~ moderate rent; nothing fancy ~ (Tampa: apartment complex, rentals, gated)

[Ace-of-Stars]

Just completed the 1st major hurdle in advance of my long-planned relocation to the Tampa Bay area -- qualifying to become licensed in Florida to be able to continue working in my current field of employment. Sadly, for all of the money that is required to become "state certified" in my job field, anyone who hires me in this industry is still going to "nickel-&-dime" me salarywise, which is just the nature of this particular business anyway.

So because of the realities of what I'll likely have to expect in terms of potential income here once I'm ready to make the transition, I'm going to have to go "low-ball" with my housing situation to help get me started on a somewhat stable footing. But every source I keep looking at keeps throwing all these glitzy, glammy, fancy out-of-the-way lodgings up in my face with all sorts of bells & whistles... and ofcourse the obligatory high price tags to go along with them.

Sorry folks, but I'm just a lone individual bringing only myself: no intimate partner, no children, no aged parents, no roommates, no drama, and not a lot of junk I'll be toting along with me (largest item might be an elongated lounge chair, that is *IF* I decide to bring it along). And my sole vehicle for transportation is a motorcycle.

So all I need is something "SIMPLE" and "INEXPENSIVE" - hoping to keep the (housing) bill neatly under $575/mo., since I'm expecting to do quite a bit of "budgeting." It doesn't even have to be a "separate bedroom" style apartment; I'm just as open (in fact, more so) to a nice "studio" with certain expected "amenities", namely a kitchen[ette] and especially my own "EXCLUSIVE-use" water closet.

Searching online is giving me a headache, because every source seems to think we're all looking for the same thing: lakeside views, fitness centers, swimming pools, on-ground picnic areas, free HBO & ESPN, etc. I don't care for all of that hype: just give me a stable "up-to-code" building in a somewhat laidback part of town and I'll work with that as a starting point, until I feel it starts conflicting with my character.

Thinking I might be more interested in the St.Petersburg area based on what I've heard/read thus far (will try to cross over and spend some more time there looking around during my remaining few days here in the Hillsborough area), but Tampa is also an option. But it doesn't necessarily have to be the "City-proper" either; the smaller surrounding areas are also open for consideration. (Note: Single Male, Mid-40s, Less-Social, if anyone thinks that extra tidbit of information might be useful in the decision-making process.)

Any ideas whom I might want to speak with to discuss these options (local realtors? aternative websites/publications? etc.)? Or can anyone here in forum offer any direct suggestions/recommendations? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[MAniacTHW]

There are a ton of Apartments on Himes, Armenia, and Sligh that would most likely fit this bill. Himes and some of Sligh are outside of Tampa proper.

[Ace-of-Stars]

Thanks, MAniac... I'll give it a look. Trying not to go the "Craig's List" route, if you know what I mean.

[MAniacTHW]

I am fully aware of what you mean. I have been burned quite a few times with Craigslist rentals. To the point where, if I see a legit apartment complex posting on Craigslist, I steer clear.

[DWMachineshop]

Go down into St Pete. Kenwood or surrounding area and fine a Garage Apartment. They are plentiful and cheap.

[KPB]

Originally Posted by DWMachineshop

Go down into St Pete. Kenwood or surrounding area and fine a Garage Apartment. They are plentiful and cheap.

Agree^^