Hip areas for urban dwellers?! S. Tampa or St. Pete? (Dunedin: rental, lofts)

[movin'mrt]

Please help! We are a newly married couple in our late 20s/early 30s relocating to the TB area from NYC. We would like to find a progressive/liberal/young area where we can walk to restaurants and shops...that is not yuppie-ish. Liked the feel of Ybor city, but have heard crime is rampant. Any thoughts? What about downtown St Petersburg? We would also not be opposed to a smaller community where we can walk to lots of things, doesn't necessarily have to have the city feel. I will be working all over the TB area...but mainly in pinellas county. Thanks for your input!!

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by movin'mrt

Please help! We are a newly married couple in our late 20s/early 30s relocating to the TB area from NYC. We would like to find a progressive/liberal/young area where we can walk to restaurants and shops...that is not yuppie-ish. Liked the feel of Ybor city, but have heard crime is rampant. Any thoughts? What about downtown St Petersburg? We would also not be opposed to a smaller community where we can walk to lots of things, doesn't necessarily have to have the city feel. I will be working all over the TB area...but mainly in pinellas county. Thanks for your input!!

Regarding Ybor City(since you liked the feel of it), have you talked to actual residents? or just people who dont actually live there? I have a few friends that live there(one since 1992), and they LOVE it there, and never had any problems with crime....Ybor is defintaly different, but its nice to be able to have so much within walking distance...

[Tim Tim Tim]

goodluck

Id say downtown tampa if you can afford it. There are some nice lookng condos right in front of channel side which would be pretty awesome.. Good view, right next to the port, walking distance to most of downtown and *somewhat* safe compared to other "urban" places in the area

[movin'mrt]

Thanks...maybe Ybor is the way to go. Where should I look, street-wise? Hate to be picky, but also trying to avoid "communities." Not liking to keep up with the Joneses or have a cookie-cutter dwelling. Is this possible??

[movin'mrt]

If not possible, what about going the other way.
What about Dunedin? There are rumors of an "artsy" young crowd there...

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by movin'mrt

Thanks...maybe Ybor is the way to go. Where should I look, street-wise? Hate to be picky, but also trying to avoid "communities." Not liking to keep up with the Joneses or have a cookie-cutter dwelling. Is this possible??

In Ybor, there are a few very unique style condos/townhomes and lofts buildings on 2nd avenue to 6th avenue between 21st and 13th streets. Also check the Box Factory Lofts on 2nd Avenue and 20th street. Ive seen rental signs on some of the buildings...you may also want to check craigslist and tbo.com.

You will probably want to stay West of 22nd avenue and South of I-4.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by movin'mrt

If not possible, what about going the other way.
What about Dunedin? There are rumors of an "artsy" young crowd there...

Yes, Dunedin is a cool little town, also be sure to check out downtown St. Pete, definitely more "bohemian" like than downtown Tampa-South Tampa.

[movin'mrt]

Thanks tampaguy03!

[Boomerbiker]

I lived in Dunedin and wouldn't describe it as artsy or hip - maybe quaint. Lots of art festivals - but the artists don't live there. Look for houses in the area just south of downtown - cool older houses along the intercostal.

You might check out Gulf Port - kinda an artists community. Also Treasure Island is a younger beach area with lots of restaurants and bars. Safety Harbor has developed a nice little downtown area with shops, galleries and restaurants.

[Angler]

Downtown Tampa is a ghost town at night. Downtown St. Pete is definitely the livliest and most accessible (by walking) downtwon of all. There is a Publix downtown which is an amenity that many of the other downtowns lack. Added to that the rapid increas ein size of USF-St. Pete bringing more college and grad students living in the area, which has really helped spur the nightlife scene.

Within a three block radius, you have parks, great fishing, clubs, dive bars, hip bars, cigar lounge, dozens of restaurants, galleries, live music venues, museums, shops, Publix, dry cleaners, etc.

South Tampa/Hyde Park area is also something to consider.