Read alot of threads, still need advice! Moving to TB from Memphis (Largo: apartments)

[remedial_genius]

Hello all,

I've decided to get the hell out of the Memphis area as soon as logically possible. Most likely going to happen when my current lease ends in May/June. I plan on continuing school at St Petersburg college and paying the bills by bartending, hopefully. I have no idea where the areas to avoid are and what would be a good starting point to job hunt. I plan on making several trips thru the fall and winter months down there to scope things out, but a little guidance from some knowledgeable locals would be fantastic. I'd like to keep my rent below $1000. I'll have a bit of money saved up so purchasing a condo or something isn't out of the question I don't think. I could probably put down $10k or so. I'd love to see the water from my residence, but I understand that's probably going to be out of my price range. From what I've read there isn't a lot on the water in St Pete thats affordable or in a good neighborhood. I hear the south side of St Pete is pretty run down.

I'd love to be able to get on at Hard Rock Casino. I've managed at one before in F&B, I currently own a bar here in town and bartended for 10 years, so I'm very well seasoned. I'm not sure if slinging drinks at the casino the best route for someone still trying to finish school however.

Forgot to mention that I have a small dog. She's about 15 lbs if that makes a difference on recommendations. I don't mind a high rise, but it'd be nice if it had a patio.

Thanks in advance, everyone. Have a great day!

[jambo101]

St Pete south side is probably not where you want to live, you might be happier out on the beaches particularly if bar tending will be a factor in your income.My favorite area for activity would be Madiera Beach's southern end around the Johns Pass area... definitely Living right on the water will be pricey but a few blocks away prices drop.

PS. Sounds like you are well set up with job and lodging in Memphis, whats drawing you to the St Pete area?

[gulfer]

Check out the Largo area. It has a little bit of an older feel to it, but there are some nice living areas in there.

[craigtnelson]

Do. Not. Buy. for a while until you have a sufficient lay of the land. There are so many little pockets of desirable and undesirable sandwiched together in FL, you really need to know the deal before you even remotely consider a purchase. Rent on the gulf coast for a while. If I could do it over again, I would have done that first. However, from there it would be quite a hefty and miserable commute to the casino, unless you worked some crazy off-hour shift or something. The casino isn't really "in town" in the traditional sense. It's kind of stuck out in a dumpy remote area just off the highway all by itself.

[remedial_genius]

The looks of the housing definitely looks patchy. A characteristic I'm familiar with in Memphis. Memphis is a horrible place to live. Top 3 most dangerous cities. When I say I'm from Memphis when I'm out of town, the most common reply is "Oh I've seen Memphis on The First 48!" The majority of the population seems to meet every negative stereotype of their respective races and the race card gets played on every level. Geographically it is flat and leaves much to be desired. I live right by the river and since it's mainly occupied by professionals that work 9-5, it's become a parade of broad daylight burglaries and pilfering. I don't go anywhere unless I'm strapped with a firearm and I've had to pull it twice in 2 years.

I think that buying will have to wait until I get familiar with the areas and settled job and school wise. As far as the definition of pricey goes, everyone's is different. Would there be anything on the Madeira Beach area or someplace attractive that would have a view of the water in the $1000 range for a 1BR? Or are we talking more than that?

Where would you recommend a single, returning student, bachelor live? I don't really care to be close to bars unless that's where I'm working. After spending 40-50 hours a week working in one, the last thing I want to do is go hang out in one. I don't mind a commute, but I'd like to keep it under 30 minutes with traffic. I have a motorcycle also, if that matters.

Thanks all for the feedback and please keep it coming. I've got to figure things out relatively soon. I need to register for school in St Pete pretty soon so I can get accepted into their program hopefully.

[craigtnelson]

If you're going to pursue a job at the casino but want to live in Pinellas, it might make more sense for you to look in or around downtown St. Pete, like old NE, which would shave off a decent bit of time from your commute as it's on the bay side of the peninsula. There's a decent amount of nightlife there for a young bachelor without being overbearing, and it's nice. The beaches, while not at your doorstep, would only be a short drive away.

[rnedd]

One thing to consider, even if you wanted to buy right away and found something you like, you wouldn't be able to qualify for financing until you at least have received your first paycheck from your new job here. Lenders will not do loans if someone is currently unemployed even if you move here with a job already lined up but just haven't started yet (or haven't worked long enough to get your first paycheck).

[Tamatem]

Bayside Arbor Apartments has some 1BR under 1k a month. Not sure which are waterviews or not, but its one that comes to mind - tis a bay view though and not gulf.