16 Pros and Cons of Living in St. Petersburg, FL

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Interested in moving to the “Sunshine City?”

One look at St. Petersburg’s gorgeous beaches and sunny weather will have you hooked!

St. Pete’s is a popular destination for anything outdoorsy, from boating and fishing to swimming and golfing.

The art scene is also amazing!

Like all American cities, St. Petersburg is a better fit for some people than others.

Here’s a look at some of the good and bad points of this city to help you decide if it’s the right place for you.

Pros of Living in St. Petersburg, FL

The ocean views alone make St. Petersburg worthy of being called home.

But St. Pete has so much more to offer.

1. Easy Access to Tampa and Clearwater

A move to St. Pete puts you within a stone’s throw of Tampa Bay and Clearwater.

So, you really get three destination hotspots for the price of one!

Technically, the city is part of the Tampa Bay tri-city metro area which consists of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.

A one-hour’s drive puts you in Clearwater or Tampa to visit friends or enjoy a night on the town.

2. Affordable Cost of Living

Surprisingly, St. Pete is actually an affordable city.  

Property costs are approximately 29% below the national average.

Florida has no state income tax, so you’ll be able to put these savings toward your new home.

Florida’s “Homestead” tax benefits will drastically reduce property taxes for its primary residents.

Housing, restaurants, groceries, and other needs are less costly here than in other Florida cities.

With an annual salary of $70,000 or so, you’ll be able to live quite comfortably.

3. Excellent Job Market

The St. Pete/Tampa Bay metro area enjoys a thriving economy.

The job market is steadily rising with high expectations for job seekers in the future.

Fortune 500 companies like Raymond James, HSN, Tech Data, and Wellcare Health have made St. Pete a top workforce recruiter.

Healthcare jobs are available at some of the most prestigious hospitals in Tampa/St. Petersburg area.

Openings in education can be found at the U of South Florida and Eckerd College.

Clearly, St. Petersburg is the place to be for future college graduates.

4. Rent Friendly

If you’re looking to rent instead of buy, you’ll find St. Petersburg a renter’s paradise.

Affordable condos and apartments can be found all over the city, from historic uptown to Bayview.

One-bedroom apartments in the city go for roughly $1,300 monthly.

Those outside the city center rent for around $990.

St. Pete’s rentals offer comfort, safety, and savings.

You also avoid the hassle of paying high property taxes.

5. Central Location

St. Petersburg’s location is one of its greatest assets.

Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, you’re never far from pristine beaches and all the amenities they have to offer.

Interstate highways and bridges connect St. Pete with other Florida cities to facilitate travel. 

You have easy access to popular Florida attractions like Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Studios in Orlando.

It’s no surprise St. Petersburg made the list of Top 10 American Cities in the country.

6. Gorgeous Beaches

Every day can be a beach day when you live in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg’s beaches are known for their soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters.

In 2021, St. Pete Beach was chosen by TripAdvisor as the #1 beach in the country.

Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and Clearwater Beach are also close by.

As a peninsula, St. Petersburg is practically surrounded by water.

There’s no shortage of waterfront activities to enjoy!

7. Arts, Museums and Festivals Galore!

St. Petersburg is a hotspot for museums, fine arts, festivals, and cultural attractions.

Within the city’s seven art districts lies a world of artistic beauty waiting to be explored.

The Dali Museum, Mahaffey Theatre, Museum of Fine Arts, and Chihuly Collection will keep you entertained for hours.

You can also enjoy the works of local artists and craftspeople at The Saturday Morning Market downtown.

St. Petersburg’s agreeable weather makes it a perfect location for live entertainment, festivals, and celebrations.

The SHINE Mural Festival, Fine Art Festival, and Mainsail Art Festival are among the top artistic festivals celebrated here annually. 

8. Foodie’s Delight!

If you love food, St. Petersburg will be a delight!

St. Petersburg’s culinary scene is second to none in the tri-city area.

The downtown area houses over 100 amazing eateries serving both local and international cuisine.

Being close to the ocean, seafood is naturally a specialty.

Many restaurants feature the catch of the day direct from the Gulf or Tampa Bay.

Local favorites include Doc Fords Rum Grill, Noble Crust, and Fresco’s.

Cons of Living in St. Petersburg, FL

Every city has its downsides and St. Petersburg is no exception.

If you decide to move here, you’ll have to take the good with the bad.

Some cons of living in St. Petersburg include:

1. Tourists, Tourists, and More Tourists!

St. Petersburg is a tourist hub, attracting vacationers from all over the world.

People come for the warm weather, beautiful beaches, and lively entertainment.

For people who live here, sharing the city with thousands of tourists can be exasperating!

During the peak tourist season, the beaches, roads, and restaurants are saturated!

Traffic can be a nightmare!

On the flip side, tourism is a boon to local businesses and helps keep the economy running.

2. Humidity & Bugs

Like many of Florida’s coastal cities, St. Petersburg experiences intense humidity in the summer.

The humidity can make 90-degree weather feel like 110!

Summer humidity can be oppressive, forcing people to seek shelter in their AC home.  

Then there are the bugs!

Florida’s humid climate is a breeding ground for ants, mosquitoes, and roaches, which are more than happy to share your home.

3. Too Many Cars!

Public transport isn’t a strong point in St. Petersburg.

Thus, the majority of the population, including tourists, rely on cars to get around.

Unfortunately, the city’s highways and infrastructure aren’t capable of absorbing so much traffic.

This results in congestion, long delays, and traffic jams.

Excessive traffic is one of the major complaints of St. Petersburg’s residents, especially during peak tourist season.

Rush hour can get so congested that locals often decide to stay home. 

4. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Hurricane season in Florida starts in June and ends in November.

Within that time frame, there’s always the risk of hurricanes or tropical storms.

Changing weather patterns have made hurricanes more perilous for Florida cities on the Gulf.

Tropical storms can also cause extensive damage to your St. Pete condo or home.

Then there’s the threat of lightning, which has become increasingly more common.

In the last 10 years, there have been over 50 lightning deaths in the state.

5. Alligators

Gator stories abound in Florida and St. Pete has had its fair share of stories to tell.

There are over a million alligators living in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers in every county in the state.

Although deaths from gator attacks are rare, they can happen!

Alligators have been spotted wandering through neighborhoods, on roadways, and even on golf courses!

Authorities warn against walking too close to lakes or ponds or swimming in freshwater due to the threat of gator attacks. 

6. Red Tide

Though sporadic, there is a chance of St. Petersburg beaches developing Red Tide.  

Red tide is a harmful algae bloom that releases toxins into the water, killing fish and making seafood inedible.

During seasons of red tide, dead fish and other marine life can be seen for miles along Florida’s coastline.

Red tide can cause respiratory and skin problems, making it inadvisable to get in the water.

Severe episodes of Red Tide can hinder tourism and bring coastal businesses to a halt. 

7. Lack of Open Green Spaces

St. Petersburg is a beach town, through and through.

White sands, warm waters, swimming, boating, fishing, seabirds – that’s what you can look forward to.

If you’re looking for more – lush forests, lofty mountains, scenic nature trails – St. Pete is not for you.

There are a few small parks in the city but nothing for a nature lover to revel in.

The lack of open green spaces for hiking and camping is one of the downsides of moving to this coastal town.

8. Crime

Crime is yet another deterrent to settling in St. Petersburg.

St. Pete’s violent and property crime rates are almost double that of the national average.

It’s estimated that one out of every 31 people living in St. Petersburg are at risk of being a victim of crime.

By being aware of the dangers and making safety a priority, you can live a safe and secure life in this coastal town.   

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Petersburg, FL – Summary Table

St. Petersburg Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: St. Petersburg Safety Review

Safety Index:

77

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW