Need Help/Advise on Relocating to St. Petersburg (Tampa, Clearwater: 2013, rentals)

[ishabish]

Hello City-Data Community!

Buckeye relocating to the Sunshine State (maybe). I have a job opportunity I am contemplating down in St. Petersburg. Alot will depend on if I can find an A+ school district with reasonable housing prices. I prefer to rent before I purchase. My range is $1300 max initially until we can secure hubby a new job. I have 3 kids, all elementary/preschool age. My parents are freaking out about sink holes and their grandkids. So if anyone could shed light on communities to look into or avoid I would greatly appreciate it. I am a suburbian girl and prefer to stay far away from city elements if possible. I am open to all suggestions and information. I would like to thank you all in advance for contributing to this thread.

[tbrepro]

Hi ishabish,

Can you be more specific with where your job will be? The good news I think you can find something for $1300 rent and the sink holes you've seen on the news happen in the counties more north than us.

Sinkholes of Pinellas County, Florida , 2008

The sinkhole map is from 2008 but you can see that the sinkholes generally occur more north than St Pete. I too was raised in the north (northeastern PA) and moved here when I was an adult and really like the small town feel of St Petersburg.

As for the school - the schools in the northern part of the county are generally better rated. Once I know where your work will be I can better help with that question.

[ishabish]

Thank you for your reply Tbrepro! I will be working downtown St. Pete. That map is eye opening and scary. But you know, if I'm supposed to go by sinkhole, it's already written that way I keep tossing around ideas of living in Tampa/Lutz or surrounding areas and driving in, but that's an hour commute each way with traffic it seems. If something happens to my kids at school, it would take me forever to get there if I didn't live near St. Pete, but I would prefer a great education for my kids over a short commute. I appreciate any help you can offer, thanks!

[north__to__south]

Pinellas is not an A+ school district, but there are some good schools. You have to do your research. The florida board of education website is excellent for that research. Here is their rankings list for Pinellas county schools. I would start there...find the best schools...and look for housing in areas zoned to them. https://app2.fldoe.org/Ranking/Schoo...t.aspx?dist=52

[tbrepro]

Ishabish -

I thought the list as a whole might be overwhelming, especially for someone new to the area, so I drew it out on a map for you and actually made it into a blog post (thanks for the blog post idea). I think this will help.

The area more towards the left is Seminole - this is a good family area, convenient to the beach, but sometimes (especially in the summer) it is a pain to get to the interstate. Shore Acres would be the easiest commute but you would definitely want to call to see if it is one of the schools that is near max capacity - there's actually an area within my crude circle that will be rezoned next year, so we'd have to be careful about that.

Here's the link - let me know if you have any questions.

What “A” Schools Are Closest To Downtown St Petersburg? | TBRePRO

[mazycat]

HI, I live in NE St Pete, and my office is in downtown St Pete.
As far as schools, do your research, but that was a concern for us living here when we were looking into adoption.
Shore Acres Elementary is a good rated elementary school, but is north of downtown, is a flood area (need flood insurance), but when entering middle & high school, it is a concern here.
Sinkholes are known in the Crescent Lake area which is right outside of downtown, but generally have never heard of any problems in the area. Most sinkhole issues are north of us a good hour drive.
Downtown is OK, but as far as having kids, and living down there, I personally do not find that appealing. I am from up north outside NYC, and I call downtown a 5 block city starting from the Pier entrance. Once outside that 5 block area, it's just not homey. No neighborhood markets, parks, etc. Mostly tourist resturants, museums, and more resturants resturants resturants. It's a fun place to attend many festivals that go on downtown, but as far as living right down there, I find it more appealing to a retiree that likes to eat out. Unfortunately St Pete has never boomed with the housing rebuilt neighborhoods, and it is a very limited area to go house shopping depending on what you want. Still flooded with tiny little old bungalows in neighborhoods with high rentals which run all thru central area of St Pete. You will not find the newer Florida home if that is what you are thinking it is.
Since there is hardly any traffic here in St PEte, I find it easy to get around any time of the day which is nice. You may want to check out more towards the beaches, St Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira, etc.
Also, South Tampa is also an easy commute to downtown St Pete right across the Gandy Bridge. A little pricy, but for a reason.

[LisaGantz]

Helllo,
I also was born in Ohio and spent most of adult life in Indiana. I think you will find St. Pete to be a very welcoming, friendly community very similar to what we are used to in the Midwest. Remember, most Floridians are not from Florida. We were all new once.
So far I think you have been given great advice. I would add only a few thoughts. I do not recommend Shore Acres at all because of the flooding. It just doesn't take much water to make those streets impassable. The area called Old Northeast is lovely with beautiful homes and streets. It is pricey and finding a rental for a family in your budget may be a challenge. Besides all the reasons you were given about downtown not being terribly family friendly, it is also a very pricey area to live. You may have better luck in Historic Kenwood but not sure you would like the schools.
And speaking of schools, remember there are are private and religious schools, not just our public schools to choose from.
I also like Seminole for families as well as Dunedin. You might check out Clearwater as well. You can get to downtown St. Pete on 275 in about 15-20 min. On US 19, 20-30 min.
Good Luck and if you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us!

[ishabish]

Thank you all for your responses. I will research and consider all recommendations and information provided. You all have been a great help!