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I am graduating next year and planning on moving down to the Tampa area (from Denver and MI before that) to teach high school biology in the inner city for several years to get rid of some student loan debt. In the mean time (until I can get my certifications to teach), I'll be paying nearly $1000/mo in student loan debt and therefore will likely be working 2 jobs, neither as a teacher. I have a few years of experience and a couple certifications in hotel maintenance so I was planning on looking at larger resorts near the beach (that is if the whole oil gusher doesn't ruin that). Either way, I'd like an area with lots of 24/7 restaurants, stores, etc since I am usually stuck working 2nd shift; and an area that has quite a few residents in my age group. I am looking for a studio or 1 bed in the $400-$500 range with as many utils as possible included (wifi is a necessity and cable plus) . I love downtown areas and would like to stay as close to downtown St. Pete or Tampa as possible (just need more specific areas). In case my car dies and I can't replace it, I'd like an area with descent public trans., but its not completely necessary. I really don't care if I live in the middle of the hood. To sum it up**** close to a downtown area, lots of people my age, not a long ways to drive, and CHEAP(as possible)**** Any advice on more specific areas or even apt complexes/mng companies is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Either way, I'd like an area with lots of 24/7 restaurants, stores, etc since I am usually stuck working 2nd shift; and an area that has quite a few residents in my age group. I am looking for a studio or 1 bed in the $400-$500 range with as many utils as possible included (wifi is a necessity and cable plus) . I love downtown areas and would like to stay as close to downtown St. Pete or Tampa as possible (just need more specific areas). In case my car dies and I can't replace it, I'd like an area with descent public trans., but its not completely necessary. I really don't care if I live in the middle of the hood.
For as little as you are prepared to pay, you WILL be living in the hood. Actually, unless rents have drastically changed in the last few months and I wasn't aware of it, you may not even be able to find a place in the hood for that little. It's not like out in Colorado where you can find a decent little place in a safe neighborhood for $500. And public transportation here is so useless it may as well not even exist.
You should really stay in Denver. I'm sure there's still a few more good years left there before the Californicators completely ruin it.
The backdrop of "fun in the sun" might look good in a magazine, but take a tip from someone that knows, Florida is one of the most expensive states in the country.
Things to Consider: From June to November is Hurricane season, which means you will always have to be on high alert. Taxes in the state keep going up with no hope of coming down. You are not going to find a apt/studio at $400-$500 unless you are rooming with roaches.
With complete honesty, I'm not trying to discourage you but I am telling you the truth. I'll be moving from here myself soon enough. However, if you would like to move to the coast, Savannah GA and SC are inexpensive places to live with nice apts, nightlife and tourist , but you still have to deal with hurricanes. Good Luck!
I knew the first couple would be trying to talk me out of it for that price. The cost of living in Tampa is almost exactly the same as Denver on every cost of living calculator I have seen. I have found just as many $400-$500 apartments in Tampa on Craigslist as there are on the Denver one (which is where I found the company for my current apt), so I know they exist, they are just not hard to find, as most decent cheap places will not list on craigslist I have found. I have taken numerous meteorology classes and have been a tornado spotter for several years, so I am well aware of the hurricane risk, which is one reason I'd like to stay in a non-evac area if also possible (there are several large non-evac areas around downtown St Pete and Tampa). Rundown apts in the ghetto DO NOT bother me (I'm from Flint, MI). I have been broke most of my life and you just learn to deal with it (plus I have a Glock that I'm not afraid to use if needed). I have researched many areas over the past few years and decided on the Tampa area nearly 100%. Thanks for the advice, but if I'm gonna be stuck somewhere for 10 to 15 years due to student debt its gonna be hot as hell, have an ocean within a 30-45min drive (prefer closer), and have easy biology teacher certification (Florida!!) that allows me to get up to $18,000 of my federal loans forgiven for teaching science for 5 years in the inner city (again, something I want to do). I'm really looking for advice on specific city areas/streets near downtown St Pete or Tampa. I have not visited Tampa but I do have a couple of friends who live in Fort Myers (wayyy to small for me) who I have visited several times. I know all of this sounds awful to some people, but I am willing to put up with alot to live somewhere where there is water that I can use year round. And I HATE the cold and snow. I have also looked into the AL, MS, LA, GA, and SC coasts, but none of the cities seem to be the size I like while still being very close to the water. Miami is too big and too far south and Jacksonville seems to... Southern? (not to offend anyone) and too spread out (I like the higher population density of areas like Denver) Thanks again!!
Last edited by ChillE Dogg; 06-08-2010 at 11:54 PM..
PS I'm also kinda realizing that a car is a must (though I would probably shrivel up and die if I didn't have one anyway), since 9% of people in Denver use mass transit compared to 3% in Tampa. That is one good thing Denver has on all other cities I have looked at. That and people from California LOL (there does seem to be a TON out here)
Hi ChillEDog - I think your best bet for apts in that price range in Tampa would be to find someone with a little garage apt. or the like in their home - good neighborhoods to check would be the older historic ones like Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights, and even north Hyde Park (north of Kennedy) and parts of old West Tampa. These are nice historic neighborhoods that may still have some crime or other issues but are not the total "hood" so to speak. They are all inner city neighborhood, and not far from "action," and near bus lines. I would check the physical Tampa Tribune paper for ads, even better come here and cruise the streets for signs.
Florida is NOT the most expensive state in the country, not by any means. It may be more expensive than the midwest, but far cheaper than most Western or northern states, and it depends on where you live and your lifestyle. I have lived in Florida all my life and I think it's a bargain for what I have here.
The Tampa Bay area is large and diverse, with beautiful beaches and a lot to offer. I can't advise on St. Pete neighborhoods, but in general I have heard that south St. Pete is the true "hood" there, and filled with crime. I will let others chime in on that score.
Lastly, my answer to you would have been different if you said you were married and coming with a couple kids. But being a young single guy, I think you will do just fine here, so go for it!
Hope this helps!
Last edited by gypsychic; 06-09-2010 at 11:04 AM..
There are always ppl looking for roommates too. I agree with gypsy there are apts if you don't mind living in an older apt. There are ppl who have garage apts right off of Bayshore which is right on Tampa Bay. There are small apt complexes all over the Tampa Bay area. Some may not have a pool and other amenities and that is why they are cheaper. You can always post here and ask about an area. Stay away from Suitcase city in Tampa near USF, high crime area.
I'm good with no pool or really any other amenities. The only necessity is A/C (even just a window one). But since I won't have a pool, I'd like to be closer to the beaches so I'm starting to think St. Pete might be more what I'm looking for right now. The other suggestion I was looking into is the Hyde Park area, since its sounds like the area is active later into the night than other areas. My ideal neighborhood is like where I live now (for people who may have been around Denver before) which is off of E. Colfax, about a 3-5min drive to downtown. I have a studio in a building with about 15 units above a 24/7 laundromat. Within walking distance is 2 theaters (that usually have fairly famous bands), a couple 24/7 restaurants, and a ton of bars. Due to many of these, you can walk down the street at 3 or 4 am and other people will be out, which I LOVE about the area. However, rent is only $460/mo including all bills (incl. parking spot and wifi) except cable for a tiny studio, since the area has more out-in-the-open crack dealing and smoking than I have ever seen in my life (and I'm from Flint, MI ). Lots of homeless people too. But they don't bother me and I don't bother them and everythings gravy. THIS DOES NOT BOTHER ME. I'm broke and willing to live in whatever area necessary to get by and still have enough $ to go to a bar or restaurant once a paycheck(as I do now). I was hoping that somewhere near downtown St. Pete might have something similar. I had also considered the USF area, but for my current situation I think it is too far away from the beaches and downtown areas.
I'm good with no pool or really any other amenities. The only necessity is A/C (even just a window one). But since I won't have a pool, I'd like to be closer to the beaches so I'm starting to think St. Pete might be more what I'm looking for right now. The other suggestion I was looking into is the Hyde Park area, since its sounds like the area is active later into the night than other areas. My ideal neighborhood is like where I live now (for people who may have been around Denver before) which is off of E. Colfax, about a 3-5min drive to downtown. I have a studio in a building with about 15 units above a 24/7 laundromat. Within walking distance is 2 theaters (that usually have fairly famous bands), a couple 24/7 restaurants, and a ton of bars. Due to many of these, you can walk down the street at 3 or 4 am and other people will be out, which I LOVE about the area. However, rent is only $460/mo including all bills (incl. parking spot and wifi) except cable for a tiny studio, since the area has more out-in-the-open crack dealing and smoking than I have ever seen in my life (and I'm from Flint, MI ). Lots of homeless people too. But they don't bother me and I don't bother them and everythings gravy. THIS DOES NOT BOTHER ME. I'm broke and willing to live in whatever area necessary to get by and still have enough $ to go to a bar or restaurant once a paycheck(as I do now). I was hoping that somewhere near downtown St. Pete might have something similar. I had also considered the USF area, but for my current situation I think it is too far away from the beaches and downtown areas.
Stay away from the cheap area near USF, you won't like it. Go for Hyde park in Tampa or downtown St. Pete, or you might even look into Ybor City in Tampa (lots of action there, but can be rough at night). These are the only areas I can see where you can possibly get the lifestyle you want especially if you don't mind a little crime (Ybor). Another advantage to Ybor is there is a streetcar that will take you from Ybor to downtown or Channelside district and back, although it doesn't run late except Sat. Here is the link:
One last thing - I scanned Craigslist, there are no apartments anywhere as cheap as you want, at least not advertised. That doesn't mean they don't exist, apts. that cheap are often rented with just a sign in the yard, I know because I use to own apt. houses in those areas in your price range, and I only used a sign, they would go quick. I expect you will have to live in a pretty rough area for those $$$ unless you can come up some in your rent, but you said you are OK with that. You could also consider renting a room in someone's home, or maybe find a roommate.
Good luck!
Last edited by gypsychic; 06-11-2010 at 02:25 PM..
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