Urgent help needed! Decent places to live near I-75 and MLK Blvd (Tampa: to rent)

[lonepalm]

Hello everyone. I have the ability to relocate to the Tampa area for a job near MLK Blvd and the I-75. Does anyone know of a decent city to live in that is about a max 20 minute drive (traffic not withstanding)? I don't want to be really far away, but I don't need to live across the street.

What I am looking for in a neighborhood is similar to what everyone else is looking for:

Low crime, decent schools, decent commute, decent places to rent (preferably homes or duplexes) in the $700 - $850 range.

Thanks for your responses, and please ask if you need more info! This is kinda urgent, so any info will be great. Thanks!

[tinalimey]

New Tampa, Brandon or Valrico are all decent areas around there. (My husband worked in the same area for years, we lived in Brandon then New Tampa.)

I can't comment on the schools but they should meet your other criteria.

[lonepalm]

Thank you. I will check those out. Any one else?

[Floridaherbgirl]

You aren't going to find a great neighborhood, low crime, short distance within that 20 minute drive....you are going to have to be willing to drive longer 'at times'...sometimes traffic is just deadlocked; other times you'll fly through the area. Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills would be good; stay away from Town n Country and Thonotosassa.

[lonepalm]

Originally Posted by Floridaherbgirl

You aren't going to find a great neighborhood, low crime, short distance within that 20 minute drive....you are going to have to be willing to drive longer 'at times'...sometimes traffic is just deadlocked; other times you'll fly through the area. Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills would be good; stay away from Town n Country and Thonotosassa.

I understand traffic, thats why I memtioned that in my original post
Pretty much I'm looking for something that will be no more than 20 minutes away maximum with no traffic. I will look into the places you mentioned! Thanks!

[The716]

You are better off looking at places in Brandon... its right there. Plus, there are tons of little side roads/back roads that will easily get you there in 20 minutes.