Chicago to Tampa (University: gated, apts, rent)

[glass318]

Great site!

Leaving the cold and snow behind...finally.

My office will be located around the intersection of East Fowler Ave and N 30th street, close to the University Square Mall. Married, 3 kids. Oldest child about to start grade school.

Questions:

Where would you recommend we rent while looking around to buy? Ideally, a 20 to 30 minute commute or less.

Is Tampa Palms a good area to rent or buy? Would my commute be in the 20 to 30-minute range?

Any other areas we should be looking when we are ready to buy ?

Rent: Approx $1000/mo

Buy: Approx $400 000 - $500 000 (min 3 BR 3 Bath)

Thanks for the good info shared on this site.

[tampaguy03]

Tampa Palms would be a good starting off point, you would be less than 15 minutes to your office. Im not sure what you are looking to rent thought(an apt/house, size?), there are plenty of apts in the USF area, just stay north and east of 30th Street/Brice B Downs Blvd) of the University, the area from 30th Street west to I-275 between Busch Blvd and Bearss Ave in not the most desireable location.

It also a little vague as far as what you look for in a neighborhood, residence except for price. Location?, Proxomity to Work? Lifestyle? Proximity to Downtown? Sports? Recreation?, etc.

Withn your proce range for a home you can definitely find something nice in Tampa Plams, New Tampa areas which are suburbia at its finest(gated communities, big bix sotres and chain reatil/restaurants, the area is all reletively new within the past 20 years for Tampa Plams and evener newer for New Tampa.

[kelly3120]

hey I'm from the chicago area!!!!

tampa palms or off of livingston ...past the college dorms are nice homes and a quiet area. The homes off of livingston are older but well kept. It's quiet and out of the city. It's not as upscale as Tampa palms. BUT Tampa Palms has alot of the same things.
Tampa palms is very nice, but I noticed traffic on BBD gets worse each year.


ohhh and what Tampguy writes about staying north and east of 30th is VERY CORRECT!!!! The city changes very quickly from fletcher to bearss. The outskirts are the most desired.