[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by Arcenal813

LOL!!! Wow...

I think a huge issue with Tampa is that St-Pete (and Pinellas County as a whole) has taken the spotlight from Hillsborough overall. Tampa isn't far removed from Jacksonville in my opinion.

It’s been that way ever since I can remember, but maybe more people are recognizing it now. If St. Pete had decent schools it would be no contest.

[silverct9a]

Agreed. I can’t comment too much on the entire Pinellas County, but I find St. Pete to be much nicer than Tampa - At this stage of my life, it’s probably the only place in Florida, outside of South Florida I’d even consider residing in.

Originally Posted by FL_Expert

I agree with most of that. I didn’t like Tampa when I first came 16yrs ago and I’m still not a fan, though it’s grown on me some. Midtown, Water Street, and Hyde Park are all pretty good.

This is city proper, of course, Pinellas is more desirable.

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by silverct9a

Agreed. I can’t comment too much on the entire Pinellas County, but I find St. Pete to be much nicer than Tampa - At this stage of my life, it’s probably the only place in Florida, outside of South Florida I’d even consider residing in.

Are people buying and tearing down $1.3 million dollar homes in St. Pete????? Just for the lot to build new?

No idea, just curious. Seems like Tampa is considered more desirable by the hordes of ppl moving to -- and looking to move to -- the area.

This home was bought in June and demolished by July.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...45047025_zpid/

This home went under contract in a couple days last week; another tear down (according to the listing agent)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...45047034_zpid/

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by AmineToyo

Pinellas more desirable?? what???

Pinellas COUNTY? more desirable than Tampa's msa? not HIllborough?

The City of St. Petersburg is crime central, the City of Tampa has its share as well
St. Petersburg is now populated with some real weirdos/strange people - southern part of the city is *almost* ghetto and crime ridden.

"Desirability" is relative and subjective I guess. I find Manatee and Sarasota Counties "more desirable" in the region. I find Lakeland "more desirable" in many many ways.

Pinellas is pretty desirable, more so than Hillsborough. Pinellas from Seminole up to Tarpon Springs is uniformly pretty desirable unlike the hit and miss of Hillsborough.

St Pete as a whole is not "crime central" and the southern part is not exclusively ghetto given neighborhoods like Lake Maggiore, Lakewood Estates, Bahama Shores, Pinellas Point and Maximo.

[gypsychic]

Again, I am a native born and raised in Tampa. There are huge differences in Tampa and St. Pete going back to their beginnings/roots.

Tampa is and always has been a commercial and industrial oriented town. Back in its early days there were many types of factories for manufacturing (many being cigar and clothing) and of course the harbors. Tampa was founded as a military center during the 19th century with the establishment of Fort Brooke. The cigar industry was also brought to the city by Vincente Martinez Ybor, after whom Ybor City is named. Tampa was reincorporated as a city in 1887 following the Civil War. Tampa's economy is driven by tourism, health care, finance, insurance, technology, construction, and the maritime industry. The bay's port is the largest in the state, responsible for over $15 billion in economic impact.

St. Pete until recently was known mostly for being a retirement city, going back to the 1920's. When I was growing up I remember my family joking about St. Pete and all the old folks in their rocking chairs on porches. It's really only been in the last 20 years or so that things have begun to change in that city, with a more diversified economy and a bit younger population. It is a beautiful city, but much of it, like Tampa, is also run-down and the Pinellas peninsula is built out. There is a lot of crime, more than Tampa.

If one is a person who has their own business or can work from home, etc. and the beach is your thing; then St. Pete is for you. But I think by FAR, the people moving into the area prefer Tampa for better schools, way more business activities, and definitely more "bigger city" amenities.

I don't think anyone is buying million dollar shacks in St. Pete to tear down. At least not that I am aware of.

[FL_Expert]

Originally Posted by sinatras

Are people buying and tearing down $1.3 million dollar homes in St. Pete????? Just for the lot to build new?

No idea, just curious. Seems like Tampa is considered more desirable by the hordes of ppl moving to -- and looking to move to -- the area.

This home was bought in June and demolished by July.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...45047025_zpid/

This home went under contract in a couple days last week; another tear down (according to the listing agent)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...45047034_zpid/

On the water, sure. Otherwise, not really. The most desirable neighborhoods in St. Pete are typically in historic districts so it’s harder to replace older homes there than in places like Beach Park.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

If one is a person who has their own business or can work from home, etc. and the beach is your thing; then St. Pete is for you. But I think by FAR, the people moving into the area
prefer Tampa for better schools, way more business activities, and definitely more "bigger city" amenities.

They may prefer Tampa for better schools but St Pete's are improving and downtown St Pete carries a cultural buzz that is more lively than downtown Tampa's ho hum convention business. I think many are visiting both now and with lower expectation for St Pete perhaps confusing choices.

[silverct9a]

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t closely follow real estate trends in Pinellas nor Hillsborough (although I do have a friend that’s a real estate broker based in the area) hence me prefacing my statement saying “I can’t comment on the entire county of Pinellas.”

Phrased another way, in all my visits to Tampa and St. Pete over the years, I enjoyed my time in St. Pete more. I found it more interesting, unique, and walkable. Tampa on the other hand I found to be a poor man’s, “almost” city that’s attempting it price itself as a major city without actually being one.

Originally Posted by sinatras

Are people buying and tearing down $1.3 million dollar homes in St. Pete????? Just for the lot to build new?

No idea, just curious. Seems like Tampa is considered more desirable by the hordes of ppl moving to -- and looking to move to -- the area.

This home was bought in June and demolished by July.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4...45047025_zpid/

This home went under contract in a couple days last week; another tear down (according to the listing agent)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...45047034_zpid/

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

They may prefer Tampa for better schools but St Pete's are improving and downtown St Pete carries a cultural buzz that is more lively than downtown Tampa's ho hum convention business. I think many are visiting both now and with lower expectation for St Pete perhaps confusing choices.

Kyle, I am just addressing why it seems MORE people are moving to Tampa, and paying more. I actually agree with you about St. Pete downtown vs. Tampa downtown. People have different priorities.

[Mathguy]

So, the most expensive city to live in for FL on average is Miami.

The most expensive relative to average income is Tampa.

So, that's a valuable distinction and provides different information depending if you are a surgeon, accountant or pizza delivery guy.