Job at USF, where to rent? (Tampa: apartments, rentals, crimes)

[mia12]

Hi everybody,

In august we'll be moving to Tampa, as my husband just got a job at USF. We don't know at all the city and we have to decide in advance where to rent. We have a small child, so we are interested in a safe neighborhood with a good daycare and we also want to rent a relatively new (or upgraded) apartment with 2 or 3 bedrooms. Ideally, the apt should be relatively close to the university. We plan on spending no more than 1200$ per month for the rent. Is there such a place in Tampa that would meet these requirements?
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!

[Keeper]

Lots of good info in this post here
Apartment Rentals- south tampa or new tampa?

[mquintana]

Try these websites:

www.apartmentguide.com
www.rent.com (if you put this on your guest card and application you get $100 pre-paid visa card when you claim your lease after move in)
www.mynewplace.com (they give you $200 when you mention this on your guest card and application-I do not know how they award it to you, but when you claim your lease you get it).

[tampaguy03]

Look in Tampa Palms, or New Tampa area. There are two nice apt complexes on Fletcher Avenue near I-75(names escape me, sorry).

[mia12]

Thank you, everybody!

[EngieBull]

I also work at USF. I stay at the "Preserve at Deer Park"
It's quite nice and quiet. Haven't had a problem the 2 years I've been there. Managers are nice and know most people by name and their apt number (which is a surprise to me on how they remember it.) They throw little get together each month with some food and a raffle for some money off your next months rent.

Plus, at the corner of it is a Tampa Hartline #18 bus stop. The bus route takes you inside the campus to the USF Health Building. If you work at USF its only 25 cents to ride the Hartline (and free if your also a student.) So it save me a bunch on gas and car maintenance. The same route also passes a nearby Winn Dixie (although it isn't the cleanest store I've seen) and a Target.

[annaegel]

I live in Tampa Palms. There are some nice upscale rentals near I-75. Don't rent near Amberly or Compton Blvd. There are more crimes (car theft, burglaries, etc) in that area. We looked at a few places in Tampa Palms and liked what we saw. Also West Meadows has some nice apartments.