Located in the shadow of Tampa Bay, Wesley Chapel, Florida offers all the big city amenities, including two major regional malls, yet it's also rural enough for horseback riding and hiking.
As part of the Tampa Bay area, Wesley Chapel has a lot going for it. With a population of 44,092 (2010 Census), it's got a sophisticated city center with two mega malls, The Shops at Wiregrass and The Grove. Yet, once you get outside the commercial district, you'll find a funky rural vibe in many of the neighborhoods. In fact, don't be surprised if you see locals on horseback in places like Palm Cove, a neighborhood that's within walking distance of city amenities. With its beautiful parks and nature preserves, Wesley Chapel may seem like a great place to relax (and it is), but it's also a thriving little metropolis that's right in the shadow of big city Tampa, which is just half an hour away. You'll find a thriving business community chock-full of nationally-known realtors (hey, it's Florida), banks, retailers and service providers, but there's still an underlying casual vibe that's incredibly rewarding if you're used to a bustling big city environment. It's a place where you can have a rich full life, with time to breathe along the way.
Moving to Wesley Chapel
You're in tourist mecca Florida now, so rejoice -- there's a huge selection of rental homes in Wesley Chapel, as well as rental apartment units and even luxury apartments of all sizes. Because of the casual, relaxed atmosphere of this city -- and indeed, the entire region -- you'll easily be able to find a large number of pet-friendly apartments as well. Likewise, if you're looking for a condo for rent, you're probably already aware that Florida is virtually condo capital, so you're in luck. With so many options to choose from, the tricky part is being able to make up your mind quickly before someone else gets that awesome rental you're considering. If you can, make a scouting trip to Wesley Chapel before you move; that way, you'll have a chance to choose your favorite residential areas. By narrowing things down geographically, you'll be able to make a quick -- and educated -- decision when the time comes for putting down a deposit.
Speaking of a deposit, be prepared to pay first and last month's rent, plus a sizable security deposit. Rentals are in demand in Florida, and landlords are sitting pretty, so if you want the place, you'll need to learn to smile and pay up. The good news is that you'll probably be getting a beautiful, newly built place that's well-kept up, because rental properties are a serious business down here. Fortunately, tourist season is virtually all year round in this part of Florida and the annual local snowbirds -- folks who live in Florida during the winter months -- tend to already own their own houses, so rent prices stay pretty stable throughout the year.
Neighborhoods in Wesley Chapel
Here are some of the most popular residential areas of the city:
Ashton Oaks: This is a lovely subdivision featuring newly built villas, a cabana club room and community pool. It's also quite close to Wiregrass Mall, so you won't have to go far afield for your shopping.
Ashley Pines: This area features a number of beautifully landscaped homes, many with screened-in pools.
Palm Cove: This residential area has a wonderful rural feel, but it's just a short distance from the city center and minutes away from two mega malls. You'd never know it, though, thanks to the lovely wooded park replete with horse and biking trails.
Seven Oaks: This residential community is highlighted by beautiful contemporary homes and amenities such as a pool and a clubhouse. You'll also find a number of apartment complexes, many of which are pet-friendly.
Living in Wesley Chapel
This is Florida, so you can kiss winter goodbye for good. There may be just a few days a year when mornings are in the 40s, but otherwise, you can expect winter temps in the 60s and 70s. There's no snow, and frost is rare, but keep a sweater or two for chilly mornings and stock up on shorts and sandals.
Thanks to the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (known as TBARTA), you can take the bus from Wesley Chapel all the way into downtown Tampa. Otherwise, as with just about any other city this size, it really helps to have a car, scooter or bike.
Even with the mega metropolis of Tampa practically on your doorstep, there's still plenty to do and see in Wesley Chapel. For example, if shopping is your thing, you'll enjoy The Shops at Wiregrass, which is billed as an "open-air lifestyle center" with two stories of nationally known retailers, a funky local coffeehouse and several nightclubs. There's also another local mall, The Grove, where you'll find plenty of retailers and restaurants in a traditional indoor mall setting.
Wesley Chapel boasts some appealing eateries, including Wolf's Den, where you can get all-day breakfasts of steak and eggs, hash or omelets. They also serve fantastic sandwiches (such as a killer Reuben), awesome burger platters and great comfort foods, such as country fried steak and liver and onions. If you're hankering after seafood, check out one of the area's best, Bonefish Grill, where you can get lobster thermidor, coconut curry shrimp and pretzel-crusted ahi tuna.
The Tampa/Wesley Chapel area has a proliferation of fantastic brew pubs, and one of the most popular is the Brass Tap, which features more than 300 artisan craft beers. If you're pining for the old country, you don't have to go all the way to Ireland; just half an hour away in Tampa you'll find Four Green Fields, where you can immerse yourself in an authentic Irish pub, complete with Guinness on tap, great pub food and even Irish entertainment.
If you're a golfer, you'll have found your own personal paradise in Florida, the home of some of the most beautiful year-round courses in the country. Wesley Chapel doesn't disappoint either; it boasts a lovely 18-hole championship level course at Quail Hollow Golf. Another winner is Lexington Oaks Golf Club, a beautifully landscaped 18-hole course just loaded with challenging features such as wetland areas and man-made lakes. If you prefer whacking little balls with a racket rather than a club, then you'll probably be spending a lot of time at Saddlebrook International Tennis Center, a full-service tennis resort where you can get top-notch coaching from some of the best pros in the country.
The Wesley Chapel/Tampa Bay area is known for its wealth of lovely parks. If you want to do as the locals do, check out Wesley Chapel District Park, a 143-acre oasis that features a number of athletic fields and courts, plus a lush wooded trail. This being Florida, there's also a place to go fishing -- it's just a retention pond, but the biting is pretty good. If you want to get further into the wilderness, visit Cypress Creek Preserve, just minutes away in Land O'Lakes. This 7,400-acre sanctuary is the natural habitat for an amazing variety of native animals and features five miles of cycling trails, 12 miles of horse trails and plenty of camping sites.
Wesley Chapel's remarkable sense of community is especially apparent during one of the area's many annual festivals, when the locals come out to play. Even if it's not sweater weather, you'll still feel invigorated by Wesley Chapel's annual Fall Festival, which is held at The Grove Mall every October. It features an antique car show, great food (including legendary wings) and plenty of live music. Also in Tampa is the Gasparilla Music Festival, a two-day event that showcases regional talent.
Wesley Chapel manages to entertain its tourists while perpetually enchanting its locals. It offers the best of urban life, with a casual, relaxed undercurrent that makes you feel truly welcome wherever you are. It's not surprising that many a visiting tourist decides to come back here and stay -- even for a lifetime.
