I'm not sure if I have posted in the right area or not, but I have a question for anyone who lives or has lived in the Tampa FL area. My wife and I are moving there in Septmeber and are would like to find a good apartment complex in the Tampa area. Once which someone could possibly recomend and thats not too pricey. Somewhere in the region of $500 - $700 a month for a one bedroom.
I know the last place we rented in Colorado on the visit around the place it seemed GREAT but a month after we moved in we realised just how noisey, loud and how many problems there were....we don't wanna make the same mistake again.
SO if anyone can help, that would be great!
I haven't lived in Tampa (I was in Jacksonville, FL), and if there's someone on Britnet who lives/has lived there I'm sure they'll be delighted to help you.
However, in case no-one here is able to help, may I suggest you contact a couple of Realtors in Tampa to ask their advice on good, safe areas in the region, then you'll be more equipped to make an informed decision based on the advice you receive. Good luck! )
Wish you luck trying to find apartments that cheap Neil - we live in northwest Florida, and they run around $800. to $1100. here.
Best bet would be to contact realtors for that area of Florida. Why the move to FL? yes I'm being nosey? wink
(off topic, am I the only person who mentally calls this city Tampax?)
As with all large cities in the US, there are always bad areas and you have to pay a little more for the better parts.
I've lived over here for 13 years and this is my second stint in Florida. We live in an area called New Tampa (aka Tampa Palms) and it's clean, safe and relatively quiet. However, what was once rural orange groves has become a sea of development with a landscape that changes every day.
There is a free, monthly apartment guide in most supermarkets and I believe this is their website
http//www.apartmentguide.com
http//www.rent.com is another resource worth browsing to give you some idea of apartment complex quality, facilities and prices.
Personally, I stopped using apartment locator services and realtors. Some of them charge fees and you can often negotiate a better deal with the apartment complexes direct.
(off topic, am I the only person who mentally calls this city Tampax?)
I know always makes you think of Charles too... :o
Why the move...well for alot of different reasons...
One reasons is because my wifes transfering with her job to bradenton so we would like to live somewhere preferably no longer than 30 mins drive from there and as close to the beach as possible within basis.
What are some good areas of Tampa, or there abouts to live in and rent an apartment? Cos I have seen some nice apartments and good prices but I bet the reason they are a good price is becuase they are in Gettos! So we dont wanna end up in a Getto Area?
New Tampa (aka Tampa Palms)..I know Russ mentioned New Tampa (aka Tampa Palms)...anymore?
Ah! Bradenton - that makes a difference. If your wife is going to be working in Bradenton, then Tampa is probably too far to be able to commute in 30 minutes during rush hour.
New Tampa is on the NW side of the Tampa area - so it's even further away. The I-75 will take you straight to Bradenton but you're looking at an hour commute - and if there's a snarl up - Ay carumba!
The good news is that just about everywhere in Bradenton is safe - so there's no need to live in Tampa. In fact, many people in Tampa would kill to be able to live and work in Bradenton.
It's still quiet but not entirely 'out in the sticks'. That means it'll be cheaper too (Anna Marie Island excepted). The Island is gorgeous. A great place to spend weekends on the beach. It's only 10-15 minutes from Bradenton but property there is not cheap.
Will you have a chance to come and visit the area before you make the move? That is what I would advise. There are a lot of nice places south of Tampa. For example, the Brandon area is nice. I wouldn't want to live directly in Brandon, but it's nice being close enough so that everything's very handy to get to. When I looked on Map quest though, they say it takes 45 mins to get to Bradenton. Obviously they don't drive like me lol Bradenton itself I was not impressed with -? Hopefully you can get to visit first to get a feel for the area. I have a friend who works at a realtors, so I'll see if I can get some info for rentals for the Tampa Bay area.
Morph...That would be great if you could get some info on places to rent for me!
Yes we are going to visit in June before the move so we can check out apartments people have recommened... So thats why I'm asking you guys if you can help us out on that note...
How long does it take to get from Tampa Bay to Bradenton?
Basically what we want is either somewhere in Bradenton so long as its not a Getto, or somewhere thats not more than about 30 mins away from Bradenton thats not a Getto either...(Preferable as close to the beach as possible)
How about living in Sarasota and comuting to Bradenton?
(off topic, am I the only person who mentally calls this city Tampax?)
No. In fact, I often wonder if Tampax was invented in FL. No doubt someone will now google and find this not to be true.
(off topic, am I the only person who mentally calls this city Tampax?)
I know always makes you think of Charles too... :o
Well, and there's a huge supermarket chain call Pubix too....
HAHAHA!!!
Okay back to the thread...
I'll try and dig up some info too, I have relatives who live out there as well (not that you'd ever see me in Florida again unless it involves either horses - some good Arabian farms there - or motorsports)
Andrew :)
(off topic, am I the only person who mentally calls this city Tampax?)
No. In fact, I often wonder if Tampax was invented in FL. No doubt someone will now google and find this not to be true.
Doubt it. Tampax is just a brand name, playing on the word tampon (which is from the French 'tampion'). A tampion was a cover or plug that went in an old military cannon to protect it from the elements.
So, no change there then! o
Debs x lol
Morph...That would be great if you could get some info on places to rent for me!
Yes we are going to visit in June before the move so we can check out apartments people have recommened... So thats why I'm asking you guys if you can help us out on that note...
How long does it take to get from Tampa Bay to Bradenton?
Basically what we want is either somewhere in Bradenton so long as its not a Getto, or somewhere thats not more than about 30 mins away from Bradenton thats not a Getto either...(Preferable as close to the beach as possible)
How about living in Sarasota and comuting to Bradenton?
Well according to Mapquest it is about 22 mins. Sarasota is beautiful, but property is expensive. Mind you anywhere near the beach is going to be.
Her are a couple of links for the area http://www.tbo.com/ General info about the Tampa Bay area
and for real estate http://www.rentnet.com/apartments/home.jhtml I found that through the Tampa Bay Online site. There were quite a few apartments to rent in the Bradenton area. Who knows how they really look in real life though :wink:
Like I said before, I didn't care for Bradenton when we were looking for a house. Everyone's different though, and we had schools to consider etc.
Good luck, and I'll get back to you soon after I talk to my friend.