Questions for moving to South Tampa or Downtown St. Pete...keeping budget in mind (apartment complexes)

[stretchstevens]

My girlfriend and I are moving to the area and are having a tough time deciding where to live. We prefer not to spend over $1000/month. In the one brief visit that we have had to the area, we enjoyed South Tampa (Hyde Park area) and Downtown St. Pete. We're 32 and 26 yrs old and wanting to live somewhere within walking distance to shops, restaurants, entertainment, etc. Also, I have a doberman who is the biggest baby in the world, but considered an aggressive breed and most apartment complexes will not take him.

Any suggestions of where to look, who to contact (leasing agent), etc. for those two areas?

Also, I have seen a few listings in St. Pete around Al Lang Stadium area and do not recall what that area is like. Can anyone describe that neighborhood?

With only one more very brief trip to the area planned before the move, I would like to be as efficient as possible during that time and hopefully get a lease signed. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.