In the 1920s, St. Petersburg, Florida — affectionately called “St. Pete” — attracted crowds from the northern states eager to bask in the sunshine and lively atmosphere of this waterfront town, fittingly known as “The Sunshine City.”
Over the last ten years, young professionals and startup founders have also discovered the appeal and begun relocating to the area.
(Yep, that’s us!)
St. Pete has been trendy for a long time — its founders shaped a stylish city beginning in 1875 with broad sidewalks, brick streets, Mediterranean-revival offices and hotels, plus large waterfront parks just minutes from downtown.
What We Adore About St. Pete
St. Pete earned a spot in The New York Times’ list of 52 global places to visit in 2014, alongside international destinations like Dubai and Athens.
“There’s real energy happening in St. Pete,” said Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, who recently moved to the city, calling it the best of coastal Florida.
“There always seems to be something going on each month, whether it’s a concert, a festival, the Grand Prix or volleyball.”
Below are more reasons the team at Taylor Media cherishes St. Pete, speaking as both lifelong locals and newcomers to the Sunshine City:
Affordable Cost of Living
With median rent around $949 and median home values near $180,000, living expenses in St. Pete compare favorably with other similar cities.
That means the dollars you save stretch further!
An income of $45,000 in St. Petersburgis roughly equivalentto earning $69,000 in New York City, Washington, D.C., or San Francisco.
Boulder runs about 73% more costly. Oakland is 74% pricier, while San Francisco proper is an eye-popping 171% higher.
Welcoming People
Because so many newcomers move here every year, it’s simple to make friends!
We adore our downtown neighbors — from cozy coffee shops and eateries that line the blocks to boutiques filled with local crafts. They return the love — sometimes with freebies and discounts.
And yes, we even have good relations with the mayor’s office!
The Climate
Florida’s Gulf Coast weather is tough to beat. We enjoy about 361 days of sunshine annually, and average temperatures typically sit between 60–85 degrees year-round.
Plus, palm trees and tropical flora are plentiful throughout the city!
Beaches Everywhere
Whether you want to blend in with vacationers or discover a quiet local spot, beaches are typically a 15–25 minute drive from most parts of town.
And remember — it’s the Gulf Coast. If you haven’t visited, you’ll be amazed at the powdery white sand and the clear blue-green water.
You can also experience Florida’s wilder side along the boardwalks at Sawgrass Lake Park, or hike, canoe, fish or picnic at Weedon Island Nature Preserve.
No State Income Tax
Florida is one of only seven states in the U.S. without a state income tax. As budget-conscious folks, we appreciate the extra savings!
Vibrant Arts and Culture
Creative types gravitate to St. Petersburg for its eclectic scene and many independently owned businesses.
The city features seven arts districts, a well-attended annual Pride festival, art and history museums, and a thriving Central District filled with shops, restaurants, bars and attractions enjoyed by both residents and visitors.
Sports Galore
Whether you go to Tropicana Field in St. Pete or cross the bridge to Tampa, there are plenty of pro and college sporting events to take in.
Cheer for (or against) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in football, the Tampa Bay Rays in baseball, the Tampa Bay Lightning in hockey, the Tampa Bay Rowdies in soccer or the USF Bulls across many collegiate sports.
The Food Scene
Beyond arguably the best Cuban sandwiches around, the Tampa Bay region offers countless tasty destinations for food lovers. Check out the food trucks at the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete, or drop by any local downtown eatery for a satisfying meal at prices wallet-friendly readers enjoy.
We can’t list every favorite restaurant here, but the office keeps a running list for quick lunchtime picks!
St. Pete by the Numbers
- Population: 256,681
- Median Age: 42
- College grads: 40%, though 60% have attended some college
- Median home price: $180,000
- Median Rent: $949
- Average commute: 21 minutes, most 30 minutes or less
- Average temperature: between 60–85 degrees throughout the year
- Average snowfall: 0!
Our Favorite Spots In and Near St. Pete
Here at Savinly, we take coffee very seriously. Kahwa Coffee is a local favorite with several locations around town.
Dining, shopping, and drinks — the 600 block of Central Avenue is picturesque and packed with excellent restaurants and local stores.
Red Mesa Cantina is one of our go-to happy hour destinations and dishing up tasty Mexican fare.
Gulfport is a nearby waterfront community with numerous restaurants, galleries and shops to wander through.
Saturday Morning Market is a beloved attraction and one of the largest morning markets in the region, full of local vendors, including Abby Albaum of Hoola Monsters.
Old Northeast is a quaint residential area and home to Black Crow Coffee, a local go-to.
Recently, St. Pete has become a hotspot for craft breweries, including 3 Daughters, which features games and a stage for local musicians.
Did we mention beaches? St. Pete Beach is a gorgeous place to unwind with friends and family.
St. Pete is renowned for its stellar waterfront parks — ideal for a relaxed walk or jog — and the city hosts numerous waterfront cultural events throughout the year.
Central Avenue is the center of nightlife in St. Pete and also a pleasant place to spend an afternoon outdoors. Along the strip you’ll find craft cocktail bars, dive bars, clubs and speakeasies.
The city houses numerous art museums. The Dali Museum is a standout and attracts large crowds year after year.
St. Pete is home to several sports franchises, including the Tampa Bay Rays.
The area also includes wildlife preserves and botanical gardens like Sunken Gardens, just outside downtown.
Weedon Island is a scenic preserve with boardwalks and is one of many spots where kayaking is popular.
Jannus Live is an intimate outdoor music venue and a fantastic place to catch touring bands.
St. Pete is a haven for vintage shopping. Classy Closet is full of hidden gems.
Brocante Market showcases vintage furniture and decor from many places. It happens monthly in a warehouse across from 3 Daughters.
Across the Bridge: Tampa, FL
Don’t forget Tampa, just a short drive over the bridge! Visit on the weekends to experience a different city’s lively offerings.
Also consider Tampa when house-hunting; some team members live there and commute daily. (Flexible remote days make that easier.)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has appeared on Travel & Leisure’s list of best U.S. airports. St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is convenient and quick to navigate, with budget carriers serving many destinations.
Where Our Team Came From
While we love hiring locally and engaging with the St. Pete community, we also recruit nationwide for exceptional talent. Several of our St. Pete staff are transplants who moved here to work with our company.
Here’s where we relocated from:
- Washington, D.C.
- Philadelphia, PA
- St. Augustine, FL
- Madison, WI
- Boston, MA
- Orange County, CA
- New York, NY
- Troy, NY
- Detroit, MI
- Orlando, FL
- Chicago, IL
- Perry, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Miami, FL
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Los Angeles, CA
- Long Island, NY
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Milford, CT
- Oxford, MI
Curious to check it out yourself? We hope you’ll think about joining us in the Sunshine City!
Marissa Cole (@marissacole) is a senior writer at Savinly. She has contributed to Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and other outlets, and often sprinkles in humor when the moment allows.
