Best inexpensive place for single person to rent in St. Pete? (Tampa: apartments, rentals)

[madmermaid]

Hi all,

I'll be working in St Petersburg for about 1.5 to 2 months, and I'm looking for an inexpensive room to rent. I'll be working near Tropicana Field, so I'd like it to be close to that if possible. I'm single, 32 but get along with all ages, no kids, don't mind a little sketch but don't want to fear for my life when coming home after dark. Like fun neighborhoods with character, and really hoping to find something in the 400-600 range. Which neighborhoods do you recommend that I check out? Which neighborhoods should I avoid (crime etc)?

Thanks

[BBI]

Originally Posted by madmermaid

Hi all,

I'll be working in St Petersburg for about 1.5 to 2 months, and I'm looking for an inexpensive room to rent. I'll be working near Tropicana Field, so I'd like it to be close to that if possible. I'm single, 32 but get along with all ages, no kids, don't mind a little sketch but don't want to fear for my life when coming home after dark. Like fun neighborhoods with character, and really hoping to find something in the 400-600 range. Which neighborhoods do you recommend that I check out? Which neighborhoods should I avoid (crime etc)?

Thanks

Off the top of my head, the St. Pete neighborhoods you should investigate are: Downtown, Old Northeast, Crescent Lake, and Uptown. Uptown's the sketchiest of those, but definitely not 'fear for your life' territory. If you're just trying to rent a room, I don't know about availability, but you should be fine on price in any of those neighborhoods. If none of those work, look at Kenwood/Grand Central. If you're not familiar with neighborhood boundaries, zillow does a good job. Happy to take a shot at answering specific questions.

Also, FYI there's a "tourism" tax on rentals under 6 months. I'm assuming you're just going to craigslist something under the table, so this won't be an issue. But if someone does refuse an under-6-month lease, you might just need to propose a creative way around the tax.

[madmermaid]

Thanks for your answer! I will check those areas.

I've also gotten possible offers near 4th and 77th (north), Treasure Island, 28th at 20th, Gulfport. Any thoughts on those areas?

[chi_tino]

I think I may know which apartments you are thinking of at 4th St/77th Ave. It's not bad per se, but I wouldn't call it "fun". It's a low-rent, blue collar community. Okay neighborhood and very convenient amenities (night next to a shopping plaza), but there are much nicer places nearby for a bit more money.

You may be limiting yourself if you only want to pay $13-20 a day for rent.

[BBI]

Originally Posted by madmermaid

Thanks for your answer! I will check those areas.

I've also gotten possible offers near 4th and 77th (north), Treasure Island, 28th at 20th, Gulfport. Any thoughts on those areas?

4th St N at 77th Ave N (assuming I've got the roads right) is in an area called "gateway." It's mostly strip malls, nothing fun in the neighborhood. You'd be a pretty quick drive to either downtown St. Pete or South Tampa (the two nightlife areas).

Treasure Island is a safe area, and on the beach. Permanent residents are mostly retirees, but you're only here for a couple of months and it can be OK during beach season (May-September). It will be all snowbirds during golf season (October-April). I'm not sure when you're coming.

28th at 20th, you need to clarify street or avenue and north or south.

Gulfport has a tiny little downtown with a few bars, and a couple of restaurants that are actually pretty good for the size of the town. It's very small and you'll get bored very quickly. It can get kinda-sorta fun if Stetson Law students are out in full force, provided you're OK hanging out with law students. Permanent residents are an older crowd and it's not an affluent area. Significant gay community in Gulfport if that matters to you one way or the other. Fairly short drive to downtown St. Pete for better nightlife.

[CrispySugar]

I moved from Gateway to Uptown - 4th St. North and 9th Ave. North. It's a wonderful neighborhood. There are some quirks that any urban dweller deals with. Lots of bicycle pedestrian traffic, homeless people digging through trash occasionally, but that's it. I haven't seen much crime or anything that's really had me worried. There's lots to do - restaurants/shops and it's got great proximity to downtown without paying downtown living prices. Gateway was close to work for me but like the last poster said, nothing but strip malls and nothing for younger single people to enjoy.