Diverse communities in Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete's? (Sarasota, Dunedin: condo, houses)

[Casher O'Neill]

What are the most diverse neighborhoods in the Tampa Bay area? I am looking for an area with a mix of ethnicities and cultures, where I can walk to restaurants, stores, etc. and not be in a car all the time. A neighborhood near the beach would be a plus.

I am a middle-aged woman with grown children so schools are not an issue. I visited the area earlier this year and really liked it.

Thank you!

[Moni74]

I posted similar questions regarding diverse neighborhoods when we were planning our move. I received some very interesting responses/opinions! A few people were trying to "convince" me not to worry about diversity (we also have an 8 year old son and raising him in a diverse environment is critical to us). I found it comical (if not maddening) how some people did not understand my desire to live in a diverse environment.

Anyway, I'm relatively new to FL so I don't know the areas well enough to give a valid opinion. I'll be following this post to see what others suggest.

[Keeper]

First and foremost what is your price range? What about work? Living near the beach meaning gulf or bay? You aren't going to find a lot of diverse areas around the gulf beaches or even the bay due mainly to the high cost of housing. Most housing around the gulf are condo's or very expensive houses. S Tampa on the bay is probably more diverse due to the area but not by much.

Very few walkable areas probably due to the heat. There are a few place but not many because it is just too hot.

[Casher O'Neill]

I am talking about when I retire in a few years. I do NOT want to live in a 55 plus type of community. I am an active person and I like being around younger people. i would be living on a pension so my income would be modest, around $45,000 per year.

[niccimarlena]

Town and Country area is probably the most diverse..but a higher hispanic population than other areas in Tampa. I like this area, I feel safe and have never had an issue and I have lived in many areas of Tampa in the past 10 years.
Now, with Tampa..you have your middle class areas like mentioned above and a few miles away it may be more of a rough area. Personal preference..I personally can't live where it is segregated..one race only..etc. I am caucasian and my daughter is bi-racial.
My neighbors are from all ethnicities in this area.
I have noticed, more and more- most parts of Tampa are becoming more blended.

[BBI]

Originally Posted by Casher O'Neill

What are the most diverse neighborhoods in the Tampa Bay area? I am looking for an area with a mix of ethnicities and cultures, where I can walk to restaurants, stores, etc. and not be in a car all the time. A neighborhood near the beach would be a plus. I am a middle-aged woman with grown children so schools are not an issue. I visited the area earlier this year and really liked it.

Honestly, a bigger limiting factor than diversity is finding a neighborhood that has the walkability you want. As far as I can tell (I've lived here for almost a year now), your options are (north to south): downtown Dunedin, downtown Safety Harbor, SoHo/Hyde Park in South Tampa, downtown St. Pete, downtown Gulfport, and downtown Sarasota. And the walkable areas are pretty small; in one weekend, you could check out all of them to see if any have the ethnic diversity you're looking for.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by BBI

Honestly, a bigger limiting factor than diversity is finding a neighborhood that has the walkability you want. As far as I can tell (I've lived here for almost a year now), your options are (north to south): downtown Dunedin, downtown Safety Harbor, SoHo/Hyde Park in South Tampa, downtown St. Pete, downtown Gulfport, and downtown Sarasota. And the walkable areas are pretty small; in one weekend, you could check out all of them to see if any have the ethnic diversity you're looking for.

Good list, I agree. I will also add that Sarasota's downtown is really the only one really close to a beach - from downtown one only has to cross the John Ringling Bridge to get to St. Armand's Circle (for more shops, restaurants) and Lido Beach. As BBI suggested, it's best to visit all these areas and see what has the most of what you are looking for. They are all nice places and have different things to offer.

[LianeJamason]

I find most of Tampa Bay to be pretty diverse! However I especially like St. Pete - lots to do downtown, beaches, arts, great culture here!

[inkyfantastic]

I just moved to Tampa (Hyde Park/SoHo area) a little over a week ago and I have yet to see anything but white people in this neighborhood. And I walk/bike almost everywhere, so I'm actually seeing who's on the street. The most diversity I've seen is among those walking and running on Bayshore Blvd.

[wonderwomanismyshero]

"I just moved to Tampa (Hyde Park/SoHo area) a little over a week ago and I have yet to see anything but white people in this neighborhood. And I walk/bike almost everywhere, so I'm actually seeing who's on the street. The most diversity I've seen is among those walking and running on Bayshore Blvd."

Inkyfantastic...your post is a bit disconcerting. Thinking that diversity is based only on blatant differences of skin color can be misleading and sometimes a bit offensive. I'm often mistaken for "white" (which most people confuse with Caucasian) but I am actually simply a light-skinned Hispanic. Going out and getting to know people in one's community instead of lumping them into one category based on their skin color is probably best - one would be surprised to find much more diversity than expected.
Also, there are organizations in central Tampa that are based on ethnicity and/or profession (Hispanic, Caribbean, Asian, etc.) so getting in touch with one's heritage or ethnic group is just an internet search away. Good luck!