Moving to St. Petersburg/ Gulfport area (low income, apartments, rentals)

[Alecia1974]

I am planning to move to the St. Petersburg/ Gulfport area with my mother and her roommate. Mainly, we are doing so for health reasons, but none of us like our current location (Maryland), and everyone but me has lived in FL in the past. I was hoping to get some additional information and any caveats that may exist.

All three of us are on disability. Her roommate is getting his treatment via the Veteran's Association. My mother and I have Medicare and currently receive food stamps and medical assistance through the state. Due to being on disability, we are definitely low income, but I don't want to end up in an unsafe area.

I can afford about $500 a month for rent only on a 1 BR apartment. I have no worry about the schools, but I do have a toy fox terrier that I will not consider giving up. As my medical issues cause me to be unable to drive, I would need public transportation near my home. My mother and her roommate can afford slightly more, and she needs at least a 2 BR apartment.

Is there anything I should know? Is it possible to get apartments with this pricing without ending up in the projects? Thank you in advance for your help!

[ferret111]

Gulfport's eastern boundary/St. Pete's western boundary is 49th Street. You'd want to stay on the Gulfport side since South St. Pete is pretty sketchy. I can't help you with rents down there, though.

Two or three bus lines run through Gulfport and they can get you to Downtown St. Pete and probably Tyrone Mall, but you'd need to make at least one transfer to get to the VA hospital. That being said, PSTA is a pretty decent bus system, but since Gulfport isn't near the urban core areas, the buses down there might run on thirty minute or one hour headways.

[jambo101]

As you are on a tight budget you may want to do some research on utility costs..Maybe other posters could give a general idea about the electrical costs of running an air conditioner 24/7 for 8 months a year, I've heard it can run $300 a month..

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by jambo101

As you are on a tight budget you may want to do some research on utility costs..Maybe other posters could give a general idea about the electrical costs of running an air conditioner 24/7 for 8 months a year, I've heard it can run $300 a month..

There are assistance programs with the utility companies for those with low incomes or on disability where it wouldn't cost anywhere near that amount.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by ferret111

Gulfport's eastern boundary/St. Pete's western boundary is 49th Street. You'd want to stay on the Gulfport side since South St. Pete is pretty sketchy. I can't help you with rents down there, though.

Two or three bus lines run through Gulfport and they can get you to Downtown St. Pete and probably Tyrone Mall, but you'd need to make at least one transfer to get to the VA hospital. That being said, PSTA is a pretty decent bus system, but since Gulfport isn't near the urban core areas, the buses down there might run on thirty minute or one hour headways.

The buses appear to be either on 30 minute or hour frequency. The area around Tyrone Mall might be worth focusing on as I think you'll find rentals in your price range and much better bus service. It's also a decent area where crime isn't a big concern.