Need Help....Dunedin vs. Gulfport For Vacation (Clearwater, Palm Harbor: rent, safe neighborhoods)

[carlent]

I hope i can get some help from folks who live in Dunedin or Gulfport or from someone who knows both towns well. Here is my situation. I am going to take a month off and take a vacation for the entire month of Dec. I have done my research and narrowed it down to either Denedin or Gulfport. They both seem to have similiar characteristics and i realize that Dunedin is about 2 1/2 times larger. So i would really appreciate some pro and con on both from all of you who actually live in the area or have visited both locations. So far just from research (I have never been to the area) here is what i like about each:

GULFPORT
1. a small town sitting right on top of a major city (St Pete) with all of the curtural advantages that St Pete offers.
2. small, funky, quirky. artsy...strong music scene...good local restaurants and pubs and cafe's. Historic district all close in and walkable to everything.
3. affordable. $800 - $1200 for the month right in the historic district. This would be a studio or a 1 bedroom furnished with all utilities included.

DUNEDIN
1. a much larger town but still small enough to walk everywhere
2. a much more expansive downtown area than Gulfport, so more to do and more to see.
3. Good public transportation...beach trolley etc.,
4. also affordable ($1000 - 1400) a bit more than gulfport
5. not near a big city (I would not have a car)

here is what i like to do on vacation:

1. walk everywhere
2. take public transportation to where i can not walk (local bus)
3. find small locally owned business such as pubs, cafe's etc., to frequent.
4. good beach for relaxing and people watching
5. safe, walkable neighborhood....do not want to worry about crime

sooooo....now I would ove your help in this decision. Tell me what i do not know and what your thoughts are

Thank you all

Carlent

[luauelvis]

Let me start by telling you that I love dunedin. I lived there for 2 years and am thinking of moving back. Dunedin has a cute little downtown, but I am not sure it is the best place for a month long vacation.
Pros- more affordable to stay than other "beachy " areas
Close to Clearwater Beach, not walking but less than 10 minutes.
I love Clearwater Beach by the way, great places to eat, cool stuff to do.
Near other major towns like St Pete, Palm Harbor.
Cons- relaxing for a month is great, but you might get a little bored with the small town feel. NO nightlife to speak of. I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but I hope it helps a little.

[xlabel]

Dunedin or Gulfport? Neither one. I'd set up shop off of Gulf to Bay (Rt. 60)somewhere, you should be able to find something in that price range. The buses run up and down Gulf to Bay every 15-30 mins, some routes end downtown others go straight out to the beach and Sand Key. Clearwater Beach blows away any other Pinellas County beach by far. There are plenty of pubs and eateries up and down 60 and 19 in safe neighborhoods.

[cariad]

Without a car, I wouldn't pick either.
If you have a bike I would pick Dunedin, cause you can get to the causeway and Honeymoon Island for the beach($1 to get on Honeymoon with a bike, I think) or bike down to Clearwater Beach. The downtown area of Dunedin is small, so you can walk to restaurants, but no beach trolley to my knowledge.

I think it would be better pick any of the beaches between Clearwater and Pass A Grille, all have walkable areas and this is where the trolley runs.
Since December is actually before the high seasons you should be able to negotiate some decent rates for that month.
I have stayed on and liked both Clearwater beach and Pass A Grille, if you want a historic district definitely try to find something in Pass A Grille.
Clearwater beach may offer a little more nightlife with Shepards, but you won't find much without having to do some traveling wherever you are.

I personally wouldn't pick gulf to bay to stay on.

Forgot to add, I think you can rent a bike for a month if you do want Dunedin

[Bambina]

New trolley service links Gulfport to St. Pete Beach. Runs on an hourly basis from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday for $1.75. Gulfport also has lots of nice restaurants, markets, sat. and sun. Also First Friday's and Third Saturdays (of the month) Art Walk festivals with live music.

[gypsychic]

Between the two, I think Gulfport for a vacation. If you were looking to live permanently I might suggest otherwise, but I think this would fill the bill better than Dunedin, although Dunedin is a very nice little town.

Have fun!