St Pete --- SW, Allendale, old NE? (St. Petersburg: crime, houses)

[planningforretirement]

We are considering retirement in the St. Petersburg area would appreciate locals' inputs and comparisons on three areas: SW (Jungle Terrace area), Allendale, and the old NE.

We prefer older houses, quaint houses, houses with some character. Same with neighborhoods: quaint, trees, sidewalks, parks, walkable, dog friendly. We'd like to be within two miles to library, supermarket, eateries, and a marina (Gulf better than Bay). Not interested in planned communities, gated communities, nor neighborhoods that feel suburban. We don't golf. As retirees school quality is not an issue but we'd like to avoid higher crime areas.

We don't need a huge house. Something like a 2 or 3 bedroom, 2 or 2.5 bath house with an in-ground pool and enough yard space for a garden would be ideal. Our budget requires we stay below $500,000.

We'd very much appreciate inputs from knowledgeable locals. Thanks.

[BBI]

The Old NE is everything you want, except that the nearest marina would be on the bay (downtown). Alternatively, you could keep your boat on the west side of town -- it's only 15-20 minutes away.

Allendale doesn't have the same "walkability," doesn't have the bay and park system along it, etc. Really doesn't compare to the Old NE in my view.

On the west side of town, very short distance to the gulf, but the tradeoff is walkability. You really only get that near downtown. My sense from your post is you'll pick the Old NE, but would recommend you check out Pasadena just to check the box on the west side of town.

[chi_tino]

You can get a nice waterfront house with a dock (no need for a marina) in Snell Isle, Venetian Isles or Shore Acres for $500k. All are just north of Old NE. Zip codes are 33704 and 33703.

[planningforretirement]

Thanks for the insights. We'll add Pasadena to our list.

Any opinions about the Jungle area?

[BBI]

Originally Posted by planningforretirement

Any opinions about the Jungle area?

Like most of the area, very near the water, it's nice. Not much walkability, feels a bit more surburban. I like Pasadena more than Jungle, but I also like to golf and there's a course....

For what it's worth, I'd say the same thing about Azalea as Jungle. The neighborhoods here aren't very big, let alone the parts of neighborhoods with prices up to 500k. It shouldn't take you much time, when you visit, to at least do a drive-by of everything west of Tyrone Blvd down to the Yacht Club.