[kprincesssparkle]

I'm considering moving to florida from ohio in a little over a year or so. I happen to have a job that I may be able to transfer to a location in florida(I work at a check cashing store which has chains over the united states). While the job isn't great I do get by with it making about $10/hr and should be making the same or more through transfer. There are locations along the coast from north palm beach down to miami along the east coast and around clearwater and st. petersburg on the west coast. I will be looking for a better job but I do have this id I cant find anything. Out of those general areas where would be good places to live? I'm looking at renting a 2 bedroom apartment with a friend(who will need to find a job down there) and we are looking at spending around $600-700 a month in rent(which we will split).Where would you recommend living? I have seen apartments around stuart(which is a 45 min drive if i keep the same job, traffice permitting) and also st. petersburg and homestead...I am open to other places as well but we are looking for something as close to the beach as possible(naturally lol) but I just wanted to see if anyone had any good recommendations, at the move we will both be 22 so relatively young but we do not necessarily need a party town or anything either, we are pretty laid back...so any suggestions? I'd really appreciate it....

[kprincesssparkle]

come on i know there are some ppl out there just dying to share their opinions...

[riveree]

It's the rent amount that's stumping me...a 2 bedroom for $600-700 and close to the beach.

I'm in NE FL - which is considered one of the less expensive areas and I know you'd have a hard time in that price range in my area (frankly, you wouldn't find it), so I'm thinking your target area of SW FL is probably going to be even more expensive.

Is that what you spend now in Ohio? Do you think you could swing more? Maybe a second job if your primary job hours would permit it?

[just_being_myself]

If you find a $600/700 apartment that is two bedrooms in these areas please let me know because I will move there. $600/700 dollars a month will get you a nice apartment in the ghetto. As long as you don't mind loud music,crack addicts and the occasional break in or gun shot its nice. Also unless you have some kind of high paying job I would not advise you to even move near those areas. Where I live its $770 a month and up for a one bedroom and no where near a beach or even a body of water.

[kprincesssparkle]

St. Lucie Place
300 SE SAINT LUCIE BLVD
STUART, FL 34996

1 1 $533 750
2 2 $636 975
3 2 $732 1150


those are the prices im going off of from www.rent.com i have rented apartments ive found on there before with no problem as well, i have also found others in that range. I do expect looks to be decieving but from what i have heard in general the area is generally not a high crime area, and like i said i have found others too and i do understand things can be misrepresented on the internet but they seem to be good so far and it is a reputable site...and i have considered a second job if needed after moving if my full time hours will allow, currenly my schedule fluctuates too drastically to plan another job around it but I would be willing to work a 2nd job if necessary and i was able, I really want to move down there.

[kprincesssparkle]

i'm not talking beachfront property or anything but I don't want to drive an hour to the beach either...

[hiknapster]

I think we figured the square feet part out.

You go for it.

Or are you looking for someone to talk you out of it?

[kprincesssparkle]

no im just trying to see if i really am researching bad areas of towns or things, i realize things that seem too good to be true usually are which was why i wanted some opinions from people who may know the areas

[john1963]

apartmentratings.com has reviews from current/former tenants.

i would live in central fla, it is much cheaper and less risk for hurricane problems.

[missingfl]

I would say Stuart. I don't know a whole lot about the St. Pete area, but I would steer away from Homestead. Stuart does have some areas that you can find in that price range & you can get to the beach within 20 min. I have lived in different areas of Broward County & Palm Beach County & I would prefer the Stuart area. Especially with all of the houses for sale right now that are not selling you may even get lucky and find a small one for rent that suits your budget. I would definitely suggest doing some research, but Stuart is just North of Palm Beach County & is a beautiful area. IMO there are few "bad" areas there. Beachfront renting is going to be very pricey-email me if you want more info.