Get your bearings before you start searching for an apartment:

  • South Tampa is home to an assortment of neighborhoods, boutiques, and restaurants. This trendy sector of the Bay Area encompasses SoHo, historic Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Westshore, and Bayshore. The city’s young professionals populate Hyde Park and SoHo (referential to the street South Howard in Hyde Park), along with students from the University of Tampa. Bayshore is lined with beautiful picturesque houses, and is also the location of the infamous Gasparilla parade.
  • Downtown Tampa houses many corporate buildings, but only a few residential buildings. Many people that work downtown live in South Tampa and commute into the downtown area. Two large high-rises are recent additions to the skyline: Element and SkyPointe. These have recently drawn more residents to the locale. Channelside is adjacent to downtown, containing the Port of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, a surplus of rentals lining the port, and the Channelside entertainment complex, filled with restaurants and bars. This business district is close to I-275, the Selmon Expressway, and I-4.
  • West Tampa is a neighborhood of Tampa dating back over 100 years. The residents of Seminole Heights live in historic bungalows. While the neighborhood is largely comprised of families, there is a growing student population in the region, drawn to underground gems such as Ella’s Americana Café and the Independent Bar. With easy access to I-275, this is a central location for many students who attend USF, but also want to be close to nightlife in South Tampa.
  • North Tampa is most often referred to as “New Tampa”, which more accurately denotes the neighborhood of Tampa Palms. North Tampa can also encompass areas including Carrollwood, Lutz, and flourishing Wesley Chapel. The University of South Florida is situated in Northeast Tampa. Many students live in the vicinity of the university and in nearby Tampa Palms neighborhoods. Visit ApartmentsForBulls.com to search for USF apartments. Wesley Chapel and Lutz are thriving in economic and residential growth after the addition of several schools, businesses, and the Shops at Wiregrass.
  • East Tampa is comprised of a few different neighborhoods. Ybor, another historic Tampa district, is known for its creative culture. 7th Avenue is home to art galleries, music venues, and themed bars and nightclubs. Nearby Brandon tends to be more family-oriented. However, with easy access to I-75 and the Selmon Expressway, students and professionals residing in Brandon are able to commute easily to school and work in Tampa.

Get to know…St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg's picturesque coastline and robust culture have made it a favorite of both residents and Florida visitors. The city draws people of all ages, from college students to retirees. As a center for both industry and nightlife, St. Petersburg has gained a reputation for offering a little bit of everything to residents and tourists alike.

Apartment Living in St. Petersburg

Whatever your domestic needs, there's a St. Petersburg apartment that will work for you. Downtown St. Petersburg apartments are close to the city's business center, along with a bustling nightlife. This combination appeals to professionals who work hard during the day and want to wind down in style each evening. Closer to the beach, older adults find that St. Petersburg apartments offer the pristine sunsets and sandy shores they'd envisioned as the backdrop of their golden years.

Residents of St. Petersburg apartments enjoy a casual culture, where city and beach meet in perfect harmony. With all the amenities residents expect from apartments in metropolitan areas, St. Petersburg apartments deliver excellent value.

St. Petersburg's Community Culture

While other parts of Pinellas County have gained a reputation as retirement communities, St. Petersburg has emerged as a vibrant and bustling city with a distinct atmosphere. The city's diversity comes through in its varied neighborhoods and activities. Families fit right into apartments in St. Petersburg's more established neighborhoods, while young professionals congregate closer to downtown. The beautiful beaches, however, draw people of all ages who'd like a great view one of St. Petersburg Beach's many apartments.

Things to Do in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg residents might spend their weekends at one of the city's many art galleries, or they may hit the beach to take in a sunset. The city offers a quirky collection of landmarks and attractions. From locally renowned Haslam's Book Store, to the 100-year-old Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg certainly provides a wide variety of activities.

The city is also home to Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, so fans of that all-American game can enjoy their favorite sport—in the air conditioning. The area around Tropicana Field hosts countless sports bars and restaurants, where fans gather not only for baseball games, but also for hockey, football, and basketball games.

Getting around St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is an ideal location for professionals who may make trips to Tampa or Clearwater on a regular basis. Located off I-275, St. Petersburg is on the tip of a peninsula, with Tampa Bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Public transit is a viable way to get around most parts of St. Petersburg, and the bus system connects with the trolley network along the beach, and to public transit in other parts of Pinellas County.

However, driving remains the best way to get around St. Petersburg. All the main arteries of Pinellas County run to or from St. Petersburg, connecting it to Clearwater and the rest of the county, along with downtown Tampa. Many St. Petersburg residents work elsewhere in Pinellas or Hillsborough County.

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentTampaBay.com or any of our advertising partners.