Safe neighborhoods for 600-700/month around international plaza? (Tampa: apartment complexes, crimes)

[adam784]

My partner and I will be moving from Chicago to Tampa at the beginning of October.

We'll both be working at the International Plaza. Hours will vary between 8am and 11pm.
Our budget is 600-700 for an apartment. We would prefer a 1 bed/1bath.
We'll be attending the Hillsborough Community College once we gain residency.

We would prefer as short a commute as our budget allows us to have, while still being in a safe area. Do any neighborhoods or apartment complexes fit our list of needs?

From what I can tell, the closer to the plaza we get, the more expensive the housing gets. I am unfamiliar with the area, so I have no idea what areas are both affordable and safe. Any help would be appreciated.

[LKJ1988]

You won't get much for 6-700 a month in that area. Most rents would be well over 1200 a month for something half way nice. No way to say what would be safe, i do work for many apt complex's and have seen busted in doors and crimes even in the best well kept apt complex's.

[Keeper]

Of course you can find an apt in that price range.
Camden Westshore Apartments in Tampa, FL | Photos & Media | Apartments.com

The Courtyards of South Tampa Apartments in Tampa, FL | Apartments.com


You might find a place a little further away too. You might also find garage apt. There are small apts in S. Tampa that do not advertise that are well in your price range.
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/apa/2462070079.html (broken link)
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/apa/2483360230.html (broken link)

I suggest you check out some places and then ask here 'how is this place'

[Aconite]

Originally Posted by adam784

My partner and I will be moving from Chicago to Tampa at the beginning of October.

We'll both be working at the International Plaza. Hours will vary between 8am and 11pm.
Our budget is 600-700 for an apartment. We would prefer a 1 bed/1bath.
We'll be attending the Hillsborough Community College once we gain residency.

We would prefer as short a commute as our budget allows us to have, while still being in a safe area. Do any neighborhoods or apartment complexes fit our list of needs?

From what I can tell, the closer to the plaza we get, the more expensive the housing gets. I am unfamiliar with the area, so I have no idea what areas are both affordable and safe. Any help would be appreciated.

Grand Oaks near Sheldon/Hillsborough fits your price range, but I don't know how safe it is. Maybe someone more familiar with NW Tampa knows.

[TampaFrank]

Definitely check out the Westshore Apartments on Gray street just east of West Shore Blvd. It's an independently owned place with good rates. Safe neighborhood, central and convenient to everything. You'd be a 10 minute or less drive to the Dale Mabry campus of HCC. You should be able to get a 1br for 700, and it's exactly 1 mile from International Plaza and is safely walkable to there and also walkable to West Shore Plaza mall which is right across the street. I lived there for two years and it was a great experience. Apts phone is 813-287-2456...ask for Sandra, she is the property manager. They don't have a website unfortunately.

[Keeper]

Those are nice places TampaFrank. That is the problem there are many that are just not listed anywhere.. My stepson lived in a real nice place in S. Tampa with a pool and all brick.