Moving from Michigan to Tampa Bay (Princeton: apartment complexes, to rent, house)

[tprtampa]

I am a 23 year old recent graduate of Michigan who is moving down to Tampa around the beginning of October.
I recently attained 9-6 Employment with the Princeton Review Tampa, I will be working at our office right near the USF campus
I want to rent an apartment for $800 a month, ideally I would like to find a roommate with the same budget, for having done my own research I realize that Westshore and South Tampa where young professionals congregate is out of that price range.
I do not care about schools.
I can commute up to 45 minutes each way as long as I am living in a young vibrant community, that is the most important thing to me, I want to be around other young, motivated and professional people. I do not want to be in a community with loud college students, or senior citizens either.
Any advice on apartment complexes to check out, or ways to go about finding a roommate that are less sketchy than Craigs List would be greatly appreciated!!!

[thethinktank]

Just to be clear, you say you'd like to find a roommate with the same budget-- does that mean you're looking for two bedrooms for around $1600, or $800 total?

[tprtampa]

two bedrooms around 1600. I know that in order to live well you have to be willing to spend a little.

[thethinktank]

$1600 for a two bedroom will get you a nice place anywhere in the Tampa Bay, including Westshore and South Tampa. Hyde Park, SoHo and Palma Ceia should be on your map with that kind of a price. I used Craigslist to find a 3BR house close to South Howard for less than that.

If you want a walkable neighborhood with a lot of amenities, restaurants, bars and general activities, Hyde/SoHo/Palma is the place to be. You can get a nice place in South Tampa for less than what you're looking to pay.