Top 5 Tips For Moving to St Petersburg
Moving to St Petersburg Florida was one of the best decisions I’ve ever mad. I moved here when I was 22 without knowing a single soul, with no job and no place to live. Here’s what I would do if I were to have a do-over!
Rent Downtown
Many out of staters moving to St Petersburg try to purchase their Florida home without really knowing the area. My biggest tip would be to rent a mid term rental for about 6 months. This will give you time to explore neighborhoods as there are several different areas of St Pete that may or may not be suitable for your needs.
I would highly suggest this mid term rental being downtown or close to downtown in the Old North East or Historic Uptown neighborhoods. This way you’re walking distance to nightlife, festivals, dining shopping and the opportunity to meet new people!
Even when it comes to finding a midterm rental, reach out to me for advice on location. There are still many neighborhoods in St Pete that can be dangerous. I’m happy to help guide you on location.
If you can’t find a rental that is only 6 months, make sure to choose the option on the lease that allows a tenant to replace you on your lease. This is called a sublease and will provide a termination option if you find a home, without you having to pay.
Ask locals questions
Once you’re down here and settled in your mid term rental, ask everyone you meet questions about St Pete.
– What area you do you live in and do you like it?
– How long have you lived in the area?
– What neighborhoods do you recommend?
This will help guide you in the right direction when choosing locations to settle in long term.
Get a part time job
Upon moving to St Petersburg, I worked online which was awesome for a spur of the moment move, but not so awesome for meeting new people. If I were to do it all again I would get a part time job at an acai smoothie shop or a coffee shop where I could meet and interact with locals.
Places I'd work if I were to do it again:
- Raining Berries Acai & Coffee Shop
- Karama
- The Blend Cafe
- Driftwood Kava
- Frescos on the Water
Go to a ton of events
St Pete has so much to offer it’s insane. The number of festivals, events, markets, and concerts hosted here on a monthly basis makes it really easy to find something to do and meet new people. Spend your first 6 months going to everything to really get a feel for what it’s like living here long term.
Each week I share the top local events on my instagram.
Join a group
fitness gym
I’m super independent. I can go days without talking to anyone, especially with working from home. A great way to kill two birds with one stone is joining a group fitness gym. There are so many different options in St Pete from yoga to crossfit and everything in between.
Gym Recommendations
F45 Training: Gym and Functional Group Fitness
Crunch: Crunch is a huge gym in the area offering the normal gym experience as well as group fitness classes.
As you can probably tell, my top tips have been mostly about meeting people. The more people you meet in the first 6 months of living here, the greater the opportunities. Not only will you feel more confident in your home buying decision, but you’ll likely meet people who will become great friends and others who may open doors for job opportunities.
Here’s your opportunity to meet your first St Pete Local! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have regarding your move, St Pete.. or really anything! I’ve met a lot of people and have a ton of resources here, I’m happy to help assist you in anyway I can.
I’d also love to be considered as your go to agent when you begin the house hunt. Check out my website to start on your St Pete real estate research!