Your off-campus apartment near USF should add to your college experience, not complicate it. At The Retreat at Tampa, convenience, comfort, and hospitality come together in a way that helps residents settle into student life with more ease and confidence.
Want to learn more? This FAQ page brings together the details students, parents, and guarantors usually want to know before signing a year-long lease. From floor plans and furnishings to amenities, policies, parking, and leasing information, this page is designed to help you get a clearer look at our Tampa, FL, apartments and make a more informed housing decision.
1. Location & Proximity to Campus
The Retreat at Tampa is located just 0.19 miles from the University of South Florida, giving residents quick access to campus by foot, bike, or car. This keeps daily trips to class, study spots, and campus events simple and practical.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa is within walking distance of USF, which is a major advantage for students who want to stay close to campus without relying on a long commute. For students searching for USF off-campus housing, this location offers a strong balance of convenience and independence.
The Retreat at Tampa is close to a wide range of USF destinations, including:
- Yuengling Center – 0.5 miles
- Lee Roy Selmon Athletic Center – 0.5 miles
- Corbett Stadium – 0.6 miles
- Campus Recreation Center – 0.7 miles
- Interdisciplinary Sciences Building – 0.8 miles
- Engineering Building – 0.8 miles
- Muma College of Business – 0.9 miles
- Communication and Information Sciences Building – 0.9 miles
- USF Tampa Library – 1 mile
- Marshall Student Center – 1 mile
- Education Building – 1 mile
- Cooper Hall – 1 mile
- Behavioral Sciences Building – 1.1 miles
- USF Contemporary Art Museum – 1.2 miles
- USF Botanical Gardens – 1.5 miles
- Morsani College of Medicine / USF Health – 1.5 miles
This makes The Retreat at Tampa a convenient option for students with classes spread across campus.
The Retreat at Tampa is close to everyday dining, shopping, and entertainment in the USF area. Nearby highlights include:
- University Square – 0.5 miles
- International Plaza and Bay Street – 8 miles
The surrounding area also includes a mix of casual dining and quick-stop options that fit a student schedule. That makes The Retreat at Tampa a practical choice for students looking for apartments in Tampa near USF with easy access to both campus and daily essentials.
Students living at The Retreat at Tampa are close to several well-known Tampa destinations, including:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 1.5 miles
- Adventure Island – 1.5 miles
- Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) – 2 miles
- Lettuce Lake Regional Park – 3 miles
- Temple Terrace – 5 miles
- Downtown Tampa – 9 miles
- Ybor City – 9 miles
- Raymond James Stadium – 10 miles
- Tampa International Airport – 11 miles
- Benchmark International Arena – 11 miles
- Clearwater Beach – 25 miles
Whether the plan is a quick trip to a theme park, a weekend outing in Downtown Tampa, or time outdoors near the water, The Retreat at Tampa places students near a wide variety of local attractions.
2. Floor Plans, Furnishings, & Furniture Packages
The Retreat at Tampa offers cottage-style floor plans in 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom layouts.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa includes a full furniture package, so each cottage comes move-in ready with key pieces in both the common area and bedrooms.
The common area furniture package includes:
- 43-inch smart TV
- Coffee table
- Dining table with 4 chairs
- Entertainment table
- Barstools
- Sofa and chair
This setup gives the shared living area a more complete feel from day one.
Each bedroom includes the main furniture students usually need for sleeping, studying, and storage:
- Queen-size bed and bed frame
- Nightstand
- Desk and chair
- Dresser
That package helps simplify move-in and gives each resident a private space that is ready for daily student life.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa offers private bedroom and bathroom options, and the cottage layouts are built around private bedroom suites. Some floor plans also include a half bath.
Interior features at The Retreat at Tampa include:
- Hardwood-style flooring in common spaces
- Open-concept layouts
- Smart TV in the living room
- Full-size in-unit washer and dryer
- High-speed WiFi throughout the property
- Individually keyed bedrooms
- Walk-in closets available
- Balcony units available
- Rooms with private balconies available
- Poolside units available
- Top-floor units available
- Half bath available in select layouts
These features support both shared living and private space within each cottage.
The kitchens at The Retreat at Tampa include:
- Decorator cabinets
- Quartz countertops
- Stainless steel appliances:
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
Each cottage also includes extensive cabinet space and built-in appliances, which helps keep the kitchen practical for everyday meals and roommate living.
Yes. Select cottages include added features such as:
- Balconies
- Private balconies in some bedrooms
- Decks or patios
- Poolside locations
- Top-floor placement
3. Amenities
The Retreat at Tampa includes a wide range of amenities designed for student life, from study-focused spaces to outdoor gathering areas and wellness features. Students looking for USF off-campus apartments will find spaces here for workouts, quiet study time, socializing, and everyday downtime without needing to leave the property.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa has a resort-style pool with beach entry, which gives the outdoor amenity package a more relaxed, lounge-style feel. It is a popular spot for warm Tampa afternoons, weekend hangouts, and time spent outside between classes.
The Retreat at Tampa has a fitness center with cardio equipment, strength training equipment, and wellness features. Fitness amenities include:
- Treadmills
- Ellipticals
- Stair climbers
- Stationary bikes
- Strength training machines
- Cable machines
- Power rack
- Free weights and barbells
- Benches
- Plyo boxes
- Tanning
This setup works well for students who want options for cardio, lifting, and general fitness close to home.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa includes several spaces that support academic routines, including:
- Private study rooms
- Computer lab
- Coffee bar
- Internet café and bistro
These spaces give students different settings for solo work, online assignments, group projects, and study breaks during busy parts of the semester.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa includes indoor and outdoor spaces built for hanging out, hosting friends, or taking a break from classwork. Social and entertainment amenities include:
- 9,000+ square-foot clubhouse
- Clubhouse with pool table and TVs
- Internet café and bistro
- Resort-style pool with beach entry
- Hammock and cabana oasis
- Sand volleyball court
- Bag toss
- Expansive green space
- Outdoor kitchen and grilling
This mix gives students several ways to spend time with roommates and friends without leaving the property.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa includes a dog park for residents with approved pets. That gives pet owners a dedicated outdoor space close to home for walks and playtime.
Yes. High-speed WiFi is available throughout the property. This helps support schoolwork, streaming, gaming, and day-to-day internet use across both apartment spaces and shared amenities.
4. Resident Programming, Perks, & Community
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa hosts resident events that bring people together in a low-pressure, social setting. Events may include giveaways, craft nights, and food-centered gatherings, which gives residents more chances to meet neighbors and enjoy life outside of class.
The Retreat at Tampa offers resident perks that go beyond the apartment itself. These include community events, support-focused programs, and tools that help residents get more out of their living experience during the leasing term.
“You Speak, We Listen” reflects The Retreat at Tampa’s focus on resident feedback. The goal is to create a better living experience by giving residents a clear way to share input, raise concerns, and be heard by the on-site team.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa offers RentPlus as a resident perk. For specific enrollment details or how the program works at the property, contact the leasing office.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa offers roommate matching for residents who do not already have a full roommate group. This helps pair residents based on lifestyle preferences and housing needs before move-in.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa offers RentPlus, a program that helps residents build credit by reporting eligible on-time lease payments to the major credit bureaus. For enrollment details and property-specific terms, contact the leasing office.
5. Safety, Security, & Transportation
The Retreat at Tampa includes several security features designed to support controlled access and added peace of mind around the property. These features include:
- FOB-controlled building access for residents
- FOB-controlled amenity space access
- Individually locking bedrooms within each unit
- Security cameras on the property
- Community gate
- On-site security guard Monday through Sunday nights
Together, these features add multiple layers of access control across both residential and shared spaces.
Yes. Bedrooms at The Retreat at Tampa are individually keyed, which gives each resident a private, lockable bedroom within their cottage.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa has a community gate as part of its on-site security setup. That added entry point works alongside other security features such as FOB-controlled access, individually locking bedrooms, security cameras, and an on-site security guard at night.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa offers several parking options for residents, along with guest parking. Current parking options include:
- General parking: $150 annual one-time fee
- VIP parking: $50 per month
- Covered parking: $75 per month
Waitlist available for parking spaces
For the most current parking availability and assignment details, contact the leasing office.
Yes. Guest parking is available at The Retreat at Tampa.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa is located on the Bull Runner bus line, which gives students access to USF transit service near the property. The USF area is also served by HART, with additional regional bus connections available through the University Area Transit Center. For the closest stop locations and live arrival times, check BullTracker or HART’s route tools before heading out.
6. Pet Policies
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa allows pets, with approval required before move-in.
The Retreat at Tampa allows up to two animals per apartment. All pets must be disclosed and approved before move-in.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa has breed restrictions as part of its pet policy. Restricted breeds include Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Mastiff breeds, Staffordshire Terrier breeds, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Akita, Siberian Husky, Dogo Argentino, Alaskan Malamute, Wolf-hybrid, and any mix of these breeds.
No. Exotic animals are not permitted at The Retreat at Tampa. This includes birds such as parrots and toucans, reptiles such as snakes, rodents such as ferrets, fish tanks, and insects.
Yes. All pets and animals must be disclosed and approved before move-in through the PetScreening application.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa charges:
- One-time pet fee: $300
- Monthly pet fee: $35
For any additional pet policy questions, contact the leasing office for the latest details.
7. Management, Maintenance, & Leasing
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa has an on-site management team that helps residents with day-to-day questions and support. The team assists with lease questions, package delivery, maintenance coordination, and other common needs during office hours.
Residents submit maintenance requests online through the resident portal. The on-site team then helps coordinate follow-up so service issues inside the apartment can be addressed as efficiently as possible.
For current availability, pricing, lease term information, and application details, contact the leasing office directly. The team can help with the most current information for your preferred floor plan and move-in timing.
8. General Leasing Information
Yes. Liability insurance is required as part of the housing contract. Residents can either carry their own qualifying liability coverage and submit proof, or enroll in the property’s Damage Waiver Program for an additional monthly fee.
Yes. The application process includes guarantor or self-qualifying information, depending on how the applicant plans to qualify under the property’s rental criteria. After the application and housing contract are completed, screening is completed for the resident and guarantor, if applicable.
Deposit requirements vary based on the application and screening results. After screening is complete, The Retreat at Tampa will notify applicants about any fees or deposit amounts that apply to their file.
The Retreat at Tampa uses RoomSync for roommate matching. RoomSync allows residents to build a roommate group based on lifestyle preferences such as cleanliness, study habits, and sleep schedules, and it also includes gender-inclusive matching tools.
Yes. The Retreat at Tampa allows residents to assign their housing contract to another approved applicant. The current resident must locate the replacement, complete an Assignment Intent Form, and pay the applicable assignment fee. The incoming resident must apply and be approved before the assignment is completed. Subleasing is not allowed.
To get started, complete the online application through the Apply page. After the application is submitted and a cottage is selected, the next steps include signing the housing contract and submitting guarantor or self-qualifying information for screening.
Current residents are encouraged to renew early, and same-apartment renewal is available while space remains open. Renewal offers are limited, so residents who want to stay in their current apartment should reach out early in the renewal period.
The standard housing contract runs from August to late July. For exact contract dates for a specific lease year, contact the leasing office.
Monthly installments can be paid online through the resident portal or by check at the clubhouse. For move-in charges, we also accept cashier’s checks and e-money orders.
Monthly installments are due on the first of each month. Payments received after 9:00 a.m. on the fourth of the month are considered late.
The monthly installment includes high-speed internet, cable, pest control, garbage disposal, lawn maintenance, and access to The Retreat at Tampa’s amenity spaces.