The city of Gulfport isn't known for a great deal, but it is certainly gaining recognition for its food. In 2011, it was one of the finalists for Rand McNally's best food towns in the USA, a competition containing 600 towns. So you know for one thing, you're gonna get a good meal in Gulfport!
Situated in Pinellas County, Florida, Gulfport has a population of just over 12,000 people, and borders the St Petersburg and Boca Ciega Bay areas
The city of Gulfport isn't known for a great deal, but it is certainly gaining recognition for its food. In 2011, it was one of the finalists for Rand McNally's best food towns in the USA, a competition containing 600 towns. So you know for one thing, you're gonna get a good meal in Gulfport!
Situated in Pinellas County, Florida, Gulfport has a population of just over 12,000 people, and borders the St Petersburg and Boca Ciega Bay areas. There's a long fishing pier there and a nice beach and if you're willing to travel just a little to the west, you'll find the long white sandy beaches of Treasure Island and St Pete Beach gazing out onto the ocean. It's a little tropical haven, with a lovely waterfront district that is as attractive to the young and old alike. It's as good a place to raise a family as retire, and with links to major cities and urban areas in easy reach, you'll find just about everything you need in the city of Gulfport.
If you like sun, sand, food, art and color, then Gulfport would be a great fit for you. Before deciding to move there, however, take a look for yourself. Soak up some rays, relax on the beach, stroll through the streets and explore the surrounding area. You'll soon find out whether it's somewhere you can see yourself waking up each morning or not.
What Housing is There?
About 60% of Gulfport housing are detached homes, which is ideal for people looking for rental houses. There are plenty of nice homes for rent, with beautiful small scale cottages along the historic waterfront district. The city isn't lacking in apartments for rent either, with lots of complexes and high rises buildings dotted throughout. So whatever you're looking for, it should be easy enough to find nice vacant properties just about anywhere in town.
Getting Around
You can walk around most of the city quite easily if you want, and the waterfront area is a great place to take a stroll. However, when duty calls and you need to get to work, you're probably going to need a car. Lots of Gulfport residents work in nearby St Petersburg, where there are plenty more jobs to be found and it's simple to get there by road. You can also reach Tampa, which is only a few miles further to the east, along Interstate 275, which runs along the outskirts of the city.
Gulfport has some lovely neighborhoods along the coast, and this is where you'll find the most prized property. Be prepared to pay a little more for somewhere on the waterfront, however and consider stepping slightly further inland if you feel your budget being stretched a little too thin.
City Center: The whole of Gulfport is very leafy and green and here it's no different. It's further back from the waterfront and is primarily residential, but it's closer to St Petersburg and Tampa in the east, which is good for commuters. There's a nice park in the center with a couple of baseball fields and tennis courts.
49th St S / 26th Ave S: One of the best places for nature lovers, with Clam Bayou Nature Reserve on the coast. If you fancy a spot of fun, check out Kayak Nature Adventures for a unique experience on the water.
Gulfport Blvd S / 56th St S: There are some good places to eat and drink here, with Backfin Blue Caf, La Cote Basque Winehouse and O'Maddy's Bar and Grille all highly rated among the locals.
58th St S / 11Th Ave S: Home to Stetson University College of Law so full of budding lawyers. Not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing!
Gulfport Blvd S / 64th St S: Comprises the entire waterfront area, with its lovely cottages and beautiful little storefronts. Anyone looking for an apt for rent in Gulfport may want to start here as there are a fair few high-rises looking out over the water. Pasadena Yacht and Golf Club is a must for anyone who loves golfing or boating, if you've got the money to spare, that is!
Gulfport is a relaxing community to live in, and you're not gonna be lacking natural beauty and color when you stroll through town. As mentioned, the city is famous for its food, so this is one of the real draws for residents and visitors. Along the historic waterfront, you'll find places like Backfin Blue Caf, Beach, Haus and Siri's Pizzeria, while throughout the city you'll find many more offering various types of cuisine from around the world.
Aside from the great food, the waterfront really is the center of attention for the city and makes for a fantastic place to stroll and relax on lazy weekend afternoons. You can see Tierra Verde from across the bay and will love the color and thriving art scene along the coast.
There are parks and open areas of greenery all around as well, which truly adds to the naturalistic nature of the city. The Clam Bayou Nature Preserve is a particular highlight, while there are also beaches to be found just a stone's throw away. With art walks, markets and local music shows, there's a vibrancy and zest for life in Gulfport that you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Bus links run through town, linking it with the larger metropolitan areas of St Petersburg and its suburbs, while Interstate 275 can easily be reached to take you further on to Tampa and beyond. If you're commuting, travel is simple, and getting around by car is the easiest way to save time on any journey longer than a run to the local shops. So, wherever you end up, you'll find that all your need is right on your doorstep in sunny and colorful Gulfport.
