<p>lol this this not a very college-like question, but: are there any nice malls in a safe area around usf? </p>
<p>I am moving to Tampa from a really cold area so all I have are sweaters and eskimo suits haha so I need to go to a mall there before school starts. I am going to be living on campus and I don't know how to drive yet so I will need to take a bus, so it would be nice for the mall to be within reasonable bus distance from usf. I know there is a university mall adjacent to campus but other than Macy's and Aeropostale I do not see any stores that I like there. Also I was reading reviews saying that this mall is unsafe and ghetto-like and not very clean and has horrible customer service (which surprises me because the campus itself seems very beautiful and clean and peaceful..)..</p>
<p>Other than the above two listed stores I would also like the mall to have A&F, Hollister, and some stores where I can buy more professional-looking clothes for my undergrad research interview. I found some malls on Google Earth but they are all at least 1 hr away from usf by bus, and I was just wondering if anyone knew of anything closer.....so far I found the Citrus Park mall and International Plaza and Bay Street mall and they seem alright, but would it be safe for me to take a bus there? I mean, can I actually expect to not have my bags stolen or whatnot? I come from a small town where crime is unheard of, so safety is a concern for me..</p>
<p>If you can afford to shop at International Mall, you can afford to take a cab there. USF students can connect from USF’s BullRunner bus service and ride on city buses (Hartline?) for free I believe, but I wouldn’t recommend riding to distant malls on buses with shopping bags full of purchases like Gucci purses and $1000 dresses from Nordstroms or Neiman Marcus. Get a ride with someone from campus who has a car and give them gas money and buy them lunch for giving you ride to malls. There’s also, in addition to International and Citrus Malls, a big mall not too far from USF in Brandon.</p>
<p>University Mall is right by USF and you can even ride the USF BullRunner buses conveniently over to the mall. Basic clothes and necessities are available in the mall and it is not as bad as some people make it out to be. Go to University Mall with friends on the BullRunner daytime and you’ll be fine–too, there’s a Wal-Mart Super Center with a grocery and a Target store right by campus too. You can get clothes suitable for any campus interview at stores right near USF.</p>
<p>Sweaters and eskimo suits? Unless you want to find out what it’s like to be a hot dog on the grill, ditch them. In the last two years in Florida, I’ve worn a jacket for less than 10 days.</p>
<p>If you’re really adventurous or has a friend that is, you can always come up to Orlando and visit our malls, the Mall at Millenia is great and so are the Orlando Premium outlets. As for in Tampa, I think Citrus Park mall you mentioned has an A&F and there’s even a BJ’s Brewhouse there. Their root beer is great, but I wouldn’t recommend going there alone by yourself on a bus. You really need to learn how to drive, there’s the “EZ Learning Driving School” in Tampa and they can get you a license for $120-300, depending on how many lessons you need.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies guys! yea I think I’ll just take a cab then and yes hacker4life, most of what I have are eskimo clothes lol and trust me I am ditching them and that’s why I need a mall…and sure once I meet some friends at usf maybe we will go to Orlando and other nice cities…I’ve been there to Disney World (blah I hate it there…you wait 2 hours for a 2 minute ride…its so much funner canoing and hiking and seeing like 100 alligators at once in the wild at the Deep Hole in Myakka :D) but haven’t had a chance to actually explore the city…and yes I know I need to learn how to drive…I am learning now actually but Im kind of scared to drive in a big city…from what Ive seen of Tampa so far, people drive kinda crazy, and a few years ago I got hit by a car when vacationing in a larger city…soo for now Ill stick to buses and cabs :)</p>
<p>One more question: I know I will have a mailbox at the dorm, but will I be able to ship larger packages there, like when I order stuff online? I mean not like tvs but books, clothes, etc,…</p>
<p>USF has a bunch of organized group outdoors adventure trips planned for fall semester for students who enjoy kayaking, tubing, hiking, white water rafting, biking, cave exploring, going to beach, etc. There’s something to do for everyone at USF. I can’t wait for first USF football game 29 days from today!
[USF</a> Campus Recreation](<a href=“http://usfweb2.usf.edu/CampusRec/Outdoor/adventure.html]USF”>http://usfweb2.usf.edu/CampusRec/Outdoor/adventure.html)</p>
<p>I think the Housing department told me when I asked that if I order stuff from Amazon that is too big for the mailbox, I can pick it up at the counter, but I still have to be there to sign off on stuff if the shipping method requires it. A bit hard when you’re always in class during the day =/</p>
<p>Try the Brandon mall, Westshore mall, or the new Wiregrass mall. They’re all pretty big and nice, and about 15-30 min from campus. The Wiregrass mall is outdoors so just make sure to plan for that if you go.</p>