What are some good apartments for 2 bedroom under $700 (Jacksonville, Tampa: 2013, apartment complexes)

[Collegegirls]

Hello everybody,

My girlfriend and I are currently in college. She will be graduating in a couple months and I will be in less than a year. We are planning on moving to the Tampa area with our 4 year old and our black lab. We want to pay off some debts (school being one of them), so we really want to find a place that is in a good area in a decent school district seeing as our daughter starts school next year. Our goal is a two bedroom at $650 a month, $700 maximum. I have found a few places, but I am extremely nervous that, with such a low price, the apartments aren't as good as they are being portrayed on the internet. It seems like a lot of these apartments have new names but once were an unpleasant place to live. I know that apartment complexes can obtain new management and the whole system flip around for the better, but sometimes, it doesn't change at all. Just a new name, same bull.

So could any body make suggestions? Whether you have personal experience or have a friend that lives somewhere and seems to like it.

The only things I really care about are: pets are allowed, decent area, size isn't tremendously important as long as it isn't under 700sqft.

Thank you

[MortonR]

How about posting the names of the places you have looked at?

$700 for a two bedroom in this market is going to be a hovel, unless there is something around USF…

RM

[Collegegirls]

I have noticed that there is a company called Avesta that owns at least 5-6 apartment complexes in Tampa all of which are in my price range. Here is their website and what they have to offer in the area. Find an Apartment - Avesta Communities LLC.

It might also help to know the areas to firmly avoid.

Thank you

[Stewabby]

Those are all bad areas. You want to stay away from Nebraska avenue.

[Stewabby]

This might be helpful. I think someone might have a better crime map though. Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[housingcrashsurvivor]

7's gonna be tough. According to rentbits the average Tampa rate for a 2-bdrm is currently $1081 and Zillow concurs showing $1090.

If you can bump that up to 800, Craigslist is showing one possibility near USF in what I think is a county pocket adjacent to Temple Terrace just off Fletcher, across from Lettuce Lake Park. Big dogs are okay. I've biked through there. They look fairly neatly kept on the outside. I don't know their condition inside. I think it is mostly students.

The ONLY place to live with a LARGE DOG!

Or, if attending the U of Tampa, there's another one down at that price on Davis Island though with a 25 lb limit on the dog so no I'm guessing no black lab.

Davis Island Apartments - 2/1, a/c wall unit by Village & laundry room

And here's one in south Tampa also for $800.

* Spacious 2/1 Located minutes to MacDill AFB *.

So you can find something in that range, just not a lot of options to choose from.

In the 950 range, not much more though here's a nice looking one in Temple Terrace. Looks real nice.

A Delightful Two Bedroom Two Bathroom Apartment - Elm Two !

And for another 50 bucks there's another south Tampa option

South Tampa Bargain



http://rentbits.com/rb/t/rental-rates/

[stpeteguy]

$700 isn't going to get you what you want. end of story.

You will need to figure out how/if you can pay more or accept the fact that you will have to live in a bad area.

[PhotoProIP]

Not to be mean or anything, but I doubt Florida anywhere is going to be a good place to pay down debt while living in a good area.

You may want to try Texas; Austin, Huston etc...Florida is expensive, and you will need to apply for welfare to make ends meet. Plus you have a kid! Kids cost money...we buy pajamas every two years! They want over $15 for them ignoring the fact that they'll grow OUT of them in a few months.

[tinytrump]

Not in Tampa... I pay for a safe reasonable i bedroom apt and it's $817 -- NOt inlcluding dogs-- that's definetely $300 deposit if they allow. maybe areas in New Port Ritchie-- etc but you said safe.. I do NOt like anything up that way.. Dunedin maybe for duplex.. >? Why Tampabay? Go to Panhandle and you will find that, maybe even Jacksonville?? For te income we make,our rents are sky high because all the foreclosures,,, no units available,

[housingcrashsurvivor]

So many here brag about south Tampa. I've only been as far as just below Kennedy. Here's something down by the base. It looks a little raggy but is that area of south Tampa not safe?

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6001-South-Dale-Mabry-Hwy_Tampa_FL_33611_M54843-68998?row=1

Here's one that might work for 750 in Thonotosassa (I've no idea as to schools but I would think safety at home would be a primary concern)

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Thonotosassa_FL_33592_M67594-24107?row=1

Or here's another south Tampa for 800

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6325-South-Adelia-Ave_Tampa_FL_33616_M52865-65291?row=1

You might consider driving through areas where you'd like to live and see if you chance upon a for rent sign on a single family house or duplex. Maybe you'll luck into a non-rehabbed house in a nicer neighborhood. That might mean higher electric bills for ac/heat/appliances but might bring the rent down.