Moving to St. Petersburg, Florida? Here’s The Top Pros and Cons

[@trulivingtampa]

Thinking about making the move to St. Petersburg? Reach out! We're here to help. Juan Alcala - Tampa Realtor 📲 Call/Text Direct at [phone] 📲 Email: [e-mail] 📅 calendly.com/juan-alcala/45 👨‍💻 Website: www.tbhomesearch.com/ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/juan.alcala.realtor/

[@daw764]

Just retired from the Housing/Mortgage industry. I moved to Dunedin, then Clearwater in 2006. I have been in all facets of the residential mortgage/housing industry to include Loss MIT, Underwriting, Appraisal Review and Valuation here in FL. I completely agree with your pros and cons list. This area captivated me the minute I drove across that Causeway and even more so when I moved to the Clearwater area! Great video! I would love to say stop telling everyone about our little oasis, but that would be selfish..lol. Great Video…keep em coming. P.s. I still rent (way cheaper than a mortgage right now)…and have never owned a home despite having the VA loan option being a retired Marine…I’m socking my savings away waiting for rates and or prices to come down some more…someday soon! Peace!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing!

[@carsondickie5563]

I moved from the midwest. If you shop at Aldi & Walmart you can deffently save a pretty penny!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing, Carson.

[@dirkjackson8939]

Aldi is my go to! And then Walmart. Trader Joe's as well

[@gFamWeb]

I understand it's not really something you mentioned directly, but regarding traffic, I've found the public transportation network downtown to be pretty good, especially the SunRunner with it's dedicated lanes.

[@andreaL3733]

Hi Juan, Love your videos. I am living in UK but last couple of years spent some time if Tampa on vacation and it was lovely but last year I decided to check out St Pete’s and that place stole my heart literally 😊. As I single woman traveler I was not scared to alone to downtown of St Pete’s I felt safe walk around the took Uber/Lyft and headed back to my airbnb. The moment I stepped there vibe is very different to Tampa, I felt people were more relaxed/friendly (and I am not saying people in Tampa were not) but even supermarket like Publix etc had different vibe, neighbourhood I stayed and going for my early morning walks. It’s definitely place to am coming back in few months. Ohh that that little market you have there each Saturday! Love it. Thank you for this video!

[@trulivingtampa]

You’re welcome and thanks for sharing!

[@RHD_LHD]

I am currently in St Pete for the weekend; looking to move down from Long Island ny so I’m checking out the area. So far it’s amazing, the vibes are great. Spent today at around the beaches. Everyone is very friendly, multiple people started conversations while walking around. Spent last night in downtown and will be going downtown again, lots of places to choose from and people everywhere. While I was there, I did experience more homeless people than I expected. If you treat them like a human, they don’t cause you trouble. Like any city there’s good and bad neighborhoods to avoid. Coming from NY, not something I’m unfamiliar with. Just avoid them whenever possible. Costs aren’t so bad but NY has conditioned me to believe everything costs a lot. Still so much to experience here in St. Pete! Got tickets to the Indy race tomorrow in downtown 🤙🏻

[@trulivingtampa]

Glad you’re enjoying your time here. Thanks for sharing!

[@WillyDusa]

If you can afford to live in N.Y. Bra Living in St. Pete is going to be a dream for you. I moved here from South Jersey and I feel like I am on vacation. I been here 11 years come Memorial Day 2024 RHD When you reach 55 years of age look into Moble Homes living it is much cheaper than a house. Just a thought.

[@marknewton6984]

Try Shell Key!😎

[@crayfishlover1615]

Omg man I’m so ready to move, I’m 13 but when I’m 18 I’m moving to St. Petersburg from milwaukee

[@rallokkcaz]

As long as you have a steady income and interests in things other people around have. You'll thrive here.

[@Rye029]

There’s to many people here😭 but it’s a fun city to live in

[@crayfishlover1615]

@@Rye029 I mean yeah, but I absolutely hate the cold

[@alyviaashley]

Good luck!! Hope it works out for you😊

[@Brad-f5p]

Thanks so much for doing this excellent video of St. Pete. I moved to St. Pete 34 years ago and lived there the first 10 years I was here. I sold that house and bought a condo in Largo, FL. If someone here is considering moving to the Tampa Bay area I would highly recommend looking in this area. I'm like 10 minutes away from the beaches and its like a 1/2 hour drive to downtown St. Pete so its like having the best of both worlds.. There is a ton of stuff to do here and if you enjoy doing outdoor activities this is the place for you! The other exciting thing is that the city of St. Pete and the Tampa Bay Rays recently came to an agreement on building a beautiful new Stadium for the team. They will be breaking ground on it early next year. A several block area around the stadium is being completely redeveloped. The artist renderings look awesome. The cool thing is that when its finished it will be like an extension of downtown. I can't wait! 🙂

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks, Brad! I'm also here in Largo as well. Only 7 minutes to IRB 😎

[@AlchemyLOZ]

Hey Juan, just wanna say thank you for making these videos! The last couple months or so, I’ve decided that I want to move to Florida from NY state because I want to be somewhere where it’s always warm and I’m close to the beach. I’ve watched a lot of your videos recently and you’ve helped me know that St Pete is where I wanna be!

[@trulivingtampa]

You're welcome! I'm glad they've helped. Feel free to reach out when you're ready to make the move.

[@j4cline]

Hey Juan, As a native born St. Petersburger, I would say you have done a very good job describing us. Born here in 1965, moved to Germany in 99 then Toronto in 2008, Chicago in 2016 and back to St. Pete (Snell Isle) in 2021. My parents moved here in 1958 from Ohio. My mom lives in the house I was born in and it has NEVER flooded. Yes, Shore Acres floods. My house was built in 1968 and has never flooded. Our roads overflow during an afternoon thunderstorm. Ironically, we have a condo on Mad Beach as well, so to some extent we are neighbors. My fave restaurant is closer to you (The Conch). You won't find many gators in St. Pete because we are over built, but it is very safe to say that any lake in Florida will have a gator. I am surprised you don't see more snakes, but the most common is a "black racer" that is very harmless and eats bugs as well. We had more mosquitoes in Toronto and Chicago that we do in St. Pete, but they are here. I lived in Tampa for 5 years out toward Wesley Chapel (before there any housing) and would go back. Too far from beaches. I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for 3 years, not for me. You will find that people from the Mid-west follow I-75 to the west coast of Florida while the NY/NJ folks migrate down I-95 to the east coast of Fl. The water is much warmer on the West coast. ALSO, if you track back all the hurricanes that have affected Florida, the west coast is generally safer as the Hurricane's usually pass the west coast in the Gulf. The don't usually "curl back" to the right to hit the coast. Never been to Engine 9, but must go to get the wings. You should try Red Mesa Cantina on 3rd St. South for authentic Mexican at a great price or for Italian try Grazi

[@j4cline]

oh and one more thing.... We have an annual Indy Car race in St. Pete although I REALLY wish the city could manage and F1 race :) 😀

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you for sharing and for helping kind words. I appreciate you!

[@johnnygronley421]

I'll just add: I'm from California -- the SF Bay Area, specifically. As wonderful as the SF Bay area is, I'm much happier here in St. Pete. The food, the weather, the relaxed lifestyle. To top everything off: it's absolutely beautiful here, geographically. The park system is amazing. The downtown food scene is immediately accessible. Sure, we're sent an occasional hurricane to remind us that we live in paradise. But... I'm not moving. That's the price of living here. I can't imagine that anyone would ever relocate to this area and then regret it. I'll assert that St. Pete is evolving into one of the world's most beautiful, livable cities. It's unbearably gorgeous here.

[@trulivingtampa]

Great perspective, Johnny. Thanks for sharing!

[@charlotteredman1310]

I will love to move from the UK to Clearwater Florida for the beautiful sunshine and the beautiful beaches that they have over there in Clearwater Florida! I am doing some research to learn all about living in Clearwater Florida! Can you do more videos on KZbin channels about living in Clearwater Florida for me please and thank you. ❤❤️👍👍😀😀

[@trulivingtampa]

We've done a few, but you'll see another one next week!

[@marknewton6984]

Nice area. 🤩

[@rallokkcaz]

The amount of activities you can do sober and not binge drinking is crazy too considering the amount of debauchery you can find on any screen corner. This place is amazing for people looking to live life and do things with their time that are interesting and stimulating. There's music ALL OVER, even major cities fail in comparison to St. Pete, this is a haven for weirdos and freaks as well. Just all around good people and all around good vibes.

[@alexhimonetos9044]

Had to comment once you mentioned it, love engine no 9! Especially their wings!

[@trulivingtampa]

Right on!

[@alitayeh2233]

I've been really enjoyed watching your videos. I just signed up for a zoom meeting. Looking forward to talk to you.

[@trulivingtampa]

I look forward to connecting, Ali.

[@rogerbpugh2293]

Me and my wife moved to Tampa almost 2 years ago and we love ST Pete it is really chill there and we go there for date night. lol me and my wife say the say thing about publix we spend alot and dont get much groceries

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@marknewton6984]

Publix is for Lovers🤩

[@Brad-f5p]

@rogerbpugh2293 Publix subs aka pub subs = yummy!!

[@FloridaDave_]

We love St. Pete! Even though my house is in Tarpon Springs, we spend a lot of time in the area, especially Cage Brewing! Nice video!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing. I haven’t tried Cage yet. Got a new one to enjoy!

[@miltonrosado525]

OMG I love your Jazzmaster!!!

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you

[@JoelPeterson-dc6sx]

Great information! Thanks Juan! 🤌🏾🤙🏾

[@trulivingtampa]

You're welcome!

[@RealEstateHappens]

Great video! 🌴🏡🌴

[@trulivingtampa]

Thank you!

[@KeithHuntsman-TaFl]

Thanks for more great info and considerations. Hi everyone....I always shop at Aldi here outside of Cleveland, Ohio. I just went Thursday, and spent $46 for three brown paper bags. Aldi is less expensive than all of the other places. I'd be interested to see what the prices are in the Tampa Bay area stores. A news release on the Aldi page said that due to the rising cost of prices, they are going to build, I think it is 800 new stores. My neighbor snowbirds in The Villages. My logic is to visit during the high summer months. There is some of algae blume in Lake Erie but it's near Toledo or Sandusky, Ohio. I think it sometimes makes it way to my area (I'm west of Cleveland).

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing, Keith.

[@JadaaFresh]

I heard you talk about buying a condo in st pete beach. Im intrested in learning more about st pere beach can u make a dedicated video on it please?

[@zm6323]

Thank you. I'm looking a bit Sarasota, siesta key area. St Pete looks fun though.

[@Dailysoulgrowth]

Hi. Looking for the link to the national crime database? Clicked them all. Only the trip advisor didn’t work. Can you confirm please? Thank you

[@kevinhenault434]

We live in Costa Rica and the overall cost of living within walking distance of the beach is similar to the Tampa/St Pete area. Food and grocery costs are pretty close if you want American products. People flock here for a lower cost of living and realize those days passed after COVID

[@trulivingtampa]

Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@kevinhenault434]

@@trulivingtampa check out the Tamarindo property market. You might get a kick out of it being in realty. None of the realtors here are licensed so there is a Wild West dynamic still in play. We may be moving to the Tampa area due to a family emergency. Do you work in the rental side of things or just sales? Cheers!

[@veronicachavez7187]

People say that South St Pete is bad but I’ve lived here for about 4 years and I don’t even lock my doors. Of course there might be some places like that but not all

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing, Veronica.

[@stevewalther2293]

I now understand...😊

[@juno7893]

Great video 👍🏼. Is thata Fender Jazzmaster hanging on the wall nehind you?

[@trulivingtampa]

Squire Jazzmaster 😎

[@l.a.6522]

im in Philadelphia right now and i'm considering becoming a realtor in Florida... how do i do that...? Thanks...

[@trulivingtampa]

You'll need to go to a licensed real estate school, take a state exam, and pass a background check. After that the real education begins.

[@veronicachavez7187]

The best Cuban food in Pinellas is La Tetesita Restaurant

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nitsuaepop]

I'm 30 and moving to st.pete. I don't know anyone and would like some advice on meeting people

[@baileepackham2475]

Are there many options for remote jobs here?

[@anarr7411]

I’m in Bergen County, NJ and everything is expensive here. Groceries are ridiculously high priced, and living here is getting more expensive by the day.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing.

[@robertdaymouse3784]

Every Realtor. in every area, lists 'traffic' and "cost of living' as their top 2 Cons.

[@qstaratma9096]

Come on down to Craft Kafe……200 Central Ave!

[@WalkVideos4K]

Purchased some drinks and snacks yesterday and it was like $100 , milwaukee

[@trulivingtampa]

I feel this comment.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

Good con list. Altho No-seeums. They are so small that they go right through screens so there is no protection from them! Traffic, ok in the summer, goes to terrible when school starts and then another nose dive in the winter when 1 million snow birds find there way here!

[@hill0344]

Is downtown st Pete safe? Edge water district? What areas to avoid for safety

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for watching. I can't tell you if an area is safe or not. I can however show you where to find the info. If you look in the description you'll find the link to the crime maps.

[@Ambergris24]

What’s the local tax rate on income and real estate. I’ve heard some counties since Florida does not have a state income tax can have hefty local tax. I live just outside of Louisville KY and the county of Jefferson has a Revenue commission. They charge about a 5 percent tax on income and really go after business that does work in the county even if they do not live in the county. The penalties are outrageous for late payments too. It’s called the “sinking fund” locally.

[@garypelkey3161]

There is no state income tax in Florida. And I don't think any city/county can impose an income tax either. The local sales tax rate in St. Pete is 7%.

[@briankulyk6849]

The food in Publix is expensive. I'm from Tarpon Springs fl. Spending a 100 bucks for 5 bags or less of food

[@6861Charley]

A bag of groceries is really costing a lot but you need to know where to shop, what to eat and learn how to cook. Cooking should be practical , efficient and creative.

[@dirkjackson8939]

I will give you a hint, Aldi and Trader Joe's. I never shop at Publix except when they have their turkey sale before Thanksgiving

[@odessajackson4551]

Thanks for being honest about these swampland neighborhoods.. that's guaranteed to flood during a really bad rainstorm or hurricanes.... St. Petersburgs' dirty little secret.. that's not a secret anymore!!!

[@Victorseafog]

Most of the highest land in Saint Petersburg to avoid flooding is in poorer lower income areas , midtown,. pretty funny.

[@trulivingtampa]

You’re right. IYKYK

[@edwardcarelli8262]

I LIVE IN Boca Raton,I like that area but houses to old and expensive.And St.Petersburg is not Boca Raton.And the life looks more expensive.

[@DBenkotachar]

Shop at Aldi

[@monmur7952]

11 year former resident of St Pete (north, snell isle, north east park shores). Great vid. But the crime is no bueno. Cars being checked in the middle of the day in the nicest of neighborhoods. It is concerning. Plus the amount alleys in neighborhoods fosters the crime rate of people checking cars, stealing bikes and porch pirates, it became unbearable for me. It's one of MANY factors why I moved to NC. I LOVE visiting St. Pete now, it's still awesome for visitors! I wouldn't move back....not affordable and this crime rate don't make the math work for me.

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing. If I catch a pirate I’ll be sure to have them walk the plank. 🤣 Love that term.

[@ashleysullivan3411]

My Guy, crime is everywhere and if it's there yet it will come. So very unfair that you portray the city as major crimes. Give me a break

[@dirkjackson8939]

I've lived in St Pete since 2004 and not once had an issue with crime. I don't even lock my car

[@karenrichey6074]

Lake Maggorie is a great place for gators

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks for sharing.

[@tonyn3227]

st. petes is very nice, but, but, you better have a fat wallet to live here and i mean a fat wallett

[@trulivingtampa]

It's definitely not cheap to live in St. Pete.

[@ashleysullivan3411]

It's not Miami, Austin, NY, Chicago, California expensive. Let's be real

[@dirkjackson8939]

There are still a ton of fixer uppers here for affordable prices.

[@FabulousLife615]

🩷🩷

[@trulivingtampa]

Thanks!

[@rickjames9256]

St Petersburg is becoming another LA. junkies, crime and very expensive to live there. Not to mention the traffic

[@senior-data-engineer]

It’s a horrible place don’t come here

[@dirkjackson8939]

😂

[@PaulSmith-is2tt]

St Pete is not a city, it's an area. There is no business district, shopping area, etc. It's sprawl and not planned at all. Local government is pro business and anti consumer, which means renters have no rights. And don't even talk about insurance, home or car - you will get gouged. Infrastructure is a joke - many times when you cross an intersection the road on the opposite side is shifted over 2 feet, and lane dividers are never repainted so you can't see them at night or when it's raining. Finally, public transportation is for tourists and not the locals. You can get from beach to beach but not much else. Tampa is only 15 miles away but there is no connection between the two cities other than a single bus line that takes over 2 hours. What is so hard about having a fleet of buses leaving every 20 minutes from downtown to downtown? The local government is not concerned because they only care about the yuppies moving into the million dollar condos downtown. In short, if you're a rich guy who hangs guitars on his walls you will like the "vibe" but for everyone else it's a bad move.