What Is Valrico Bloomingdale Like?
Valrico Bloomingdale — the full Bloomingdale community — is the largest neighborhood complex in the Tampa Bay area, comprising over 32 individual subdivisions and approximately 5,200 homes. This is not a single subdivision; it is effectively a small town within Valrico. Construction began in 1979, and the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association was established in 1980. By 1989, nearly 4,000 homes had been built along with a condominium complex and the Bloomingdale Golfers Club.
The community spans both sides of Bloomingdale Avenue with neighborhoods stretching from Bell Shoals Road to the east and reaching south toward the Bloomingdale/Lithia Pinecrest corridor. The homes are predominantly 1980s and 1990s single-family construction, with lot sizes that are modest by today's standards but generous compared to what builders are putting up now. Prices typically start in the mid-$300,000s and climb through the $400,000s depending on size, condition, and updates.
How Does the HOA Work Across 32 Subdivisions?
This is where Bloomingdale gets complicated. Of the 32 subdivisions, 16 have mandatory HOAs and 16 have voluntary HOAs. That means your monthly dues, covenants, and community standards depend entirely on which section you buy in. Some sections have active HOAs with maintained common areas and enforcement; others are essentially self-governing with minimal fees and maximum freedom.
The Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association oversees the broader community, but individual section HOAs handle the day-to-day. When comparing The Cove section (within Bloomingdale) to a section like Bloomingdale East, you may be looking at completely different fee structures and rules. Always verify the specific HOA status and fees for the exact lot you are considering.
What Are the Community Amenities?
Bloomingdale punches above its weight on amenities because the community's size supports infrastructure that smaller neighborhoods cannot:
- Bloomingdale Regional Public Library: Full-service Hillsborough County library within the community
- Campo Family YMCA: Full-facility YMCA with pool, gym, programs
- Bloomingdale Golfers Club: Semi-private golf course (optional membership)
- Regional sports complex: Baseball, soccer, and multi-sport fields
- Trail system: Network of walking and biking trails throughout the community
- Multiple parks and playgrounds: Distributed across the 32 subdivisions
These are not HOA-funded private amenities — they are public and semi-public facilities embedded in the community. You get YMCA access, library proximity, and recreational facilities without them being baked into your HOA fee.
How Close Is Everything?
- Publix: Multiple locations within 1-2 miles (on Bloomingdale Ave and Bell Shoals)
- Walmart Supercenter: 3 miles (6 minutes)
- Westfield Brandon Mall: 4 miles (8 minutes)
- Brandon Regional Hospital: 3 miles
- I-75: 3 miles (6 minutes via Bloomingdale Ave)
- Selmon Expressway: 3 miles
- Downtown Tampa: 18 miles (25-30 minutes via Crosstown)
- Lithia Springs Park: 5 miles
Bloomingdale's location along Bloomingdale Avenue gives you some of the fastest access to I-75 and the Selmon Expressway of any Valrico neighborhood. Commuters heading into Tampa consistently cite this as the primary reason they chose Bloomingdale over neighborhoods further south or east.
Which Schools Serve Bloomingdale?
Bloomingdale High School is located right in the community, earning an 8 out of 10 GreatSchools rating with a high graduation rate. Elementary schools serving the area include Bloomingdale Elementary and Cimino Elementary, depending on the section. Randall Middle School serves as the primary middle school feeder.
Having the high school physically inside the community is a genuine advantage — no bus rides across town, and students can walk or bike to school. The school quality combined with the community's scale and amenities makes Bloomingdale one of the most popular areas in Hillsborough County for families.
What Is the Flood Risk?
Most of Bloomingdale sits in FEMA Flood Zone X (minimal risk). However, with 5,200+ homes spread across a large area, some individual lots — particularly those near the former Bloomingdale Golf Course and low-lying areas — may have different flood zone designations. Always check the specific FEMA zone for any property you are considering.
How Does Bloomingdale Compare to Nearby Areas?
- The Cove (within Bloomingdale): One of the specific sections. 1996-2004 homes, family-friendly, Cimino Elementary zone. A focused choice within the larger community.
- Lithia Ridge (1 mile south): 309-home community from mid-1990s with park and sports courts. Newer than most Bloomingdale sections, similar price range.
- Somerset (2 miles east): Larger community with resort amenities. Newer construction but higher HOA.
- Copper Ridge (3 miles south): Newsome zone, newer homes, but CDD stacks onto the HOA. Bloomingdale avoids that extra cost.
What Should Buyers Know?
- Section research is essential: You are not just buying into "Bloomingdale" — you are buying into one of 32 sections, each with its own character, HOA, and fee structure. Tour multiple sections and compare.
- Home age: Most homes are 1980s-1990s construction. Roof, plumbing (check for polybutylene pipes common in 1980s builds), HVAC, and electrical panels are your top inspection priorities.
- Former golf course: The Bloomingdale Golf Course has closed, and the land is in the redevelopment process. If you are buying adjacent to the former course, research the redevelopment plans — they will affect your property value and daily experience.
- Rentals: Bloomingdale's size and school quality create consistent rental demand. Expect $1,800-$2,300/mo depending on section, size, and condition. ViVi Property Management handles rentals in this area.
Barrett Henry is a Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of real estate experience. He lives in Valrico and knows every pocket neighborhood in the area. Call (813) 733-7907 or get a free home valuation to see what your property is worth right now.
Also explore: Valrico homes for sale | Valrico neighborhood guide | Valrico housing market