moving from new york (Tampa, Brandon: apartment complexes, rent, condo)

[zzNEWYORKzz]

can anyone give me some input of living in the tampa area , as far as crime and of course storms ,is this area a serious threat for storms and crime please advised

[lmaharajh]

Do Not worry as much about it.........you are as safe as you have always been.........

[zzNEWYORKzz]

Is Poinciana A Good Place To Live In

[Songbird42]

I understand that there is alot of crime there, in Kissimmee not far from Disney, there are gang activity in the area.

Good Luck

[TampaBull]

I travel to NY very much and I am actually thinking about moving up there in a year our so....

Anyway. Tampa is not like NY so don't come here expecting anything like the Big Apple. However if you are looking for a suburban feel then New Tampa should be your first choice. I actually live in this area my self. If you live in a house it is your typical Florida style house in a subdivision community meaning that the streets will be clean, all the houses will look almost the same, the lawns will be professionally manicured, etc. There are numerous apartment complexes out here in the 33647 area code. Most are nicer than what you will find in central Tampa or the immediate city area. Rent for a two bedroom/ two bath will run you close to $1000 (give or take).

As far as entertainment out here (New Tampa area that is); well there is not that much. I am 21 and I mostly drive into Downtown, Hyde Park or Channelside whenever I feel like going out. There is not a mall out here but they are building one in neighbooring Wesley Chapel within a year or so. For malls you either have to travel to Brandon or into Westshore area. There is also University mall in central Tampa, but I wouldn't recommened it. It is sketchy at best and there is not much in there.

Traffic is sometimes bad during rush hours which is 6-8 in the morning and 5-7 in the evening. Crime in New Tampa, well in my opinion there is none. There worst thing I've seen happen is people getting pulled over for traffic violations.

Brandon is another suburb of Tampa and mostly has the same characteristics of New Tampa. The only major difference is that New Tampa is well, newer. Brandon is located in southeast Tampa and is easier to get into the city center because of the interstates and roads that are located nearby.

If you want a city feel the move to South Tampa (South of I-275). There is alot more entertainment and the area is up and coming in terms of shops being built out there. However, beaware, the closer to the bay- the more expensive everything gets (including rent, gas, and the malls). Downtown is dead after 6, however there are beginning to build many condo towers in the city center. If you want to make a good investment, my advice is to get in now and just sit through the boredom. Channelside and Ybor are around the corner so it wont be to bad. Crime is all relative to where you live. Just be smart and safe and you won't have to much to worry about.

Also, unlike NY, we don't have mass transit, so a car is a must.