A thriving suburb east of Tampa with access to area attractions
The thriving community of Brandon touts a central Florida location east of Tampa and Gulf Coast beaches. The Hillsborough County suburb sits 12 miles from Downtown Tampa and is known for its shopping and dining hubs. Major thoroughfares provide access to Tampa Bay-area attractions and employers. “It’s really close to a lot of different places,” says Sahel Azizi, Resident Experience Manager at Cortland Santos Flats, a nearby apartment community. “We’re close to Downtown Tampa but far away from the chaos of a busier city area, and there are many different spots to shop.” The town was named after John Brandon, who moved to the area in 1857 and purchased 200 acres. Once an agricultural hub with farms and ranches, Brandon grew into a bedroom community for commuters in the 1950s. Growth exploded in the ‘80s, with more residential development in its southern half and the expansion of Interstate 75. Today, Brandon is home to 117,000 people, many flocking to the area for job opportunities, top schools and affordability. Its largest industries are healthcare, finance and retail. HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is its biggest employer, followed by InMotionGlobal and Suncoast Community Health Centers. Hillsborough County Public Schools is also a top employer for the county. Despite major growth, Brandon has maintained its small-town feel. “My family has been here for four generations, and I can still go to the grocery store and see people we went to school with,” says Trish Carter, Broker/Owner of Carter Company Realtors. “No matter how much it grows, it still feels small.”
Brandon is approximately 12 miles from downtown Tampa.
No matter where you are in Brandon you're always close to a place to cure the cravings.
Major interstates and roadways connect easily to Brandon from Tampa.
HCA is one of Brandon's largest employers.
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A hub for shopping centers and diverse dining
The Brandon Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the Tampa area, with more than 150 stores and 25 dining options. “The mall is right on Highway 60, which is the center of Brandon and where the bulk of shopping opportunities are found,” says Carter. Winthrop Town Centre is another major, mixed-used shopping hub, with retailers, restaurants and offices. The community provides big-box stores, national grocers and restaurant chains. It’s the birthplace of the popular sports bar chain Beef O’ Brady’s. It also has a diverse selection of mom-and-pop eateries. Brandon’s Food Truck Park is a favorite that operates four days a week with around 20 locally owned businesses, ranging from Mexican to vegan and Caribbean fare. The food truck spot hosts an annual Asian Street Food Festival in September. Entertainment options include chain facilities like iFLY Indoor Skydiving, TopGolf And K1 Speed Indoor Go Garts. The town’s Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association provides art classes, exhibits and youth summer camps.
Brandon Mall has ample parking for residents and visitors.
Winthrop Town Centre, just outside of Brandon, has a variety of shopping and dining options.
Beef 'O' Brady's in Brandon is a fast-casual dining option.
Fun entertainment is not hard to find in Brandon like here at Top Golf.
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Established neighborhoods with home prices lower than Tampa
Brandon offers traditional homes in more-established neighborhoods, primarily built between the 1960s and late ‘80s. Most new construction is in the southern half of town. Median home prices for October 2024 were $365,000, up 1.7% from last year. Prices are 25% lower than Tampa, and homes stay on the market for approximately 24 days. Hidden Reserve is a higher-end gated community with modern, single-family homes averaging around $850,000. Heather Lakes is popular for those who want to be near schools and parks but also close to the interstate. Sterling Ranch is an older, affordable neighborhood with single-family homes surrounded by lakes, parks and a bird sanctuary. Prices average around the high-$300,000s. The community also has multifamily housing for rent, including apartment complexes like Providence Lakes and condominiums like those in Park Lake at Parsons. “There are a lot of apartment communities being built and updated,” says Azizi. “It’s a good first place to get to know the area.” Median rental prices for November 2024 were $2,155.
Brandon offers many homes in well established neighborhoods.
Hidden Reserve is a nice, gated community in Brandon.
Sterling Ranch is another popular neighborhood in Brandon.
Brandon is home to many new apartment communities.
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Surrounded by state parks, hiking trails and natural springs
The community has several parks and sports facilities, like Brandon Park & Recreation Center, a central spot for outdoor fun and all-age programs. Brandon Parkway Trail is a 3-mile, multiuse path running parallel to the major route. It winds around ponds and connects to other natural spaces. Brandon’s JC Handley Sports Complex is a major facility with 33 soccer, football and baseball fields. Many youth sports leagues practice at the facility. Trails, state parks, golf clubs and nature preserves are not far outside its boundaries. Eureka Springs Park sits 7 miles north and has been a popular recreation spot since 1938. Spanning 31 acres, it’s Hillsborough’s only botanical garden and offers forested trails and a rose garden. The 160-acre Lithia Springs Park is 8 miles east and is a conservation area known for its natural spring. The park is a hot spot for swimming, fishing and camping. Clearwater beaches are 36 miles west, less than 1 hour without traffic.
Brandon Park houses the community center where locals like to participate in activities.
JC Handley Sports Complex is a home for youth sports driving the importance of team sports.
The Eureka Springs Conservation Park was first established in 1938.
Well-known for its natural spring FishHawk offers a great spot for swimming.
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Home to the second-best school district in the Tampa area
Hillsborough County Public Schools serves the area and is ranked the second-best district in the Tampa area, according to Niche. It has a B-plus rating and caters to more than 224,000 students. Seven private schools are also available, including Brandon Academy, a top school for STEM that serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Hillsborough Community College has a campus in northern Brandon.
Mintz Elementary School is focused on providing quality education to students in Brandon, FL.
McLane Middle’s nationally recognized Robotics program in Brandon is one of the highlights here.
Brandon Academy is a private school that serves students in the Brandon, Florida area.
HCC has a large campus in Brandon.
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Subtropical climate prone to hurricanes
Brandon experiences a subtropical climate with humid, hot summers and mild winters. The community is at risk of flooding and hurricane damage. Hillsborough County releases an annual Disaster Preparedness Guide with emergency shelter locations, best practices and other resources. The HCFL Alert pings residents with emergency updates during an event, and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus system takes passengers to shelters.
Fair and seafood festivals
The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds are on Brandon’s west side. The 12-day fair kicks off every October and is a favorite for carnival games, rides and entertainment. It’s also the site of the Festival of Lights in December. The Brandon Seafood Festival has been a tradition for over 30 years. Held in January, the all-you-can-eat festival is held at Rotary Camp Florida. The Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival is another local favorite that's held every April.
Families stop for a photo op during the Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival.
Central Florida artists sell their handmade creations at the Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival
The Festival of Lights attracts many visitors from Valrico during the holiday season.
Valrico residents love having fun at the local fairs and events.
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Twelve miles from Downtown Tampa
Route 60 and Interstate 75 are the major thoroughfares serving Brandon, intersecting in the western part of the community. Downtown Tampa is a 12-mile drive, Tampa International Airport is 19 miles west, and Clearwater is 35 miles away. HART provides public transportation, and Brandon is served by three express and four local bus lines.
Written By
Amy David
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Video By
Sara Warthen
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Brandon, FL sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Brandon, FL over the last 12 months is $370,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Location! Location! Location!Welcome to 609 Saint Henry Drive, a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath townhouse offering approximately 1,040 square feet in Kings Court Townhomes. The floor plan keeps the living spaces downstairs and both bedrooms upstairs, giving daily life a little separation without wasting space.Out back, the screened Florida room is ready for morning coffee,
Own this pool home for $3300 a month!!!! (*mortgage estimate) Welcome to your own private retreat in the heart of Brandon! Situated on a spacious, fully fenced lot with no HOA, this 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and outdoor living.Step outside to enjoy the screened-in pool, outdoor kitchen, and abundant backyard space with 1/3 acre—ideal
Bring the whole family! Everyone will enjoy this spacious, immaculately kept, family-oriented home, nestled in the peaceful community of Lynwood Park. This home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a bonus room (office space), new roof (2023), updated flooring (2021), new storm windows (2024), new HVAC (2020) and new hot water heater (2026). Once inside, your family will be welcomed into a beautiful
MOVE-IN READY BRANDON GEM | OVER $100K IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS | NEW ROOF (2023) | STANEK WINDOWS | "A"-RATED SCHOOL ZONINGWelcome to 1367 Corner Oaks Drive — a beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, two-story home in the sought-after Lakeview Village community of Brandon. Step inside this spacious 2,235 sq ft contemporary home and discover a thoughtfully upgraded interior featuring
Valhalla is one of Riverview's premier townhome communities boasting 2 resort-style swimming pools and easy access to downtown Tampa and Tampa International Airport! Spectacularly maintained - a contemporary, yet cozy interior welcome you to this stunning townhome that has been meticulously maintained. The open-concept floor plan integrates an immaculate eat-in kitchen (complete with newer
UPDDATE: *Seller to assist with buyers closing costs in an amount not to exceed $3,000* Beautifully maintained corner condo in fantastic Park Lake community! Roomy two bedroom with lovely flooring throughout! Freshly painted!! Upgraded lighting and very spacious bedrooms! Closets abound! End unit is bright and airy! Washer dryer included in unit! Newer appliances! Community is awesome with club
Virtually Staged. Stop and look at this rare find! This beautiful 4-bedroom, 2-bath ranch-style pool home sits on a half-acre lot and features a desirable side-entry 2-car garage. Perfectly suited for both everyday living and entertaining, the property offers a fully fenced backyard complete with a tranquil pond, free-form pool, and a tiki hut bar with electricity - creating your own private
**BRANDON HOME UNDER $350K, 3-BEDROOM, 2-BATH SINGLE-STORY HOME WITH BIG-TICKET UPDATES ARE ALREADY DONE. IMPACT WINDOWS 2024, ROOF 2024, A/C 2024, WATER HEATER 2024. LOW HOA!**Welcome to 1606 Dusty Rose Ln, located in the established Lakeview Village community in Brandon, Florida.Offering approximately **1,562 square feet of living space**, this single-family home combines location,
Welcome to 108 Clocktower Dr #261 – a charming, move-in ready condo in the heart of Brandon!Perfectly situated just off Highway 60, this 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home offers a bright, open-concept layout. The spacious living and dining area seamlessly connects to the kitchen, creating an inviting flow throughout the main living space.Step outside to your private balcony—the perfect spot to
MOTIVATED SELLER!!MOVE-IN READY POOL HOME UNDER $370K! Ask about available CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE and the Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance Program! Eligibility requirements and restrictions apply.Welcome home to this updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath pool home offering comfort, convenience, and peace of mind in a desirable Brandon location. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer,
Welcome to your dream Florida oasis! This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom pool home features a versatile bonus room and an oversized screened lanai perfect for entertaining. Designed for both high durability and style, long-lasting tile flooring flows through the high-traffic areas, including the entry, kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, and bonus room. The play area is an added bonus. A
Short Sale. This property is being offered as a Short Sale and is subject to lender approval. Beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath CORNER unit townhome located in the gated community of Lakewood Ridge Townhomes in Brandon. The first floor features bright, open living and dining areas with new luxury vinyl flooring and an updated kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances, quartz
Virtually Staged. Price Improvement! Located in the heart of Brandon within the gated community of Providence Townhomes, this spacious 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome offers a flexible floor plan, low-maintenance living, and an excellent location. Fresh interior paint throughout makes this home move-in ready. In addition to the two bedrooms, an upstairs bonus room with French doors provides valuable
**Welcome to Courtney Palms — where convenience, comfort, and resort-style living come together!**This inviting **2-bedroom, 2-bath condominium** offers a spacious, comfortable floor plan with generously sized rooms and a **private screened lanai**—the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or unwind at the end of the day. Even better, the home features a **brand-new A/C**, giving the
MOVE-IN READY | UPDATED 3-BEDROOM, 2-BATH HOME | NO HOA | NO CDD | NO FLOOD ZONEWelcome to 506 Shamrock Road — a charming, well-maintained and nicely updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in an established Brandon neighborhood where you can enjoy the benefits of homeownership without the added expense of an HOA or CDD! Best of all, this property is located in Flood Zone X, providing an
Nicely updated 2 bedroom 2 bath villa in the heart of Brandon/Bloomingdale.The practical floor plan includes a welcoming living area, functional kitchen, two comfortably sized bedrooms, and two full bathrooms—providing added privacy and flexibility for residents, guests, or a home office.Located just off Bloomingdale Avenue, the property offers convenient and walkable access to great
Come home to luxury in a beautiful environment that offers huge apartment homes (up to 1387 square feet), with the finest amenities and most convenient location. Conveniently located near I-75, with easy access to downtown Tampa and just minutes from Brandon Town Center Mall, Hamlin at Lake Brandon offers its residents an exceptional standard of apartment living. Every upscale apartment for rent
Welcome home to this charming 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the desirable Park Lake at Parsons community! This well-maintained ground-floor unit offers an open and functional layout with a spacious living area, comfortable bedroom, and plenty of natural light. Enjoy resort-style amenities including a lakefront swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, tennis and racquetball courts, walking paths,
A beautiful lifestyle, near the best shopping, dining and entertainment! Westbury at Lake Brandon has it all in Brandon's most desirable area! We provide bright, spacious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes designed to exceed your expectations in apartment living. Westfield Brandon Mall is just 5 minutes away, and Downtown, Tampa International Airport and Westshore Business District are easily
Welcome to your new home in the beautiful gated community of Vista Cay. This charming residence boasts three spacious bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The expansive open-concept kitchen is perfect for both everyday living and entertaining, complemented by tile flooring throughout the main areas. Water and basic cable includedThe living spaces and bedrooms are adorned with plush
Come home to The Lakes - Huge apartment homes (up to 1453 square feet) in Tampa's most desirable area. Select one of the light, spacious 1, 2, or 3 bedroom homes. Each offers designer details, full-sized washer/dryer, screened patio or deck, and fully equipped kitchen with energy-saving appliances. You'll love The Lakes' superior Hillsborough County location, with amazing options for the best
This lovely apartment in the heart of Brandon is roomy and spacious with plenty of closets and cabinetry! Located in desirable Park Lake, nestled in a courtyard enjoy morning coffee out on the front balcony! The interior features kitchen closet, dishwasher, disposal and of course frig, oven and microwave! Bedroom is very spacious with walk in closet! Park Lake has pickleball, gym, beautiful pool
Tucked away just minutes away from I-75 and with easy access to Downtown Tampa, our apartments in Hillsborough County are a hidden gem that deliver you to a tranquil waterside retreat in Brandon, FL. Thoughtfully designed features like granite countertops and crown molding set the perfect backdrop to unwind and will make you proud to call any of our one, two, and three-bedroom apartments for rent
Available to move-in May 3rd. Beautiful, newly renovated home in quiet Valrico neighborhood with open floor concept. Perfect location, close to everything and great schools!Brand new floors, no carpet! Newly remodeled kitchen!Washer and dryer included!Huge master bedroom with spacious bathroom, double sinks, garden tub, rain shower and walk-in closet. Split floor plan - master
Need extra space? This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath rental home is ideally situated on a desirable corner lot with a spacious, beautifully landscaped yard. The home features a brand-new roof, new flooring, fresh interior and exterior paint, updated blinds, and beautifully remodeled bathrooms—including one with wall-to-wall porcelain tile. The upgraded kitchen offers granite countertops and
Live your best life at The Oasis at Brandon Apartments. Our apartments in Riverview, FL, bring together spacious one, two, and three-bedrooms with sophisticated interiors and all the conveniences needed to relax and unwind. In addition to high-end amenities and unparalleled recreation spots, our community is surrounded by natural landscape, allowing you to live like never before. Turn the key and
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