Downtown St. Pete waterfront overlooking Tampa Bay
The different areas in and around St. Pete fit together like a puzzle, all of them a little bit different but when you understand how it all fits together you realize how unique this area is as a whole. An area that is a relatively small peninsula in Florida packs everything from world class beaches to modern downtown areas juxtaposed with historical buildings from a century ago.
The appeal to this area is more than what is here. It’s the combination of all the elements that create a certain vibe. Everyone from the artsy folks to the business people and everyone in between have their place in St. Pete. I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what kinds of people live in these different neighborhoods so you can see where you might fit in best.
The world famous Dali museum in Downtown St. Pete
I titled this article Top 8 Places to Live Near St. Pete because some of these are not technically a part of the city but surrounding areas and other smaller cities. There are also a few areas that exist as unincorporated portions of Pinellas County. I will also be including specific neighborhoods of St. Pete.
Since everyone has different needs when it comes to where they want to live, the purpose of this article will be to highlight the best parts of each area to give you a full perspective on why people choose to live where they do. Many of the things I will be talking about are obvious to people who have lived here for a while so this article is more suitable for those looking to move here with limited knowledge of the local area. With that said, in no particular order here is my pick for The Top 10 Best Places To Live Near St. Pete.
8. St. Pete Beach
Who doesn’t want to live near the beach? In 2015 St. Pete Beach was rated #2 on Trip Advisor as Best Beach in the entire US, in 2016 it came in at #4 and 2017 #3. I would say that being in the top 5 for the past 3 years is something to be proud of. St. Pete Beach is a combination of small motels and inns that have been around for decades as well as huge 5 star resorts located directly on the beach.
What I noticed right away is how different St. Pete Beach is from St. Pete. It is literally a whole different city – Both in municipality and vibe. You’ll notice many people that live here seem to be on permanent vacation with locals hanging out regularly at the local beach bars and restaurants. Things just move a bit slower here and no one seems to mind.
Here’s a few of my favorite places to go in St. Pete Beach. Hotel Zamora 360 Rooftop Bar is a relatively new addition to the area. This is not the only rooftop bar in St. Pete Beach but it is my favorite. The cozy furniture and expansive open space make it a very comfortable place to come have a drink or two with friends. The west portion of the rooftop overlooks the beach from across the road and the east portion has a direct view of boats cruising down the intercoastal waterway. Hotel Zamora also has a pool on the bottom floor that routinely hosts public pool parties which typically attract a younger crowd.
Another winner is Bongos Beach Bar & Grille. Bongos is one of a kind – grab a table right on the beach and enjoy lunch with your feet in the sand. Their food is good and reasonably priced. You can order up one of many tropical drinks and live that Florida lifestyle right. This restaurant is located at the base of the Grand Plaza Hotel but it’s not the only dining option here. The rooftop has a revolving restaurant accurately named Spinners which also features a rooftop lounge called Level 11. These establishments are better suited for dinner and night time activities.
One of the most popular places on the beach is Post Card Inn commonly referred to as PCI by locals. This is another hotel with facilities open to the public. You will find that this is typically the most crowded area of St. Pete Beach especially during tourist season. There’s good reason for this – it’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the beach life. The hotel has a beach bar, volleyball courts and a pool right next to the gorgeous sands of St. Pete Beach.
I’m about to let you in on a little St. Pete Beach Secret. When you’re coming to St. Pete Beach from the south end and see this gorgeous pink hotel featured above, hang a left and soon you’ll find yourself in the charming little beach town called Pass A Grille. This little beach front town is filled with more local shops and culture compared to the mostly touristy St. Pete Beach. You can park literally 30 feet from the beach and it’s typically not overrun with tourists. If you’re going to buy a home to live the beach life, this area is the way to go.
Check out this article about St. Pete Beach which has a more in depth look of recommended bars, restaurants, lodging and activities.
Are you ready to move to the beach yet? If so, here’s a list of homes for sale in St. Pete Beach for your browsing pleasure.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
Newest St. Pete Beach Listings!
7. Gulfport
It’s a bit of a weird city with some residents that fit right in. If you want a glimpse into the locals lifestyle be sure to check out their local facebook group.
Gulfport is just one of those places you have to visit yourself to understand. They say if you’re going to go Gulfport, never go full Gulfport but I’m going to tell you exactly how to go full Gulfport so you can get the full experience. Here’s a few places that truly exemplify the Gulfport culture.
The Blueberry Patch
I heard about this place many times before I actually had a chance to go check it out. The Blueberry Patch was started as a sort of hippy commune in the late 1970s and is now a place where many go to celebrate alternative culture in a sort of judgement free zone. They describe themselves as an artistic retreat – a place for Art, Love and Music. There are many eclectic, artistic and musically inclined people that hang out here. If you’re going to go full Gulfport, this place oozes it. They have 4 events per month and the easiest way to keep up with them is through the event section on their facebook page.
Pia’s
I’ve only been here twice but I’ve been meaning to go back. I was honestly surprised at how good the food and experience was. It tasted like everything was made from scratch, the veggies were fresh and the atmosphere felt authentic. If you’re going to take a date somewhere in Gulfport this is my number one pick. It is especially enjoyable if you enjoy your meal on the shaded patio in the back.
O’Maddys
This is the cornerstone of downtown Gulfport. O’Maddys is a sports bar with direct views of the bay. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and if you happen to stop by on the weekend it’s usually pretty packed. My kickball team would stop by here after our games to have lunch and maybe a few drinks. It’s a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon during NFL season. Here’s a great page with more information on Gulfport.
If you’re looking to live somewhere with a small town vibe Gulfport may be perfect for you. This little waterfront town has plenty to keep you occupied but if that’s not enough the beaches and downtown St. Pete are only a short drive away. If this is something that sounds exciting, you can start your search on our Gulfport Homes For Sale page.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
6. Downtown St. Pete
The Dog Bar located about a mile west of downtown in the Grand Central District. This area right next to Downtown has just started to come into it’s own.
There’s so much going on downtown that it will be best if I only touch on a little bit of each district. There’s a solid mix of the types of people that live and hang out downtown. This city has kind of grown into itself and different districts have popped up to appeal to different demographics. Here’s a general overview of the different districts.
Starting on Beach Drive you will find upscale restaurants and bars, Tryst Gastro Lounge & The Canopy Rooftop Lounge are two notable establishments that cater to the type of people who enjoy a posh atmosphere. What I enjoy about these places is that they still maintain a very inviting ambience regardless of how you dress. Downtown St. Pete on the whole is significantly less pretentious than other big cities like Miami and Tampa. Dress codes here are virtually non-existent and that is a big contributor to the overall relaxing vibe of this area. Many downtown areas are strictly business however living in Downtown St. Pete is more like being on permanent vacation.
The Canopy Rooftop Bar on Beach Drive
Right around the corner is the the Sundial and surrounding areas. The Sundial is basically an extension of Beach Drive. Here you will find establishments with the same upscale nature. Fine dining restaurants such as Sea Salt which is a second story high end seafood restaurant that features an expansive patio and elaborate interior including a 22 foot tall glass walled wine cellar. The anchor tenant at Sundial is now an extension of Armature Works which originated in Tampa – scheduled to open this year in 2020 this space will now serve as an upscale food court for fast-casual type meals. Like Armature Works this won’t be just any food court – It will serve as a destination for friends to get together to try foods and drinks from different vendors all under one roof. This concept is similar to a tapas style market you may see in Spain where the entertainment is simply walking around and trying different things as you please.
The Historic Central Ave Block
This is where the infamous “First Friday” takes place where they shut down the street and open container laws fly out the window. Here’s a tidbit of advice – If you decide to get intoxicated, don’t punch a police horse or you will be arrested for assaulting an officer (something my friend witnessed first hand). Usually the police are nice enough to let you pet the horses if you want though.
There are plenty of condos in the immediate Downtown near the historic district as well as the ones on Beach Drive however your money will go much further if you decide to live only a few blocks further out in the EDGE District.
The EDGE district stands for Entertainment, Dining, Galleries & Shops, Etcetera. This part of downtown is more my style. It has a ton of great restaurants and bars that never get overly crowded but still have a lively ambiance. Developers have realized there is a demand to live downtown and not everyone can afford the Beach Drive prices so complexes like The Arlington & District on 9th have popped up. These town home associations offer a lot more living space for the price compared to the condos in the immediate downtown area.
Wherever you decide to live downtown, you won’t have to go too far. DTSP (Downtown St. Pete) is all packed into about 1 square mile. Just know that the area surrounding Beach Drive is going to be by far the most expensive. Since it’s all so condensed, it only makes sense to me to live a little bit further away from all the action to get more value. If you’re actively looking for a good deal downtown your best bet is to have us set you up on an auto-search that notifies us whenever something new hits the market. The good ones downtown typically go quick if they’re priced right. If you’re ready to get set up on a downtown search just send us a quick note with your information and a little bit about what you’re looking for.
Luxury condo buildings on Beach Drive. The Florencia & Ovation stand side by side.
Unfortunately I’m not an expert wordsmith yet so I couldn’t describe St. Pete as eloquently as this article on visitstpeteclearwater.com does – “The city of St. Petersburg is something truly special— it has every amenity you can imagine, still with a quaint sense of community and fantastically Floridian appeal.” This is absolutely true. Downtown St. Pete is really not that big but pretty much everything you could ever need is here. Have you ever dreamed of living in a city without needing to own a car? Downtown would be perfect for you. There are many people who are able to live and work in Downtown. To me it’s the perfect balance – A semi-big city with a local feel where you routinely run into people you know downtown.
A few of my friends and family that have visited me here have pointed out that it just feels like a friendly city. Part of this is people are happy to live here but I also believe that the outdoor seating that’s everywhere in this city helps foster a local atmosphere. You may sit down for drinks or a meal outside and see a few people you know walk by which gives you the chance to strike up a conversation. I’ve never experienced anything like this in other cities I’ve lived in and it’s one of the reasons I love living here.
If you’re looking to be right in the action then Downtown is for you. There are pre-existing homes as well as plenty of new construction in the works. Reach out to us and we can help you figure out which works best for you. For a list of homes currently for sale in Downtown St. Pete, check out our Downtown homes for sale page or we’d be happy to reach out to you to get the conversation started.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
5. Old Northeast
Old Northeast Tavern
There is also a strong sense of community in this area with a local plaza being the epicenter of community gathering. This plaza is only made up of a few local businesses but it is always buzzing. The anchor tenant is the Old Northeast Tavern, a cozy neighborhood bar that is almost like the neighborhood living room. I remember when I lived in Germany someone told me that some German villages have a community house where the locals can come gather and use for social purposes and I always thought that was a great idea to bring the neighborhood together. That concept is what the Old NE tavern & plaza remind me of. Other tenants include Old Northeast Pizza, a laundromat and Black Crow Coffee. Both are fantastic additions to this plaza and a great place to run into your neighbors.
Here’s a link to our homes for sale in Old Northeast page.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
Newest Old Northeast Listings!
4. Kenwood
Seminole Park pavilion fits the historical design cues of Kenwood.
Kenwood is a social neighborhood. Part of this is because many of these homes are built for entertaining. Once a month one of the neighbors volunteers to have a neighborhood “Porch Party” where the community gets together, shares food and gets to know each other. The people that take pride in their homes love to show their creations off to their neighbors which is why many of them are happy to host these events. There is also an annual event called Pinot In The Park where the neighborhood gathers together in Seminole Park in a celebration of fine wine and locally catered food. Another event worth noting is the annual Bungalowfest where 10-15 Kenwood home owners open up their homes to the public to show off the extensive renovations and updates in their historic bungalows.
Kenwood is also home to a large concentration of LGBT friendly people. Nearby is The Grand Central District where Florida’s biggest gay pride parade started 15 years ago. St. Pete is a very accepting place for the LGBT community but Kenwood and The Grand Central District are the epicenter of this movement.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
3. Snell Isle
Snell Isle Golf Club
Take a turn off the main road to see some of the most expansive and extravagant personal residences in the St. Pete area. Many of these homes are more modern compared to historic neighborhoods such as Old Northeast and Kenwood. You’ll be hard pressed to find a waterfront home under the 2 million dollar price point and many of the non-waterfront homes are still pushing over the million dollar mark.
Are you looking for a beautiful home in a sophisticated neighborhood? Snell Isle is the go to place in St. Pete for luxury living near downtown. Here is a list of current homes for sale in Snell Isle.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
2. Pinellas Point
Here’s the city’s mission statement regarding the future of the area “The Skyway Marina District Plan represents a collective vision for a south St. Petersburg mixed use center. The community has long desired a destination district in the far southern Pinellas County area as their first option for shopping, dining and employment. A successful district would expand the market from local to regional, improving the business mix and increasing employment opportunities.”
One of the main roads in this area is 54th Avenue South which serves as a gateway from mainland Pinellas to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States including Fort Desoto and St. Pete Beach. This is another reason for revitalization in this area. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a large concentration of nice neighborhoods in this area with very limited options for dining and retail. This plan is not just for aesthetics of the area but actually a necessary step to improve convenience for locals and strengthen the sense of community and pride of the residents that live in these surrounding neighborhoods.
This area is also home to the infamous Pink Streets. The Pink Streets have this name because the roads here are literally pink. This area was originally supposed to be the most wealthy suburbs of the city before the immense development of downtown St. Pete and surrounding areas. It is still a really nice, peaceful neighborhood with plenty of nice homes.
Are you ready to become my neighbor in the southernmost part of St. Pete? Check out our page of homes for sale in Pinellas Point.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
Newest Pinellas Point Listings!
1. Old Southeast
There are two other smaller neighborhoods in this area that are usually lumped into the Old Southeast category. Driftwood, an area that resembles a subtropical jungle more than the typical St. Pete neighborhood is a true hidden gem. At only 49 homes, this neighborhood has a sense of exclusiveness and has a claim to fame as well – It’s the only part of Pinellas County that saw armed conflict during the Civil War. Here’s an extremely well done video of the Driftwood neighborhood which is part of the city of St. Pete’s living local series.
Overall Old Southeast is definitely one of my favorites and I plan on living there one day. Here is a list of homes currently for sale in the Old Southeast neighborhood.
Would you rather we send the properties right to your email? Feel free to click the button below to sign up for the newest listings directly from our MLS system.
Newest Old Southeast Listings!
Final Thoughts
This city is even more than I thought it would be when I first moved here. I’m writing this article the week of Thanksgiving so in the spirit of being thankful I’d like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to live in such an amazing, progressive, diverse and forward thinking city. I’ve lived in different parts of the US as well as Germany for some years and up until I lived in St. Pete, I would always be looking out for the next best thing. Here I am content and happy that I can wake up every day and enjoy this ever changing city.
There is something for everyone here. I was able to buy my first home in St. Pete which is perfect for me because this is where I’m putting down my roots. If you enjoy this city as much as I do you will probably feel the same way.
If you need assistance on your real estate search feel free to reach out to Chris Formico via call or text at 727-307-1111. Below is a map of our office location, looking forward to meeting with you! You can also email us at the727team@gmail.com to get the process started!