best neighborhood for single female with pets?

Reader Julie sent us a question…

I am a 34 yr old, single girl with a dog. I am looking to move to Tampa from Sarasota and am wondering the best places to live. I have been thinking about Hyde Park, Channelside and Ybor City. Any suggestions?

For fun, Ybor, Hyde Park, and Channelside each have offer plenty of bars and restaurants to choose.  But you didn’t ask about that.  I believe the rents are about the same in all three places as well.

Ybor has the reputation of being extremely unsafe, but in my opinon, is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.  Having said that, it can get a bit scary at times.  I probably wouldn’t recommend it for a single woman.

Channelside might be a bit more secure, but I am not sure where those residents walk their dogs.

Hyde Park might be your best bet.  Hyde Park has an active night life, a couple of parks, and a couple of the restaurants even allow dogs in the outside patio areas.

Sticks readers may know of even better neighborhoods for you, and I’m sure they’d be happy to share their thoughts with you in the comments!

By the way, the St. Pete Times has an old map of local dog parks – may come in handy for you and Rover.

11 comments - add to the conversation! → “best neighborhood for single female with pets?”


  1. John

    10 months ago

    It really depends on what type of dog. A small toy dog could live at any of the locations while you need to be more open if the dog is a larger breed, or perhaps skittish / easily spooked. Urban environments aren’t always the best for the animals.

    I know she asked about Tampa but I know plenty of people who have flocked to St. Pete because of ample green space along with other things. Being single doesn’t always necessitate access to the nightlife scene as so much a chance to meet other singles while out and about during the day.


  2. GrantRimbey

    10 months ago

    Ybor, Hyde Park, Channelside?

    I’d say Temple Terrace, but of course, I’m biased.

    They are building a formal dog park on US301, but most folks walk their dogs on the rough of the Temple Terrace golf course, it’s a private club, but the land is owned by the city and accessible to residents, all 300 acres.


  3. njones

    10 months ago

    I know you didn’t ask about it, but St Pete is a fantastic place to live – especially if you have pets. Lots and lots of parks and dog-friendly places, and there is always something going on downtown/outside.


  4. Andrea

    10 months ago

    Hyde Park all the way!


  5. Jordi

    10 months ago

    I live on the other side of South Tampa, off Westshore, right by the Gandy Bridge. Lots of apartments (the Camdens, for example) and much cheaper than Hyde Park. Sure, they are older, but I know most are pet friendly. Living by the bridge provides ample place to walk the dog and there is the Picnic Island dog park right down the road.


  6. Grandmother

    10 months ago

    Go to St Pete. My Granson is there, loves it, dogs and people all over thr place, lots to do…..far cry from cow town Tampa and I’ve been in Tampa many years… I have three German Shepherds, never know where to take them….in St Pete, lots if places


  7. Grandmother

    10 months ago

    Go to St Pete. My Granson is there, loves it, dogs and people all over thr place, lots to do…..far cry from cow town Tampa and I’ve been in Tampa many years… I have three German Shepherds, never know where to take them….in St Pete, lots of places


  8. wolffie777

    10 months ago

    Check out Davis Islands. There is a dog park and a dog beach, side-by-side.


  9. Meredith

    10 months ago

    If you can find an affordable rental in Palma Ceia, it’s a nice place and safe.


  10. Meredith

    10 months ago

    The ongoing Tampa / St. Pete debate:

    Florida Humanities Council
    http://www.flahum.org

    Florida Humanities Council Presents
    A lively conversation about the history, culture, and characters of Tampa and St. Petersburg

    Free and open to the public

    Tale of Two Cities: Tampa and Saint Petersburg
    http://flahum.org/index.cfm/do/Events.Details&ID=b00e6275-ab0c-4257-bc88-67325c12e59a
    Wednesday, May 6
    7:00 – 8:30 PM
    Centro Asturiano
    1913 N. Nebraska Ave
    Tampa, FL
    Contact: Laurie Berlin 727-873-2006 lberlin@flahum.org

    Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker spearhead a lively conversation about the history, culture, and characters of these historic Florida cities. University of South Florida St. Petersburg historians Gary Mormino and Ray Arsenault moderate the discussion. Free and open to the public.

    Join in the discussion at http://floridahumanitiescouncil.blogspot.com

    Hosts: Florida Humanities Council, USF Libraries, Tampa Bay History Center


  11. WP

    10 months ago

    Unless things have changed recently, Davis Island is a terrible dog park/beach. It would appear no one knows how to scoop their poop there, and my pup developed quite the infection from cutting his paw on something in the water there. Even PWT Picnic Island dog beach is cleaner. As far as neighborhoods go, unless you’re in East Tampa or T&C, safety seems to be very relative. We have single female joggers and dog walkers on our streets well after dark in *gasp* Seminole Heights.


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