1. No Longer a Sleepy Little Town: “From Stupor to Stupendous”
St. Petersburg has shed its “God’s waiting room” image as young people have flocked to the area. Since 1970, the median age in St. Pete has decreased 3.3 years, while the U.S.’s median age has increased by 9.9 years. St. Pete was named one of the fastest-growing cities by Forbes (2018) with a total population of nearly 266,000. The Sunshine City has seen a major influx of millennial-aged residents, routinely ranking a top city for young professionals. They’re drawn by St. Pete’s transformation, which Forbes characterized as “From Stupor to Stupendous.”
2. St. Pete is for Tech
As part of Florida’s largest and the nation’s second fastest-growing tech hub, St. Pete is one of the top four high-tech employment centers in the nation because of its ever expanding, highly skilled workforce. The City’s Innovation District anchors Florida’s High Tech Corridor and is home to one of the largest concentrations of world-class research organizations in the country.
3. 12 Innovation Labs Right Next Door
St. Pete’s downtown corridor alone hosts 12 innovation labs within steps of one another including the Dali Museum, Poynter Institute, and SRI International.
4. Marine & Life Sciences Giant
NOAA, SRI, and the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal & Marine Science Center are a part of St. Pete’s booming marine and environmental sciences community— the largest in the Southeast. Marine and Life Science institutions including All Children’s Hospital, the first U.S. hospital outside of the Baltimore area to be affiliated with Johns Hopkins Health Systems, join forces to foster research in disease resistance and treatment beneficial to the science of all living things. In St. Pete, students can study begin studying Marine Science in kindergarten and continue through graduate programs without ever leaving City limits.
5. Travel with Ease
Two international airports serve St. Pete: Tampa International Airport (TPA), a 25-minute drive from downtown St. Pete, and the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport connect travelers to major hubs around the world. Closer to home is Albert Whitted, located a few blocks south of downtown, with available private charters, rentals, and select commercial routes.
6. Home of Fortune 500s & Startups alike
Along with Jabil, Raymond James, and HSN‘s St. Pete-based headquarters, the Tampa-St. Pete region is also home to TD Synnex and Bloomin’ Brands. In the first six months of 2018, both Raymond James and Jabil announced major expansion plans within the City. St. Pete’s heavy concentration of meetups, accelerators, and co-working spaces combined with the City’s multitude of resources available to budding companies create an environment where entrepreneurs can grow and succeed.
7. One-of-a-Kind Lifestyle for Your Team
With year-round sunshine, 225 parks, and the third largest downtown waterfront in North America, St. Pete offers endless exploration. The Sunshine City is home to seven arts districts (and counting) and has ranked the No. 1 American Arts Destination for mid-sized cities since 2010 (American Style Magazine). America’s #1 beach is located less than 25 minutes from St. Pete’s downtown is enjoyed by residents all year, along with 11 other nearby beaches.
8. Surprising Affordability
St. Pete’s cost of living is below the national average, making it one of the most affordable mid-sized cities in the Southeast. The Sunshine City is considered among the best for first-time home buyers (WalletHub, 2018). No state income tax and available incentive programs allow residents and business alike to thrive.
9. Progressive Attitude & Sustainability Focused
Through the American Cities Climate Challenge, Bloomberg Philanthropies selected St. Pete as one of 25 cities to receive a robust technical assistance and support package— a $2.5M value. The Sunshine City is routinely ranked as one of the Best Run Communities in America.
10. Hiring is Easier than You Think
Five institutions of higher learning located within city limits fuel a skilled workforce and attract talent to St. Pete from around the world. Local companies have access to the region’s nearly 3 million workers. Even more, the average wage in Pinellas County is 17% lower than the national average, making hiring more affordable than comparable cities like Charlotte or Atlanta.
Sources: City of St. Petersburg State of the Economy 2018; Tampa International Airport; City of St. Petersburg
