Visiting Tampa Area! (St. Petersburg: apartments, for rent, amusement park)

[theluckiest1]

Hi everyone,
My boyfriend and I are visiting the Tampa area June 2-5. We're checking out a few different cities and planning to move south (somewhere!) from NY. So, I'm just looking for recommendations on neighborhoods that would be good to check out, general info on life for young professionals in Tampa, and things to do while we are in town!
About us...we're 23, looking to live somewhere fun, very safe, close to bars/restaurants/outdoor recreation and with a manageable commute. Preferably in an area where there are lots of other young professionals. Our budget is probably around $800.
So, anyone have any recommendations for us? Things not to miss while we are visiting? Basically open to anywhere in the Tampa area!
Thanks
Sara

[Qacer]

First off, make sure you bring warm and comfortable clothes. Sometimes the weather gets really hot and sticky.

Tampa does not really have any major attractions like New York or Washington DC. However, if you prefer something fun, you can try Busch Gardens or Adventure Island. They are right next to each other. If you prefer something quite, then you can try walking around the downtown Tampa for a short time. Maybe stop by the historic Tampa Theater or check out the Tampa Museum of Art. You might one to also check out the historic Ybor district, but make sure you don't stay there too late (maybe passed 10PM or so) and park in "safe" areas like the parking garage.

As far as places to live, you can try the Hyde Park (South Tampa area) or probably in the Carrollwood area. Hyde Park has many bars and night clubs. It's also near Bayshore Blvd., which is considered to have the longest sidewalk in the world.

In between Hyde Park and Carrollwood, you can check International Plaza. They have great restaurants and many young professionals hang out at the Blue Martini for after 5 drinks.

As far as your budget, I think $800 can get you a lot in 4 days. That's assuming that it doesn't include lodging. But still lodging shouldn't be that bad since you can find many hotels that are pretty affordable and not too far from everything else.

My recommendations for bars / clubs: Whiskey Park (South), Hyde Park Cafe, Howl at the Moon, Splittsville, Blue Martini.

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by theluckiest1

Hi everyone,
My boyfriend and I are visiting the Tampa area June 2-5. We're checking out a few different cities and planning to move south (somewhere!) from NY. So, I'm just looking for recommendations on neighborhoods that would be good to check out, general info on life for young professionals in Tampa, and things to do while we are in town!
About us...we're 23, looking to live somewhere fun, very safe, close to bars/restaurants/outdoor recreation and with a manageable commute. Preferably in an area where there are lots of other young professionals. Our budget is probably around $800.
So, anyone have any recommendations for us? Things not to miss while we are visiting? Basically open to anywhere in the Tampa area!
Thanks
Sara

Sorry, Sweetie.
$800.00 a week?
Eight hundred a month will not even get you in a *****-infested flea-bag hotel...

Save more money or stay with your mom...

[Ascf33]

Originally Posted by DeLaSalle

Sorry, Sweetie.
$800.00 a week?
Eight hundred a month will not even get you in a *****-infested flea-bag hotel...

Save more money or stay with your mom...

Chill out buddy. We're just looking for some help. No need to be a jerk about it.

We're looking for a place that rent is $800/mo. Our combined income would be way way more then that a week.

[Ascf33]

Originally Posted by Qacer

First off, make sure you bring warm and comfortable clothes. Sometimes the weather gets really hot and sticky.

Tampa does not really have any major attractions like New York or Washington DC. However, if you prefer something fun, you can try Busch Gardens or Adventure Island. They are right next to each other. If you prefer something quite, then you can try walking around the downtown Tampa for a short time. Maybe stop by the historic Tampa Theater or check out the Tampa Museum of Art. You might one to also check out the historic Ybor district, but make sure you don't stay there too late (maybe passed 10PM or so) and park in "safe" areas like the parking garage.

As far as places to live, you can try the Hyde Park (South Tampa area) or probably in the Carrollwood area. Hyde Park has many bars and night clubs. It's also near Bayshore Blvd., which is considered to have the longest sidewalk in the world.

In between Hyde Park and Carrollwood, you can check International Plaza. They have great restaurants and many young professionals hang out at the Blue Martini for after 5 drinks.

As far as your budget, I think $800 can get you a lot in 4 days. That's assuming that it doesn't include lodging. But still lodging shouldn't be that bad since you can find many hotels that are pretty affordable and not too far from everything else.

My recommendations for bars / clubs: Whiskey Park (South), Hyde Park Cafe, Howl at the Moon, Splittsville, Blue Martini.

Thanks for the info. We're really looking for stuff that everyday people who live there would do. Not really looking for the amusement park vacation type of thing. We're looking for possible places to live and work and all that. We are def gonna check out the Hyde Park area though. And we'll def be going out to the bars all 3 nights we are there. Thanks again!

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Chill out buddy. We're just looking for some help. No need to be a jerk about it.

We're looking for a place that rent is $800/mo. Our combined income would be way way more then that a week.

Just letting you know that Tampa is NOT Cheap. Be prepared.

[Qacer]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Chill out buddy. We're just looking for some help. No need to be a jerk about it.

We're looking for a place that rent is $800/mo. Our combined income would be way way more then that a week.

Frankly, $800/mo will not get you anything decent in the Hyde Park area. I believe they are along the lines of $1000+ / month for a 2 bedroom. My rent in the Carrollwood area was about $950 / month for a two-story apartment with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. You can try combing around ApartmentRatings.com and start calling apartments that suit your needs.

However, if you guys are looking for a 1-bedroom, then you might be able to find something decent for $800. I suggest you also combed thru Craigslist.org's Tampa listing for housing.

The bottom line is: expect to pay more than $1000+/mo just for rent alone in the trendier areas of Tampa. Also expect to pay around $100+/mo for electricity especially during the summer months. Some folks not used to the hot weather may crank up their ACs at constantly cool temps.

[KtKc]

I wouldn't think that the difference in pricing would be much different than NY...but its been a couple of years since I visited New York. My family and I have just relocated here from NC a couple of months ago. Now, the pricing is def different here than in NC!
You really should look for apt's online - there is such an overwhelming choice of apt's and condo's and townhomes here. We have moved into a gated community, which is really nice, especially considering our childrens ages, but boy, talk about putting a dent in your wallet when it comes time to pay for this place! We had to move here in such a hurry, with 3 dogs, a 2 yr. old, a 3 yr. old that we decided to rent first and take our time looking for a home to buy since there are so many on the market. My husband works in St. Petersburg and we live in N. Tampa....his commute is almost always over an hour. But....the St. Petersburg area is so over-crowded and we figured it would be busting at the seams during tourist 'season'....he'd rather have that commute than to live in St. Pete.

[theluckiest1]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. $800 is really just a starting point for us, in looking at comparing what we can get for the money. We are considering several cities, Tampa area being one of our top choices.

[Ascf33]

Originally Posted by DeLaSalle

Just letting you know that Tampa is NOT Cheap. Be prepared.

Alright. Thanks.