Come and see why Temple Terrace Homes got the attention of CNN Money, one of the online publications of the CNN cable network. CNNMoney ranked Temple Terrace as the sixth Best Place in the U.S. for Affordable Homes.
CNNMoney says that Temple Terrace is a unique place, with an abundance of oak trees, Mediterranean-style homes built in the 1920sa and contemporary ranch-style properties. It is also near the University of South Florida, one of the leading research universities in the country, and it is the place chosen by international financial services company Morgan Stanley for its expansion.
The median home price in Temple Terrace is $75,000 and the median family income is $56,963. The five other cities chosen by CNNMoney ahead of Terrace Temple are the following:
1. Altamonte Springs, Florida
Median home price: $67,000
Median household income: $63,642
2. Plano Illinois
Median home price: $75,000
Median household income: $65,658
3. Homewood, Illinois
Median home price: $100,000
Median household income: $86,683
4. Powder Springs, Georgia
Median home price: $85,000
Median household income: $68,168
5. Lilburn, Georgia
Median home price: $84,478
Median household income: $64,762
6. Temple Terrace, Florida
Median home price: $75,000
Median household income: $56,963
Temple Terrace History
The city, which sits on 7.15 square miles along the banks of the Hillsborough River, was incorporated as a city in May 1925, and was promoted as the most beautiful suburb of Tampa. It has become a haven for golfers, professionals working at the University of South Florida and Florida College, and other residents.
The name Temple Terrace was derived from the hybrid Temple oranges and the Terraced terrain of the city. The earliest inhabitants were North American natives, who lived in the area until the late 18th century. In the mid-18th century, Spanish explorers reached the Hillsborough River as they searched for pine trees to be used as masts for their ships.
Tree City
Temple Terrace is known for its trees, prompting the Arbor Day Foundation to name the place a Tree City USA in 2008. The city landscape is filled with a variety of oaks, including laurel oaks, grand oaks and water oaks. There are also lots of southern magnolias, redbuds, crape myrtles, sabal palms, slash pines, sweetgums and bald cypress trees. Homeowners can ask for free tree seedlings from the city, including guidance on planting and maintaining trees. The city also receives assistance from the Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort.
Places of Interest
Here are some places of interest in or near Temple Terrace:
The Victorian Village shop
Busch Gardens theme park
Florida Aquarium
Channelside Bay Plaza
University of South Florida
USF Sun Dome
Florida College
Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and Casino
Museum of Science and Industry
Tampa Bay Times Forum
Tampa International Airport
Raymond James Stadium
City Management
Temple Terrace is run by a city manager, a city council, administrative staff and volunteers. Residents are provided with municipal services that include water, sewer, police, fire, solid waste collection, parks and recreation, street construction and maintenance, planning and zoning and general administrative services.