Good place for a 23 y/o? (Tampa, Palm Harbor: cheap apartments, rentals, condos)

[jeremeyk482]

Hi all.

My family is moving out to CA and I'm left alone in CT with high housing prices, ridiculous taxes and SNOW! I was thinking about moving out to CA but I just can't afford it.

Do you all know any places in FL that cater more to people around my age? I'm a college grad with a degree in Criminology and Psychology--might want to be a cop but I'm still unsure.

I'm looking for a town (preferably on the beach) that has friendly people, close to civilization and good nightlife. My girlfriend and I will be moving together, and we can only afford about $900 total for rent (1-2br).

If you can help me out with a few suggestions, we would both be very grateful.

[cariad]

unless you get really lucky you won't find anything on the beach for that amount-my daughter found one, but she searched the neighborhoods on foot, bike and car.
If you want Pinellas and the beaches, you can find condos for rent in Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, and possibly Dunedin or Gulfport in your price range. All are safe areas, close to the beaches and within easy reach of Tampa and St. Pete for nightlife

[jeremeyk482]

Originally Posted by cariad

unless you get really lucky you won't find anything on the beach for that amount-my daughter found one, but she searched the neighborhoods on foot, bike and car.
If you want Pinellas and the beaches, you can find condos for rent in Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, and possibly Dunedin or Gulfport in your price range. All are safe areas, close to the beaches and within easy reach of Tampa and St. Pete for nightlife

Thanks for the suggestions.

Are these areas scenic? Not that it matters, but I wouldn't mind living in an area with palm trees all around me

Are these areas overrun by tourists and the "snowbirds" from up north?

[cariad]

IMHO, Safety harbor and Dunedin have the most Scenic areas.
Safety harbor with the small marina waterfront and Bayshore Drive along Old Tampa Bay; Condo Complexes with streets canopied with huge oak trees draped with spanish moss; Phillippe Park.
Dunedin has the causeway to Honeymoon Island, Pinellas Trail, the Marina and Edgewater Drive along St. Joseph Sound.
Though both have quaint downtown areas, Dunedin's is larger with more variety of restaurants and shops.
Dunedin probably sees more snowbirds, but it is mainly the roads, beaches and restaurants where you will feel the impact of snowbirds.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by cariad

IMHO, Safety harbor and Dunedin have the most Scenic areas.
Safety harbor with the small marina waterfront and Bayshore Drive along Old Tampa Bay; Condo Complexes with streets canopied with huge oak trees draped with spanish moss; Phillippe Park.
Dunedin has the causeway to Honeymoon Island, Pinellas Trail, the Marina and Edgewater Drive along St. Joseph Sound.
Though both have quaint downtown areas, Dunedin's is larger with more variety of restaurants and shops.
Dunedin probably sees more snowbirds, but it is mainly the roads, beaches and restaurants where you will feel the impact of snowbirds.

Although the above mentioned are sceneic, im not so sure they are right for a 23y/o. DOnt get me wrong, they are great areas, but IMO, South Tampa, or Downtown St. Pete would be ideal for a 23y/o. Check craigslist.com or tbo.com for private rentals in your price range.

[cariad]

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

Although the above mentioned are sceneic, im not so sure they are right for a 23y/o. DOnt get me wrong, they are great areas, but IMO, South Tampa, or Downtown St. Pete would be ideal for a 23y/o. Check craigslist.com or tbo.com for private rentals in your price range.

I don't disagree with you Tampaguy03, I was just going by the poster's request for being on the beach. I didn't include downtown St Pete because my search for rentals there found nothing in the poster's price range-only studio's.
Safety Harbor seems to be attracting more young singles and couples who were priced out of the St. Pete market. They still go to St. Pete and the beaches to party.

[scorp200]

Originally Posted by tampaguy03

Although the above mentioned are sceneic, im not so sure they are right for a 23y/o. DOnt get me wrong, they are great areas, but IMO, South Tampa, or Downtown St. Pete would be ideal for a 23y/o. Check craigslist.com or tbo.com for private rentals in your price range.

Yup, I agree...Safety Harbor is adorable but I know a few people who left it to go to downtown St. Pete because there wasn't a lot going on. I would have been happy in Safety Harbor, but I'm 39.

South Tampa, downtown St. Pete are good for you for sure...Ybor City too but it's not near the water. Check out the rentals section of creativeloafing.com for cheap apartments in downtown St. Pete (Times Square Apartments).