Going crazy trying to find Apartment in budget

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Looking to Rent Apartment around $900 to $1000 a month(dogs included in monthly fee).

We have check on Zilliow.com, Apartments.com, rent.com, Craigslist(makes us nervous about those ads).
Senior 55+ apartments are too high or either income restricted or my dogs are too heavy(was told they need to be under 10lbs each)

We have looked all over Sarasota, Tallahassee, Haines City,Jacksonville, Florida. Were having a hard time with the price. We need : 1 bedroom apartment , low crime , nice area, public transit .
we are retired, so no kids to worry about. If we wanted to go back to work it would be part time only.

Major issue: I have to call every place I find online the Rental rate is wrong or the listing does not include how much it is for dogs(I have 2 small dogs). And the amount they want for a non-refundable deposit is crazy.

I feel so overwhelmed,sad and frustrated. It's like I'm not going to find anything and we have looked for months.

Thanks for letting me ramble, but if anyone can help, please let me know . TIA

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Do you have to be in those cities? Sometimes expanding your search area helps.

 

[tarheel618]

Have you thought about smaller cities like Gainesville, Ocala or even the Villages FL?

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

No we don't have to be in those cities.
If you had a map of Florida and you see Kissimmee draw a line from from the Gulf to the Atlantic that's as far south We would look. Anything north of that's ok.

 

[tarheel618]

http://www.rollingacresapts.com/lady-lake-apts-for-rent/rolling-acres-apartments/

This is for the Villages FL

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

There's a Facebook group called Taking the Florida Plunge - it's for people who have already moved/ are planning to move to FL. Lots of great people on there they might have suggestions for apt complexes

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Had family that lived in Gainesville area , but when we looked into it , the problem was the deposit for the dogs of over $300 each and non-refundable. Not just one apartment but several. Will look at Ocala. Thank you

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Thank you Good Morning Dewdrop we'll check it out

 

[potterfanatic]

I lived in Crawfordville, Fl for a while it is a small town about 20 minutes south of Tallahassee. I think the prices there are significantly cheaper because it isn't in the city.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Potterfanatic, we live in a small town now. Will check your town out . Thank you

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

We can not thank you all enough. This is giving us hope. Thank you for what feels like a burst of sunshine

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Do you happen to know what the deposit is for dogs?? Look the photos online. Thank you!

http://www.rollingacresapts.com/lady-lake-apts-for-rent/rolling-acres-apartments/

This is for the Villages FL

 

[tarheel618]

Do you happen to know what the deposit is for dogs?? Look the photos online. Thank you!

No I don't. Since you're retired I thought of the Villages. The community has a lot of activities. Most people travel on golf carts there- not sure about public transit. If you google rentals there are a lot listed. I know you said apts but there were small homes as well.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Thank you for you help, but we are not looking to buy. Just going to rent. Thanks again.

No I don't. Since you're retired I thought of the Villages. The community has a lot of activities. Most people travel on golf carts there- not sure about public transit. If you google rentals there are a lot listed. I know you said apts but there were small homes as well.

 

[tarheel618]

No I meant there are small homes to rent and some include a golf cart.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

This is some of the trouble Were having. It's $450.00 fee for my dogs ,but I have to get on the phone and find out if it's non-refundable or not and is it $10 per dog or is it $10 for both dogs. The information not clear.

Found an apartment in Winter Springs . This is their Pet Policy:
Cats, small dogs, large dogs
Breed restrictions, 2
pet max, $350 fee 1st
pet $150 2nd, 75 lbs. max, $10 rent

 

[lovemygoofy]

I think you're just going to have to get used to the thought of paying big pet deposit. We've rented houses and apartments around the country and it's very common to pay such big fees that are nonrefundable. One thing you can ask is if the pet deposit could be broken down and added to your rent if you cannot afford to pay the pet deposits up front. I know my mom lives in over 60 area and they often break the pet deposit into 12-18 months of payments.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

I think it's just a shock that a fee for such little dogs is so high, but your right it's something we'll have to get use to.

I think you're just going to have to get used to the thought of paying big pet deposit. We've rented houses and apartments around the country and it's very common to pay such big fees that are nonrefundable. One thing you can ask is if the pet deposit could be broken down and added to your rent if you cannot afford to pay the pet deposits up front. I know my mom lives in over 60 area and they often break the pet deposit into 12-18 months of payments.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I think it's just a shock that a fee for such little dogs is so high, but your right it's something we'll have to get use to.

Well frankly, lots people are nasty and let their pets do their business where ever and tear up anything and everything. Typically after renters with pets are gone, there has to be new flooring and major cleaning of the rental to include the duct work because of possible allergies in the next renters. Additionally, people let their pets tear up the yards as well. Some people just aren't good peoples sadly.

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

Looking to Rent Apartment around $900 to $1000 a month(dogs included in monthly fee).

I am familiar with some of the areas you posted. I sent you a PM with some suggestions!