[MojitoMe]

My husband and I are considering a move to Florida from the northeast for health reasons. We are in our early 30s with no kids (and no plans for kids). We're looking to avoid family-centered suburbia and retirement enclaves.

We could relocate anywhere since we work out of home (so jobs are not a factor) but we are on a limited income ($2,500/month after taxes). We are not looking for spring break craziness, but an affordable place that has the potential for meeting some other interesting folks in our general age bracket. Some arts and culture would be nice (I'm thinking of independent movie theaters, coffee shops, galleries, etc...)

Are there any particular towns/cities/regions you'd recommend? We're planning an extended trip this fall/winter, and it would help to have some locals' insight.

Thanks!

[jsun556]

Downtown St. Petersburg

[MojitoMe]

I just came across someone's recommendation of St. Petersburg on another thread and have started some cursory research, it seems promising.

Any neighborhoods/parts of downtown St. Pete's you'd recommend as being safe/dangerous?

Thanks!

Keep the recommendations coming, if there are others!

[MojitoMe]

I keep seeing that St. Petersburg/Tampa are high on the hurricane danger list. I'd like to avoid being in an area that is likely to get hit by severe hurricanes. Any suggestions that are a little inland?

[Eresh]

St Pete really does seem like a good choice for your criteria. I'm not trying to be snarky, but if you're that worried about hurricanes, you might want to consider a different state. Pretty much all of the peninsula can get hurricanes, and a lot of the damage occurs inland too.

[MojitoMe]

But how seriously does St. Pete's tend to get hit? Is it mainly some lower category storms with a storm of the century every decade or 100 years? It's hard to tell without living a lifetime in an area how risky it really is.

I know some areas like Jacksonville are considered to be the 'safest' from hurricanes, but I really don't want to live there. I am very excited to check out St. Pete's, but it seems weird that it's the only happening place for young(ish) people in Florida that isn't Miami.

[Eresh]

The area of the gulf coast around St Pete rarely gets a direct hit from a hurricane, and it's impossible to predict when/if it may happen. I *think* the last direct hit was in the 1920's. No where is completely safe from natural disaster, and of all the potential ones (earth quakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes, etc), I think hurricanes are the "safest" because people have several days to prepare for it rather than hours or minutes or seconds.

[MojitoMe]

Eresh, good point. I feel better already!

[mateo384]

Originally Posted by MojitoMe

But how seriously does St. Pete's tend to get hit? Is it mainly some lower category storms with a storm of the century every decade or 100 years? It's hard to tell without living a lifetime in an area how risky it really is.

I know some areas like Jacksonville are considered to be the 'safest' from hurricanes, but I really don't want to live there. I am very excited to check out St. Pete's, but it seems weird that it's the only happening place for young(ish) people in Florida that isn't Miami.

Include Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in there, too. And Tampa. Basically any big city.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by MojitoMe

I just came across someone's recommendation of St. Petersburg on another thread and have started some cursory research, it seems promising.

Any neighborhoods/parts of downtown St. Pete's you'd recommend as being safe/dangerous?

Thanks!

Keep the recommendations coming, if there are others!

St Pete has some great neighborhoods. Check Old Northeast, Allendale/Five Points, Crescent Lake, Crescent Heights, Euclid/St Paul, Snell Isle, Venetian Isles, Placido Bayou, Gateway/Gandy, Jungle Terrace, Bahama Shores and Pinellas Point. The up and coming neighborhoods where younger owners are doing the remodels and making some equity are in Kenwood, Mirror Lake, Old Southeast, Round Lake and Roser Park. There are also some nice new build condo buildings in the heart of downtown which would be great for a young couple minus kids.