Tampa/St. Pete area living.

Well it looks like I'm going to MacDill AFB for a while and even though I'm from Central Florida, I'm not too familiar with the Tampa area. I know how the area around Raymond James is and it's not pleasant. St. Pete/Clearwater area seems nice but not exactly sure where to look for living. We are planning on renting for now, Shelby is an Army brat and grew up on Army bases so she absolutely does not want to live on base. $1100/month is our planned budget and that includes things like utilities/cable/internet. We are up for all suggestions and I'd like to keep my commute under 30 minutes.

I lived in St. Pete until I was 13, moved north. Though I don't know anything about MacDill, my wife is a Housing Manager for the Army. They are pretty keen on housing, local schools, neighborhoods to avoid, etc. Give 'em a call.

MacDill: http://www.housing.af.mil/macdill/

Thanks for being there.

Dan

Might be able to find a rental house in South Tampa near the bay right now. Won't be a mcmansion, but it is a nicer area of town. Chicken Livers at the Collonade. Sushi at Yoko's. Yeah, the old Hong Shop was right across from Raymond James. You know you're in the ghettizo when there's a strip joint on every corner...in a 50 year old shack.

My dad retired from MacDill. I was already out of the house by then, but they lived in Val Rico. At the time it was a quick jump on the crosstown to MacDill. But the crosstown is a toll road, so keep that in mind. You don't mention if you had kids, but my parents moved out there for the schools, and my sister went to HS in Val Rico. Also, it's been about 10 years since I was there last so I don't really have any current info.

I do know they have AWESOME hand rolled cigars in Ybor City...

And MacDill has a very nice skeet range, if you are into that sort of thing.

I've been stationed at MacDill for a little over 2 years. I first lived in a cruddy apartment on South Westshore. After I got back from deployment, I'm rented a townhouse about 2 miles from the main gate. I pay $1400/month for rent. Remember, the closer to the base you get, the more expensive it is. If I could do it again, I'd be in Brandon or Riverview. I could have a 4 bedroom house with a 2 car garage for the same price I pay now. It's about a 45 minute commute depending on the traffic and weather. I'd get a Sunpass and hop on the Crosstown Expressway. That's the issue with working at MacDill: Close = expensive for size.

St. Pete has some nice houses too but the commute is nearly the same as Brandon/Riverview and its still costly for what you get.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll def go check out Brandon and Riverview. I've got a E-pass/Sunpass already from my years at UCF and most recent employer. Shelby says she found a decent looking place in Riviera Bay right near the Crosstown bridge I guess but she's worried it's a bad area.

stanger, what are you doing there? I'm going to the Comm Squadron.

Also, the housing office has what called the RPP or Rental Partnership Program. I used that for The Cove on Westshore. I got 10% rent but had to use direct deposit which made paying rent easy...

I work in the Joint Communications Support Element or JCSE for short. I want to go to the Comm Sq. when my controlled tour is up in 2 years...

That's nice info to know! I'm excited to go over to MacDill. Being a huge Bucs and Rays fan it's a plus, family not to far away, beaches, fishing, and still not to far away from Sebring or Daytona.

I'm just a newb though, just finished my IADT and starting my OJT.

I lived just north of UCF for 8 years then moved over to the west coast last fall and I am glad I made the move. The summer here is so much tolerable than being in Orlando. Beach, boats, and a pleasant off shore breeze make it all worth it. Hope you enjoy Tampa, sorry I can't help with the housing options there since I am further south.

Although Treasure Island is a really nice area but might be too far and more expensive. Also Gulfport might be worth checking out, again that might be too far for you.

Yea I love the Gulf Coast of Florida. Better fishing, nicer beaches, etc. I believe they are a little to far south for a daily commute. I can't wait to get over there!

Where are you coming from? I came from Nebraska (Offutt) and this place is a tropical paradise compared to there...

Orlando blows, you'll love it over here.

I second the other recommendations made here.

I took this picture in late November 2010. It's the beach on MacDill by the marina. I was wearing shorts, sandals and a t-shirt

I'm a native to Sebring and have spent most of my adult life in the greater Orlando area. It's nice and all but I love fishing, I love beaches, and I love the Bucs so it's a perfect fit. Everyone in my Tech School class got awesome assignments, except for this one kid, he got Grand Forks lol, but I guess that's better than getting das boot for an Article 15.