Looking for place close to nightlife (/photography program?) (Tampa, Orlando: apartment, condo)

[cavale]

I'm thinking of moving to the Tampa area in the fall. I'd preferably like to live somewhere with a downtown atmosphere, where I can walk or bus to clubs.

I like dance/electro nights the best.
Is there a downtown scene like the one in Orlando?
Where is it?

I'm also thinking about living closer to the beach. I know there's a big drum circle/hippie scene, where do most of those people live?

I just want a nice little simple studio apartment that I can live in while I go to college for photography.

What are the different community colleges in the area?
Are there any that really stand out?
The entire Tampa Bay area is an option, (including Clearwater, St.Pete, etc.)

-from a FL native who spent the first three years of my life in Clearwater. =)

[TB Fla]

I suggest you live in a condo in Channelside near downtown. Then you can take a streetcar to Ybor city or Channelside's entertainment venue. You could live in a new condo high rise in Downtown, but That area is dead after business hours.