<p>DS has taken a job in downtown St. Pete and we are headed down to look for housing ina few days. He’ll probably rent for a while and then think about buying a condo or something. Where is a good place to live where he’ll meet other young single professionals? Suggestions for places to look and places to avoid are appreciated. In fact any and all info about St. Pete is appreciated! He doesn’t want to live in Tampa and deal with the bridge, so will only be looking in the general St. Pete area at this point. Do most young single professionals tend to live intown or at the beach? Thanks</p>
<p>Here’s a link to get you started, jym.</p>
<p>[Downtown</a> St. Petersburg Tour](<a href=“http://goflorida.about.com/od/saintpetersburg/ss/stpete_downtown.htm]Downtown”>http://goflorida.about.com/od/saintpetersburg/ss/stpete_downtown.htm)</p>
<p>Just click the “Next” link to go through the index. The Dali museum is definitely worth a look. Al Lang Field was recently closed permanently.</p>
<p>The city’s easy to get around, laid out in a grid: Avenues E-W, streets N-S.</p>
<p>He’ll probably want to concentrate on the Bayfront area near downtown from about 5th Ave. N. through 30th Ave. N. along the water. At the northern end is Coffeepot Bayou and Snell Isle, which is one of the best areas in town, very expensive. Probably more younger professionals in that area than anywhere else in town. Pricey, though. Good access up 4th St. to Gandy Blvd. (with road construction, currently) or 275 to the Howard Franklin Bridge and the airport/Tampa. Another possibility might be the area west of St. Pete/Clearwater airport.</p>
<p>On Google maps, search Don Cesar Hotel. That’s St. Pete Beach/Pass-a-Grille. Visit the hotel and stop at the beach, but the area’s for tourists. There are condos near the causeway at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. (Further east and south, in the way of “touristy” things to see, are Fort de Soto Park and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, if you have the time.) Lots of condos all the way up the beaches from Treasure Island to Redington Shores. Not real close to downtown, though. Awful traffic during “the season,” which runs from roughly Nov. through April.</p>
<p>Pinellas County (St. Pete, Clearwater) is an older population in general, mostly permanant retirees and “snowbirds.” Hillsborough County (Tampa) is a younger demographic, thanks mostly to the Univ. of So. Fla. and (historically) a more vibrant business climate. MacDill AFB is pretty active these days as most of the ground war in Iraq is run from there. (Ain’t technology grand?) His best bet is to ask acquaintances at work where they live and what the commute is like.</p>
<p>The Florida real estate market’s been hit very hard, so there are deals both to rent and buy out there. If he does consider buying, though, he’ll have to beware the price of homeowner’s insurance (very expensive; outrageously expensive on or near the beaches) and property taxes (also very expensive, for newcomers).</p>
<p>Congratulations to him on the job, and best wishes on finding a dream place to live!</p>
<p>You have to be 60+ to get a resident permit for St. Pete. ;)</p>
<p>Aw, shoot, parent2noles. And there I was, trying to word my post so diplomatically… ssshhhhh! ;)</p>
<p>Thanks, mudders_mudder!! </p>
<p>Extremely helpful!! We’ve been on the web and gathering a much info as possible. He has emailed his contact person at work, but hasn’t heard back yet. We were going to stay downtown to get a feel for the nightlife, but realized we’ll probably be exhausted and won’t get mugh oppt’y to ck it out. Younger s may come along for the ride, so preferred something closer to the water for the few days that we are there. He was looking at the NE St. Pete area, around Gandy. Is that too far north? I also spotted Snell Isle, which looks pretty (some apt complex was going to go go condo, got all spruced up and then with the housing slump, they went belly up and its back to being nicly fixed up apts.) Any other thoughts are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>P2N-
Can you get us that seniors citizens permit and discount for us? :D</p>
<p>Sure! Meet you at the shuffleboard court for prune juice later?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>and that’s only if you’re living with your parents! :D</p>
<p>Yes-- I have my ulterior motives… I hope he’ll buy a condo in the not too distant future that his old geezer parents can stay in when he moves up and out. In the meantime, really needing those pointers for the best places for a young college grad. Surely there must be a few of them in the area…</p>
<p>I just stayed in Pass-a-Grille (Island’s End Resort, which I recommend highly), and it is VERY cute, no high rises, still has some of that old Florida charm.</p>
<p>Although most people we encountered were indeed in their Golden Years, I would want to stay there if I were visiting someone in the area. The lovely beach was right there, lots of people fishing, pelicans diving, dolphins frolicking, etc.</p>
<p>Mmmm. I can’t think of anyplace near Gandy I’d stay.</p>
<p>It’s not a terrible drive to downtown from the beach, especially this time of year (less traffic). Try to find something on or near St. Pete Beach. If your hotel is not right on the beach, Pass-A-Grille is the public beach; it’s very pretty, and the water is perfect for swimming right now. My sister got a terrific deal on a Gulf-front suite on St. Pete Beach last month, bidding through Priceline. Tons of hotels along the Gulf beaches. I wouldn’t stay anywhere else in town, other than right in downtown near the Bayfront. (If you can get a room reasonably at the Don Cesar, go for it. It’s a landmark and unique, huge and pink, right on the beach.) Lots of places rent catamarans or jetskis by the hour if your younger S is into that. Probably have better luck on that a little bit further north on the stretch of beach from Treasure Island to Madeira Beach. Plenty of hotels up that way, too. </p>
<p>From the beaches, take Central Ave. from Pasadena east straight to downtown. It’s really hard to get lost. </p>
<p>My cousin is renovating a landmark building that’s been in the family for ages, turning it into 1- and 2-bedroom “executive” condos near the north Bayfront. Pricing will be $330K up. (Just to give you an idea of some values in the area.) If your S can find a deal on a nice apt. he likes on Snell Isle, that’s a great location that is holding its RE values.</p>
<p>Give me just a few minutes, jym. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, mudders_mudder!!</p>
<p>I think we are staying in a condo near the Don Cesar (either that or we’ll be able to see the Don Cesar from it). This trip will be mostly business, little time for play, unfortunately.</p>
<p>My advice - let the geezer 'rents fend for themselves (sorry jym) and live in old Tampa. I say this as a blooming geezer 'rent, myself and the missus.</p>
<p>If one does choose to live in St. Pete, you’ll need the standard '72 Cadillac package for appropriate transportation (see: [72</a> Cadillac pictures from cars photos on webshots](<a href=“Desktop Wallpaper: Free Trial!”>Desktop Wallpaper: Free Trial!) ).</p>
<p>If he wants to be living among other YPs, South Tampa (Hyde Park, SOHO, Palma Ceia, Bayshore, Harbour & Davis Island) is just across the bridge from St. Pete.</p>
<p>Clarifying–
For our short stay next wk we are staying across the bay from the Don Cesar. As for housing, DS will worry about purchasing something when he is ready (financially and socially) and has a good feel for the area. Right now he is clear that he doesn’t want to live in Tampa. He’d rather drive over for the nightlife as he chooses rather than have to deal with the traffic on the bridge every day. So, needing to stay focused on housing in St. Pete. Another recent college grad contacted him about possibly sharing a place- but needs to be in Seminole. We looked at the demographics-- median age is 59!!! Ack!</p>
<p>The Gandy is dandy… :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Can’t blame him there. Probably better to live among alter cockers than deal with the traffic everyday. Closer to the beaches too.</p>
<p>Well, if $$ is ok, perhaps the St. Pete Beach area?</p>
<p>p2n,
I’ve been very good and haven’t made any FSU jokes in a long time… ;). However, someone suggested he live in Seminole. this Gator just wasn’t ready for that (and the median age is 59 there!)</p>
<p>Thanks, mudders mudder, fendrock, audio and yes, even you p2n 
Trying to do our research so we can make the most of the upcoming trip.</p>
<p>Parts of Pinellas county (Seminole (:)), St. Pete, Gulfport, etc) are fine, but generally have older residents than Hillsborough county. I really don’t know where to send you in Pinellas - and I was born and raised there.</p>