchase, where comparable homes can run $50K-$100K more. The trade-off is that homes tend to be older — most were built in the 1985-2005 range — so budget for roof, AC, and cosmetic updates.

Schools

Schools are one of Citrus Park's strongest selling points. Depending on your exact address, you may land in some of the better-rated schools in Hillsborough County.

• Citrus Park Elementary — Well-regarded neighborhood school with active parent involvement and consistent ratings. A popular choice for families in the area.
• Schwarzkopf Elementary — Another solid option in the zone. Named after General Norman Schwarzkopf. Good ratings and strong community support.
• Martinez Middle School — Feeds from several Citrus Park neighborhoods. Offers magnet and advanced programs. One of the better middle schools on this side of the county.
• Alonso High School — This is the big draw. Alonso consistently ranks among the top public high schools in Hillsborough County. Strong academics, competitive athletics, and active extracurriculars. Homes zoned for Alonso carry a premium, and it's one of the main reasons families target Citrus Park.
• Steinbrenner High School — Another zoned option depending on your address. Newer facility with strong programs. Named after the Yankees' George Steinbrenner, who lived in Tampa.

Private school options include several in the Carrollwood corridor and Westchase area, all within 10-15 minutes.

Commute and Getting Around

Citrus Park's road network is functional but can test your patience during peak hours.

• To downtown Tampa: 20-25 minutes via Veterans Expressway (toll) or Gunn Highway to Dale Mabry. Rush hour can push this to 35-40 minutes, especially on Dale Mabry.
• To Tampa International Airport: 12-18 minutes. This is one of Citrus Park's biggest advantages — few suburbs are this close to TPA.
• To Westshore business district: 15-20 minutes. Many Citrus Park residents work in the Westshore area, and the commute is manageable.
• To the beaches: 30-35 minutes to Clearwater Beach via the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Key roads: Gunn Highway (main north-south artery), Sheldon Road, Linebaugh Avenue, Veterans Expressway (toll road running north-south with fast access to I-275 and the airport). Gunn Highway is the road you'll love and hate — it connects everything but backs up during rush hour and school hours.

Public transit: HART bus service exists along major corridors but is limited. This is still a car-first community.

Honest cons: Gunn Highway traffic is the number one complaint from Citrus Park residents. Morning school drop-off and evening rush hour turn it into a parking lot. Sheldon Road backups are a close second. If your daily commute relies on Gunn Highway, test the drive at rush hour before you buy.

Local Favorites

• Citrus Park Town Center — The area's commercial hub. Major retailers, a food court, Dillard's, JCPenney, and surrounding restaurants. It's not the most exciting mall in Tampa Bay, but it's convenient and has what you need.
• Upper Tampa Bay Trail — Paved multi-use trail perfect for running, cycling, and walking. Runs through the area and connects to the broader Hillsborough County trail system. One of the best maintained trails on this side of the bay.
• Upper Tampa Bay Park — Boardwalks through mangroves, kayak launches, and nature trails along the bay. Surprising amount of wildlife for a suburban park. Great for families.
• Mauricio's Italian Restaurant — Local favorite for Italian food. Family-run, consistent quality, and they've been around for years.
• West Park Village — Technically in Westchase, but right on Citrus Park's border. Walkable town center with restaurants, a movie theater, and shops. This is where Citrus Park residents go for a nice dinner out.
• Trader Joe's and Whole Foods — Both have locations nearby on Linebaugh and Dale Mabry, which matters more than you'd think when you're choosing where to live.
• Lowry Park Zoo (ZooTampa) — About 15 minutes away. One of the top-rated zoos in the country and a regular family outing for Citrus Park residents.

Setting Up Your New Home

Moving into an established suburb means most services are readily available, but here's how to get squared away.

Home maintenance: Even well-maintained homes in Citrus Park need regular work — pool equipment, lanai screens, exterior painting. Best Bay Services — Handyman & Home Services handles handyman and maintenance projects throughout Tampa Bay. Having a reliable service on speed dial saves you from the weekend warrior projects that never quite get finished.

Internet and entertainment: Spectrum Internet has strong coverage throughout Citrus Park. Most neighborhoods get full high-speed internet and TV packages without issues. Fiber options are expanding in some areas — check availability at your address.

Home security: ADT Home Security offers monitored systems that make sense for any suburban home. Most Citrus Park neighborhoods are safe, but a security system also helps with homeowner's insurance discounts.

Moving day: PODS Moving & Storage portable containers are popular in Citrus Park. Most homes have wide driveways and garages that can accommodate loading at your own pace. Useful if you're doing any updates before fully unpacking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Citrus Park the same as Westchase? No, but they share a border and some school zones. Westchase is a master-planned community with its own CDD and higher price points. Citrus Park is a broader CDP with a mix of subdivisions at varying price levels. Think of Citrus Park as Westchase's more affordable neighbor with some of the same benefits.

How bad is Gunn Highway traffic really? Bad enough that it's the first thing longtime residents mention. Morning rush (7:30-8:30 AM) and afternoon rush (4:00-6:00 PM) are the worst. School zones along Gunn Highway compound the issue. If you can adjust your schedule to avoid peak hours, it's manageable. If you can't, consider homes closer to Sheldon Road or with easier Veterans Expressway access.

Is Citrus Park good for families? Yes. Schools, safety, and suburban amenities all check the right boxes. It's not exciting, but it's practical and well-suited for raising kids. Parks, trails, and community pools give families plenty to do.

What's the flooding situation? Most of Citrus Park is outside flood zones. Individual properties near retention ponds or low-lying areas may carry flood risk, but the area as a whole is well-drained. Always check the flood zone designation on any specific property.

Ready to find your home in Citrus Park? The NOW Team — Barrett Henry, REALTOR®