Moving to Tampa (Clearwater: sales, apartment, rental)

[monkeyfacebag]

I am possibly moving to Tampa for a relatively brief period of time (max 2 years), but I have never been there before. I am looking for some specific information in the following areas:

1. Public Transportation: Cost, convenience, off peak hours (after 10 and before 7). Is it possible to exist in Tampa without a car?

2. Sales tax: My understanding of Florida tax law indicates there are provisions for individual counties to bump up the sales tax rate. Is this done in Florida? Is food taxed?

3. Rental housing: Like everyone else in the world, I would be seeking the cheapest place to live that is a) safe and b) clean and c) accessible by public transit (pending answer to 1). I have no other requirements and probably wouldn't be spending a great deal of time in the apartment, so cheaper the better. Any neighborhoods I should look into? What can I expect to pay baseline?

4. Sailing. I have this crazy idea that I'm going to learn to sail when I'm down there. Are there good resources for this in Tampa?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. -- mfb

[Tampasteve]

Good luck in your move to Tampa.

1) I don't know if you are going to find the public transportation in the area very effective. I would definitely recommend a car. Depending on where you are working it may be feasible to live without a car but the overall public transportation is not regional and not as mainstream as some other major cities.

2) As far as taxes, food is not taxed but the sales tax rate here is 7%

3)rental options range quite a bit depending on where you live. A good starting point is craigslist which can give you an idea of what things rent for. $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot is a common number for rental costs in the South Tampa area.

4) There are a number of yacht clubs in the area (mostly in St. Pete/Clearwater) The one I am most familiar with is in South Tampa at the Davis Island yacht club where you can get involved in sailing.

[DC2Tampa]

I believe there's a good sailing school on Sand Key(on the bayside) just south of Clearwater Beach.