I am going to St. Petersburg, Florida, tomorrow. Let the worthy citizens of Chicago get their liquor the best they can. I'm sick of the job-it's a thankless one and full of grief. -Al Capone
St. Petersburg was named as the United State’s very first green city, and has dedicated time and resources to conservation and other ecologically-forward policies. The city has also been a USA Tree City award recipient for more than 20 years.
Here's a local/tranplant on what St. Pete is like:
This area is booming. IMO a great place for a realtor but as almost every where we have plenty of those. Downtown St Pete is awesome, arts, food, hip, established, you name it and with the new pier (not fishing but entertainment) always something to do. The homes aren’t cheap anymore but nothing I’m sure you haven’t already dealt with or researched. You have cool cities in Tampa/StPete/Sarasota all close and offering anything you could want. I think anyone could find it a great place to live. St Pete is not glam like South Beach though, unless you wanna grab one of the downtown st pete condos for a few mill:)
For more reviews of what living in St. Petersburg is like from locals check out: The Buzz
Like many cities in Florida, tourists and snowbirds can crowd into St. Petersburg, making it feel even hotter than usual and more uncomfortable. Locals know how to mitigate the crowds -- and the weather -- and make it work for them.
Here's a local on managing the heat in St. Pete:
Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are you friends! Water bottles that keep your water COLD are your BFF. Honestly it’s very manageable if you’re not outside for long periods of time. This is coming from someone who moved down from the Great Lakes 3 years ago. Embrace the sweat!
St Pete was built as a vacation town and that vibe permeates the city. Tourists flock to the downtown bars and beach areas and residents, typically youngsters do as well, living in downtown condos/apts and appreciating a walk to the nightlife. St. Pete’s family or suburban lifestyle has expanded in recent years with plenty of renovation of the bungalows and new builds expanding the options for families. Regardless you can expect the “action” in town to be driven by beaches and an outdoor activity lifestyle driven by water play.
If you want to see what happens in St Pete check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/events-festivals
Tourism is big business in St. Pete. The largest employer base, the biggest revenue generator and certainly the most visible sector in the city. There is also, however, a big base of financial sector companies and if you look closely you’ll notice a booming tech and web scene, in particular in the downtown area. If you’re young and looking to work in tech/web services then expect to find your work in the place you’re likely going to want to live.
St. Petersburg (or St. Pete as the locals call it) is a warm non-coastal town with an open mind and lots to do. The cost of living is about average for the United States and housing is more affordable than the rest of Florida. And there’s plenty of sunshine!
Downtown is the spot for young people looking to live amidst the most active social scene. Tons of Condo/Apt units were added in recent years and that living combined with plenty of Downtown tech/web services work make this the ideal starting point for a search for a home.
If you’re looking for beach energy but without the Downtown party scene check out Historic Uptown. Century-old homes on green streets, alongside apartment options make it desirable as a place to buy or rent. You’re five minutes from the beach and right next to Downtown St Pete so you have pretty much everything nearby. Within neighborhood limits you also get the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, the Uptown Mardi Gras Block Party and tons of other community events throughout the year.
Historic Kenwood is one of the hotspots of housing for the LGBTQ+ community. It is filled with well-kept bungalows and brick streets. It also includes rental townhomes and apartments for those not ready to buy. Kenwood is the home of the Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center and the neighborhood matches that spirit. Tropical Shores is another great option. It has its own nightlife but is also close to Downtown for greater variety of easy walking nightlife.
https://www.gayrealestate.com/news/usa/florida/saint-petersburg/saint-petersburg-lgbtq-city-guide.html
A great neighborhood to start your search for families is Crescent Lake Park. The quiet streets are filled with Cape Cod and Craftsman-style homes but the neighborhood also has plenty of restaurants and pubs lining the border. You also have the beautiful Huggins Stengel Sports Complex for baseball, tennis or just running around with the kiddos. The final topper is of course Crescent Lake and the Park itself. Plenty of room for the doggos to run, playgrounds, hiking trails, and tennis and pickleball courts so you can play to your heart’s desire.
There are plenty of neighborhoods in St Pete that retirees choose to make home. Coquina Key is one of the wonderful, but expensive options. It’s on the water, extremely safe, and filled with beautiful homes and at a distance from the noise of Downtown. Beyond the great neighborhoods St Pete also has a number of 55+ active communities to choose from. Golf Club living options exist at places like Pasadena Golf Club Estates. Large gated community options also exist in places like Marina Bay. All of these active communities come with the amenities you would expect: clubhouses, pools, community centers and year-round activities for the residents.
