Moving to Tampa for USF -- good neighborhoods? (Brandon, Lutz: condo, house)

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by jnichols2

well that's just wrong.

i make the commute from palma ceia to USF every day in 20-25 minutes each way, at 8:30am and 6pm.

I dont see how... what's your route? I work downtown and routinely go out to lunch on Fowler, it takes me 15 minutes at lunch time, if I can miss every light on Fowler. And there is zero traffic when I drive.

[annaegel]

I live in Tampa Palms and work at USF. It takes me with traffic around 20 minutes to get to work and the same to go home. I live in a very safe and nice neighborhood. Without traffic, it takes 10 minutes. You may also look into Temple Terrace, though I can't help you as far as which part is safe. We are not terribly close to the beach, about 45 minutes to Clearwater and an hour to Fort DeSoto Park.

USF area has several major hospitals, Moffitt Cancer Hospital, VA Hospital, University Community Hospital (now called Florida Hospital), Shrinners and smaller medical buildings like USF Health, Florida Medical Clinic, All Children's Specialty Care, etc. There are also plenty of doctors offices, and stand alone diagnostic clinics. All this within a 5 mile radius of USF.

What is your price range for rent?

[crazynip]

The only part of Temple Terrace that is safe is between Bullard Pkwy (Busch Blvd) and Fowler, EAST of 56th Street to the river. Let me stress EAST of 56th street. And that is likely out of your price range. Take one step west of 56th street or go South of Busch, and you are asking to get stabbed.

[uncabulldog]

Originally Posted by annaegel

I live in Tampa Palms and work at USF. It takes me with traffic around 20 minutes to get to work and the same to go home. I live in a very safe and nice neighborhood. Without traffic, it takes 10 minutes. You may also look into Temple Terrace, though I can't help you as far as which part is safe. We are not terribly close to the beach, about 45 minutes to Clearwater and an hour to Fort DeSoto Park.

USF area has several major hospitals, Moffitt Cancer Hospital, VA Hospital, University Community Hospital (now called Florida Hospital), Shrinners and smaller medical buildings like USF Health, Florida Medical Clinic, All Children's Specialty Care, etc. There are also plenty of doctors offices, and stand alone diagnostic clinics. All this within a 5 mile radius of USF.

What is your price range for rent?

Price range is roughly $900 - $1100 but a little flexible. Safe neighborhood is definitely a must.

[annaegel]

Originally Posted by uncabulldog

Price range is roughly $900 - $1100 but a little flexible. Safe neighborhood is definitely a must.

Not sure you will find a house for that price in Tampa Palms. You could find an apartment for that. Camden Live Oaks apartment are nice Tampa, FL Apartments - Camden Live Oaks. For more upscale apartments, The Grand Reserve is nicer and still within your budget Welcome! | The Grand Reserve at Tampa Palms - Apartments in Tampa

There are also town homes that you could rent as well like Emerald Point. I don't know their price point.

[uncabulldog]

So it looks like you guys are recommending only Tampa Palms and Brandon? I must say I'm a little shocked that in a city the size of Tampa there aren't more options than that.

crazynip -- Is Tampa as bad as you are making it out to be? It seems like there are only like three neighborhoods in the whole city that are livable. You've got me a little concerned.

[GoRays813]

It's because of your price range. If you want to live in a nice neighborhood, you're going to have to bump up your limit. I live in a great neighborhood but I pay $1000 for a 1/1.

Tampa isn't that bad. The previous posts on its safety are fairly accurate, but a bit exaggerated. The area around USF is pretty seedy. You'd have to go west of I-75 or north/east in the immediate areas around USF to avoid it. Based on your desires for a house within that range, I would look outside of the USF area, up to Wesley Chapel and even Brandon.

[jnichols2]

Originally Posted by crazynip

I dont see how... what's your route? I work downtown and routinely go out to lunch on Fowler, it takes me 15 minutes at lunch time, if I can miss every light on Fowler. And there is zero traffic when I drive.

From the USF parking lots to 275 (via Fowler takes me about 5-9 minutes). From the on ramp to the Ashley exit is 6 minutes, without fail. Another 2-4 minutes gets me through downtown (via Tampa St.) to the start of Bayshore Blvld around Tampa General... then on to Palma Ceia.

If I have very bad luck and hit a lot of red lights, it will take me up to 30-32 minutes to get to Palma Ceia at rush hour (still only 15-20 minutes to downtown), but that is rare. There are also many days where I can make it all the way home in under 20 minutes (~10-15 minutes to the downtown exit).

[annaegel]

Sure there are other areas nearby. You could look into Carrollwood (Lake Magdalene area in Carrollwood for your home rental), Lutz, etc. They might be a bit longer commute (30 minutes or longer). Why did I recommend Tampa Palms? It is what I know from my own personal experience: how long it takes me to get to USF, I know that my area is safe, offers nearby shopping, restaurants, movie theatre, etc. The immediate area around USF is not that great. It's nicknamed suitcase city (very transient). I read somewhere that suitcase city in Tampa is in the #9 slot for most dangerous cities in the US. I find that hard to believe. However, I wouldn't feel safe walking around there at night.

[CravingMountains]

Originally Posted by jnichols2

well that's just wrong.

i make the commute from palma ceia to USF every day in 20-25 minutes each way, at 8:30am and 6pm.

hyde park would be a few minutes less.

downtown and channelside would be 15 minutes.

I don't know how fast your going, but I have been driving from Hyde Park to USF for almost 4 years now. Factoring in the traffic that you hit EVERY day without fail, I have to budget at LEAST 45 minutes of travel time to get from Hyde Park to USF. Several times, do to road closings or bad accidents, that commute has increased to an hour and a half. I am actually about to head up there right now for a class. I'll post back on the travel time going there and returning.

I think New Tampa would be best for the OP. But just as there are no really great neighborhoods around USF, there is also no close proximity to nice beaches. The nice beaches are on the west side of Pinellas county. USF is all the way in the north east of Hillsborough. USF is not conveniently located for any other activity in the Tampa Bay area.