Moving to Clearwater, Florida (possibly)

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

Job offer for when I graduate... anyone know anything about Clearwater? I've never really been there or heard much about it.

[DevilAlumna]

I know nothing about Clearwater, but congratulations on the job offer! :)

[Indoor66]

Congrats on the job offer. Clearwater is on the Gulf near Tampa/St. Petersburg (and in the metro area for Tampa). It is on the peninsula that separates the Gulf from upper Tampa Bay. A nice area with plenty of water sports and golf activity. Also, access to Tampa means Pro baseball and football.

[blazindw]

Beautiful town in the summer. My aunt and uncle used to live in the area for about 10 years (between Clearwater and St. Pete). Check out Treasure Island, my family used to go there a lot when we visited.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I don't know where you live, but the culture in Tampa is different. I've been there on business recently, and I can't say what exactly was different about it than the rest of the Fl. west coast that I had visited, but it has it's own feel. Neither good nor bad, but different. It definately was not my type of town to call home. (But that applied to all of Florida for me) I'd recommend spending a few days extra if you go for an interview. Lots of bars there, go out drinking and see what the bartender has to say. He lives there.

[bfree]

Isn't that the city that Scientology has basically taken over? Or is am I mistaken? Or just overstating things.

[billybreen]

Isn't that the city that Scientology has basically taken over? Or is am I mistaken? Or just overstating things.

Yeah, that's a bit overstated, but it is the world headquarters, and there are some super scary schools and things there.

My parents lived in the area for a few years while I was in college. I wasn't a big fan, but I like colder climates (and for warmer climates, my heart will always be in Charleston).

Definitely stop by the Bradenton museum to see Snooty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snooty). He's my boy.

[Windsor]

I've lived in Clearwater for 18 years. I love it. I'll tell you anything you want to know.

No, the scientologists have not taken over the city (at least not so you'd notice) in the small downtown area they are all over the place...they don't bother anybody (the one upside - they have overhauled a lot of the old buildings so at least it looks nice!)

Pinellas county has the gulf on one side and Tampa Bay on the other...we have the baseball...Tampa has the football and hockey.

It is no longer the place your grand parents went to die. Really.

Where is the job offer?

PM me with any questions and I'll be happy to help you out.

[aimo]

I go to St Pete every year. The best beaches anywhere are at Ft Desoto and Egmont Key. If you're an outdoorsy person, there are great biking/walking trails nearby. Clearwater seems to be a younger crowd, though I understand the whole Pinellas area is growing younger.

[blublood]

We actually had some friends who went down there to do a community church plant. They weren't in the downtown area, more like the outer suburbs, but they said once the real estate bust hit the town, it hit it hard. Apparently, that had been a big growth area since it's close to Tampa, Disneyland, etc. with a lot of people moving in and buying houses.

My general impression is that they didn't enjoy it (their pictures to me all looked like new-fangled suburban hell, but of course that depends on where you are), but a lot depends on the circumstances.

[Windsor]

My general impression is that they didn't enjoy it (their pictures to me all looked like new-fangled suburban hell, but of course that depends on where you are), but a lot depends on the circumstances.

Plenty of McMansions here just like everywhere, also older neighborhoods (I live in one) with huge trees and houses with some character. It all depends where you go. Working in Clearwater puts you in easy commute distance of some charming (brick streets) old neighborhoods in St. Petersburg and Oldsmar. If you want a starter castle (lol) in a gated community we've got plenty of that too.

Yes, the real estate bust hit this area hard...which means prices are buyer friendly right now and there are deals to be had.

Did I mention No state income tax? Sales tax (everything but food) at 7% - 6 statewide plus a vote approved 1% that goes direct to the county for improvements etc)

Also lots of younger areas vs. senior living - Plenty to do between here and Tampa (that from a 40 something mother and my 20 something daughter).

I can be on the beach in 15 minutes from my house, at Tampa
Airport in 20...Bucs game at Raymond James 30 (longer if I park at the stadium)...Rays Baseball - 20 minutes...Lightening Hockey 35 minutes
great bike trail...<5minutes (by bike)

[ForeverBlowingBubbles]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded.

[blublood]

I just checked their blog and the pals that I spoke of moved to *Clermont* Florida, not Clearwater. Yeah. So just disregard everything I said. :)