St. Petersburg—The Sunshine City
A city in Pinellas County, Florida, St. Petersburg rests comfortably between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. The largest city in the state that is not a county seat, St. Petersburg was named after the Russian city St. Petersburg. It has undergone a lot of revitalization in recent years to change its once-popular reputation as a spring break and retirement destination.
Of all the changes, redeveloping the waterfront was perhaps the city’s best feature. It renewed the interest in the historic district and turned the area into a bonafide southern holiday destination.
With the weather so lovely and sunny, St. Petersburg is nicknamed ‘Sunshine City’ (it holds the title for most consecutive days with sunshine for 768 days).
For visitors and residents alike, this stunning city has to offer everything from award-winning beaches to superb state and national parks, fantastic shopping, craft breweries, farmer’s markets, top-rated restaurants, and remarkable cultural experiences.
Education in St. Petersburg
Pinellas County Schools administer all the public primary and secondary schools in St. Petersburg. A few public high schools within the city limits to name would be Gibbs High School, Northeast High School, and St. Petersburg High School.
The city also holds a few private high schools such as the Canterbury School of Florida, Admiral Farragut Academy, and Shorecrest Preparatory School.
Furthermore, St. Petersburg is home to numerous institutions of higher education. The University of South Florida is an autonomous campus that serves 6,500 students. Eckerd College is a private four-year liberal arts college, and St. Petersburg College is a state college in the Florida College System.
Homes for Sale in St. Petersburg
The Climate in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg has a humid subtropical climate that closely resembles the tropical savanna climate with a defined rainy season that extends from June through September. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 53 degrees in winters to 90 degrees in summer.
Public Transportation in St. Petersburg
Tampa International Airport is the primary means of air transportation for most passengers from St. Petersburg to anywhere across the country. However, smaller airlines with destinations to smaller towns and cities operate at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, providing only seasonal services.
Mass transit options in the city are offered by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PTSA). It includes a sightseeing trolley named The Looper that travels to major downtown destinations like Sundial, USFSP, Vinoy Hotel, and the museums.
Coast Bike Share is a service that provides shared bicycles for short-term use. Additionally, St. Petersburg has a carpooling program called ‘Ride Share,’ which is an affordable option to get around the city.
Living in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg houses more than 100 neighborhoods. With nearly 250,000 residents, it is one of the most populated cities in the state. Often people flock to this area for its beauty and a relaxing beach lifestyle. Most of the districts in St. Petersburg are located near the bay.
The median home value here is $198,400, but depending on where you choose to live in the area, homes’ prices can vary – from charming little starter homes to elaborate luxury properties.
On the city’s central-eastern edge is Downtown St. Petersburg that holds the city’s residential and commercial buildings, art galleries, museums, and parks.
To the north of downtown St. Petersburg rests the Historic Old Northeast and Snell Isle that features Mediterranean-style historic and waterfront homes, parks, and recreational areas.
On the far north is the Gateway area that overlaps part of Pinellas Park and is where new construction of residential and business buildings and new toll roads currently happen.
Historic Rose Park, located to the south of downtown St. Petersburg highlights historic Mediterranean and Eclectic style housing, museums, and parks.
Even with all the beauty and sunshine, St. Petersburg is considered to have a lower cost of living—one reason why many retirees wish to relocate to this area. Nevertheless, many younger adults and families have also moved to this city during the last few years.
The median household income in St. Petersburg is estimated to be $56,982.
Things to Do in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is one of those few places that offer a great mix of cultural and outdoorsy attractions. The art attractions here include the renowned Dali Museum and Chihuly Collection, whereas the St. Pete Pier district, Sunken Gardens, Florida Botanical Gardens, the famous Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Great Explorations Children’s Museum make ideal destinations for families.
Baseball fans can enjoy a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field and residents and visitors can search for unique finds at the Saturday Morning Market. Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History and the Florida Holocaust Museum will appeal to history buffs.
With a plethora of things to see and do, this lively city never fails to keep you entertained.
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