I spent most of my professional life as a university level teacher (business and history) and senior member of the administration of a business school-- in the San Francisco Bay Area. Towards the end of my career, I began searching for a good retirement location in the U.S, albeit one that offered a comparatively moderate cost of living, consistently balmy weather, and close proximity to beautiful beaches with warm ocean water most of the year. None of those descriptors pertain to cool, often foggy and very expensive coastal central and northern California!
I wanted all the above but not in some isolated setting. My quest was for a relatively urban and cosmopolitan environment, albeit one with a less frenetic pace of life (and again less expensive!) than much of California. A lot of research and some on-the-ground research travel suggested that the Tampa Bay area, and greater St. Petersburg in particular, seemed most nearly to fulfill all these requirements. Nine years after moving into a very pleasant town home community located between St. Petersburg and Madeira Beach, it still seems like a very sound decision!
Those not familiar with the greater St Petersburg area of Pinellas County may wish to visit the following website:
http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/
My blog is not meant to be a travel pitch for the St. Petersburg area. Any cursory search on the internet will find that there's something to engage every kind of interest whether boating & fishing, cultural & artistic activities, or just being a "beach bum". Downtown St Petersburg in recent years has enjoyed a renaissance that puts it in the forefront of Florida urban centers with regard to museums, varied restaurants, waterfront parks, galleries, and general walkability. Just last year Forbes Magazine commented on St Petersburg's bustling artistic and food scene:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2014/02/20/sampling-st-petersburgs-new-art-and-food-scene/
Some of the residential condo towers in downtown St Pete
Another 2014 article praising St. Petersburg's art, cultural, and culinary vibe is National Geographic's "Move over Miami, The Best of St Pete":
http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/06/move-over-miami-the-best-of-st-pete/
Of course there is a price to be paid for the fact that downtown St Petersburg has been rediscovered as an urban treasure! Newer high-rise two bedroom 1300 square foot condominiums downtown now often command in excess of $500,000, and those with magnificent bay views can go above $1 million. However, keep in mind that there are some desirable but far more modest priced communities just a few miles away that allow you to be downtown in less than ten minutes.
I wanted all the above but not in some isolated setting. My quest was for a relatively urban and cosmopolitan environment, albeit one with a less frenetic pace of life (and again less expensive!) than much of California. A lot of research and some on-the-ground research travel suggested that the Tampa Bay area, and greater St. Petersburg in particular, seemed most nearly to fulfill all these requirements. Nine years after moving into a very pleasant town home community located between St. Petersburg and Madeira Beach, it still seems like a very sound decision!
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| The Salvador Dali Museum in downtown St Pete |
Those not familiar with the greater St Petersburg area of Pinellas County may wish to visit the following website:
http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/
My blog is not meant to be a travel pitch for the St. Petersburg area. Any cursory search on the internet will find that there's something to engage every kind of interest whether boating & fishing, cultural & artistic activities, or just being a "beach bum". Downtown St Petersburg in recent years has enjoyed a renaissance that puts it in the forefront of Florida urban centers with regard to museums, varied restaurants, waterfront parks, galleries, and general walkability. Just last year Forbes Magazine commented on St Petersburg's bustling artistic and food scene:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2014/02/20/sampling-st-petersburgs-new-art-and-food-scene/
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Another 2014 article praising St. Petersburg's art, cultural, and culinary vibe is National Geographic's "Move over Miami, The Best of St Pete":
http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/06/move-over-miami-the-best-of-st-pete/
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| The Signature--luxury condos in downtown St Pete |
Of course there is a price to be paid for the fact that downtown St Petersburg has been rediscovered as an urban treasure! Newer high-rise two bedroom 1300 square foot condominiums downtown now often command in excess of $500,000, and those with magnificent bay views can go above $1 million. However, keep in mind that there are some desirable but far more modest priced communities just a few miles away that allow you to be downtown in less than ten minutes.
During the last eight years I've enjoyed a second career as a professional Realtor focusing on other mature folks as clients. My initial period as a realtor from 2007 through 2011 happened to coincide with the great real estate meltdown. It certainly taught me a lot about the real world--the ups, downs, and potential pitfalls-- of Florida real estate.
At the same that time, I've come to realize what a great opportunity for active retirees our many and diverse, local over-55 moderately priced communities offer. Most were built during the 1965-1990 period of the St. Petersburg area's greatest growth. Thus they usually are well established and well integrated with the existing community. This distinguishes them in my opinion from most of the large newer communities built more recently in north central Florida's interior counties. Of course, keep in mind that the age of most of these Pinellas County condos means that many of the individual units for sale may need considerable interior updating. As the current Treasurer on the Board of my Homeowners Association, I've also learned a lot about the financial and legal aspects of associations that govern such communities. Over-55 communities aren't necessarily the right choice for every retiree, and there are some potential pitfalls as well as benefits to consider.
At the same that time, I've come to realize what a great opportunity for active retirees our many and diverse, local over-55 moderately priced communities offer. Most were built during the 1965-1990 period of the St. Petersburg area's greatest growth. Thus they usually are well established and well integrated with the existing community. This distinguishes them in my opinion from most of the large newer communities built more recently in north central Florida's interior counties. Of course, keep in mind that the age of most of these Pinellas County condos means that many of the individual units for sale may need considerable interior updating. As the current Treasurer on the Board of my Homeowners Association, I've also learned a lot about the financial and legal aspects of associations that govern such communities. Over-55 communities aren't necessarily the right choice for every retiree, and there are some potential pitfalls as well as benefits to consider.
I can't get entirely away from my past as a teacher! Yes, this blog hopefully will hopefully provide information about the tremendous variety of communities that are available in Pinellas County. Most importantly, it is designed to help others--who are considering a move such as mine-- what issues to consider and questions to ask before they make a move. I will make no special pitch for one or another of the already established communities that will be discussed over time in this blog. I just try to present some important information (and some personal impressions) that might help the reader in selecting one community over another. Keep in mind that conditions change, and I make no representation as to the absolute accuracy of my observations. This blog also includes some potential pitfalls as well as benefits of various communities. If one particular or any over-55 community is probably not a good choice for you, it is important that you know enough to conclude that before you buy!
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| One of our beautiful sandy Gulf beaches |
Tony Branch,
Earnest Realty, Inc.
3136 3rd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33713
727-460-7887 direct line
727-323-1706 office
stpetetonybranch@gmail.com
www.retirestpete.blogspot.com
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