Londoner coming to Tampa, total apartment costs? (for sale, real estate)

[Brioss]

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions, I need to some assistance with. My first questions is, I plan to relocate to Tampa with my employer, I hope to be in Tampa in 6 weeks. Where is a good place to settle, I'm a 40 year old, single straight man, would prefer to be somewhere I can walk to bar restaurants etc?

My second questions is apartment costs, I can see the cost of rentals online, but what other bills would be associated with renting an apartment, Electricity, Insurance, gas, TV, phone, etc. What would be the extra bills if I was to rent a 2 bed apartment in the Tampa area, being from the UK, it all seems very different.

Its exciting times, looking forward to coming, but I will be on my own and working remotely, need to get out a meet you all :-)

Thanks

B

[Kwanger]

If I was single and 40 and headed for Tampa, and wanted local bars and restaurants and suchlike, I'd probably consider either the Hyde Park area, or maybe check into one of the shiny looking condo's for rent around Channel-side Welcome to Channelside Bay Plaza, or Harbor Island/Davis Island. Plenty of restaurants and bars and you can also take the trolley to Ybor city. But, a lot if it would also depend on where my office was going to be....any idea where it is? Or by remotely, do you mean working from home?

Regarding costs....there is an element of how long is a piece of string in it, especially in Tampa. If you would like a more upscale 2 bed apartment, I should say the costs might run you up to $1500-$2000+ (or ++). If you are prepared to be a bit more out of the way, costs could be half that.
Bills etc etc etc and such - Cable and internet $100+, Electric (assuming no gas), maybe $100-$150. Get yourself a cheap VOIP phone to cut costs such as Callcentric - VoIP Internet phone service.
Renters insurance is fairly cheap, as I recall.

Check out Apartments for Rent & Homes for Rent - Rent.com® Apartment Finder, or even Real Estate Listings, Homes for Sale and Rental Property Listings – REALTOR.com® and plug in "rental" - and see what you get.

[Keeper]

I agree with Hyde Park or SoHo and if you don't need an upscale apt you can find one for much less than 2K.

Electric depends on how cool you are going to keep your apt plus how well it is insulated. You can get cable, internet and a phone for a little over $100 a month. You probably won't find a newer apt that has gas heat or appliances. I do recommend rental ins, it isn't that expensive.

If you get a car you are going to have to get car ins plus tag. Bus service is available but not always convenient.

Enjoy Tampa.. there are a lot of fun things to do.. Check out meetup.com as a way to meet new ppl