The Dawson — Resident Reviews, Pros & Cons
New Tampa (Tampa Palms area), Tampa, FL · What renters actually say about living here, distilled from public reviews. Updated Jul 2026.
Neighborhood
New Tampa (Tampa Palms area)
Address
15501 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647
Floor plans
1BR–3BR
Advertised rents
~$1,244–$1,944+ (as of 2026-07, per public listings)
Year built
1996
Pet friendly
Yes
What residents like
- ✓The Bruce B. Downs location scores highly with residents for quick access to USF and New Tampa
- ✓Reviewers describe a respectful maintenance crew and neighborly community feel
- ✓Entry-level pricing is among the lowest on the New Tampa corridor
- ✓The leasing team gets credit for responsiveness around renewals
Common complaints
- ✕Common complaints include recurring AC breakdowns and slow maintenance
- ✕Several reviewers report roach infestations and trash-pickup problems
- ✕Noise transfer through thin walls and floors is frequently mentioned
- ✕Some residents raise safety and dog-waste concerns on the grounds
Our take
A 408-unit 1990s Brookfield-managed community at the south end of the New Tampa corridor, priced below most Tampa Palms neighbors. Its location ratings are strong and it works for commuters and USF-bound renters on a budget, but review scores reflect frequent maintenance and pest complaints.
Amenities
Two swimming poolsPoolside gazebo and sundeckFitness centerPet parkEV charging stations24-hour laundry facility
About these pros & cons
How we build these pages: we read publicly available resident reviews (Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, Reddit and similar) for each community and summarize the recurring themes in our own words. We don't copy review text, we don't display star ratings we didn't compute, and no complex has paid to appear or to have anything removed. Cons reflect what residents report — experiences vary. Rent ranges come from public listings and change often; always confirm current pricing, fees and policies with the property directly.