Son accepted a job in Clearwater but wants to live in St. Petersburg (Tampa: apartments, rentals)

[Yeti2019]

My son, new graduate, from SC, just accepted a job in Clearwater. He wants to live in St. Petersburg and he need help with finding an apartment. He needs a place in an area that is safe and affordable. He would also like to be close to restaurants, bars etc. My husband and I like Westchase but he says the commute will be a hassle. Any suggestions on where would be a good place for a young adult to live? Thanks.

[MortonR]

St. Pete for the most part is not “affordable”. For that matter, Westchase wouldn’t be much less, not to mention the unpleasant commute.

What’s his housing budget? That’s going to dictate where he can live.

RM

[TBMorgan]

https://www.fusion1560.com/?keyword=...hoCQ94QAvD_BwE

Seems like this whole area is growing w/ apartments. It's adjacent to Tropicana Field (Rays baseball). Not far from downtown STP. $1300/mo

Or Feathersound/Gandy area about midway between STP and Clearwater, west of Gandy, so easy access to Tampa.

[kab0906]

Budget is the key bit of information you left out.

What is he capable of spending in rent?

[Yeti2019]

Thanks for the prompt response. His budget for rent is about $1300/monthly

[lavender]

He could find a share for that in most of the best apartments or private condo rentals.
He may find some smaller studio places around that amount. Most of downtown is safe, parking is a premium
some places have permits for residents, not all. It can be a hassle if there is no parking and its not in a parking zone for residents. Check that out if he is going to live there

[TBMorgan]

I love recommending stuff to posters and they never acknowledge the effort.

[tricon7]

If your son is still looking for something in Clearwater, they've just about finished building several sets of apartments, all grouped together, right off Hwy 19 in the city. I can't imagine they'd be too expensive and they're central to everything. Right behind the Subway shop right off Hwy 19.

[beach43ofus]

The closer he is to retail and busy roadways, the more crime there is.

[crag73]

Downtown St Pete , Central Ave if full of bars, restaurants, shops, gyms. It’s very active and people are out. Young , established and empty nesters live in the area . I live a 1/4 mile away from all that’s going on. I love it. However, it comes at a price. Many people have roommates . Especially the younger crowd. I’m in my mid-late 40’s , established , work at a hospital in the area. I lease a vehicle but hardly drive anywhere because I get irritated. Driving to Clearwater daily would be a nightmare for me. That’s just me though. I know my triggers and try to avoid them. If your son doesn’t mind traffic, traffic jams, aloof drivers on their cellphones speeding up(when not texting) slowing down ( when texting) , slow drivers in the left lane acting like it’s ok everyone has to pass them on the right then it might not be bad to him .

I’m not making an argument for or against gentrification but these are the areas where people want to live. The areas in the downtown vicinity that haven’t been gentrified are not the areas your son would want to live.

Lots of homeless in the area but that’s Florida cities for you. Really any city in the country, especially with warm temperatures is gonna attract a homeless population. Besides asking for change they seem harmless but that’s just been my experience.

Hope this was useful to you.
Merry Christmas, Happy holidays to all