Areas to avoid: Tampa, FL
j/k... well, somewhat.
I lived there for a year from '05-'06 and I never really felt like it was "home". I met a few good friends and had some good times... in fact I'm going back to visit in a couple weeks... but I knew within the first month that I didn't want to stay too long.
The first six months, I rented a 1-bedroom apartment in the Wesley Chapel area (NE of Tampa) which is growing like crazy and has lots of new things being built including a huge shopping mall. It was a great area to live in because I could be downtown in 20 minutes (not during rush-hour, obviously).
The second half of my stay, I moved in with a friend of mine over near New Port Richey. It was much closer to the beach, but further from any of the fun bar areas like Channelside or Hyde Park.
If I could do it over again, I'd try to get an apartment on Rocky Point (at the end of the causeway by the Tampa Airport). In my opinion, that location is unbeatable as far as logistics are concerned.
Although, rereading your post, I'm not sure I can be much help... haha. I don't know much about St. Petersburg, and I don't know a whole lot about renting houses in the area. I'd be glad to answer any questions I can, however... just PM me.