Living in St. Petersburg, Florida: 9 Things To Know About the Sunshine City

Whether you’re on the hunt for an artsy locale on the coast, vibrant nightlife, sugar-sand beaches, or a walkable city center — St. Petersburg, Florida, has it all. Sunshine City (as it's called) may be known for its mild winters and popularity with retirees, but there's so much more to this Gulf Coast city. If you’re considering making the move and living in St. Petersburg, Florida, here are nine things you need to know first.

1. Living in St. Petersburg, Florida — At a Glance

• St. Petersburg is part of Tampa Bay, a tri-city metro region on the Gulf of Mexico in West Central Florida. The other two cities are Clearwater (just north of St. Petersburg) and Tampa (across the bay). The city of St. Pete is about 62 square miles in size.
• The population of St. Petersburg is estimated at about 258,200 making it the fifth most populated city in Florida. About 80 percent of the city's residents are under 65 years old.
• The weather in St. Petersburg, FL, isn’t for the faint of heart. Winters are mild, with temperatures averaging between the mid 50s and low 70s. But summers are stormy, hot, and humid, with temperatures rising into the 90s. There’s also the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June to November each year.

Between St. Petersburg and neighboring Clearwater, you’ll find 35 miles of the best beaches in the country, giving you easy access to the soft, sugar sand that this area is known for.

St. Pete Beach

Sunshine City’s popular St. Pete Beach was dubbed one the best beaches in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in 2022, 2021, and 2020.

From the historic Don CeSar to the exciting TradeWinds Island Resorts, there’s no shortage of fun to be found here. St. Petersburg makes up the southern tip of a peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east. Residents are never far from a beach, but if you’re looking for a quiet weekend stay within a block of the sandy dunes, any number of the beach’s small inns or hotels will work beautifully. There are also plenty of shops, attractions, and restaurants to explore.

Accessible only by boat, kayak, ferry, or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island is the perfect place to spend your day.
(Source: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater via Facebook)

Caladesi Island

This state park landed on Dr. Beach’s list of Top 10 Beaches in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2016. Accessible only by boat, kayak, ferry, or a long walk north from Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island is the perfect way to spend your day. Once you’re there, you can explore the paddling trail through an extensive mangrove forest, go for a hike, fish, search for shells, or simply enjoy the surf and sun. Visitors have access to on-island concession, along with public restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off and get changed in once you finish up for the day.

Madeira

This 2.5-mile stretch of sand was named the ninth-best beach in the U.S. by Tripadvisor in 2021, and rightly so. It’s a bustling beach, but it’s also home to John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, a popular destination with over 100 shops and restaurants. If you’re not in the mood to shop, you can hang around and watch for dolphins in the area or explore some of the art galleries.

The hustle and bustle of popular beaches aren’t for everyone, though. Here are a few quiet spots the locals love:

Belleair Beach

With Belleair Beach’s 4,500 feet of secluded coastline, you’ll have no problem living it up like a local. You can park at the beach’s access points and follow the dune trails right out to the beach. This beach is also located along residential areas, so you’ll be able to catch a view of some of the nicest beach homes in Tampa Bay.

With a cost of living less than 3 percent above the national average, living in this sunny metro is a steal compared to other major cities.

4. St. Pete’s Growing Housing Market

Plenty of people are moving to Florida, but how is the real estate market? Here’s what you need to know about housing costs when living in St. Petersburg, Florida.

• The city’s average home value is around $386,100.
• That number marks an almost 5 percent increase in the average home value over the last year. Most homes go to pending status within around 26 days of being on the market.

5. The Rental Market in St. Pete

About 37 percent of residents in St. Pete rents their homes. Despite the fact that the city has a lower cost of living than Tampa, apartments in St. Petersburg, FL, tend to cost a bit more on average. Still, apartment rents vary significantly depending on the neighborhood, so it’s likely possible to find something that fits whatever budget you’re working with. Here’s a quick look at the rental market in St. Petersburg, Florida.

• A one-bedroom apartment in St. Petersburg will cost around $2,000 a month, on average.
• If you want to live downtown, the same sized apartment will average around $3,225, and in Crescent Lake, you’re looking at an average of around $3,100.
• Some of the most affordable neighborhoods in the city are Casler Heights and Highland Oaks, where the average rent is around $1,500 in both communities.

Boasting plenty of events, easy access to parks, and a diverse, inclusive community, Historic Kenwood is an artist’s haven and a great place to settle down.
(Source: Historic Kenwood Homes for Sale via Facebook)

Historic Old Northeast

Of St. Petersburg’s neighborhoods, the Old Northeast is one of the most sought-after. Nestled next to the water and within walking distance of downtown, living in this neighborhood is a treat no matter your age.

The area is quiet, cozy, and home to nearby coffee shops like Black Crow, and just a short distance away, you’ll find downtown and all it has to offer — easy access to Vinoy Park, St. Pete Pier, entertainment and restaurants galore.

Historic Kenwood

If you’re seeking out suburban life, Historic Kenwood is one of the best neighborhoods in the city. With an active community boasting plenty of events, easy access to parks, and a diverse, inclusive community, it’s an artist’s haven and a great place to settle down. And in addition to being a historic neighborhood with beautiful restored or renovated homes, Kenwood is only 2.5 miles from downtown. 

Grand Central District

With easy access to the city’s bustling downtown area, this artsy neighborhood is full of life and close to the action, making it a great place for students and young professionals alike. There are even some 55+ communities sprinkled in the area for retirees.

Grand Central District is known as St. Pete’s LGBTQ+ haven. This neighborhood alone has over 450 locally owned, independent businesses, merchants, bars, restaurants, art galleries, and more — including over 150 small LGBTQ+ owned, operated, and ally businesses. Daily, weekly, and annual happenings provide plenty of events for the community to enjoy throughout the year. With murals lining the streets and dog-friendly restaurants between them, this vibrant and inclusive community is a great place for anyone to explore.

St. Petersburg has become one of the top places in the country for workforce recruitment.

8. Transportation and Commuting

Having a car is your best bet in St. Petersburg, but you can get by with some patience. 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 easy with the city’s SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit.

If you don’t live in or near downtown, though, the city is car-reliant. Parking is relatively inexpensive and easy to find throughout the city. The roads also run on a grid system with two major highways (I-75 and I-275) connecting the surrounding areas, so navigation is simple and efficient.

Whether you want to explore street art murals or visit top museums (like The Dalí Museum pictured above), St. Pete is the place to be.
(Source: The Dalí Museum via Facebook)

Sports

If you’re a sports fan, you know St. Petersburg boasts a great scene.

The city is home to Tropicana Field, the home field of the Tampa Bay Rays, and also Al Lang Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. If you’d rather watch the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium or the Lightning at Amalie Arena, both are just across the Causeway.

If you can’t make it to a game in person, there are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can settle in and enjoy the broadcast games. Top picks include Ferg’s and Engine No. 9. 

The city’s waterfront Vinoy Park (pictured) is a popular spot for activities on land and in the water.
(Source: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater via Facebook)

Outdoors

You know about the beaches, but do you know about all the parks and trails in St. Petersburg and nearby? Here are a few of the most popular ones to visit.

1. Vinoy Park
2. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
3. Weedon Island Preserve
4. Sawgrass Lake Park
5. Skyway Fishing Pier
6. Boca Ciega Millennium State Park
7. Poynter Park

If you’d like a bike trail to explore, you can also check out the Pinellas Trail that runs from Tarpon Springs in the north to St. Pete in the south.

Arts and Culture

Whether you want to explore street art murals or visit top museums, St. Pete is the place to be. You can also head over to Mahaffey Theater or the St. Pete Pier for shows and events throughout the year. Here are a few of the city’s best museums we recommend checking out:

1. The Dalí Museum
2. The Museum of Fine Arts
3. The James Museum
4. Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement

You can also find art galleries, like the Chihuly Collection and The Studio@620, as well as works from local artists at the Gulfport Art Walk just 15 minutes from downtown.

PODS can make your move to St. Petersburg a flexible one.

Making Your Move to the Sunshine City

Making the decision to move to St. Petersburg is the easy part — getting there is the trick. Luckily, you can simplify your move by using PODS. 

Rent a container and have it delivered to your driveway, ready for you to load at your own pace. Need help with the heavy lifting? PODS can even connect you with local packing and loading services. When you’re ready, your container will be picked up and delivered right to your new St. Petersburg home, or you can keep it in a PODS Storage Center until you’re ready for it.

The Sunshine City is calling your name. Check out the rest of the PODS Blog for more tips on how to get there.

Kat Piccolo is a St. Petersburg-based freelance writer whose only roommate is their cat. A frequent PODS Blog contributor, Kat loves finding ways to make moving into new spaces simple and stress-free. Between yearly apartment hopping, you can find them on the waterfront or experimenting with new ways to make coffee.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.