If u have facebook , go to the USF groups , i went there and many student are helping people and offering housing . ^^
I live in Carlton Arms North. This is not student housing, so there are no parties, and no drunken people staggering around at three in the morning. There is a gate house, and the complex has security staff on call at all hours of the day. The apartments are fairly inexpensive, but do not come furnished, and you will be responsible for the power bill, and internet. However, the complex pays for basic cable and water, picks garbage up at your back door, and does an excellent job of taking care of your needs as a renter. Pets are allowed, but you will have to pay a pet fee, and there are weight limits (20 lbs plus breed restrictions I think) You can have two pets per household. You are not likely to find a student apartment that permits pets, besides, student housing is horrible, so avoid it at all costs. Also avoid Avalon Heights, The Edge, The Point at South Florida, Campus Club, and the Courts at Lakeside. These are in my opinion some of the worst in the area. Expect drunkenness, fights, thefts, the occasional stabbing or shooting, vandalism and so on.The best thing you can do, is to visit a website like forrent.com, and figure out what apartments match your criteria (location, pets, washer and dryer, rent, etc.) You will easily narrow your selection down to ten apartments or so. Visit these during the day, and again in the evening when residents are home. This will give you a good idea of what the complexes are really like. If you cannot find what you are looking for, try houses and condos in the area. You are likely to find cheaper rent if you live in someones house, and you are sure to avoid student housing and bad neighbors by doing that.