The city of Clearwater has one of the best beaches in the United States, with white sand and crystal-clear water. This area is a great place to move if you’re a snowbird, young professional, family, or retiree.
If you’re considering relocating to this area, there’s a lot of information you should consider beforehand. As the top-rated Clearwater property management company, we have a breadth of knowledge on this. In this article, we’ll cover general information about the city and the pros and cons of moving here.
General Information
Clearwater is a city with an estimated population of 116,000 people. It’s located in Pinellas County, Florida. Employment is growing steadily in Clearwater. The most common industries include Sales, Service, Business, Office, and Science.
There are many educational opportunities in the vicinity of Clearwater. These include the Clearwater High School, St. Petersburg College, Ultimate Medical Academy, and Clearwater Christian College.
The Clearwater area saw a significant population increase after the Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842. This Act offered 160 acres of land to anyone who would bear arms and make use of the given land. During World War II, Clearwater was an important training base for U.S. troops.
The Main Pros & Cons of Moving to Clearwater
Pro: The Cost of Living
When you compare Clearwater to the average cost of living in Florida, it ranks slightly lower. In comparison to the national average, you may expect the living costs to be a tiny bit higher.
Still, the living cost is a pro. Looking at the wonderful living conditions in the area, the slightly lower cost of living compared to the state average deserves positive recognition.
Con: Pests
As a homeowner in Clearwater, you have to watch out for sudden pest invasions. The warm weather combined with higher humidity levels provides favorable conditions for various critters and pests. These can be damaging to your home if you’re not careful.
Pro: The Food Scene
There are a variety of great dining spots in Clearwater. These include beach cafes that serve delicious crab fries and seafood salads. You can also have a fine dining experience in Downtown Clearwater.
Con: Hurricane Season
Living in Clearwater means that you’ll have to prepare for the hurricane season. This typically runs from June through November. All of Florida can experience severe weather at that time, but the state’s west coast is especially prone to experiencing hurricanes.
Pro & Con: The Weather
The weather can be both a pro and a con of living in Clearwater. The advantage of living in the area is definitely the sunny warm weather throughout the year. This is great for leading an outdoor lifestyle.
However, similar to the rest of Florida, Clearwater receives a lot of rainfall. The majority of rainfall occurs between June and October. This coincides with the hurricane season.
Pro: Outdoor Activities
There is a wide array of outdoor activities you can do in Clearwater. Hiking, fishing, canoeing, and cycling are just a few of them.
One of the most popular outdoor spots is the 40-mile Pinellas Trail. This was constructed on top of an abandoned railroad line. The trail extends through friendly communities and public parks while going across several rivers and creeks.
Con: Traffic
During peak hours, it’s likely that you’ll experience heavy traffic in Clearwater. Things can get especially crowded when many people want to go to the beach and there is construction going on.
Pro: The Beautiful Sunsets
Some people dream of living in a place with amazing sunsets. If you are one of them, moving to Clearwater is a great idea, as the sunsets in the are simply stunning.
One of the best sunset spots is Pier 60, located right on the Clearwater Beach. You’ll have to pay $1 if you want to get to the end of the pier for the best views of the sunset. The pier has benches, shaded areas, and a little shop for quick drinks and snacks.
Con: Public Transportation
Don’t expect to have an extensive public transportation network if you’re moving to Clearwater. When you need to move from one place to another along Clearwater Beach and coastal communities close-by, you could make use of the Jolley Trolley.
The walkability score in Clearwater isn’t high, which means that you’ll need a car to access various services from your home. However, there are some neighborhoods that are more walkable, including virtually all the ones located around Clearwater Beach. Click here for a list of great neighborhoods in Clearwater.
Pro: Boating
Boating is extremely popular in Clearwater. Even if you don’t own a boat or plan on buying one, you’ll have plenty of options for trying out the lifestyle. There are many rentals options available where you can get a boat for a day, weekend, or longer.
Conclusion
Clearwater is a beautiful city located on the Gulf of Mexico. Moving here is a great choice because the city has many outdoor activities, a reasonable cost of living, and warm weather all year long.
However, you should consider some of the cons of living in the area as well. Similarly to other places in Florida, you need to deal with the hurricane season, the risk of pests invading your home, and regular traffic jams around the Clearwater Beach area.
If you’re planning to move to Clearwater, contact Cavalier Estates LLC to rent a home.
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