Living in Clearwater

Are you moving to Clearwater, FL? Make sure you know these seven things about living in Clearwater!

Famous for its sugar white sand and clear blue water on the Gulf Coast, Clearwater is a beautiful city in Florida's Tampa Bay. Experiencing frequent sunny weather, this sought-after waterfront city has been named one of the best places to live in Florida and is considered a great family-friendly beach destination.

Located 27 miles from Tampa and 23 miles from St. Petersburg, Clearwater is part of Pinellas County. Clearwater is worth visiting and moving to, with a walkable downtown, numerous waterfront parks, tons of delicious restaurants, beautiful real estate, and no shortage of outdoor activities. From swimming and boating to fishing and kayaking, the three-mile barrier Island of Clearwater Beach is a sunseeker paradise.

While moving to Clearwater can be exciting, ensuring you know what living here is like is essential. That is why, with the help of this moving guide, our team hopes that your move to Clearwater is easy and stress-free. Keep reading to learn about the seven things you should know before moving to Clearwater. 

Here are the seven things to know about life in Clearwater, FL!

Cost of Living and Real Estate 

The cost of living in Clearwater is 1% lower than the national average. Considered one of the cheapest places to live in Florida, housing expenses are 9% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 3% lower than the national average. Meanwhile, transportation expenses are 0% higher than the national average, while grocery prices are 8% higher than the national average. The most significant increases can be found in food and housing. Clearwater is an affordable place to live, with an average household income of $59,358. 

Cost of Living Item	Average Price
Energy Bill	$172.22/month
Median Rent	$1,243/month
Loaf of Bread	$3.72
Gallon of Milk	$2.38
Doctors Visit	$112.37
Veterinary Visit	$53.73

Data sourced from Payscale.

Known to have a somewhat competitive housing market, most homes spend an average of 87 days on the market. Home to various home styles and beautiful neighborhoods, the median list price in Clearwater is $600,843, with an average price per square foot of $339. 

Weather

Known for having a warm and temperate climate, the summers in Clearwater are long, hot, and humid, while winters are short, cool, and windy. Experiencing wet and rainy weather year-round, Clearwater receives about 51 inches of rain, 13 inches more than the national rainfall average.

With an average of 240 sunny days per year, temperatures throughout the year in Clearwater typically vary between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It rarely drops below 44 degrees Fahrenheit or rises above 93 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest month is July, with an average summer high of 90 degrees, and the coldest month is January, with an average winter low of 52 degrees. Due to temperature and weather conditions, March, April, and November are the most pleasant.

Attracting many snowbirds to the area, Clearwater receives zero snow per year, below the United States average of 28 inches. For those moving from a cold climate, winter jackets, snow boots, and other winter gear are not needed to live here.

Education

As part of the Pinellas County School District, the seventh-largest school district in Florida, Clearwater has plenty of options for education. Considered one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Florida, 31 public schools in Clearwater serve 16,105 students, and 24 private schools serve 5,454 students. Some of the best schools in Clearwater are Plato Academy Charter School, Leila Davis Elementary School, Clearwater Fundamental Middle School, Countryside High School, and Clearwater High School.

For those searching for higher education opportunities, residents can commute to many highly-rated colleges and universities nearby. For example, The University of Tampa is 23 miles away and within a 34-minute drive. This private, residential university is known for its academic excellence and offers over 200 programs, including 22 master's degrees.

Check out these top colleges and universities near Clearwater, FL:

Name	Location	Price
The University of Tampa	Tampa, FL	$32,000 a year
St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus	St. Petersburg, FL	$2,668 a year
Eckerd College	St. Petersburg, FL	$37,000 a year
University of South Florida	Tampa, FL	$8,346 a year
Florida College	Temple Terrace, FL	$21,000 a year
Ultimate Medical Academy	Clearwater, FL	$18,000 a year

Employment Opportunities

Clearwater has a strong economy that employs over 54,800 people. Clearwater's most significant economic industries are health care and social assistance, retail trade, and food service. The highest-paid sectors include utilities, management, and professional, scientific, and technical services. With a job market increase of 2.3% over the last year, the economy in Clearwater is growing and changing. Future job growth is predicted to increase by 41.1% over the next ten years, higher than the United States average of 33.5%.

If you are moving to Clearwater for a job, you will not be looking for long. Whether you are looking to advance your career or explore new career options, plenty of employment opportunities are available, whether you are searching for a part-time or full-time position. Some of the best companies to work for in Clearwater include BayCare Health System, Lincare Holdings, Tech Data Corporation, The Moorings, Vela, Cash Management Solutions, and Apg Electric.

Beaches

Clearwater Beach is constantly ranked one of the best beaches in America for its dazzling emerald waters and sugary white sands. Recognized as a centerpiece in the city, this laid-back beach is a go-to for sunbathers, kayakers, paddleboarders, jet skiers, parasailers, boaters, and fishermen. Beloved for its gorgeous sunsets and home to Pier 60, Clearwater Beach is just steps away from some of the best hotels and restaurants in the area.

With lifeguards on duty 365 days a year, this family-friendly beach is a must-visit if you are moving to Clearwater or just visiting. Offering the perfect Island getaway, Clearwater offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy fun in the sun. Even though the beaches in Clearwater are open all year long, the best time to visit is between October and December because of its low humidity and lack of tourists.

Visit these top-rated local favorite beaches in Clearwater, FL:

• Clearwater Beach: Best known for its soft, white sand and clear blue water, this namesake beach is a must-visit for paddleboarders, parasailers, and jet skiers for its calm waters. Pier 60 is located here and is a popular spot for sunset viewing.
• Sand Key Beach: This beautiful sandy beach features seasonal lifeguards and is a popular spot for kayakers and sunbathers. Endangered sea turtles are known to lay eggs on the beach frequently.
• Caladesi Island State Park: This is one of the few untouched islands in the Gulf of Mexico located North of Clearwater Beach. This three-mile stretch of unspoiled beach is only accessible by boat and has tons of large seashells everywhere.
• Abu Seba Beach: Drive your car on this easily accessible Clearwater beach that features frequent public workout and yoga classes on the beach.

Things to Do

While Clearwater might best be known for its beaches, plenty of other activities available do not require spending time in the sun near the ocean. Offering plenty of family-friendly activities, there are many ways to make fond memories with your loved ones worth paying for.

Known as an active community, there are multiple parks to explore, retail stores to shop at, and local sports teams to watch. Providing accessible and affordable options, Clearwater has no shortage of fun and unique things to do that all ages will enjoy.

Check out these popular things to do in Clearwater, FL:

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: This 501 non-profit organization and aquarium is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals. This is a must-do for the whole family to learn about preserving and restoring the marine environment through education, research, rescue, and rehabilitation.
• Clearwater Threshers: The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that plays at the BayCare Ballpark with a maximum seating capacity of 8,500 people.
• Moccasin Lake Nature Park: This 51-acre nature preserve is known for its serene oak-lined walking paths, educational tours, natural exhibits, and kids camps. Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted.
• Countryside Mall: Nine million customers visit this shopping mall every year since it is home to five anchor stores, plenty of restaurants, a full-size skating rink, and a movie theatre on the Gulf Coast.
• Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise: Enjoy scenic views of Clearwater with the whole family on this two-hour pirate adventure cruise. Custom-designed and built in 1993, this ship is fun for all ages and features a treasure hunt, face painting, stories, dancing, and water gun games.
• Cliff Stephens Park: This scenic, tranquil park is a famous 44-acre oasis in Clearwater that is a go-to spot for recreation. This park is one of the top places to visit in the city for outdoor fun, featuring paved trails for biking, hiking, running, and skating.
• Ruth Eckerd Hall: Visit this performing arts center that provides world-class entertainment and educational programs in the area. Providing 73,000 square feet of entertainment space, visitors can enjoy musical performances, arts education, and comedy and Broadway shows.

Restaurants

Best known for its delicious seafood and unique American southern cuisines, Clearwater is home to some of the most iconic restaurants on the coast of the central Florida Gulf of Mexico. Serving freshly caught seafood, fresh local produce, and cold beverages with live entertainment and unmatched waterfront views, dining out in Clearwater is an experience unlike any other. No matter what food you crave, there is always a new creative dish and a top-rated restaurant in Clearwater.

Dine at these highly-rated favorite local restaurants in Clearwater, FL:

• Caretta on the Gulf: Offering dine-in and takeout options, this luxurious beachside restaurant serves New American cuisine and is the only AAA Four-Diamond Awarded restaurant in Clearwater.
• Sea-Guini: Located at the Opal Sands resort, this fine dining experience is known for its Italian cuisine, seafood, and picturesque waterfront views.
• Frenchy's Rockaway Grill: Enjoy grouper sandwiches and seafood dishes in a colorful and laid-back atmosphere on the Gulf of Mexico.
• Clear Sky Cafe: Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this tasty seafood-focused cafe features live music in The Residences at Sandpearl in Clearwater.
• Rumba Island Bar and Grill: This seafood-forward restaurant is beloved for its Jamaican recipes and tasty drink specials with a tiki bar, live music, and a large outdoor patio.

Pros and Cons of living in Clearwater, FL

Pros:

• Affordable cost of living
• Delicious food scene
• Warm weather
• Beautiful sunsets
• Excellent beaches
• Popular nightlife
• Proximity to other cities
• Good education
• Abundance of outdoor activities

Cons:

• Possible pest invasions
• Prone to severe weather and hurricanes
• Heavy traffic
• Lack of public transportation

Moving to Clearwater, FL - Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking for a great place to retire or want to live near the beach and its turquoise-blue waters, Clearwater is a lovely area full of class and beauty. With an affordable cost of living and a high safety rating, it is no wonder many people want to call Clearwater, Florida, home.

If you or anyone you know is moving to Florida and is interested in making Clearwater, FL, home, contact us here to connect you with one of our Realty Specialists and help you find your dream home in Clearwater.