Questions from a soon to be Tampa Newbie.... (Palm Harbor, Riverview: apartment complex, renting)

[BobLeeVegas]

With an arrival in Riverview ETA of June 30th, I have some questions that
perhaps you longtime residents and veterans can answer....???

Will I sweat so much when I am outside that I will have to change
clothes several times a day?

How bad are the bugs? In particular....cockroaches? And the best way if needed, to combat them?

Any idea of an electric bill guestimate for a one bedroom apartment?

Will I have to keep the Air on when I am not home????

Does anyone wear socks?

Will I be so caught up in the great active lifestyle that Tampa offers that
I will cut back my TV time?????

Speaking of, who is the best Cable provider and perhaps a cost estimate,
including internet and HBO???

Would it be cruel to have a dog and have to keep him locked up in
the apartment all day while I am work? ( and can they hold their
bathroom needs without hurting themselves??? )

Where is the Senior ( 55 or so ) Dating game action at???

Does the Hard Rock Tampa Casino have decent Blackjack or Video Poker
rules??

Would it be hard to get a part-time security guard type job on the
weekends or evenings or call center rep job???

Any opinions, answers or suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Bob

[clairegoad]

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

With an arrival in Riverview ETA of June 30th, I have some questions that perhaps you longtime residents and veterans can answer....???

I moved here 2 years ago on June 29th, not sure if I'm a veteran yet, but I can answer a lot of your questions.. I'm assuming you are moving into an apartment/condo rental. Since that is my experience.... that's how I can help. Some answers are different if you are buying a house... ie. Your bugs, your problem. call the bug guy.. not the landlord... but you know that.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Will I sweat so much when I am outside that I will have to change clothes several times a day?

I change clothes about once a day... depending on how much I'm outside. I love my washer/dryer. Eventually, you'll learn how to stay cool, avoid the heat, and enjoy the weather... it takes longer than a year. Depending where you moved from...(i.e. if you move from Atlanta... Tampa weather is just a longer hotter summer. )

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

How bad are the bugs? In particular....cockroaches? And the best way if needed, to combat them?

Depends on the neighborhood. There are several professional pest services. And if you rent, your landlord will take care of it. Also be aware of fire ants... a local biting pest...

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Any idea of an electric bill guestimate for a one bedroom apartment?

I pay a low in the winter of $35.00 and high when the air is running a lot $110. I try to keep the air off as much as possible... but the run of 95 plus degree days last Summer killed my electric bill.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Will I have to keep the Air on when I am not home????

Depends on your dog(s)... A lot of people keep it on, but raise the temp, that keeps the apt from getting too hot. Some people just run fans, unless it is over 100. And frankly, it's nice to come home to a cool apt.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Does anyone wear socks?

Yes. Some even wear socks with sandals. All dress is more casual than you are used to... (unless you currently live at a clothing optional resort).

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Will I be so caught up in the great active lifestyle that Tampa offers that I will cut back my TV time?????

Depends on your TV addiction and your willingness to go for a walk along the PInellas Trail or take a bike ride in Palm Harbor. There are some wonderful dog parks.. and several dog beaches.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Speaking of, who is the best Cable provider and perhaps a cost estimate,
including internet and HBO???

If you are renting, the complex will have a list of providers. Bright House, and Verizon are big where I am..There are also some satellite providers. (Dish network?) Most of them have bundles which include home phone, Internet, and Cable. Verizon has bigger bundles with cell phone included. You will be paying over $100/month for these bundles. Also research the fine print. One of them has a HUGE fee if you break the two year contract.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Would it be cruel to have a dog and have to keep him locked up in the apartment all day while I am work? ( and can they hold their bathroom needs without hurting themselves??? )

Generally they are okay. (however, if you are a workaholic with 13 hour days, I'd change the answer). Many people down here crate their dogs. This does mean you need to come directly home, avoiding long grocery shopping trips and bicycle rides after work. Also be aware that "picking up after your pet" is a MAJOR issue. Be very vigilant, neighbors are watching... and we don't want to talk about you.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Where is the Senior ( 55 or so ) Dating game action at???

Well, I've heard that the women have sundamaged skin, and are selfish. Another date informed me that relationships which move to FL rarely succeed. I think both were a bit cynical. Realistically, there are more women than men - check the zip code by entering the zip code in google. At least one of the results will give statistics for your zip. But don't let the statistics scare you. It only takes one widow to make you a happy man. Okay, maybe two, but we do have quite a few down here. At your age, you can play with a wide range of ages. Please note: the same cynics indicate that "everyone" lies about their age. I haven't been checking birth certificates.

OH, where is the action at? Plenty of fish, Craigslist, Match.com. Approx every 3 blocks is a local bar with a few women looking for a pleasant time. There are many gyms, YMCA's, libraries, and book discussions. Come on, be creative... And you'll have a great conversation starter... "I just moved here." Just be aware that the locals hear that A LOT. So, we might be a bit cautious... many people move back North.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Does the Hard Rock Tampa Casino have decent Blackjack or Video Poker rules??

I'll pass on this.. Went there 4 years ago..first time in a casino, I walked around like small town tourist with my mouth open, exclaiming, "Gollly." Haven't been back, embarrassed myself too much. Maybe it was the drooling over the Gene Simmons' outfit..

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Would it be hard to get a part-time security guard type job on the weekends or evenings or call center rep job???

Yes. Hard, but not impossible.

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

Any opinions, answers or suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Bob

I just started coming around these forums.. but there seem to be good people here. Keep reading.. More of your questions will be answered.

[Sunscape]

Excellent answers Claire!
Giving you rep, the standard in this forum for telling a person you like his answers.
Keep it up,please!!

[Sunscape]

To your question about the doggie, some ppl take him to doggie care, which there are lots here, if their working hours are really long.
The doggie will go, according to the regular times he is used to now.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

To your question about the doggie, some ppl take him to doggie care, which there are lots here, if their working hours are really long.
The doggie will go, according to the regular times he is used to now.

That is a good idea. Another would be to hire a dog-walker or dog sitter - personally I think many hours in a crate every day is a bad idea, I sure wouldn't want to be in "jail" a whole day and not be able to pee!

[BobLeeVegas]

Thanks for all the advice,

and just to clarify, I don't have a dog yet, I would just

consider having one, but I too would feel bad about having the dog

kept inside for 9 hours or so without being able to use the bathroom.

I know dogs do it, but it seems cruel to me.

Maybe I could hire someone from the apartment complex to walk him

while I am at work for a potty break, IF I do get one.

Thanks again for all your kind advice!

Bob.

[Keeper]

Check out meetup.com and Creative Loafing mag. There are all kind of groups to join depending on your interest. Great way to meet new people.

If you get a dog and are going to have to leave it for a long period everyday, don't get a puppy. Older dogs can 'hold it' but not a puppy, Check out the Pet/dog forum if you have questions.

Regarding the heat.. unless you are working outside mid day or you sweat a lot you won't have to change clothes that often.

We usually turned our AC up to 80 during the day while we were at work. If you live on a top floor of an apt/condo it may cost you more to cool your apt.

Just have fun and look for the good in the area.. the bad shows up soon enough

[otter1803]

You can get little mats for dogs to go to the bathroom on indoors that dont allow it soak through and ruin the carpet, the name is escaping me at the moment.

[Sunscape]

That is a wonderful idea,Bob. Get somebody who likes dogs from the complex to take him/her out for U.
There are plenty of dogs of all kinds in the shelters here and in the rescue groups, full of doggies from ppl who get them because they think it is going to be "fun" or because the kids wanted a pet, and then when they realize it is a great responsibility, they "trash" them.... It is pitiful.
Good luck in your plans!

[theplu]

Sorry to run on with the dog topic, but if you do get a dog, research breeds first. Some dogs do better hanging out inside all day with just a walk or two. Others (working dogs, cattle dogs, etc.), will go nuts and need a lot of outdoor space and time to get their energy out. When I was in grad school, I was home a lot so I was the go-to gal for dog walking/sitting in my apartment complex nook.