Safe Neighborhoods For Single Women In Tampa Area (Miami, Brandon: section 8, apartment)

[aquargirl]

On My To Tampa From California, Have A Job In The Channelside Area, Need Apartment In Safe Area Close To Work, Moderate $$. Where Might That Be?

[BigJimSlade]

Hi aquagirl. I live in Tampa, and I personally don't think anyplace even close to Channelside is safe. My friends who lived in the area lived in apt complexes surrounded by huge walls to keep unwelcome people out. Everything is gated and barred. I would tell you where they lived, but their place just converted to condos. You might have to rent a condo as opposed to an apt, but ask around, because I don't spend too much time in the Channelside area. There might be places I just don't know about.

[bnepler]

You might consider the Brandon area, if you drive.

[pixiewytch]

Channelside is close to the port of Tampa...very shady area. It is quite the dichotomy though now that they are building these hip sophisticated condos and lofts over there. They are nice but surrounded with industrial and factory views. I wouldn't want to live there and I'm sure it is outrageous anyway.

Channelside is a hop, skip, and a jump from other parts of Tampa though. I'm not sure what exactly you consider a "safe" neighborhood but you could check into the general South Tampa area. I find that there are good and bad neighborhoods in just about any part of Tampa. You just have to look around.

Brandon isn't a terrible suggestion either. It would be a bit more of a drive than South Tampa but it is a straight shot pretty much to Channelside and Brandon is more family oriented, although traffic and development is pretty bad there.

[roaring-rox]

I would suggest Hyde Park/Palma Ceia area, but since BigJimSlade said anywhere close to Channelside is not safe, am wondering if Hyde Park/Palma Ceia/into Westshore are having problems with crime.

It seems like there are parts of all these areas where certain streets look questionable, but also many areas that are very desireable.

It is more expensive than some areas, but think some rentals can be found.

Craigslist is a good website to check out apt./home rentals in different cities.

[BigJimSlade]

Yeah, you know, that is a creepy thing about Tampa. It seems in most of the area you have good parts right on top of bad parts. Not to say every part of Tampa is like that, but many parts seem to be.

In Miami, we had canals that separated the good from the bad. You would seriously have a million dollar home on one side of the canal and a crack house on the other.

[beachin01930]

Personaly, I would look into the Westchase area. It will mean about a 30 minute commute, but it is worlds away from the channelside area in crime.

[scanner]

Originally Posted by bnepler

You might consider the Brandon area, if you drive.

Have you been to Brandon lately? I've lived here most of my life and it's not what it used to be. When I was a kid, Brandon was full of normal families, low crime, and normal amounts of traffic. Since all of this South Tampa/Ybor/Downtown regentrification has been going on (along with the price gouging) people who previously lived in those run down areas are being forced out to surrounding areas. Like Brandon and Riverview. This area is now littered with Section 8 housing and all of the problems that come with it. The areas that were once nice have now become more dangerous. Cars being stolen are much more common. People being robbed and houses broken into have increased. Things are working out for the developers in those areas. The wealthy are getting this urban lifestyle that they never could have before. Meanwhile us regular working class get all of the runoff. Brandon Mall was at one time one of the best/safest/cleanest malls in Florida. Now its like Newark after dark. People being mugged in the parking lot, cars broken into, theft increases in the mall itself, etc.

Again, Tampa is a great place if you have money and you can build a wall around you're world. But if you're a young professional/student like me, you'll be living with the bottom dwellers. Thats why when our lease is up in May, my girlfriend and I are heading out West.

My advice, stay in Boston. The palm trees aren't worth it. But thats just my opinion.

[dlh891]

I would stay away from Brandon too. When we moved to Tampa from Miami, realtors kept showing us around there and we were like if we wanted all this congestion and traffic we would have stayed in Miami.

We moved to Temple Terrace (by the river and golf course) and were very safe and happy. It is 15 minutes to Channelside and you can rent a 3/2 house for around $1200.

[LARLAN13]

Listen Up Spring Hill Is A Beatifull Place But It Is At Lest 40 Minute Ride To Channelside ......there Are Some Very Bad Areas In The Bay Area ....need Any More Info Let Me Know!!!!!!!!