Best Neighborhood to transition from Minneapolis living. (Tampa, St. Petersburg: apartment, neighborhoods)

[Jmkrull]

So, I'm looking into a lot of responses on here and it seems that the southern parts of Tampa are typically where the 20~30s go. However, I'm not really looking for the "defecate yourself drunk" type of scene, nor the low-key vibe of the older professions whom given up on youth and going to a new chic restaurant and getting an early start on tomorrow is a good way to spend a Saturday night. I'm shooting for a middle ground. So, I guess a little more tailored to the following:

I'm 28 and my ideal upper limit for an apartment is around $950+/- $20. I've lived in Minneapolis my whole life and if you haven't been here, I see it as comparing to a couple other cities in such a way: Minneapolis is to Seattle as Seattle is to Portland. It tends to be a hipper city...

I like divier bars, music and more of a "townier" vibe in general. Somewhere I can watch a hockey game and then go out, have a decent amount of drinks and listen to some band play in some hole-in-the-wall bar, but also a place that can still turn it up when you need that kind of night. If you've been to Minneapolis, somewhere along the lines of Northeast Minneapolis (a little bit of everything all in one spot, but less of a show than the Uptown or Downtown scene). Somewhere where the atmosphere doesn't tend to be a show, but you're just kinda there to be there, if that makes sense.

Appreciate any tips or suggestions. Thanks!

[PDF]

Unfortunately, there isn't really a middle ground between South Tampa and what you describe. You aren't going to find multiple neighborhoods like that as you would in Minneapolis. Tampa is very car-centric, way more so than MSP is. Downtown Tampa would be a perfect fit for what you describe, but it's probably pricier than what you want.

[Jmkrull]

Originally Posted by PDF

Unfortunately, there isn't really a middle ground between South Tampa and what you describe. You aren't going to find multiple neighborhoods like that as you would in Minneapolis. Tampa is very car-centric, way more so than MSP is. Downtown Tampa would be a perfect fit for what you describe, but it's probably pricier than what you want.

I've seen Ybor city come up a couple times. Is that area pretty dicey?

Also, do people bike to get around here or is that not a thing?

[cowboyjunki]

Does it have to be in Tampa? Where will you be working? The downtown/Kenwood area of St. Pete may have what you are looking for. Definitely more "hip" and less pretentious than south Tampa. Not that all of South Tampa is like that, but that is the general impression I get after living here for 16 years.

[roadtrip75]

As far as I know, there are no Somali neighborhoods in Tampa Bay.

[CandyGal]

Originally Posted by cowboyjunki

Does it have to be in Tampa? Where will you be working? The downtown/Kenwood area of St. Pete may have what you are looking for. Definitely more "hip" and less pretentious than south Tampa. Not that all of South Tampa is like that, but that is the general impression I get after living here for 16 years.

I agree. Check out the above areas mentioned in St Pete, sounds like it is more of what you are looking for.

[teeniebeenie79]

I moved here from MSP in October...there is no place like Northeast at all from what I have determined. Tampa is nothing at all like MSP in any way. And as far as the biking...the people who ride their bikes around here are quite literally taking their lives in their own hands. The traffic here is insane, along with the drivers. Ybor is fine for a night...but it is definitely a drink yourself stupid kind of vibe.

Good luck to you!

Originally Posted by Jmkrull

I've seen Ybor city come up a couple times. Is that area pretty dicey?

Also, do people bike to get around here or is that not a thing?

[theurbanfiles]

As far as biking goes, St. Petersburg is much more bicycle friendly. I suppose you could commute in from South Tampa along Bayshore though. Also, the culture as a whole in St. Petersburg is much more like what you describe, though, I will let you know, the traffic going both directions for you will be awful if you are there (working downtown that is). Good luck! Definitely an extremely different culture than MSP.

[Jmkrull]

Thanks for the information, everyone!

[smarino]

It's difficult to think of St Pete as being bike friendly, although there are neighborhoods and bike paths that you can get away from the main roads. Still, I have been biking for decades in different cities, and this is hands down the most dangerous city I have ever walked or biked in. The drivers are not only lousy, they could care less if they mow you down. I have had so many close calls that I ride the bus now, unless it's for a short trip to the store. The amount of hit and runs is just amazing. We like it here, there's some nice old hippie type neighborhoods (although a lot of the city is rapidly becoming more expensive and gentrified, especially close to the water). The Grand Central District is funky, in addition to the neighborhoods that have been mentioned, which are nicer but a little more white yuppie. But the dangerous streets are not to be taken lightly. Tampa never appealed to us on any level I guess, and after 6months here I have seen it only once, and that was when we came in to St Pete originally. It was like that in S.F. too. I knew Marin and Oakland were there, just seldom went.