22 year old college grad thinking about tampa/st.pete--help? (Sarasota: fit in, for rent)

[ctb4j]

Hi!

I'm at the University of Virginia majoring in Civil Engineering and I graduate in May. I have a final interview this weekend with a great firm that has an office in Sarasota. From what I've read on this site, Sarasota is not the place for a 21 (I'll be 22 by the time I move there) year old single to move. So, here are my questions:

--where would be a good place to live? I'll be able to pay a decent amount for rent, but obviously I'm 21 and don't need granite countertops or anything like that. I don't mind a commute... I'd rather live where I play and drive to where I work.
--I know no one down there (from MD/DC and went to UVA...), is it uber hard to meet people/any suggestions on where to go/how to meet people? (I sail...anyone know of any yacht clubs that have a good young crowd?)

Oy, this is daunting. I'm very outgoing and independant, but I've never had to start anything from scratch like this.

Thank you in advance for your help!

~Chesa

[spainbrit]

If you are outgoing and independent, then you will probably fit in easily in the Tampa Bay area. If you like sailing, there are several places to go. Not a boat person, so not sure where you will look, sure others will add to this. St Pete is nice, because there is lots of accommodation close to downtown. Bars and Baywalk get a young crowd at night. Weekends, lots of people around the market and parks. Lots of concerts, outdoor at Jannus and Vinoy Park and places. USF has a campus in St Pete on the waterfront, so I'm certain you will see a good few students around. Driving to Sarasota from here is not a 10 minute commute more like one hour.

[tampaguy03]

I had some friends that lived in downtown St. Pete and commuted to the very south end of Sarasota for work, took about 45-60 minutes, but they LOVED living in downtown St. Pete compared to Sarasota. Sarasota is a very nice city, lots of $$$, beautiful beaches, but very small population of professionals your age. If you can handle commute each way, I would seriously consider downtown St. Pete.

[jessiesma]

the OP could hang out at The Pier and Yacht club and ask around for what he/she wants. Boat people are a family for the most part. Madeira Beach has a municipal marina and you can get there by bus or Beach trolley from downtown. Also USF St. Pete has a boating club. You have to be a student but if OP hangs around there, he/she'll meet other young boaters.
The commute to Sarasota isn't so bad down I-275 and over the Sunshine Skyway. It's all interstate compared to getting anywhere in/around Tampa.

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

I had some friends that lived in downtown St. Pete and commuted to the very south end of Sarasota for work, took about 45-60 minutes, but they LOVED living in downtown St. Pete compared to Sarasota. Sarasota is a very nice city, lots of $$$, beautiful beaches, but very small population of professionals your age. If you can handle commute each way, I would seriously consider downtown St. Pete.

[dagator]

Hey i'm 25 and I work in Sarasota and live in St. Pete. Its an hour commute each way, 45 miles each way. The commute gets old! There are actually young people in Sarasota too - I would suggest a closer look here in the 'sota. - younger people tend to head over to Siesta Key moreso than downtown Sarasota.

[ctb4j]

Thank you so much for the information!

[CJaneRN]

Hey im a 22 year old college grad who just moved to Tampa last October, so I very much understand all the questions that you are having right now! When I moved down here, I didn't know anyone in the entire state of Florida either.

I wish I could tell you great places to go to meet lots of people...but I haven't found any yet, haha. I'm sure I just haven't been looking hard enough. But just so you know, if you do decide to move to Tampa after you graduate, you wont be the only completely lost 22 year old new grad!

Christa