St. Petersburg is a bustling seaside Florida metropolis in the Tampa Bay Area and one of the most undervalued cities on the state’s Gulf Coast. Known for its white-sand beaches, lively nightlife, cultural scene, and nature-based attractions, the Sunshine City has long been recognized as a retiree’s paradise, but that image is rapidly changing due to the increasing number of young families relocating to the area in recent years.
If you’re looking for a great place to purchase real estate in Florida, check out the five best suburbs of St. Petersburg. Whether you’re looking for waterfront living, golf communities, or urban amenities, there’s a piece of St. Petersburg real estate waiting for you!
What Are The Best Suburbs To Live Near St. Petersburg?
1. Historic Kenwood
As its name suggests, this community is one of the most historic and well-established areas in all of St. Petersburg. Livable and active, Historic Kenwood is located just a couple of miles west of St. Pete’s downtown and offers families a one-of-a-kind suburban lifestyle near desirable urban amenities and services. Locals enjoy proximity to popular attractions and museums, beaches, and lush green spaces, a large provision of Craftsman-style real estate, as well as highly coveted educational institutions like St. Petersburg High School.
Historic Kenwood is one of the most sought-after areas to purchase St. Petersburg real estate for sale. In 2003, the neighborhood (around 375 acres and 2,000 homes) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the single-family detached homes for sale in this area’s shaded streets are approaching a century in age and have been well-maintained or restored.
The average price for a home in Historic Kenwood is $570K. Homebuyers can expect an eclectic blend of styles, including Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Dutch Colonial Revival. Historic Kenwood also boasts a considerable concentration of quaint Craftsman-style bungalows dating back to the 1920s. These homes feature traditional large windows, brick fireplaces, and original hardwood floors.
Historic Kenwood provides a warm community feel, crime rates lower than the St. Petersburg average, and living costs about 7% less than the national average. All of these qualities make the area one of the best suburbs of St. Petersburg. The range of eating and shopping spots is as diverse as appealing, and most are located south of the neighborhood, along Central Ave. Those who love a laid-back, art-loving community with amiable neighbors, quiet walks, and peaceful nights can start looking for their forever home in this St. Pete area.
Top Attractions: Seminole Park, Imagine Museum: Contemporary Glass Art, Jorgensen Lake Park, Woodlawn Park, Fairgrounds St. Pete.
Distance from St. Petersburg: 2.4 miles
Median Sale Price: $570K
Zip Code: 33713
2. Snell Isle
Home to The Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, the high-end neighborhood of Snell Isle provides an idyllic beach-centered lifestyle and some of the city’s most opulent waterfront properties for sale. No wonder this is one of the best suburbs in St. Petersburg.
Just one mile from St. Pete’s downtown heading north and 23 miles away from Tampa real estate, this prestigious area is surrounded by water, giving it a desirable sense of privacy. Tampa Bay’s warm waters bound Snell Isle to the east, Coffee Pot Bayou to the south and west, and Smacks Bayou and the community of Venetian Isles to the north.
The Snell Isle real estate market is known for its luxury properties and elegant waterfront homes. The neighborhood has a variety of housing options, including European and Spanish-style single-family homes dating back to the 1920s, modern townhomes, and large condominiums facing the ocean with resort-like amenities.
A few years back, there were several small retirement two-bedroom houses here, but most of them were remodeled and enlarged to respond to the increasing demand for larger, upmarket family dwellings. Currently, the housing supply is considerably limited in Snell Isle, which translates into increasing home values. The price for real estate in Snell Isle ranges between $400K and $1.6M. However, new construction is popping up on the island due to the high demand.
Snell Isle is the ultimate in luxurious waterfront living where locals can enjoy a golf tournament, a boat ride at any of the nearby marinas, and exclusive activities and events at the local private clubs. Families are drawn to the neighborhood for its safety, walkable and bike-friendly streets with ample sidewalks, and the proximity of Canterbury School of Florida-Hough Campus, a high-quality elementary school. Families spend their days kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and motor boating from their secluded private docks on an undisturbed stretch of water that opens onto Tampa Bay.
Top Attractions: Vinoy Golf Club, The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Crisp Park, St. Petersburg Women’s Club.
Distance from St. Petersburg: One mile.
Median Sale Price: $1.5M
Zip Code: 33704
3. Coquina Key
Coquina Key has a population of about 3,700 and is one of the best places to live in the Tampa Bay Area. Most residents in this suburban island neighborhood own their homes and enjoy being close to everything but tucked away and quiet at the same time. Coquina Key is on the southwestern tip of St. Petersburg, conveniently close to downtown and just 30 minutes away from cities like Bradenton real estate.
With its convenient location and relaxed lifestyle, Coquina Key is one of St. Petersburg best suburbs, a popular destination for families, retirees, and second-home buyers. The average home for sale in Coquina Key has a $400K price tag, but prices can go up to the multi-millions for properties with certain features and open water views.
The neighborhood has a diverse supply of dwellings, mainly offering single-family homes in the form of quaint bungalows or cottage-style houses, but there are also high-end options for wealthy homebuyers. Additional alternatives are the plentiful low-rise condos in gated communities and townhouses. These properties are typically listed at a more affordable price point, allowing anyone to find a spot to call home in Coquina Key.
Being surrounded by water gives Coquina Key a distinctive vacation feel. This neighborhood is just 8 minutes away from the closest beach and extremely dog-friendly, with two-dog parks and several areas where pups are allowed. Here, many residents spend time on their boats or doing water sports. Practicing tennis at the local park is another popular activity. For children, the closest school is Lakewood Elementary School on Bayou Shores.
Top Attractions: Coquina Key Park, Waterside Yacht Club, Bayou Highlands Neighborhood Park.
Distance from St. Petersburg: 4 miles
Median Sale Price: $400K
Zip Code: 33705
4. Lakewood Estates
Lakewood Estates is a family-centered area located 11 minutes south of St. Petersburg, on the western side of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Its location near the preserve and Lake Maggiore provides locals with a sparse suburban feel and easy access to a myriad of outdoor activities. The community is also close to several major roads and highways, making it convenient for frequent commuters. Lakewood Estates is only seven miles from St. Pete Beach real estate and other popular locations on the barrier island on St. Petersburg’s west coast.
Lakewood Estates feature a large amount of reasonably-priced medium-size houses perfect for accommodating families of diverse sizes and well-built, spacious condo units. The Lakewood Estates real estate market has an average price of $440K, which is pretty reasonable for its location and amenities. Most of the area’s oldest houses built in the ’20s have a Spanish influence, but the local architecture also includes other popular styles like Mediterranean Revival, ranch, and cottages.
Lakewood Estates is also undergoing a renaissance, with new construction and redevelopment projects underway. Now is a great moment to purchase a family property in this sought-after St. Petersburg suburb or invest in a vacation home that will likely appreciate in the coming years.
Originally planned to encompass the St. Petersburg Country Club, the community of Lakewood Estates is predominantly a family neighborhood and one of the best suburbs of St. Petersburg. Home to numerous parks, lakes, and well-groomed open green spaces, the area provides a private atmosphere but is close enough to encourage interaction among neighbors. This suburb is close to excellent restaurants, stores, and all the modern conveniences and is within walking distance to Lakewood High School and Maximo Elementary, the two local schools.
Top Attractions: St. Petersburg Country Club, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Lake Maggiore Park, Southside Youth Soccer, Dell Holmes Park.
Distance from St. Petersburg: 7 miles.
Median Sale Price: $440K
5. St. Pete Beach
The resort city of St. Pete Beach is a goldmine for families who appreciate small-town living and enjoy spending time outdoors. St. Pete Beach extends across Long Key, a barrier island located around 18 minutes west of St. Petersburg’s downtown by car. Three bridges connect the city to the mainland and the neighboring cities of South Pasadena and Treasure Island.
St. Pete Beach is a top vacation spot but also one of the best suburbs in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. Therefore, the real estate market here is extremely competitive, with properties selling above the asking price. Currently, the median listing price of homes for sale in St. Pete Beach is around $872K, but some beachfront detached properties change hands for $1M and even higher price tags.
The homes for sale in St. Pete Beach are commonly cozy bungalows or impeccably maintained beach houses of Florida Craftsman-style. There’s also the occasional Tuscan villa with a large backyard and tropical landscaping. St. Pete Beach condos for sale are also a popular option. There are both existing and new construction condominiums, and most of the units are spacious, with one, two, or more bedrooms and breathtaking open views of the ocean.
St. Pete Beach is uniquely picturesque with its sugar-sand beaches, dog beaches, and expansive shoreline parks. The outdoor activities are not limited to water sports; the beach is also great for fishing, sunbathing, bird watching, and much more. Most shopping and dining opportunities are in the center and south portions of the island, and children don’t have to leave the island to get a quality education. St. Pete Beach has both public and private educational options, including Montessori By The Sea, Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School, and St. John Vianney Catholic School.
Top Attractions: Upham Beach Park, Shell Key Preserve, Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club, Fort De Soto Park.
Distance from Miami: 8 miles
Median Sale Price: $827K
The Best Suburbs Of St. Petersburg, Florida — A conclusion
If you’re looking for a little slice of heaven in the Sunshine State, St. Petersburg is definitely worth a look. But if you’re still not sure about whether or not St. Pete is the right place for you, we have put together a list of the best suburbs to live in Baltimore. So take a look, and see for yourself what makes that major Maryland city such a great place to call home. Contact your local real estate agent to get started on your home search.
