Who The Social Tampa Suits – and Who Should Look Elsewhere
Located at Lutz, FL 33559, The Social is a student housing property near the University of South Florida (USF). With a Google rating of 3.9 out of 871 reviews, it presents a mixed picture. Here is a factual breakdown of what residents report, how pricing compares, and who this property may or may not work for.
What Residents Actually Say – the Verbatim Reviews
Three reviews from Google capture the range of experiences:
Positive (5-star):
Jacob Feck writes: “The Social is easily one of the best student spots in town! The atmosphere is always lively, and the management goes above and beyond to organize events that actually make it feel like a community. If you want a place where it’s easy to meet people and still have a great space to study, this is it.”
Critical (1-star):
N states: “I wish I could post 0 stars. This is absolutely the worst student apartment to stay in. There are plenty of better options near USF with better rates. Please be aware of hidden fees. You will have an overage fee for utilities every month even if you are not at the apartment for a month. When they say stuff is included…”
Noha Abou Elnour adds: “Extremely unsafe and unprofessional management. My packages have been stolen by a neighbor, and when I reported it, management said cameras are not working and they cannot help. They refused to take any responsibility and told me to call 911. I’m paying to live in a secure place, but there is no security at all. I feel…”
The rating dimensions, based on aggregated data, show strength in social atmosphere (5.0), location (5.0), amenities (5.0), management (5.0), safety/security (5.0), and getting around (5.0). However, dimensions such as food (3.5), staff (3.5), accuracy (3.5), cleaning (3.5), internet (3.5), condition (3.5), indoor spaces (3.5), room experience (3.5), property maintenance (3.5), and value for money (3.5) are notably lower. Community (3.8) and study environment (3.8) sit in the middle.
Who This Residence Suits
- Students who prioritise social life and events. Multiple reviews and the dimensions confirm that The Social cultivates a lively community. If meeting people and participating in organised activities is a priority, the property appears to deliver.
- Students who value location convenience. The 5.0 rating for location and getting around indicates easy access to USF and surrounding amenities. Being in Lutz, it is outside the densest parts of Tampa but still close to campus.
- Students comfortable with shared living. Unit types are 4-bedroom (4b) and 2-bedroom (2b) configurations. If you want to share with multiple roommates to reduce individual cost, these options are available.
- Those who want access to a gym, study area, and security features. The property tags these amenities explicitly. The gym and study area are standard for many student housing complexes.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students extremely concerned about security and package theft. The review from Noha Abou Elnour describes a serious incident where management declined to assist. Although the safety/security dimension averages 5.0 from aggregate data, the individual testimonial suggests a gap that could matter greatly to some residents.
- Students wanting transparent, predictable utility costs. The review from N mentions unexpected “overage fees” for utilities, even during months when the resident was absent. If you prefer all-inclusive pricing, this may be a risk.
- Those on a tight budget looking for the lowest price in Tampa. The city’s from-price for student housing is USD 509 per month. The Social’s minimum price is also USD 509 per month, but the maximum reaches USD 769 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). There are 14 properties in Tampa listed on the platform, and some may have lower maximums or more inclusive pricing.
- Students who require a very high standard of cleanliness, internet, or condition. These dimensions each score 3.5. If consistent quality in those areas is non-negotiable, you may want to compare with other properties.
- Those who prefer solo living or large private spaces. Only 2b and 4b units are available. No studio or 1b options are listed.
Price Positioning vs the City’s From-Price
Tampa’s starting monthly price for student housing is USD 509 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The Social’s price range is USD 509–769 per month, so its entry point matches the city’s lowest. However, the upper end is higher than average for the available pool. The property has 14 total listings in Tampa, so compare final rates with other nearby options that may offer similar or lower maximums.
Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Deposit information is not listed in the available data, so factor that into your budget when you inquire.
Room-Type Guidance
- 4-bedroom (4b): Likely the most cost-effective way to live at The Social, especially if you split shared living costs. At the lower end of the price range, this configuration could be competitive.
- 2-bedroom (2b): More privacy but typically higher per-person cost. Check whether the 2b fits within your budget if you want fewer roommates.
No studios or one-bedroom units are offered. If you need an individual lease, confirm with the operator whether the property uses per-room or per-unit contracts.
Booking Timing
The property is available from 19 August 2026. Standard student housing cycles in Tampa align with the USF academic calendar, so leases often run August to July or August to August. Starting your search several months before that date — ideally by early to mid-2026 — can give you a better selection of floor plans and rates. Late booking may leave only higher-priced or less desirable configurations.
Given that the property has mixed reviews, it is advisable to tour or request a virtual showing before committing. Ask specific questions about:
- Utility billing and overage fees.
- Security camera functionality and package handling.
- Condition of internet and common areas.
- Cleaning standards between tenants.
Summary of Pros and Cons
Pros based on data:
- High ratings for social, location, amenities, management, safety/security, and getting around.
- Entry price matches the city’s from-price.
- On-site gym and study area.
- Active community events.
Cons based on data:
- Low ratings for cleanliness, internet, condition, value for money, and property maintenance (each 3.5).
- Reports of hidden utility fees.
- One review describes security issues and unhelpful management.
- Limited room type choices (only 2b and 4b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Social Tampa safe?
The aggregated safety/security rating is 5.0, but one detailed review reports a package theft incident and states that cameras were not working. Management reportedly told the resident to call 911 instead of assisting. If security is a top concern, ask the operator directly about current camera systems, package handling procedures, and on-site security personnel before signing a lease.
Are utilities included in the rent?
The available data does not confirm utility inclusion. A resident review mentions unexpected “overage fees” even when the tenant was not in the apartment for a month. You should ask the operator to specify exactly what is included in the monthly price — water, electricity, internet, trash — and whether any additional fees apply.
How close is The Social to the University of South Florida?
The property is located in Lutz, FL 33559, which is near USF. The aggregated rating for “getting around” is 5.0, and the location rating is also 5.0. Driving times are typically short, but confirm exact distance and public transport options with the operator, as exact transit connections are not provided in the data.
Sources & data date
Data sourced from amberstudent platform as of July 2026. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
Need live availability?
Use this page’s on-site assistant to check current room options and pricing for your preferred dates.
See also: listing details · browse more