Anything wrong with Riverview (Tampa, Clearwater: apartments, lease, high crime)

[chrisredfield96]

I found an apt in Riverview which looks like a good deal, so I will add that place to my list to check out when I visit Tampa. I know a lot of people on here seem to hate Brandon, FL for some reason, but anyone have anything good or bad to say about Riverview, zip code 33569 area?

Anything about high crime rate, or bad traffic? Or anything else you can think of that would be helpful. It looks to me like its not too far from a beach according to Google Maps, maybe 30 mins?

I remember people on here telling me that South Tampa was the way to go if you are younger, although it seems to be more expensive. However I saw a bunch of people saying in another thread that everyone in South Tampa at the restaurants and bars is a snob including females. Even if Riverview or Brandon are considered boring towns, I dont see why you cant live in one town and hang out in another. I have done that most of my life anyway.

[ferret111]

Parts of South Tampa may come off as snobby, but there are just as many "normal" people as there are snobs. And you're completely right about hanging out in different neighborhoods. Riverview and Brandon aren't really close to South Tampa, but access between either is easy via the Crosstown.

I think 30 minutes to the beach is an extremely liberal guess. I've never driven from Tampa's eastern suburbs to the beach, so I don't know for sure.

[craigm1841]

First off, if you are single and you are moving to brandon or riverview, buy a gun first... because you'll want to put it to your head and squeeze the trigger. It might be nice to have a gun out there anyway. I see your next thread being:

"How can I get out of a lease early"

There are happy mediums- and not ALL women in south tampa are snobs. But id rather deal with snobs then part time 20 year old wal-mart cashiers with 3 kids, which is the quality you'll get in riverview.

Check out westshore as well. I remember giving you some advice a few weeks back if I am not mistaken. If you move to brandon/riverview, I will be the first person to tell you I told you so.

Take it from someone who is done it. I wish I had discovered city data forums before I moved here. Trust me, I am not just blowing smoke up you @ss.

Originally Posted by ferret111

Parts of South Tampa may come off as snobby, but there are just as many "normal" people as there are snobs. And you're completely right about hanging out in different neighborhoods. Riverview and Brandon aren't really close to South Tampa, but access between either is easy via the Crosstown.

I think 30 minutes to the beach is an extremely liberal guess. I've never driven from Tampa's eastern suburbs to the beach, so I don't know for sure.

Yeah, it is gonna be more like an hour or more to clearwater. especially on a saturday or sunday. take into account interstate/60 traffic and clearwater beach traffic. It could be an 1:15 some days.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by chrisredfield96

Anything about high crime rate, or bad traffic? Or anything else you can think of that would be helpful.

We looked into Riverview before we moved here. We looked into Riverview once we go here. After looking at Riverview, we looked elsewhere.

Lot's of trailer parks and a pretty rural, noting is around here feeling. Not what I was looking for, but if you like a lot of your home for the money and are fine with these things... it may be for you. If you are looking for the postcard/stereotypical Florida lifestyle, Riverview is definitely not for you.

Originally Posted by chrisredfield96

It looks to me like its not too far from a beach according to Google Maps, maybe 30 mins?

I live by the beaches, meaning I am a long way from Riverview. Been to Riverview once since moving into this house. Only reason for going, had to pick up a bed I found on Craiglist. Its an hour drive after rush hour, plus tolls.

Best advice I can give you before you come down. Have some areas in mind, but be prepared to look at other areas you may think are out of your price range. We are in a much smaller and older house than what we would have found in Riverview, but the location is fantastic. There is a reason why some areas are more expensive than others..... location, location, location.

[ferret111]

Originally Posted by craigm1841

Yeah, it is gonna be more like an hour or more to clearwater. especially on a saturday or sunday. take into account interstate/60 traffic and clearwater beach traffic. It could be an 1:15 some days.

Yep, that's what I figured. Sometimes it takes thirty minutes just to drive the mile from Downtown Clearwater to Pier 60.

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by FloridaKash

location, location, location.

those three things are the most important things, and they are all equally important.

I personally wouldnt even consider checking out riverview as a single professional.

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by ferret111

Yep, that's what I figured. Sometimes it takes thirty minutes just to drive the mile from Downtown Clearwater to Pier 60.

yeah- he would be looking at 30 minutes from riverview to just getting out of downtown TAMPA on a weekend.

[chrisredfield96]

Thanks for the info, I am still looking for other places to check out besides Riverview and Brandon.

So on this apt site, you think I should start looking into areas #3 and #4?

Tampa & Vicinity*Florida Apartments for Rent | Search Southwestern Florida, FL Apartment Rental

http://media.apartments.com/maps/AR001706.gif


Northwest Tampa Vicinity (http://www.apartments.com/Florida/SouthwesternFlorida/Tampa&Vicinity/NorthwestTampaVicinity - broken link)

South Tampa Vicinity/Downtown (http://www.apartments.com/Florida/SouthwesternFlorida/Tampa&Vicinity/SouthTampaVicinity-Downtown - broken link)

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by chrisredfield96

Thanks for the info, I am still looking for other places to check out besides Riverview and Brandon.

So on this apt site, you think I should start looking into areas #3 and #4?

Tampa & Vicinity*Florida Apartments for Rent | Search Southwestern Florida, FL Apartment Rental

http://media.apartments.com/maps/AR001706.gif


Northwest Tampa Vicinity (http://www.apartments.com/Florida/SouthwesternFlorida/Tampa&Vicinity/NorthwestTampaVicinity - broken link)

South Tampa Vicinity/Downtown (http://www.apartments.com/Florida/SouthwesternFlorida/Tampa&Vicinity/SouthTampaVicinity-Downtown - broken link)

Are you picking your place based on location to a job you already have? Perhaps providing us details of where you need to live will help.

[chrisredfield96]

Originally Posted by FloridaKash

Are you picking your place based on location to a job you already have? Perhaps providing us details of where you need to live will help.

I do computer tech related stuff, I actually make enough money off my self employment income to qualify for an apt (they usually want your income to be a certain amount times your rent). However I will more than likely get a job in that field when I move to Tampa, but it probably would be easier to do that if I was already living there. I notice many places say they only hire locals.

I suppose I would be basing this off location and affordability then. I dont really know where all the tech type jobs are at in Tampa, maybe downtown area. So I should probably live somewhere that is more central and gives me options to work in different parts of Tampa.

I was hoping to pay around $900/mo rent for a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom/den, and I would like to live within 30 mins of some beaches. Its only an apt so I wont live there long, I will probably move after the first lease ends anyway after I get a better feel of where everything is in Tampa. But I dont want it to be a miserable experience, meaning high crime area, bad traffic, or surrounded by toll ways.