Might be coming to Tampa... (St. Petersburg, Clearwater: apartment, to rent, condo)

[marylizah]

Hello,

My husband is interviewing for a job in St Petersburg. We won't know for a few weeks whether or not he'll be offered the job, but in the meantime we're looking into the Tampa / St. Pete area.

I would love advice about good neighborhoods-- husband's job would be in northern St Pete. I'm a city gal at heart, so I'd like a place that has fun shops, restaurants, galleries, things to do. Ideally, I'd like to find a walkable neighborhood where I could get groceries, go to the park and the library on foot-- we have a toddler, so family-oriented neighborhoods are best. Is it possible to rent houses for 1500 or less a month? Or would we be in an apartment in that price range?

I'd also love to hear what you like best and hate the most about the Tampa Bay area. I've never even visited Florida-- so tell me what YOU think!

Thanks in advance.

[Artsywoman]

I have been here nine months and love St. Petersburg, the City is cultural and the Beaches are beautiful. It is clean and has a lot of neat restaurants etc. It is much better then Tampa. Tampa is filled with a lot of rednecks and the neighborhoods have no sidewalks or nice parks.

[tampaguy03]

Here is my take on Tampa after being here twenty years:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/tampa...t-city-me.html

Some nice walkable neighborhoods describing what the OP speaks of include Old Northeast St. Pete, Safety Harbour, Dunedin over in Pinellas County; and Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Palma Ceia, Bayshore Beautiful/Gardens in Tampa(south tampa area).

[scorp200]

Get close to downtown St. Petersburg - Euclid St. Paul, Crescent Lake, Crescent Heights, Kenwood ... Old Northeast is pricey but gorgeous. I think you can probably get a house at that price. If you can stay in St. Petersburg all the better for your husband's commute (no bridge traffic).

[JeepGirl118]

Check out SoHo and/or Westshore. . . although I doubt you will be able to find a house/condo/townhouse for $1500/less - although possible with the way the market is, if you find a private landlord which will raise your chances.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by Artsy woman

It is much better then Tampa. Tampa is filled with a lot of rednecks and the neighborhoods have no sidewalks or nice parks.

Please.. Tampa has a lot of nice neighborhoods and many of them do have sidewalks and very nice parks in their subdivision.

Tampa is not filled with rednecks and that is disingenuous statement. In the 30 years I lived in Tampa I never met anyone I would call a redneck.

[marylizah]

Thanks for the replies. I've been reading/hearing good things about Clearwater and Dunedin. What kind of commute would that be from either city to Northeastern St Pete? Are those communities cheaper than neighborhoods in St. Pete?

I've also read that St. Pete has a nice farmer's market. Can someone share info on organic food availability? (I.e. is there a Whole Foods in the city?)

Thanks again.

[JeepGirl118]

Mary, do ask tb321 - he can hunt down anything you need to know about anything and everything through his trusty Google Street View. He's a Demi-God.

No. Kidding. Don't.

Good question. I will help you seek it out. Will be back in a zap. . .

[JeepGirl118]

Rollin Oats
Rollin' Oats, St. Petersburg, FL

Richards Whole Foods
Living Naturally

Whole Foods
Whole Foods' purchase of Wild Oats sours again - St. Petersburg Times

Tampa (AKA: Whole Foods)
Wild Oats Natural Marketplace
1548 North Dale Mabry Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813.874.9435

Hope that helps.

[marylizah]

Originally Posted by JeepGirl118

Rollin Oats
Rollin' Oats, St. Petersburg, FL

Richards Whole Foods
Living Naturally

Whole Foods
Whole Foods' purchase of Wild Oats sours again - St. Petersburg Times

Tampa (AKA: Whole Foods)
Wild Oats Natural Marketplace
1548 North Dale Mabry Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813.874.9435

Hope that helps.

Thank you! Sounds like there's a fair amount of choice. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this job will work out for my husband, I think we would like the Tampa Bay area.