6 Months in Tampa - advice on where to stay (Madison: extended stay, apartments)

[BsHockeyFan]

Hi all, I've just been notified I'll be heading to MacDill for a 6-month stay. I've been looking at extended stay apartments off base and could use a little advice. From what I've read here I'd like to stay N of Gandy. I'd like to have maybe a 20 - 30 min commute tops, be in a safe neighborhood within walking distance of a few restuarants. I not looking for the party scene, just looking for a quiet, safe place for six months. My family will visit and I'd like (the feeling) to think they'll be safe. Based on what's available to me (corporate housing) I found the following apartments:

Camden Westshore
Marriott Execustay - Mainsail South
Grand Key

Possibles:
Casa Bella
Camden Bayside/Preserve
Hyde Park Walk
Post Hyde Park

I'm leaning towards Mainsail South or Grand Key based on the central location and short commute to the base. Casa Bella/Camden Bayside/Preserve area doesn't look like it's the best and Hyde Park Walk/Post look too far. Plus I've read the area has a large college presence and isn't that quiet at night (just what I read).

Appreciate any information or suggestions. I've read tons of great things about the area and look forward to visiting.

John

[ferret111]

Using Gandy as a dividing line can be a little flaky, since there are good parts on both sides. Casa Bella and Camden Bayside are very close to the base and seem to be well-maintained. Unfortunately, when it comes to walking to restaurants and stuff, you'd probably be limited to the Hyde Park locations, which are still pretty close to MacDill. The Hyde Park area will have some college kids, but it in no way resembles a college town-type atmosphere.

Mainsail and Grand Key are in good locations, too. If you go with Grand Key, you'll be across the street from Britton Plaza, which is a large shopping center with a Publix, Burlington, and a bunch of other stores. As far as restaurants go, you have a Taco Bell, Arby's, Chinese buffet, Estella's Mexican Restaurant (great food), Pizza Hut, and a Cuban café. There's a bus stop in front of Grand Key and you can take a bus to MacDill, which is a mile or two directly south.

[BsHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by ferret111

Using Gandy as a dividing line can be a little flaky, since there are good parts on both sides. Casa Bella and Camden Bayside are very close to the base and seem to be well-maintained. Unfortunately, when it comes to walking to restaurants and stuff, you'd probably be limited to the Hyde Park locations, which are still pretty close to MacDill. The Hyde Park area will have some college kids, but it in no way resembles a college town-type atmosphere.

Mainsail and Grand Key are in good locations, too. If you go with Grand Key, you'll be across the street from Britton Plaza, which is a large shopping center with a Publix, Burlington, and a bunch of other stores. As far as restaurants go, you have a Taco Bell, Arby's, Chinese buffet, Estella's Mexican Restaurant (great food), Pizza Hut, and a Cuban café. There's a bus stop in front of Grand Key and you can take a bus to MacDill, which is a mile or two directly south.

Thanks for the info. Any idea how far the commute is from the Hyde Park area?

[ferret111]

Not including the complexes already in Hyde Park, the rest of them are about fifteen to twenty minutes away in normal traffic and usually less at night.

[MAniacTHW]

From what I understand and the little I've seen, there's very little north of Gandy.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

From what I understand and the little I've seen, there's very little north of Gandy.

Huh? Most everything is North of Gandy (NOG).. South of Gandy is a very small area which includes MacDill. There are some areas near Robinson HS that are sketchy but it isn't all bad.

[TampaKaren]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Huh? Most everything is North of Gandy (NOG).. South of Gandy is a very small area which includes MacDill. There are some areas near Robinson HS that are sketchy but it isn't all bad.

Exactly! There are some cute houses, newer townhouses and a few condos in the Interbay area (zip 33611) that are in good locations and very convenient to downtown, MacDill AFB and Hillsborough Bay. I'd suggest when researching South of Gandy to look East of Dale Mabry Hwy.

OP: If it were me, I'd avoid Grand Key, Hyde Park Walk, and Camden.

[BsHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

Exactly! There are some cute houses, newer townhouses and a few condos in the Interbay area (zip 33611) that are in good locations and very convenient to downtown, MacDill AFB and Hillsborough Bay. I'd suggest when researching South of Gandy to look East of Dale Mabry Hwy.

OP: If it were me, I'd avoid Grand Key, Hyde Park Walk, and Camden.

Can you give specifics why to avoid Grand Key and Hyde Park Walk (location, condition of condo)? Grand Key was a finalist!

I've looked everywhere for something east of Dale Mabry/south of Gandy and can't find anything. Any recommendations?

Thanks for the info....

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Huh? Most everything is North of Gandy (NOG).. South of Gandy is a very small area which includes MacDill. There are some areas near Robinson HS that are sketchy but it isn't all bad.

That's what I meant...

[BsHockeyFan]

Thanks for the info. I've been in touch with a corporate housing company and they recommend Madison SOHO and Grand Central in Hyde Park and Harbour Island Walk, Harbour City Homes and the Ventanna. It also states these Harbour Island properties are only a 20 - 30 min drive to MacDill and the Hyde Park area is 10 - 15 min from base.

Can anyone confirm this...it looks much further on the map.

Thank you.