Clearwater

Nestled between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll find gorgeous Clearwater, Florida. Known for pristine white sand beaches, a diverse nightlife, multiple nature preserves and parks, and a reasonable cost of living, Clearwater has become a popular destination for visitors and permanent residents, alike.

 

Clearwater is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Florida. In fact, it is ranked among the best cities to live in the entire country! Niche.com listed Clearwater as the 2nd best city in the nation for retirees (just behind the much more expensive Scottsdale, AZ).

 

Clearwater is exceptionally popular with both young professionals looking to live in an exciting city and retirees looking to spend their golden years in paradise. Despite some online reviews claiming that the cost of living is too high, in reality, it’s actually 1% more affordable to live in Clearwater, compared to the national average! And with housing costs 9% lower than the national average, Clearwater is an excellent place to invest in real estate.

 

There’s also no shortage of things to do in Clearwater! You’ll find white sand beaches, nature preserves, unique nightclubs, boutique shops, and innovative restaurants throughout the city.

 

Here are the biggest benefits of living in Clearwater:

 

• You have easy access to world-class beaches.
• With so many green spaces, it’s easy to find a spot to feel away-from-it-all, despite being in a thriving urban area.
• The local population is wonderfully diverse, so you can be exposed to different cultures.
• The cost of living is affordable, coming in at 1% less than the national average.
• Local schools rank well, and being so close to Tampa means more job prospects than a town the size of Clearwater could typically offer.
• There are exciting nightlife venues to explore, including the historic Capitol Theatre.
• There are several nature preserves in and around Clearwater, where you can learn about the many ecosystems that exist together in the area.

And here are a few potential downsides of living in Clearwater:

 

• The population growth over the last few decades (of both visitors and new residents) has led to more traffic than some people are used to.
• Some people have a hard time with the heat and humidity during the summer. Of course, the warm winters and cool beaches help offset this potential downside!
• The thriving nightlife scene can mean extra noise after dark, particularly on weekends and during the Spring Break and Summer seasons.
  
  

Visitors and locals enjoy a wide range of activities and attractions in Clearwater. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation, an action-packed adventure, or an interesting way to spend a random Tuesday evening, Clearwater has something for everyone.

Naturally, many of the attractions in Clearwater take advantage of the waterfront location. You’ll find Clearwater Beach, one of the top-rated beaches in the country, where you can people-watch on the Beach Walk and enjoy spectacular sunsets from Pier 60. And nearby Clearwater Marine Aquarium gives you a chance to get up close to local marine life. Looking for a more relaxing day at the beach? Sand Key Beach (part of Sand Key Park) offers a quieter, more secluded beach experience.

 

In fact, there’s no shortage of lovely parks to explore. Cliff Stephens Park, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Caladesi Island State Park, and Honeymoon Island State Park all offer unique looks at local ecosystems, as do the Florida Botanical Gardens in nearby Largo.

 

When you’ve had your fill of nature, you can check out Clearwater’s hot social spots, like the Cleveland Street District (a vibrant hub of shopping, dining, and entertainment), the historic Capitol Theatre (where you can see classic films or live music), and Ruth Eckerd Hall (which hosts concerts, Broadway shows, and other events throughout the year).

 

Still looking for more to do? Here are a few other Clearwater attractions worth exploring:

 

• Clearwater Ferry
• Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail
• Picnic Island Beach Dog Park
• Spectrum Field, Home of the Clearwater Threshers minor league baseball team
• Showtime Speedway
• Innisbrook Resort

Click here to search for available listings in Clearwater.

 

City of Clearwater: the official site for the City of Clearwater, you can get local news, apply for permits, and search for jobs on this locals-friendly website.

 

Visit St. Pete and Clearwater: the ultimate guide to vacationing in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.