Need advice on moving to Tampa or the suburbs (Clearwater: apartment, to rent)

[Smile4unc]

Hi, i want to move to Tampa in November. I will be working from home, so worrying about communting isnt an issue. I want to rent a townhome/house between 800-1000 month. Would you recommend moving to Tampa or the burbs? Im 31, so i want to live somewhere that has lots of things to do. I appreciate all feedback from ppl who live in the area.

Also, how far away are the beaches from Tampa?

[Smile4unc]

Also, if I do decide to live in Tampa, what are some of the good areas to live in? I've looked at Brandon, Riverview, and Seffner but I feel like these places may be too far out of the way, and I want to live where the "action" is at.

[Sunscape]

If you want to live where the action is , like you say, those places are not for you.
There are other areas around Tampa, which are more lively. Look in Countryside, Town and Country.
How close to a beach, from those areas , is like 20 minutes. That is , going to Honeymoon Island.

[Smile4unc]

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

If you want to live where the action is , like you say, those places are not for you.
There are other areas around Tampa, which are more lively. Look in Countryside, Town and Country.
How close to a beach, from those areas , is like 20 minutes. That is , going to Honeymoon Island.

Okay, thanks for the advice. The better beaches are near Clearwater and areas around there correct? I want to live close to the water, but I still want to live within the Tampa area.

[Tim Tim Tim]

Your not going to get too much in the action with that budget unfortunately, maybe a regular apartment that isnt very fancy but to be in the "city" I notice most rents for decent places well over 1k a month. I live in citrus park which is more of the "suburbs", not too far from the action but you might find something decent in that price range out here or carrollwood

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by Smile4unc

Okay, thanks for the advice. The better beaches are near Clearwater and areas around there correct? I want to live close to the water, but I still want to live within the Tampa area.

A small piece of local information i impart frequently is telling people that there are no beaches in Tampa.the beaches are all west of St Petersburg. so from the downtown area of Tampa your nearest beach of any consequence would be Clearwater at about 20 miles.
I-275 S to Court St - Google Maps
As for Tampa's nightlife? If its happening in the downtown area i didnt see it as on a half hour walk from a hotel in Channelside to the Hockey arena we found the town to be deserted at 8pm.

[Smile4unc]

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

If you want to live where the action is , like you say, those places are not for you.
There are other areas around Tampa, which are more lively. Look in Countryside, Town and Country.
How close to a beach, from those areas , is like 20 minutes. That is , going to Honeymoon Island.

Originally Posted by jambo101

A small piece of local information i impart frequently is telling people that there are no beaches in Tampa.the beaches are all west of St Petersburg. so from the downtown area of Tampa your nearest beach of any consequence would be Clearwater at about 20 miles.
I-275 S to Court St - Google Maps
As for Tampa's nightlife? If its happening in the downtown area i didnt see it as on a half hour walk from a hotel in Channelside to the Hockey arena we found the town to be deserted at 8pm.

Thanks for the info. Would you recommend living in the Clearwater/St Pet area compared to Tampa then?

[Tim Tim Tim]

There nightlife is no better.. there is atleast a LITTLE around channelside and in hyde park.

[Smile4unc]

Originally Posted by Tim Tim Tim

There nightlife is no better.. there is atleast a LITTLE around channelside and in hyde park.

Good to know too. I'm not a huge nightlife person anymore, but when I do get the urge to go out, I would like to have options. My main desires for moving to Tampa is to live in a decent size city and be close to the water. And of course enjoy the warm weather year around.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by Smile4unc

Thanks for the info. Would you recommend living in the Clearwater/St Pet area compared to Tampa then?

Kinda depends where you are working and what kind of rush hour commute you find tolerable. if i were thinking of moving back to Florida it would be all about the water and beach activities, i'd be looking at one of the beach communities from Clearwater and south.