- Welcome to St. Petersburg, Fl
- Get Your Bearings
- St. Pete Past and Present
- St. Petersburg, Florida Real Estate
-
Why People Choose to Live in
St. Petersburg, FL
- Living in St Petersburg, Florida
- Getting Around
- Cost of Living
- St. Petersburg Fl Schools
- Dining
- Arts & Culture
- The Beaches
-
Find Your Ideal St. Petersburg, Florida
Real Estate Today
St. Petersburg
FLORIDA REAL ESTATEThe city of St. Petersburg in Florida is known as “The Sunshine City” – and for good reason. Other than the fact that the city enjoys 361 days of sunshine, with average summer temperatures of 75 degrees, St. Pete, as locals call their city, is just as sunshiny for so many other things.
St. Petersburg has a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse shopping opportunities, a thriving restaurant scene, exciting sports events year-round, excellent schools, and miles of pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The city is a magnet for tourists, new residents, and investments from all over the country and the global community.
Listings
ST. PETERSBURG, FL
Get your bearings
Located in Pinellas County, western Florida, St. Petersburg is one of the most populated (258,245 as of 2021) and largest cities in the state (135.49 square miles).
The city is bordered by the three sections of Tampa Bay, namely the Middle Tampa Bay, Lower Tampa Bay, and Old Tampa Bay. Towards the north, the city area is bounded by the large district of Pinellas Park. It is situated about 16 miles southeast of the city of Clearwater and about 19 miles southwest of the city of Tampa.
These three cities form a part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is the second largest metropolitan area in the State of Florida.
St. Pete past and present
The legacy of the “Shell Indians.” The earliest inhabitants of the area were the Calusa people. Known as the “Shell Indians,” they used the waters around them to fish for food and collect shells that they used to build shell mounds. These mounds served as elevated platforms to protect villages from seasonal flooding, vantage points for observing marine life and potential intruders, and burial sites. Today, these shell mounds have become protected cultural heritage sites.
Diversity and the Russian connection. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers Pánfilo de Narváez and Hernando de Soto became the first Europeans to reach the area. The first Black pioneers, John Donaldson and Anna Germain, arrived in 1868. Two years later, a Russian immigrant and landowner from Detroit, MI founded the city and named it St. Petersburg, after his birthplace in Russia.
The drive to turn tourists into residents. From then on, the city of St. Petersburg quickly developed as a resort destination. In the late 1940s, St. Petersburg became one of the first Florida cities to promote “residentism,” a term used to lure erstwhile tourists into spending their retirement years there. Today’s St. Petersburg continues to be a popular retirement destination. Along with tourism, the city’s economy is buoyed by high-technology industries, manufacturing, fishing, and services.
St. Pete today. In the last 20 years, St. Petersburg has become a top spot for visitors around the world, with opportunities for business and recreation steadily growing. In 2022, The city is a vibrant melting pot of people coming for recreation, arts, culture, technology, events, and the prospect of discovering their dream home and growing strong roots in the nurturing community of St. Petersburg’s real estate.
REAL ESTATE
Why people choose to live in St. Petersburg, FL
For people who long to move to a place where the sun almost always shines and the living is relatively easy, the city of St. Petersburg, Florida is a strong contender.
St. Petersburg is a haven for mature residents. The 20% of the population who are 65 years or older are spoiled for choice when it comes to the plethora of experiences they’ll enjoy. Water activities, live performances, community engagement, and everything St. Petersburg has to offer are indicators of the quality of life they can look forward to in their later years. The warm weather encourages being out and about, the rich culture feeds the soul, and the lack of state income tax is an added perk. No wonder it was named the #1 Best State to Retire in 2023.
St. Petersburg is inclusive. Other than older adults, residents of St. Petersburg are a merry mix of younger families, students, and a thriving inclusive community.
St. Petersburg has extensive housing options. St. Petersburg, Florida’s residential real estate consists of detached houses, townhouses (or other attached units), condos, multi-family homes, and more.
Choices include:
-
Beachfront condos and waterfront homes with pools, fitness centers, and sometimes private boat slips
-
Downtown apartments
-
Bungalows and historic homes on tree-lined streets featuring Craftsman, Mediterranean Revival, and Colonial Revival architecture
-
New construction
Moreover, these dwellings can be found in:
-
Golf course communities
-
55+ active adult communities
-
Suburban neighborhoods
-
Planned communities or urban infill developments
Ask Realtor Lindsay Blaylock about the availability of homes for sale in the communities listed above.
A QUICK OVERVIEW
OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA REAL ESTATE-
St. Petersburg is composed of 85 neighborhoods.
-
The most popular neighborhoods are:
-
Historic Old Northeast
-
Historic Kenwood
-
Grand Central District
-
Driftwood
-
Jungle Prada
-
Kenwood
-
Greater Pinellas Point
-
-
The most expensive neighborhood in St. Petersburg is Snell Isle with homes costing upwards of $1 million.
-
The most affordable neighborhood is Broadwater, with a median listing home price in the lower six figures.
-
About 38% of residents rent their homes, which presents opportunities for real estate investors.
-
Casler Heights and Highland Oaks have the lowest rent.
To find out more about the homes for sale in the neighborhoods listed above, contact Realtor Lindsay Blaylock today.
LIVING
IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDAWith plenty of sunshine, loads of fun activities, an alluring waterfront location on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and an incredible array of housing options to fit any budget, it’s clear that St. Petersburg is a great place to call home.
Getting around
Criss-crossing the city of St. Petersburg and its neighboring areas is easy.
Public transportation is available through the Pinellas County Transit Authority that serves the area. There are express buses to Tampa and back every day. In central downtown, The Looper is a free trolley that cruises the circuit every 15 minutes.
St. Petersburg is easily accessible from the mainland thanks to several bridges, like Part of I-275, the eight-lane, four-mile Howard Frankland Bridge, which is an easy exit to Tampa International Airport on its east end.
No car? No problem.
PSTA buses run throughout the city, and the Downtown Looper Trolley is the best option for getting around downtown. Getting to the beaches and back downtown is also a breeze with the city’s new SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit.
Cost of living
The cost of living in St. Petersburg, Florida is 3.2% lower than in Tampa, and 1.3% higher than in Clearwater. As such, St. Petersburg is one of the more affordable areas to live in Florida. The cost of living is just a shade higher than the national average.
St. Petersburg FL schools
-
There are 69 public schools in St. Petersburg, which have been rated good and higher by GreatSchools. There are also 44 private and charter schools.
-
Pinellas County Schools is the seventh largest district in Florida with 150 schools including magnet programs.
-
Some of the top schools are:
-
Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School
-
Plato Academy of St. Petersburg
-
Pinellas Mycroschool of Integrated Academics and Technologies (Mycroschool Pinellas)
-
-
St. Petersburg is also the seat of long-standing institutions like:
-
Eckerd College
-
St. Petersburg Junior College
-
Stetson University College of Law
-
A campus of the University of South Florida
-
Dining
St. Petersburg is not only a beach town and recreation destination. It is also a foodie paradise with its new dining choices juxtaposed with time-tested restaurants.
-
Savor the rustic flavors of Brick & Mortar on Central Ave.
-
Be pleasantly surprised with the ever-changing menu at The Restorative
in Dunedin. -
Celebrate special occasions at Maritana at the Don CeSar on St. Pete
Beach. -
Head to the favorite grazing grounds of Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
and Jack’s Restaurant.
Arts & culture
St. Petersburg is a top arts and cultural destination. Explore world-famous museums and independent galleries, a flourishing performing arts scene, film festivals, live music, a vibrant literary arts community, the creations of a close-knit community of craftspeople, and a whole lot of public art and outdoor installations.
Museums and galleries in St. Petersburg are some of the most impressive anywhere, including the largest collection of surrealist Salvador Dalí’s works outside Europe,
-
The Dali Museum
-
Museum of Fine Arts
-
Fairgrounds St. Pete
-
The Chihuly Collection
-
Florida Holocaust Museum
-
The James Museum
-
St. Petersburg Museum of History
-
The Morean Arts Center
-
Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum
-
Florida CraftArt
-
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
The beaches
Those who are looking to relocate will be happy to know that buying St. Petersburg, Florida real estate means proximity to 35 miles of pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters. Top beaches include:
-
St. Pete Beach has a welcoming vibe that makes it a favorite family destination. It was named by Tripadvisor as the No. 1 Beach in the US in 2021. Along with the soft, white sands and emerald green waters are various offerings for water sports and recreational activities – not to mention options for dining, drinking, shopping options, entertainment, and events
-
Upham Beach Park promises hours of family fun, along with the Secret Garden, a lush spot that can be accessed by walking to the north end.
-
Pass-a-Grille Beach is the place to spend a truly unhurried and mellow day. Meander through outdoor art markets, restaurants, rooftop bars, tennis courts, and fishing piers. Or savor the fresh, amazing seafood at PJ’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant, quaff a cold one at Category 36 Taphouse & Kitchen, or go for haute cuisine at Maritana.
-
Madeira Beach was named the No. 9 Beach in the US for 2023 by Tripadvisor. The vibe of this barrier island community is a cross between an Old Florida fishing village and a busy beach town. It boasts 2.5 miles of beaches with opportunities for shore fishing, checking out the shops and activities at the rustic waterfront complex called John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk. Accommodations include vacation rentals like cottages, apartment-style suites, and nearby hotels and motels with views, amenities, and rooftop bars.
-
Clearwater Beach has been named the No. 1 Beach in the South for 2023 by USA Today. Its white sands, warm waters, and blazing sunsets have attracted thousands of visitors year-round. Dolphin-watching boat tours, the fab food, and array of accommodations, from family-friendly options to luxurious quarters, to budget rentals, are added perks.
-
Honeymoon Island State Park is secluded but easily accessible by car. With four miles of beaches, its amenities include bird observation areas, a dog beach, and picnic pavilion.
FIND YOUR IDEAL
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDAREAL ESTATE TODAY
Why people choose to live in St. Petersburg, FL
Seriously considering living your best years in St. Petersburg? It’s time to enjoy the fun and perks of this delightful mix of a laid-back yet vibrant community.
The Lindsay Blaylock Group with Charles Rutenberg Realty is ready to help you make that move! Blaylock Group with Charles Rutenberg Realty is ready to help you make that As the trusted resource for all things Tampa Bay real estate, we assist buyers, sellers achieve their real estate goals by helping them navigate the ever-changing real estate market.
Bank on our integrity, work ethic, professionalism, and teamwork in getting things done for you. Let us help you make St. Petersburg, Florida the next place you call home.
Get in touch with us today to explore your St. Petersburg, Florida real estate options . Call or text 727.404.4937 or contact us here.