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I will be moving to Tampa in July and I'm focusing on the Ybor City area, specifically the northern areas (since it is in a non-evac zone, I know they are rare in Tampa but I won't have the money to risk losing my stuff in a storm surge). I like Ybor because of the nightlife I heard that it offers. Although I don't go out all that much, I like having a lot of stuff open 24/7 (or at least really late), and being able to go out if I feel like it, without having to drink and drive. I currently live on East Colfax in Denver and I LOVE the area. Everyone out here told me that this area is too dangerous because of the homeless and drug dealers. Keep in mind, this doesn't bother me one bit. I am more than able to protect myself, so please don't try to talk me out of an area for this reason. I am most concerned with the cost and it being a somewhat commercialized area (here is photos of the type of area I like and currently live in //www.city-data.com/forum/denve...hoto-tour.html). I am looking for a studio or 1 bed for around $425-$500 (preferably with at least some utilities included). Again, a bad neighborhood does NOT bother me. I will be teaching in one and I have a CCW.
I will be moving to Tampa in July and I'm focusing on the Ybor City area, specifically the northern areas (since it is in a non-evac zone, I know they are rare in Tampa but I won't have the money to risk losing my stuff in a storm surge). I like Ybor because of the nightlife I heard that it offers. Although I don't go out all that much, I like having a lot of stuff open 24/7 (or at least really late), and being able to go out if I feel like it, without having to drink and drive. I currently live on East Colfax in Denver and I LOVE the area. Everyone out here told me that this area is too dangerous because of the homeless and drug dealers. Keep in mind, this doesn't bother me one bit. I am more than able to protect myself, so please don't try to talk me out of an area for this reason. I am most concerned with the cost and it being a somewhat commercialized area (here is photos of the type of area I like and currently live in //www.city-data.com/forum/denve...hoto-tour.html). I am looking for a studio or 1 bed for around $425-$500 (preferably with at least some utilities included). Again, a bad neighborhood does NOT bother me. I will be teaching in one and I have a CCW.
Hi ChillE Dogg, I remember your posts from a while back - have you visited Ybor? Based on the photos of your neighborhood, I think you will like the area, even including some of the surrounding "ghetto" area on the fringes. I think there are parts of Ybor to the north that you can get something in or near your price range, but I don't know who to tell you to contact, sometimes those places just stick a sign in the yard.
You might try finding a realtor office in Ybor, some of them either own rentals or know people with rentals who could give you a line on something.
Also, I found this site, which lists all the neighborhoods in or near Ybor, maybe it will help. Good luck! I love the photos of your neighborhood!
Can you name any streets that you've found apartments on? By North Ybor, I'm assuming you mean the area north of I-4, part of which is Ybor City and the rest is V. M. Ybor. Normally I wouldn't recommend this area to a lot of people, but since you say you have experience living in slummy areas, I guess you could check it out.
@ferret111: Yeah, north of I-4 seems to be most of the non-evac areas due to elevation, so around there is what I was considering. I cannot remember any street names specifically, but I have found a couple ads on craigslist for that area that looked and sounded legit (as I know much of it on there is scams). The problem with the types of areas I usually live in is that they rarely seem to post ads for apartments on rent.com and other sites like that, because frankely, most people do not like renting in those neighborhoods. But, I have TONS of student loans to pay off over the next 10-20 years so... the slums it is. LOL Gotta do what I gotta do.
@gypsychic: Thanks! I absolutely LOVE my current neighborhood. Its very unique. I got advice from someone who had a friend who used to live out here and also suggested possibly south Seminole Heights or possibly downtown St. Pete
I would avoid the area inside MLK, 26th Street, 15th Street, and 21st Avenue. This area used to have a lot of housing projects, but they demolished them and built "mixed-income homes," which are pretty much the projects disguised as townhomes. Some of that area is technically College Hill, but I don't know where V.M. Ybor ends and College Hill begins. I've walked and driven around the area during the day and I've had no problems; no problems either while driving at night. I just don't know if I'd walk around there too much at night. Just be warned that if you're white, you'll be living in a largely black neighborhood. I don't think you'll get much crap from the average residents, but the police might think you're in there buying drugs. It's happened to me before and it's ridiculous.
i personally wouldn't even take the whole evac zone thing into consideraton when renting. especially in ybor, if there is an evac, you are going. dont choose which neighborhood in ybor you are looking at based on that- seems kinda silly. and who cares about flooding? you are renting in the ghetto. just get renters insurance to protect your belongings. id be more worried about theft then floods in that part of town. Not saying dont move to ybor, to each there own, and ybor does have its fair share of positives- just saying that you might be concerned about the wrong thing. If you aren't concerned about crime or noise, just find a good spot in ybor in your range and move in. stop thinking about evac zones and yada yada.
I would avoid the area inside MLK, 26th Street, 15th Street, and 21st Avenue. This area used to have a lot of housing projects, but they demolished them and built "mixed-income homes," which are pretty much the projects disguised as townhomes. Some of that area is technically College Hill, but I don't know where V.M. Ybor ends and College Hill begins. I've walked and driven around the area during the day and I've had no problems; no problems either while driving at night. I just don't know if I'd walk around there too much at night. Just be warned that if you're white, you'll be living in a largely black neighborhood. I don't think you'll get much crap from the average residents, but the police might think you're in there buying drugs. It's happened to me before and it's ridiculous.
when i first moved to tampa i got lost and got stopped and hasseled by the cops because I was white. they suggested i was either buying/selling drugs or had a death wish. either way I should choose other neighborhoods to get lost in. I was actually happy to see the cops as i was approached at a red light right off I-4 by 2 guys. I had just got my new car and there was no traffic, so i just drove off through the red light. luckily the red light was about 5 mins before the cops stopped me and they missed that
when i first moved to tampa i got lost and got stopped and hasseled by the cops because I was white. they suggested i was either buying/selling drugs or had a death wish. either way I should choose other neighborhoods to get lost in. I was actually happy to see the cops as i was approached at a red light right off I-4 by 2 guys. I had just got my new car and there was no traffic, so i just drove off through the red light. luckily the red light was about 5 mins before the cops stopped me and they missed that
I go into neighborhoods and take pictures of older buildings and whatnot. Poorer neighborhoods usually have more since they haven't been demolished or redeveloped. The police cannot seem to grasp this idea/hobby and have tried to get me to admit to being there for drugs.
I go into neighborhoods and take pictures of older buildings and whatnot. Poorer neighborhoods usually have more since they haven't been demolished or redeveloped. The police cannot seem to grasp this idea/hobby and have tried to get me to admit to being there for drugs.
I agree, and I appreciate photography! I suspect being there at night is a problem, as the cops have not only the law, but your safety in mind. Personally, I'll walk around ybor east/tampa day or night. If I stray away from the main strip through ybor, I would be completely expect to be approached and robbed. While I can fight, shoot, run, it isn't worth taking the risk. During the daytime is a different story, I dont feel threatened by the cover of darkness combined with nefarious thugs (that could have been a 90s rap group). I personally like ybor by day, but have absolutely ZERO desire to be there at night.
If you like photographing run down neighborhoods, you'll appreciate this site:
@ferret111: Yeah, north of I-4 seems to be most of the non-evac areas due to elevation, so around there is what I was considering. I cannot remember any street names specifically, but I have found a couple ads on craigslist for that area that looked and sounded legit (as I know much of it on there is scams). The problem with the types of areas I usually live in is that they rarely seem to post ads for apartments on rent.com and other sites like that, because frankely, most people do not like renting in those neighborhoods. But, I have TONS of student loans to pay off over the next 10-20 years so... the slums it is. LOL Gotta do what I gotta do.
@gypsychic: Thanks! I absolutely LOVE my current neighborhood. Its very unique. I got advice from someone who had a friend who used to live out here and also suggested possibly south Seminole Heights or possibly downtown St. Pete
It is true what some here are saying about the drugs and prostitution in the areas you are looking. But that said, I am an older married white female who used to own a beautiful old Victorian apartment house on S. Nebraska Ave., (da 'hood) I went down there day and night amidst the hookers and drug dealers and never had any issues. If you have a "street smart" attitude, which is sounds like you do, its' not that big a deal. It is also true that these neighborhoods will largely be inhabited by blacks and poor hispanics, but not all of the neighorhoods look all that bad. When you get here you will see.
As to downtown St. Pete - of course this is surrounded by water, so you might be in a flood zone - as others have said, this should not be a major consideration where to live. Downtown St. Pete is very cool, however the best places to live will cost you. The part of downtown you will like is along Central Avenue. The dangerous (and cheap areas) of St. Pete are south of Central, and are more crime filled than Tampa, Tampa's crime rate has been falling steadily for years. You will not like Seminole Heights, it is not walkable to anything. I still think based on your posts and current neighborhood, an area close to Ybor will best fill the bill for you.
It will be best when you can come here and look for yourself, as I said before, a lot of this stuff won't be advertised on rental websites, many times it's just a sign in the yard, or if you hook up with a realtor right in the 'hood. I agree with Ferret, stay away from "College Hill". V. M. Ybor is probably a good choice for you to get something in your price range.
Good luck to you!
P.S. I know people will think I am weird for saying this, but I think you will understand when I say that I actually enjoy neighborhoods that have a bit of "seediness" to them, as long as they have unique character, cool old buildings, shops etc. These days the commercial area of Ybor along Seventh Ave. is kind of "slicked up", I liked it better in the 1980's when the buildings were kind of old and crumbling, but housed bookstores, vintage shops, record shops, little cafes, etc. It's still pretty cool though, just more expensive now, and a LOT of bars. There are a lot of funky little ethnic places on the ghetto outskirts where you can get cheap food like "Cuban" sandwiches, etc. and little Spanish bodegas for groceries.
Last edited by gypsychic; 09-20-2010 at 01:42 PM..
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