Mango was once the home of Native American tribes such as the Tocobaga and the Pohoy. While the area was explored by the Spanish, it wasn't until the U.S. acquired Florida from Spain that settlers moved in around 1819. But you can settle in today.
Mango takes up 4
Mango was once the home of Native American tribes such as the Tocobaga and the Pohoy. While the area was explored by the Spanish, it wasn't until the U.S. acquired Florida from Spain that settlers moved in around 1819. But you can settle in today.
Mango takes up 4.7 miles on the Gulf Coast of Florida. With a population of just over 11,300 as of the 2010 census, Mango is a tropical paradise for residents who like to keep those flip-flops flapping all year-round, and eschew winter scarves and hats. Sound like you? Then check out this census designated community in Hillsborough County, just 13 miles from Tampa.
There are often vacancies available in this community, but you may find winter a more challenging time to find two-bedroom apartments or house rentals in Mango. Why? Because snowbirds -- refugees from winter -- are more likely to descend on sunny Florida looking for a place to land. If you are looking to find apartments, try hunting in the spring, summer or fall for an easier search.
Where to Look
Naturally, coming to Mango yourself and driving through the streets of the community will help you find the best place for you. But the newspaper for the area, the Mango Gazeteer, will help you sort out your rental options. Online listings for the greater Tampa Bay and Brandon area will help you, too.
What Should You Bring?
You should bring your sunscreen, since sunshine year-round is the norm here. You should also bring what most landlords require throughout the U.S. -- identification, credit report information, information about the last places you rented and your work history. If you have bank statements or W2s handy, bring those as well.
Originally a part of the adjoining, larger community of Seffner, Mango is a bedroom community of Tampa.
Lakewood Crest: This is a suburban neighborhood by density with single family homes and mobile homes located between Williams Road and Mango Road. You'll find a mix of owners and renters.
Eliza Varnes: Between Wheeler Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, you'll find this neighborhood, with Mirror Lake at the center. A mix of smaller apartments and medium sized to smaller single family homes are located here.
Mango Center: The center of Mango is suburban in population, with a mix of mobile homes, single family homes, and some 2 bedroom apartments. The vacancy rate here is at around 14.5%, meaning you shouldn't find it too difficult to score a good rental. Most properties here were built between 1970 and the present, and there's a solid mix of owners and renters here.
Like the leaves of the sweet fruit mango tree that it's name evokes, Mango, Florida is an evergreen community -- it's always summer here, more or less. If you like snowmen and skiing, this isn't your spot. If you're into tropical shirts and spectacular sunsets, Mango could be your kind of place.
Only 13 miles from the metropolitan amenities of Tampa, and the beautiful bay waters around it, Mango is home to Mango Lake, and is located right off of Interstate 4, making commuting time go quickly. In fact, most commutes average around 15 minutes. The lake has over 79 acres of water, and whether you stroll the shores or watch for water birds, you'll enjoy this water even if you don't fish, boat or swim in it.
Yes, you'll likely need a car here, as public transportation can be spotty. But perhaps you won't mind waiting for a bus, with the sun shining so much of the year. Commute times range from 15 to 30 minutes, and most people drive or car pool to work, primarily into downtown Tampa or neighboring Brandon.
In nearby Tampa you'll find major sports franchises like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a thriving nightlife and plenty of water-based activities out on the bay. Cross a short causeway from Tampa and you'll be enjoying the ocean beaches of the Gulf Coast. Business and residence skyscrapers and the vast span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge mark Tampa's skyline; and from Art Deco theaters to the Museum of Science and Industry and the Tampa Museum of Art, you can get a full dose of culture and excitement here. The downtown arts district is thriving and you'll find restaurants of all kinds from Cuban cuisine to All American burgers.
Meanwhile, back in Mango, there are community sports like softball for all ages -- and lakes to relax by. Mango has a small town feel to its suburban streets and palm lined gardens, but you'll never get bored with Tampa such a short drive away. You can shop locally too at Mango Plaza or Walmart, too.
