RoamingRushka

January – March

This last week in St. Pete did not go as I initially thought it would. I caught the flu and have been bedridden for the past five days. But I suppose this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our time here and share what made us fall in love with St. Pete.

As you may have gleaned from my last post, we arrived here in early January. Time has absolutely flown by in the Sunshine State. Our time here has been a whirlwind of adventure, friendship, vibrant culture, and incredible nature. Even though St. Pete doesn’t necessarily fit the criteria we outlined previously (which I’ll touch on later), it’s undeniably a special place and has captured our hearts.

Why We Loved St. Pete

St. Pete exudes charm and good vibes. The people here are incredibly friendly and outgoing, radiating a contagious joie de vivre. The city has a youthful, artistic energy, with plenty of live music, a thriving maritime community, and an excellent food scene. Given Florida’s reputation, I was pleasantly surprised by how many like-minded people we encountered. The nature walks, wildlife, and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico added another layer of magic to our stay.

Another element that we loved was how easy it was to make friends from scratch. Paloma was using BumbleBFF and I was meeting friends at the rock climbing gym. People seemed genuinely eager to make friends and schedule meet-ups, which made a huge difference in our experience. We met several inspiring couples and hope to see them again whenever we return.

What We Did While in St. Pete

Since we’re not on vacation, our weekdays followed a relatively normal routine–working, going to the gym, cooking dinner, and unwinding in the evenings. But weekends were for exploration. We checked out new restaurants and bars downtown, met with new friends to check out live music at breweries and tiki bars. Trivia nights and park meet-ups added a fun, low-key touch to our weekends.

On special occasions, we ventured further. This included trips to Clearwater to check in on the Scientologists, as well as the Lake Wales Ridge or the highest elevation in central Florida which was an island in the Pleistocene era. 

One of my favorite moments was our trip to Miami to visit Paloma’s aunt and uncle. It was a simple evening–dinner at a local Puerto Rican spot, followed by a long night of conversation over sangria in their hot tub. On our way back west, we stopped in the Everglades for an airboat tour and drove the scenic Loop Road through Big Cypress National Preserve. Seeing countless alligators, wading birds, and breathtaking flora made for an unforgettable experience.

How St. Pete Didn’t Check Our Boxes

As much as we loved St. Pete, it does fall short in some key areas we’re looking for in a future home. Walkability and public transit are major factors for us, and St. Pete (well, Florida in General) lacks both. While there is a bus system, there isn’t significant public transportation infrastructure, and unless you live downtown, walkability is limited. Our neighborhood didn’t even have sidewalks, though it did have scenic ponds that we enjoyed walking around.

Would We Consider Moving Here?

Surprisingly, yes. We loved St. Pete so much that we’d be willing to overlook some of the shortcomings. Living in a downtown apartment would provide the walkability we crave, and being in the heart of the city would keep us close to the things that make St. Pete special. Ultimately, the person who sold St. Pete to me in that Galway bar last May was absolutely right–this city is a hidden gem filled with community, art, and spirit.

What’s Next?

Our next destination is Nashville, TN! I can’t wait to immerse myself in the live music scene, indulge in some BBQ, and experience everything else the South has to offer. Until next time!

– RoamingRushka