Egypt Lake-Leto

Centered around a roughly 60-acre lake, all with convenient access to downtown Tampa, Egypt Lake got its start in the 1940s and 1950s as a popular swimming and watersports destination for Tampa residents. Today, Egypt Lake is a patchwork of established pocket neighborhoods that appeal to residents looking for a quiet, residential lake community with easy access to the city. “The area is just really charming,” says Whitney Lohr, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway. “You have classic Florida style homes right next to attractions like the zoo, so it’s a great place to be.” Most houses in Egypt Lake are small to medium in size, one story and feature a variety of styles, ranging from Mediterranean to midcentury modern. “That area is really known for its bungalows,” says Lohr. “There are lots of classic bungalows with vintage décor and accents.” Still, some larger traditional houses can be found in the southwest part of the neighborhood located on the water and north of the lake, and condominiums are also available. Prices generally range from $250,000 to $690,000 for a single-family home, with condos being a bit cheaper and larger homes (some intended for multi-family use and sold as investment opportunities) go for around $1 million. Residents have plenty of options even without having to venture into nearby Tampa. Foodies enjoy the many small, locally owned eateries that line Armenia Avenue along the neighborhood’s eastern boundary. These restaurants specialize in Central and South American cuisine, including Mexican, Venezuelan and Columbian fares, like La Cabana Restaurant—a local favorite known for its authentic Colombian cuisine. Residents of Egypt Lake enjoy easy access to various retail shops, service providers and large and small business employers that line the main thoroughfares. Students in Egypt Lake begin their academic careers at Egypt Lake Elementary, before moving on to Memorial Middle and finishing up at Hillsborough High School. According to Niche, these schools earned ratings of B, C-plus, and A-minus, respectively. Hillsborough High is known for its AP courses and electives on offer, with a diverse range of nontraditional courses allowing students to find their calling, passion, or hobby. Residents are just 7-miles south of downtown Tampa and its attractions. Just blocks outside the neighborhood is the award-winning ZooTampa. “ZooTampa is incredible,” says Lohr. “It’s been updated over the years and it attracts so many visitors.” Located on the southern boundary of Egypt Lake is the Egypt Lake Recreation Center. Operated by Hillsborough County, the center offers a large, shaded playground area, two lighted basketball and tennis courts and an open field. The center also provides after-school and summer programs for children. Egypt Lake’s main thoroughfares, Dale Mabry Highway and Waters Avenue, offer easy access to the nearby interstate, industrial areas, the airport and downtown. The neighborhood is about 7 miles from the city of Tampa and 8 miles from Tampa International Airport. “You can be anywhere in Tampa within minutes,” says Lohr. “So it’s a great spot for those looking to spread out a little bit but still be right there.”

The Pinecrest West Park experience wouldn’t be complete without the sight of descending planes on the horizon. Sitting just north of the Tampa International Airport, the community is connected to nearby downtown by several highways. Add proximity to the coast and the Raymond James Stadium into the mix, and it’s easy to see why this neighborhood brings in buyers from all over. “Communities in the Pinecrest West Park area are attractive to snowbirds, permanent residents and investors," says Mark Hartman, a local Realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty and 19 years of experience. “The neighborhood offers a tranquility that might cause one to forget how close and convenient this location is to everything that makes Tampa a great city to live in.” Buyers in Pinecrest West Park can get a condo or townhouse for $130,000 to $215,000. The majority were built in the 1970s and typically offer resort-style living with pools, tennis courts and security. Single-family homes start at about $250,000 for a modest ranch-style and can get as high as $630,000 for new construction with a modern stucco design. The average number of days on the market for Pinecrest West Park is significantly higher than the national average. The average home value for the neighborhood is significantly lower than both the Tampa average and national average. Students in Pinecrest West Park can attend Alexander Elementary School which received a B rating on Niche and was named after a highly dedicated local educator. W.G. Pierce Middle School was built in 1961, received a C-plus rating from Niche and offers the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) college preparatory program. Leto High School was the first comprehensive high school in Hillsborough County and also has a B rating on Niche. "One of the features that makes this location attractive and appealing for residents in the Pinecrest West Park area is the close proximity to The Raymond James Stadium,” Hartman says. The stadium first opened in 1998 and is used by both the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the USF Bulls. Known for its massive pirate ship replica, the stadium has hosted three Super Bowls along with concerts, monster truck shows and more. Locals gather for Little League games at West Park Sports Complex, where baseball fields sit between walking trails to the north and West Dog Park to the south. Four-legged visitors can explore five acres of off-leash fun divided into two spaces for larger and smaller dogs. The nearby Al Lopez Park stretches along Highway 92. Its 130-acre sprawl boasts a nature trail, pond and community center. “The park provides some welcome ambiance that can help residents decompress from city life,” Hartman says. Dining options gather around the highways and include everything from the local, hole-in-the-wall experience and big portions of Anderson Road Cafe to the Peruvian-inspired dishes of Cuenelli’s Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Grill. Walmart satisfies neighborhood grocery needs and is supported by a collection of smaller, locally owned options like El Tico & Marisol supermarket or the Caribbean Club Market. Pinecrest West Park is only eight miles northwest of Downtown Tampa. Buses can carry residents down North Himes Avenue to visit the stadium or head further south into the downtown area.