Why Clearwater gets overlooked in Tampa Bay
Tampa and St. Petersburg dominate the conversation, but Clearwater offers an artsy, beachy vibe that is rare even on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
If you’re interested in moving to the Tampa Bay area, you’ve probably checked out many of the great neighborhoods to be found in Tampa and St. Petersburg. But there’s a third large city in the area that doesn’t always get the same attention: Clearwater.
Most people have heard the name “Clearwater” before. Clearwater Beach is justifiably famous. But the surrounding community offers a vibe that’s a bit unique for a beach town, including an accent on arts, music, fashion, and culture. It’s an area that is growing rapidly along with the rest of Tampa Bay, and there are quite a few good reasons why people are moving to Clearwater.
Clearwater Moves: Key Takeaways
- Clearwater sits between Tampa and St. Petersburg but offers the only artsy + beachy combo in Tampa Bay. Clearwater Beach ranks #1 in US lists, plus a dense arts and jazz scene
- Real tax advantages: Florida has no state income tax plus a Homestead Exemption that shields $25,000 of the first $50,000 in assessed home value from property taxes
- Dense cultural cluster: Clearwater Jazz Holiday (35,000 attendees), Chalktober Arts, Cleveland Street District, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium anchor a small-city culture scene that punches above its weight
9 reasons to move to Clearwater, Florida
From world-famous beach to tax advantages, neighborhoods, attractions, and the cultural scene, find nine reasons Clearwater earns a second look.
Reason 1: Clearwater Beach is the original beach town
Clearwater Beach ranks at the top of US beach lists year after year, with Gulf of Mexico water minutes from any neighborhood.
Florida is known for great beaches, but there’s only one Clearwater Beach. It always ranks in the top echelon of beaches in the United States, and on some lists, in the world. The inviting Gulf of Mexico waters are always right there, just a few minutes away.
Reason 2: Clearwater is still affordable
Property prices stay below Tampa and Miami, from the growing downtown area to coastal neighborhoods.
The beach may be world-famous, but the little city right next to it is still affordable. Clearwater offers a ton of property to own or rent, from the growing downtown area to neighborhoods up and down the coast.
Reason 3: Great Clearwater neighborhoods for families and singles
Island Estates, Northwood Estates, Del Oro Groves, Seville, Historic Old Clearwater Bay, and Oaks of Northwood top the list.
Yes, there’s Clearwater Beach, which is home to many people who want to live where most people vacation. However, Clearwater is filled with great neighborhoods for families and singles. They include:
- Island Estates
- Northwood Estates
- Del Oro Groves
- Seville
- Historic Old Clearwater Bay
- Oaks of Northwood
Reason 4: The lack of Florida State taxes
Florida has no state income tax, plus a Homestead Exemption that shields part of your home’s assessed value from property tax.
Florida has no state income tax. If you buy a home, the state’s Homestead Exemption allows you to not pay taxes on $25,000 of the first $50,000 in assessed home value. These two factors alone put a lot more money into your pocket.
Reason 5: The Tampa Bay area keeps growing
One of the fastest-growing metros in the country, with new businesses, professionals, and retirees fueling Clearwater’s rise.
Clearwater is a central part of a Tampa Bay area that is among one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Why? Because businesses are coming to Tampa, along with professionals looking for jobs. The area also continues to attract its fair share of retirees. It has created an excitement in the area that has been growing for years.
Reason 6: Great Clearwater attractions
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (home to Winter the dolphin), plus easy access to Busch Gardens, Sunken Gardens, and Magic Kingdom.
Clearwater is known for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which was home to Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail featured in the 2011 film “Dolphin Tale” and its 2014 sequel. That aquarium is just one of an amazing number of great attractions. The Tampa Bay area is home to the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, as well as Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg and Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Tampa. It’s also less than a two-hour drive to the Magic Kingdom west of Orlando.
Reason 7: A growing cultural and arts scene
Clearwater Music & Arts Festival, Chalktober Arts, plus easy access to the Salvador Dali Museum and Chihuly Collection.
There’s a growing arts scene in Clearwater and across the Tampa Bay area. Clearwater is home to the Clearwater Music & Arts Festival as well as the unique Chalktober Arts Festival featuring the work of chalk artists near the beach and downtown. Tampa Bay also is home to the Tampa Museum of Art, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Chihuly Collection, the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, and the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs (just north of Clearwater).
Reason 8: The Cleveland Street District
Downtown Clearwater’s cultural hub: coffee houses, restaurants, the Art Deco Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, and Milan-based Gioffrè Boutique.
On the western end of Cleveland Street downtown, the Cleveland Street District features coffee houses, restaurants, and the beautiful Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, which features a vintage Art Deco design. It also has boutiques, including the only U.S.-based location for Milan-based Gioffrè Boutique.
Reason 9: Clearwater is home to the Jazz Holiday
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday, running since the 1980s, draws 35,000 attendees over four days every fall.
Since its beginnings in the 1980s, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday has grown into one of the biggest jazz festivals in the country. The four-day event typically attracts as many as 35,000 to Clearwater to enjoy music, food, and cultural attractions.
These are a few of the reasons Clearwater is worth a look if you’re thinking of moving to Tampa Bay. It offers an artsy, beachy vibe that is a rare combination, providing its residents with a truly unique place to live.
How Good Greek handles Clearwater moves
Planning a move to Clearwater? Clearwater movers from Good Greek Moving & Storage handle local, long-distance, packing, storage, and auto transport across Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide, with local crews who know the Tampa Bay area and the best beach-town routes.
Clearwater Moves: Frequently asked questions
Is Clearwater a good place to live year-round?
Yes. Clearwater enjoys mild winters (60s–70s°F) and warm summers (high 80s°F) with Gulf breezes moderating the heat. The pace stays steady year-round thanks to a strong local economy and a balanced mix of residents, retirees, and seasonal visitors.
How does Clearwater compare to Tampa and St. Petersburg for living?
Clearwater sits between Tampa (bigger metro, business hub) and St. Petersburg (artsy/walkable). Clearwater wins on beach access and small-city culture; Tampa wins on job market depth; St. Petersburg wins on downtown walkability and food. Many residents commute between the three.
What are the best neighborhoods in Clearwater?
Island Estates and Historic Old Clearwater Bay lead for waterfront living, Northwood Estates and Oaks of Northwood suit established families, and Seville and Del Oro Groves offer accessible price points for first-time buyers.
How much does it cost to move to Clearwater?
Local moves into Clearwater typically run $500–$2,500 depending on size, and long-distance moves from out of state run $3,000–$10,000+. Request a free moving quote for a transparent flat-rate estimate.
