Chicago to Tampa (Naples, Westchase, Madison: rentals, condo, house)

[IBAHAWKI]

Couple moving from Chicago (Downtown) to Tampa. Work will be near Courtney Campbell and 75.

Would be interested in hearing what areas might be a good match. We dont have kids, mid 30s, own a dog.

Want to be near nightlife and beach is also an option. Any neighborhoods you can recommend in walking distance to nightlife and restaurants?

Westchase...to family oriented/slow or would you recommend
St Pete Downtown...we dont know much about it
Indian Rocks...nightlife?
Downtown Tampa/Harbour Island

We will probably rent first year in the 1400-1800 range per month. Please let me know thoughts/suggestions

Thanks in advance

[IBAHAWKI]

bump....

A lot of threads are people moving with kids.

Just curious on Channelside, Harbour Island, Hyde Park, etc for couple with no kids

Thanks

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by IBAHAWKI

bump....

A lot of threads are people moving with kids.

Just curious on Channelside, Harbour Island, Hyde Park, etc for couple with no kids

Thanks

All those areas would be perfect for you, close to all the nightlife and easy access to your work. Check them all out and see what appeals to you.

[Stewabby]

Westchase is very family oriented. South Tampa (Hyde Park) and Harbour Island would be good matches. I personally would not feel very comfortable walking a dog around Channelside real late at night.

[TampaKaren]

I'm confused. The Courtney Campbell Causeway is nowhere near 75. It is sort of closer to 275 but not really. Please confirm the location and maybe we can give you better suggestions.

[IBAHAWKI]

Sorry...Courtney Campbell right by Airport/Veterans Expwy...still learning the Tampa map!

[Eric Sturm]

Westshore and the adjacent South Tampa neighborhood could be good for you, the commute over the Courtney Campbell can get a bit congested at times (though the roads were redone recently since I left that communte).

Downtown ST Pete is not far, to be honest compared to Chicago any commute down here will seem easy compared to the I-90 back in Chicago. DT ST Pete has great nightlife, and is walkable. Over the weekend you can leave the car and eat, drink, hit the museums, art shows, whatever you want.

Now e have a Giordano’s pizza right by your work on Dale Mabry and 275, and there is a place over the brdge by 275 and Ulmerton that serves real Chicago food! The owner brought his old brick oven down with her! Else you can get by with 1-800-Lous-To-Go and have Lou Malinati pizza, Carsons ribs and all the good stuff delivered to you via Fedex.

As a native of Chicago I know you will be wanting the food questions next.

[thethinktank]

Hey IBAHAWKI,
I lived in Chicago for 8 years (the Lakeview neighborhood, specifically, while working in River North). I'm guessing from your screen name that you've spent some time in Iowa as well. I lived in Chicago until 2008, when I moved to Iowa City with my fiance. We sold our house in May and will be completing our move to Tampa on August 16th (presently, we're taking a long vacation in Naples, Florida). We're both 30, with two dogs. I mention all of this to provide a bit of reference, and how I think I have a relevant perspective to you and your wife.

I wanted to find an area in Florida that closely resembled my old Lakeview neighborhood. I wanted something walkable, I wanted plenty of bars and restaurants (not chains, but locally-established businesses), boutique shops, a young crowd (late 20s/early 30s). I wanted something safe, where I could walk the streets at night without fear.

SoHo / Hyde Park is it, no question. It is a lot like Lake View / Lincoln Park, albeit not as large. There is plenty going on, a very young crowd, some great restaurants and fun bars. There are party spots like MacDintons, low-key lounges like The Wine Exchange, and everything in between.

Compared to the rest of Tampa, Hyde Park is pricey-- there's no way around that. Depending on the breed of your dog, finding a place can be a bit more complicated. Fortunately, in your price range, you're in luck. You shouldn't have a problem finding a very nice place in SoHo / Hyde Park for you and your family. Here's an example of a dog-friendly 2-bedroom condo in your price range, that is literally a block away from some of Tampa's best night life and restaurants:

!! 2/2 ▓▓..MADISON at SOHO! Hyde Park South Tampa Rentals! (http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/apa/1819569100.html - broken link)

While I just signed a lease for my own place there, just a block on the opposite side of South Howard (hence, "SoHo") than the unit linked above, I visited four or five times in the last two years. I can't wait to move in...

Any specific questions? Feel free to ask here and also to PM me, and good luck on the move!

[ksdimarco]

Good luck on your move down here, let me know where you end up. I also am a native of Chicago. Just to give you a heads up, esp being from within Chicago proper, dont expect much of Tampa. I am 26, my wife is 31 and we are bored out of our minds here. I personally wish I can get up and move back, but with the job market in its current state of crisis (even for pharmacists) its not likely to happen.

I was on the south side in Little Italy near the UIC campus until I came to FL in 2004 for grad school. I grew up in the south suburbs (Orland Park) so I live now in a Tampa suburb similar to that with a much smaller population and less things to do. Not that it is bad, but its definately not a 20 (or 30) something state by any means. For us, it takes much more of an effort to find things to do and people our age, and the few times we found some interesting things, we were sorely dissapointed. Good luck man, if you ever want to meet up theres a decent sized group of Chicago Bears fans that get together in the Westchase area during season. Take Care.
Sal

[thethinktank]

Originally Posted by ksdimarco

Just to give you a heads up, esp being from within Chicago proper, dont expect much of Tampa. I am 26, my wife is 31 and we are bored out of our minds here.

That likely has something to do with this:

Originally Posted by ksdimarco

I live now in a Tampa suburb similar to that with a much smaller population and less things to do.

Also:

Originally Posted by ksdimarco

Not that it is bad, but its definately not a 20 (or 30) something state by any means.

That's a bold and very untrue generalization.