Okay, I thought I had at least 2 maybe 3 months before the move. I've got less than 4 weeks. Gulp.
I need help!!!
For those familiar with Florida or the St Petersburg (is it St Pete?!? What is the difference?!?) a few questions. No difference; just a nickname.
- any pediatrician recommendations? I go to Suncoast Pediatrics, but that would be about 20 minutes from St. Pete (or farther depending on where you live).
- best/ worst areas to live? (we are thinking townhouse rental) Stay away from South St. Pete/Gulfport areas. There are some nice areas near the Gateway area, towards the beaches, and going towards Seminole. Are you living in St. Pete due to jobs or are you looking in surrounding areas. I live in Largo and grew up here, so I recommend the Seminole/Largo area, personally.
-country music station, best one!! Can't help, don't listen sorry!
-best talk radio (H is obsessed with Russ Martin in Dallas, guy is kinda like Howard Stern) 102.5 The Bone just turned talk and my husband listens to some of their shows, but we don't listen to talk radio per say.
- good dance studio for a 2 year old?I have a two year old and all I have looked into start at 3.
- what restaurants/fast food place are awesome & native to Florida only? There are lots of places in downtown St. Pete that are pretty good, but since we live a little ways from there, we don't frequent them a lot. The beaches have GREAT little restaurants. We love to just drive down there and stop places. A great breakfast place in Redington Beach is the Frog Pond!
Also, how bad is the crocodile or alligator situation really? I don't believe the hype. There are gators here and there in ponds, but as far as a situation, I wouldn't say there is one. Every once and a while you hear a story of someone having one in their backyard, but that's a very seldom occasion. I've lived in this area my whole life, from Largo to St. Pete and have never encountered a gator other than seeing one in lake at various city parks.
Good luck and if I can help any more, let me know
Thank you for any information, sincerely from my heart!!!
Post by moonstone523 on Jul 15, 2012 3:24:02 GMT -5
I don't live in St. Pete, but I really like it there. We've considered moving there, but my H doesn't want to commute to Tampa for work.
I personally love downtown St Pete and the vibe along Beach Drive. There are lots of great cafes and restaurants ther that aren't chains. I love Red Mesa Cantina and Central Cafe. Great music a Jannis Live.
I would want to live in Old NE or Harbor Acres which is walkable or bikeable to the above areas.
There is a great farmers market on Saturday- the best of all of Tampa bay IMHO.
Another area that is making a revival is Central Ave up near The Trop. There are town homes there that look cute and a thriving art scene.
Restaurant recs from a friend who lives there: Some of my favorites are:
Post by kimandross on Jul 15, 2012 19:26:03 GMT -5
I guess I don't know what you mean about the "hype" with the gators. There are gators in pretty much every naturally ocurring body of water in the state, but they don't go attacking people unless provoked. It is the idiots that go out and feed them that make it a problem. My BIL used to be a trapper of nuisance gators, which are gators that are too close to homes/apartments and are bothering pets. And even then he was only allowed to get gators that were over 6 feet.
I can't help as far as St. Pete goes, but there are a lot of great local restaurants in Tampa. Some faves are: Bern's, The Refinery, The Laughing Cat, Estella's, and Charley's.
Post by mrsshawanab on Jul 17, 2012 11:44:12 GMT -5
Hi. I used to live in St. Pete right after I graduated college and taught there for 2 years before we moved to Tampa. It sounds like you have a child or more than 1, so I would not recommend downtown St. Pete. I personally don't think it's all that family friendly. I would try Allendale, old Northeast, Meadowlawn area, or Shore Acres for a home or townhome rental. 33714 is a good zip code for family homes. I don't know any dance studios or pediatricians since I didn't have children when I lived there. I have no idea what the alligator or crocodile situation is.. lol. What are people saying about Florida in other states?? For restaurants that are local to St. Pete, I always enjoyed Harvey's 4th Street Grill, Red Mesa, Tony and Ciccios, Athenian Garden, Bella Brava, Leeroy Selmons, Habana Cafe (that is in Gulfport but it's close), and there are several chain restaurants but I have no idea what is local or not local to Florida.