Suggestions for rentals near Tampa International. I'll be commuting back to my home in Orlando for the weekends so I'm only looking for a studio or a 1 bedroom apartment.

Might want to look around  Westchase and Citrus Park.

Town and Country is closer, and cheaper,  but can be a little "sketchy" depending on the exact area.....

Why not rent a room? I've had excellent luck with Craigslist by posting a "looking for a room for rent" ad. Almost always end up with an attractive girl who cooks and cleans for < $600/mo.

Ask your new co workers if there are any crash pads around the airport for rent.

I grew up in Tampa not too far from the airport. The areas CLOSEST to the airport GENERALLY fall into 2 categories- foo-fo and pricey or ghetto. Traffic sucks city-wide, most of the time. BTW. If it was me, and I was going back- I would consider something in Pinellas County across the Howard Franklin bridge/275, as close to that route as possible . That would be as close a "straight shot" as you can get, and you'l be closer to the gulf beaches. Look at a map and you'll see what I mean.

Thanks, for all of the suggestions.