Residents in South Tampa enjoy a mix of mostly older homes and new construction, single family homes and condominiums with dramatic bay views, such as those along Bayshore Boulevard. South Tampa also features luxury golf course homes, as well as gated waterfront communities, townhomes, executive homes and custom estates. In general, the neighborhoods south of Gandy Boulevard, which bisects the South Tampa peninsula north and south, are more modest, with many homes being more than 40 years old and much smaller than their newer counterparts.

Hyde Park is one of South Tampa's oldest neighborhoods; as such it offers many heavily shaded, older bungalow-style homes with inviting front porches, reflecting the architectural style of the 1920s and 30s. Another notable and popular South Tampa community is New Suburb Beautiful. South Tampa is also home to the up-and-coming Channelside district, which exudes "Urban Experience" with its distinctive high-rise condos, trendy restaurants and night-life hot spots, just blocks from the bay and downtown Tampa. Some of the more popular condominiums in Channelside include The Place at Channelside, Grand Central at Kennedy, The Slade and Parkcrest at Harbour Island. Other notable South Tampa communities, each with their own unique personality and flavor, include Ballast Point, Beach Park, Davis Island, Interbay, Parkland Estate, SoHo(South Howard) and Sunset Park.