St. Petersburg, with a population of 250,000, is located in Florida's Pinellas County. The city is about 15.4 miles from Clearwater and 18.2 miles from Tampa and possesses 234 miles of waterfront property. Residents can stroll around the breathtaking neighborhoods adorned with graceful Mediterranean-style architecture, much of which originates from the city's colorful history. With an average temperature of 73.6 degrees, St. Petersburg records 361 sunny days a year. No wonder the city's moniker is the "Sunshine City." The city's cost of living is lower than that of Miami, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, which is why so many people are interested in moving to St. Petersburg.
Economy:
St. Petersburg, Florida is part of the number one metropolitan area in the U.S. for job growth, with a job growth rate two times the national average. St. Petersburg is home to a diverse and resilient industry base, which flourishes in the city's sunny business climate. St. Petersburg companies have access to an abundant and educated workforce of more than 1.3 million. Approximately 6.9 percent of St. Petersburg employees are engaged in manufacturing, 19.4 percent are engaged in the health services industry and 17.6 percent of St. Petersburg employees work in finance, insurance and real estate. The city was ranked number eight by Entrepreneur magazine as the "Best Place for Small Business." The city's commitment to providing jobs is keeping St. Petersburg moving companies busy ushering in new residents.
History:
In 1875, General John Williams came down from Detroit and bought 2,500 acres of land on Tampa Bay. He envisioned a grand city with graceful parks and broad streets, the trademark of today's St. Petersburg. The city's first hotel was named after his birthplace, Detroit. Thirteen years later, Peter Demens, a noble Russian aristocrat, brought the Orange Belt Railway to St. Petersburg. On June 8, 1888, the first train arrived, carrying empty freight cars and one passenger. Demens named the city after his birthplace, St. Petersburg, Russia. The year 1914 brought two firsts to St. Petersburg. The rich history of spring training and Florida's love affair with baseball began that year when the city's former mayor, Al Lang, convinced Branch Rickey to move his St. Louis Browns to the Sunshine City for spring training. Also that year, Tony Jannus flew his Benoist airplane across Tampa Bay in 23 minutes, skimming across the water at a height of 50 feet. The event is commonly hailed as the birth of commercial aviation.
Tourism:
From the world-class Salvador Dali Museum to smaller galleries featuring local artisans, arts and culture are alive in downtown St. Petersburg. Residents and visitors stroll through Gallery Walk and discover Downtown St Petersburg Museums. St. Petersburg holds the number one spot on the 2010 list of the "Top 25 Arts Destinations for Mid-Sized Cities." St. Petersburg's Municipal Marina hosts cruises on the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay. Within steps of the marina, you can explore the landmark Pier and a collection of unique waterfront shops and restaurants. People enjoy picnics beneath swaying palm trees and rounds of volleyball at the Treasure Island Beach. Several day cruises offer casino-style gambling and depart from ports in the area. Derby Lane, the oldest continuously operated greyhound racing facility in the United States, offers live racing action ten months of the year.