Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Touristy and Laid Back, St. Pete Beach Boasts Beautiful White Sand Beaches, Unspoiled Sand Dunes and Resort Hotels
This touristy, laid back barrier island community, located along Florida's central Gulf Coast, became St. Pete Beach in 1994 when it voted to distinguish itself from its mainland neighbor, St. Petersburg, which is just four miles to the east. It markets itself as the Sunset Capital of Florida, and it is known for its miles of dazzling white beaches, unspoiled sand dunes and resort hotels.
The town has four distinct districts, but downtown's palm-lined Corey Avenue is the most popular with its fresh food markets, spas, cupcake shops, restaurants and monthly sunset celebrations. The grand, historic Don CeSar Hotel, also known as the "Pink Palace," faces the Gulf and is an eye-catching landmark. There are white-washed, beachfront condominiums, Mediterranean-style, canal-front homes and inland residences, as well. The Suntan Arts Center sponsors a waterfront fine arts festival and a community mosaic project. The St. Pete Beach Family Aquatic Center is a year-round heated/chilled facility. The town's Egan Park has a boat ramp and fishing pier, and Upham Park, which has beach access, is popular with skim boarders.
The county's Fort De Soto Park is made up of five keys. It is the home of 328 bird species and is a refuge for the loggerhead sea turtle.
Population: 9,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 65%
Cost of Living: 48% above the national average
Median Home Price: $685,000
Climate: Summer temperatures are in the 80s and 90s with high humidity levels and frequent rainstorms. Winter temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. On average, the area receives 52 inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but St. Petersburg has at least one hospital that accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but St. Petersburg has at least one hospital that is accredited.
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Liberal
College Educated: 47%
Is Florida Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Hurricane Irma in September, 2017 brought some flooding and wind damage. Another hurricane may strike in the future.
Notes: St. Pete Beach started to lose population in 2019 but the rate slowed in 2020 and is now steady. Home prices have increased 2% from a year ago.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
Florida:
Named Pascua Florida by Juan Ponce De Leon, the Sunshine State did not enter the Union until March 3, 1845. Balmy mild winters began attracting snowbirds to the state in the late 19th century. Retirees continue to flock to the state. It's not hard to see why tourism has become the leading industry.
International trade and citrus are also major contributors to the state's economy. Eighty percent of the nation's oranges and grapefruits are grown here, and 40 percent of all U.S. exports to Latin America flow through Florida.
Florida's landscape includes uplands and coastal plains. It contains more than 11,000 miles of waterways and about 4,500 islands spread across 10 acres.
The state has 1,250 golf courses, more than any other state in the Union. The 47 mile Pinellas Trail is the longest urban trail on the east coast. Orlando theme parks attract more visitors than any other theme parks in the U.S. The only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist is in National Everglades Park.
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