Student Moving from RI (Tampa, Lake Worth: for rent, loans, cheap house)

[Beantown617]

I'm a 19 year old student and I'm planning on moving to the area with a friend of mine from MA. I'll be going to PBSC and we're looking for cheap houses/apts within like a 10 minute drive to the campus.

I just wanted to get a feeling of what the area is like and maybe what the students are like around there before I went to visit.

As for the housing situation, we were looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom house/apt that's under $950/month. I know that's cheap for a house but I'm sure theres some older, maybe less appealing homes for rent for around that price. Not too concerned if it's a "bad neighborhood"

Also, I know PBSC is a commuter school, but are there a lot of students in the Lake Worth area?

I've been to Florida a few times but only to Tampa.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Beantown617

I'm a 19 year old student and I'm planning on moving to the area with a friend of mine from MA. I'll be going to PBSC and we're looking for cheap houses/apts within like a 10 minute drive to the campus.

I just wanted to get a feeling of what the area is like and maybe what the students are like around there before I went to visit.

As for the housing situation, we were looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom house/apt that's under $950/month. I know that's cheap for a house but I'm sure theres some older, maybe less appealing homes for rent for around that price. Not too concerned if it's a "bad neighborhood"

Also, I know PBSC is a commuter school, but are there a lot of students in the Lake Worth area?

I've been to Florida a few times but only to Tampa.

Look into downtown Lake Worth area.... specifically, the NE section of town (east of US-1), or the area immediately around downtown. Some reasonable rents can probably be found... check Craigslist or drive around looking at for rent signs. Gets you close to shops, restaurants, and the beach. Not a far drive to school.

There are plenty of young people around.... many schools in the county - Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, PBSC, Lynn University, Northwood University.... but they are spread out throughout the county.

[marteb73]

What are you going for? I'll be attending PBSC in January. Funniest part is, I'm from RI as well.. where in RI are you hailing from ?

PB State seems to be a pretty good school, there are plenty of young folks around. Wish I could help with rent, good luck with your search, I'd suggest Lake Worth as well.

[Beantown617]

I wanted to get my associate's in film/cinematography then hopefully transfer to FSU and get my bachelor's.

I'm from Lincoln, what about you? Nice to hear I won't be the only one from RI there. The reason I want to go is because the school has a very low tuition, they have my major, and I have been dying to move out of RI for the past ten years.

Our plan is to work full time through the summer and save as much money as possible before moving there in the Fall and also get a part time job there. Then work/take classes and hopefully by the second year, I would be eligible for in-state tuition as long as I got a FL driver's license and register to vote and what not.

If anyone knows the specifics of what is required to obtain in state tuition in Florida is, please let me know. I've read that as long as your PRIMARY reason for moving there isn't to go to school, and you get registration and a license in the state and have lived there for 12 months, then you should be good but I'm not 100% sure.

[marteb73]

Originally Posted by Beantown617

I wanted to get my associate's in film/cinematography then hopefully transfer to FSU and get my bachelor's.

I'm from Lincoln, what about you? Nice to hear I won't be the only one from RI there. The reason I want to go is because the school has a very low tuition, they have my major, and I have been dying to move out of RI for the past ten years.

Our plan is to work full time through the summer and save as much money as possible before moving there in the Fall and also get a part time job there. Then work/take classes and hopefully by the second year, I would be eligible for in-state tuition as long as I got a FL driver's license and register to vote and what not.

If anyone knows the specifics of what is required to obtain in state tuition in Florida is, please let me know. I've read that as long as your PRIMARY reason for moving there isn't to go to school, and you get registration and a license in the state and have lived there for 12 months, then you should be good but I'm not 100% sure.

I grew up in Glocester, my dentist for the longest time was in Lincoln. I left RI due to the fact that the state is falling apart (mob-run, but you know this) about 3 years back. I'm not surprised you want out.

Sounds like a good plan!!.. I'm going for a quick tech degree, for CAD/CAM with focus on CNC machines. Ive always been interested in Cinematography as well.

I'm pretty sure whats considered in state-tuition is different per school, but I looked into it when I found the college as well. There is more information on exactly what you're looking for on their website, it was either there or it explains in detail the in and outs while you're filling out a FASFA. Are you getting aid at all? I was eligable for a Pell Grant and I just moved here, I'm sure you could get something, they want people to go to school.

I'm pretty sure you're right on though, as long as you're a resident with a mailing addy for 12 months you can get in state tuition, which you can apply for again after you've been here for a year.

[Beantown617]

I haven't applied for financial aid yet but I'm still a dependent of my Dad so I might just have to take out loans instead. Maybe I'll be eligible for the Pell Grant as well but I should know that in a couple weeks.

How old were you when you moved there? And did you just go by yourself or did you already know some people there? Im just curious in case my friend backs down, I'll have to find a roommate on craigslist or something.

I'm sure meeting people at the school won't be hard even tho it's considered a commuter school but I'm curious to see what the students are like and the area as well. If you have any recommendations or info on the students/area/school, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks for the responses

[marteb73]

Originally Posted by Beantown617

I haven't applied for financial aid yet but I'm still a dependent of my Dad so I might just have to take out loans instead. Maybe I'll be eligible for the Pell Grant as well but I should know that in a couple weeks.

How old were you when you moved there? And did you just go by yourself or did you already know some people there? Im just curious in case my friend backs down, I'll have to find a roommate on craigslist or something.

I'm sure meeting people at the school won't be hard even tho it's considered a commuter school but I'm curious to see what the students are like and the area as well. If you have any recommendations or info on the students/area/school, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks for the responses

Def apply for FAFSA. they want people to go to school, so they generally will do what they can..

I've only been here 6 months so far, I'm 26, I moved here with my family. The area around here is very nice, clean cut and high end (compared to many other places in the US)

getting a roommate is a good idea, split rent in half or even in thirds makes sense with our current economy. good luck, sounds like you've got a plan and thats the first step

[Squiffynole]

Palm Beach County is fast, glitzy and tropical with lots of people who relocated from the northeast. Leon County (where FSU is located) is a mid-sized southern city surrounded by wilderness with a relatively progressive population due to state government and two universities.