What it’s REALLY Like Living in St Petersburg
I moved to St Petersburg about 6 years ago from the PNW, with high expectations. I had dreams of the beach life, palm trees and sunshine as I ran from gloomy Seattle.
There are many ways St Pete has exceeded my expectations and a few things I’ve realized that I didn’t expect.
St Pete Highlights
Warm weather
St. Petersburg has a warm and sunny climate year-round, which means you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and beach-going almost any time of the year.
During the winter it does cool down and the humidity leaves us for a few months, but the sunshine stays. We’ve had some good “sweater weather” winters the last several years.
The Beaches
St. Petersburg has several beautiful beaches, including St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Treasure Island Beach, and clearwater which all landed Trip Advisors top 25 beaches in the US. St Pete Beach snagged spot number one.
Arts and Culture
St. Petersburg has a thriving arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and music venues. The city is home to the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the St. Petersburg Opera Company, among others.
Dining and Nightlife
Downtown St. Petersburg has a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, with many trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Pet-Friendly
Many restaurants and cafes have outdoor seating areas where pets are welcome, and there are several dog-friendly parks and beaches in the area. Here are some of the ways St. Petersburg is pet-friendly:
Dog Parks: St. Petersburg has several dog parks where your furry friends can run and play off-leash, including Crescent Lake Park, North Shore Dog Park, and Walter Fuller Dog Park.
Pet-Friendly Beaches: Some beaches in St. Petersburg allow dogs on-leash, including Fort De Soto Park, Pass-a-Grille Beach, and Honeymoon Island State Park.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations: Many hotels and vacation rentals in St. Petersburg are pet-friendly, with special amenities for pets such as dog beds and bowls.
Pet Stores: St. Petersburg has a variety of pet stores where you can find everything you need for your furry friends, including food, toys, and grooming supplies.
Pet-Friendly Dining: Many restaurants in St. Petersburg have outdoor seating areas where pets are welcome, including The Getaway, The Canopy Rooftop Lounge, and The Ale and the Witch.
Outdoor Recreation
St. Petersburg offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including parks, nature preserves, and hiking trails. The city also has a number of marinas and fishing charters for those who love to fish.
One of my favorite outdoor activities and best ways to meet people is Tampabayclubsports.com you can join teams as an individual or put a team together and sign up. There are leagues ranging from volleyball to kickball and everything in between!
Friendly Community
Overall, St Pete is a very friendly, welcoming community with a lot of diversity. I feel like people here are a lot more accepting than a lot of other places I’ve lived!
Events
There’s ALWAYS something going on in St Pete. Festivals, markets, and major event celebrations will keep you busy. Make sure to follow me on instagram where I post the top events each week!
St Pete Lowlights
Expensive
Okay so St Pete’s cost of living is actually 2% lower than the national average. But from my experience, if you want to take advantage of all that St Pete has to offer and really enjoy where you live, you’ve got to have a bit of extra cash to spend in your entertainment budget.
This would not be a deal breaker for me by any means. There are still many free things to do, like go to the beach!
But if you’re wanting to immerse yourself in the Florida life plan on splurging on eating out, tickets to festivals and spending extra to enjoy our local coffee shops.
Water Transportation
Again, from my experience, it’s really hard to live in Florida without a boat (or a close friend with a boat). A majority of the Florida Lifestyle centers around being out on the water from fishing to hanging at the sand bar or Beer Can Island.
The Need for Gentrification
There are many amazing neighborhoods to choose from in St Pete. However, there are a lot of poor quality urban areas with distressed housing and homeowners who don’t maintain for their property.
As with many cities, there are several pockets to avoid entirely where crime is high and safety is at risk.
So if you’re thinking about moving to St Pete, definitely reach out so I can help you choose the right area!
St Pete is a vibe
The highlights definitely outweigh the lowlights. There’s a vibe in St Pete that is hard to put into words. I’ve had moments where it’s truly felt majestic and I’m constantly in awe (still) that this is where I get to live.
Make sure to check out my blog on my top tips for Moving to St Pete and what I would do if I could start over!