Hoping to move to Tampa area (University: apartments, rentals, high crime)

[CaribbeanDreamer37]

My boyfriend and I are planning to move to the Tampa area in approximately 5 months, if he's able to get a job transfer (his company has an office near the University of South Florida, just west of Hwy. 75). I'm currently unemployed, but after researching the current rates of apartment rentals throughout the Tampa metro area, we'll be able to afford to rent a place that's as high as $800 per month, for a 1-bedroom unit.

We're not the 'party type', but we enjoy going out to the usual chain sit-down restaurants, and other entertainment places, like movies, plays, comedy clubs, etc. We're looking to find a city/neighborhood that's not considered high crime, within 15 minutes of his work place and has lots of stores for shopping and restaurants; we like newer-looking areas too.

We'd appreciate any information that can be given to us. We don't have children, so there's no need to look for schools.

[craigm1841]

Moderator cut: deleted post

sounds like bad advice and an advertisement all rolled into one.

They have a limited budget, one is unemployed, and they are only "boyfriend and girlfriend", and they are not familiar with the area. How is buying right off the bat a good option?

Make your commission elsewhere. Buying is not a viable option for this couple- you should be ashamed of yourself for even suggesting it.

To the OP- i could make some reccomendations, but they would be in south tampa and possibly a little more pricey. I hope someone can chime in with good information on apartments a little further north, but $800 is plenty for a 1BR in a decent complex near USF

[CaribbeanDreamer37]

Originally Posted by craigm1841

sounds like bad advice and an advertisement all rolled into one.

To the OP- i could make some reccomendations, but they would be in south tampa and possibly a little more pricey. I hope someone can chime in with good information on apartments a little further north, but $800 is plenty for a 1BR in a decent complex near USF

Thank you for your input.