Clearwater

Residents of Island Estates wake up every morning surrounded by the clear blue waters of Clearwater Bay. This nautical neighborhood is a half-mile from the beach and a short drive to downtown Clearwater—making it easy to get to major attractions. Private island living is on offer in this prestigious, close-knit community known by locals as merely "The Island." Island Estates has a highly active social committee that organizes monthly gatherings, ladies' luncheons, annual barbeques, block parties and festive holiday celebrations. Residents are positioned right in the Intracoastal Waterway, with gated bridge access across the Canal that ensures security and privacy. Those who live here enjoy residing in a community where they can dock their boats in their backyards and still walk or bike to the ocean, which they can access via a Hammock Dunes private, gated walkover. Those who live on The Island have access to Clearwater mainland via the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. This could be by car, though the causeway also features a bike trail, making it easy to get around on two wheels. Various PSTA bus stops line Mandalay Avenue at Clearwater Beach to the east of Island Estates and are easily accessible via bike. Homes in Island Estates were primarily built in the 1960s and 1970s and include everything from ranch-style homes with stucco walls to soaring condominium towers with resort-style amenities. "Naturally, many of the homes and condos are on the waterfront," says Merry Donovan, a local realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty. "Many residents have boats." Modern estates and Mediterranean-inspired villas sitting on the water can also be found in the area, with prices ranging from $200,000 for a small condo unit to $11.5 million for a sprawling estate with a private dock. Despite its aquatic surroundings, the neighborhood is considered more of a residential area than a vacation spot, so many residents live there full-time. Island Estates students naturally travel to the mainland for their schooling. Children attend Belleair Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of B. The school offers a variety of clubs, along with a STEM program and multicultural program. Next, they attend Clearwater Intermediate School, which has an overall Niche grade of C, serves grades four through nine, and requires an application to attend. Teenagers attend Clearwater High School, which has an overall Niche grade of B and is ranked the 18th-best public high school in Pinellas County. Locals can soak up the Floridian sun and surf at the nearby Caladesi Island State Park, easily accessible by boat or via a quick drive over the causeway. Visitors can kayak through the mangrove forest and snap photos of local birds. The three-mile-long nature trail serves as a scenic hike, and the pavilions provide an ideal picnic spot. Those who didn't pack lunch can grab a bite at Cafe Caladesi. Meanwhile, it's just a quick bike ride or drive on the Memorial Causeway to get east to mainland Clearwater or west to Clearwater Beach. Sunset Sam Park is a great place for little ones to blow off steam, with a covered playground and beautiful sunset views. Those fascinated by marine life have quick access to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which focuses on the rehabilitation, research and conservation of marine animals. The museum opened in 1972 and has a few permanent residents, one of the most famous being a bottlenose dolphin who lost its tail and was fitted for a prosthetic—the inspiration for the film "Dolphin Tale." When hunger strikes, locals flock to Island Way Grill, which puts an Asian spin on steak, sushi and freshly caught seafood. Their kitchen is stocked with grouper, snapper and more, thanks to the daily efforts of local fishermen. Diners also enjoy a front-row seat to the area's spectacular sunsets. Windward Bar & Grill is another option, with pizza, burgers and a popular Sunday brunch. The tavern-style eatery is known for being a local hangout. Meanwhile, locals don't need to trek to the mainland for their weekly groceries—there's a Publix right on the island.

Old Bay District hugs the harbor just across from the beach and a few blocks north of downtown Clearwater. With this convenient location, residents enjoy much outdoor recreation on the water and community-led events in this small coastal suburb. Golfing is another popular draw for homebuyers, according to Tiana Lake, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has lived in the Clearwater and Tampa areas for over two decades. “Like-minded people move here to be near each other and the beaches,” says Lake. “A lot of people move here from colder areas, which is making the area more commercialized.” People can host picnics at Garden Avenue Park, which also has a playground. Clearwater Tides Marina is where water lovers go to boat or jet ski on the water. The Landings is the nearest public golf course, where pro and amateur golfers take advantage of the 18-hole course, a clubhouse and a bar. Children go to Greenwood Recreation Center for different athletic programs like basketball, swimming and more. The community regularly meets at Clearwater Garden Club, a place with programs and local projects that bring neighbors together and maintain nature. Projects include composting, a Mother’s Day Plant Sale, arts and crafts classes and more. It has been an important part of Old Bay since 1950. Francis Wilson Playhouse has been offering musical performances since 1935. The theater is named after an Old Bay District celebrity who enjoyed a lifelong career on Broadway. Homes in the Old Bay District include 1980s condos and ranch-style bungalows ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. On average, homes sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 42 days. There are also plenty of waterfront properties that back right up to the harbor, ranging from $600,000 to more than $1 million. The Pinellas County School District serves young students in the Old Bay District. Kids can attend Kings Highway Elementary Magnet School, which has a B-minus from Niche, before moving on to Dunedin Highland Middle School. This is another B-rated school and has many extracurriculars like a rock band, flag football and a step team. Most kids advance to Clearwater High School, which earns a B from Niche and has been serving the community since 1924. Today, the school offers an optional University of Cambridge AICE Diploma program. AICE stands for Advanced International Certificate of Education. Residents restock on groceries and other essentials at the Walmart on Highland Avenue. Locals can head to Sandshakers for classic American food in a casual, vintage-style Florida pub or visit Big Jim Barbecue for country cuisine. The independently owned Clearwater Brewing Company offers extensive beer flavors. Pro Shop Pub, a small gay bar on Cleveland Street that opened in 1976, offers a laid-back atmosphere with happy hours and pool tables. It's open till 3 a.m. More adventurous nights occur at Clearwater Beach along Mandalay Avenue, at places like Jamminz and Hogan’s Hangout. While the area is fairly walkable and bikeable, the area’s crime score is 8, compared to the national average of 4. Drivers hop on U.S. Route 19 to reach work and nearby Tampa, and Clearwater Memorial Highway to reach Clearwater Beach. Residents can hop onto the Clearwater Jolley Trolley as a fun alternative to walking or driving to the beach. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is 11 miles away.

Sand Key is a barrier island with the Gulf of Mexico to one side and the Intracoastal Waterway to the other. Since the late 1900s, this coastal community has welcomed a mix of Floridians escaping the Tampa Bay area’s urban density. “It’s a really quiet, residential beach community with a mix of retirees and professionals,” says Property Manager Ryan Osburn of Meridian Sand Key, a local condominium complex. While the island has various day-to-day amenities, access to the water is easily Sand Key’s primary draw. “The best part of living here is walking across the street to the beach,” says Meridian Sand Key Concierge and 10-year resident C.C. Veltre. “You’ll often spot manatees and dolphins. And with the Intracoastal on the other side, you can easily go boating or kayaking.” White sand beaches run the length of Sand Key to the west, just over 2 miles. “Many people don’t know about Sand Key Beach. They just go to the main thrust of Clearwater Beach to the north,” Veltre says. Most of this Gulf coastline is directly accessible to condominium residents. However, locals and visitors from the mainland can enjoy the breeze and sunset together at Sand Key Park. This 95-acre outdoor space offers ½ mile of beach, fishing spots, nature trails, a dog park and a wildlife-filled marsh. Beachgoers can even spot sea turtles nesting between April and October. About 1 mile south, the much smaller Bay Park features tennis and pickleball courts and a playground. Condominiums dominate Sand Key’s residential real estate. Most of the neighborhood’s roughly 2,000 residents live in one- to four-bedroom condos in towers along Gulf Boulevard. Many buildings offer beach access, community swimming pools and water views. Meanwhile, two small communities to the southeast feature contemporary townhouses and detached Mediterranean Revivals with private docks on the Intracoastal Waterway. Prices start at around $430,000 for studio condos under 630 square feet. For $1 million to $2 million, homebuyers might buy a five-bedroom Mediterranean-style home with a private pool and a dock. Peak price tags are about $5 million, which could buy a four-bedroom, nearly 4,800-square-foot penthouse. Many locals are within walking distance of the Shoppes on Sand Key, the community’s primary shopping area. Visitors can grab beach gear, a cup of Dunkin’ coffee, or a new outfit. “Poolside is my favorite local boutique,” Veltre says. “They’re very reasonably priced with their clothing, accessories, gifts and so on.” A few doors down is Columbia Restaurant, a vibrant, tile-decorated Spanish restaurant, part of a regional chain dating to 1905. “It’s famous all over Florida, especially for its Cuban sandwiches and chicken and yellow rice,” Osburn says. Sometimes, locals venture north across the Sand Key Bridge to enjoy the Clearwater Beach nightlife. Hotspots include Shepard’s Beach Resort, which frequently hosts live bands and DJs. Residents also venture off the island to shop for day-to-day needs, including at two nearby Publix supermarkets. All public schools serving Sand Key are in Largo, across the Intracoastal Waterway. Students are as much as a 6-mile drive from Mildred Helms Elementary School, which has a B from Niche. About 1 mile east is Largo Middle School, which has a B-minus and hosts about 900 students. Largo High School, home to nearly 2,100 Packers, has an A-minus. It’s over a century old and currently hosts an International Baccalaureate magnet program. Students can also earn industry-standard certifications in programs like AutoCAD and skills like welding. “Traffic is horrible” going on and off the island, Veltre says, so drivers should expect gridlock on the bridges. However, traveling along Sand Key is a breeze thanks to the Suncoast Beach Trolley, which has several stops along Gulf Boulevard. It also takes locals to neighboring barrier island communities like Clearwater Beach and Indian Rocks Beach.

Downtown Clearwater is a coastal neighborhood that serves as a gateway to Clearwater Beach Island. Clearwater Memorial Causeway branches out from west Downtown Clearwater, delivering vacationers to their getaways. As locals watch tourists come and go, Downtown Clearwater remains a lasting home with its homey restaurants and walkable residential streets. The neighborhood boasts scenic views of the marina and plenty of amenities for locals. Court Street runs through the area and turns into the Memorial Causeway Byway that will take residents to Clearwater Beach Island. A bike trail along the Causeway makes it easy to visit the beach without a car. Several PSTA Bus stops within Downtown provide public transportation for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint. Most houses sit on the eastern side of Downtown Clearwater, while the western side is filled with businesses and community buildings. Residents will pass a variety of colorful cottages along the eastern streets. Doors, shutters and front steps serve as pops of color contrasting the stucco or vinyl exteriors. Midcentury ranch-style homes typically feature large, open windows and low-sloping or flat roofs. A small selection of larger houses is available in various architectural styles. Stucco exteriors nod to traditional Mediterranean-inspired designs, common among coastal neighborhoods. Plenty of townhouses and high-to-mid-rise condominiums cater to multi-family living. Home prices range from $75,000 to $3.2 million. Pinellas County School District serves the area. Belleair Elementary School is the closest, just one mile south of Downtown. The school has an overall Niche grade of B. Next, kids attend Clearwater Intermediate School, which has an overall Niche grade of C. Teenagers attend Clearwater High School, which has an overall Niche grade of B and was rated the eighteenth-best public high school in Pinellas County. After school, local youth can journey to Clearwater Main Library along the western edge. This expansive library overlooks the coast and Clearwater Beach Island. Prospect Lake Park, located in the center of Downtown, is one of the best local spots to enjoy the warm Floridian weather. Visitors can record the passing herons and swimming turtles with a sketchpad and a pair of binoculars. Less than a mile west, the community gardens offer residents space to cultivate their produce. Coachman Park is another popular space for outdoor recreation. The park connects Downtown to Clearwater Harbor and spans 19 acres. "They've recently redesigned Coachman Park," says Jonathan Ruiz, a Realtor with La Rosa Realty and content creator for the LIVING IN TAMPA BAY FLORIDA YouTube channel. Visitors can explore trails and check out the Clearwater Harbor Marina and the Causeway Bridge. Children can let their imaginations run wild at the pirate-themed playground area and cool off at the splash pad. "Now there's a huge amphitheater with plenty of seating," says Ruiz. "It's outdoor entertainment at its finest, right on the water." Locals start their days at Tin Can Cafe, a sleepy breakfast diner often overlooked by tourists. This family-owned restaurant serves all the early-morning classics. Hot cups of coffee are served in unique vintage mugs, with an unexpected teddy bear design or “World’s Best Grandpa” mug brightening the day. For lunch or dinner, several Mexican restaurants sit amongst the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Hacienda Corralejo Mexican Kitchen offers all the staples, like fajitas, tacos, street corn and craft cocktails. A few small convenience stores and Nature’s Food Patch Market and Cafe supply groceries to the community. CVS caters to prescription needs in central Downtown. Entrepreneurial storefronts and community operations, like the Clearwater Health Department, provide employment opportunities in east Downtown Clearwater. Established in 1921, the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre calls Downtown home. The historic theater is one of the oldest operating theaters in Florida and started as a vaudeville theater and movie house. Today, locals can see some of the best performing and musical arts acts at the venue. There’s a reason some refer to Clearwater as “Scientology City.” The Church of Scientology has a very strong presence in the city, particularly in Downtown Clearwater. It started in 1975 when the church bought a hotel in the city. In the following decades, they slowly grew their presence, with members buying properties on the surrounding streets. In 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying commercial properties at a higher rate, doubling the church’s footprint in less than three years. In fact, 22 of the first 33 buildings down Cleveland Street are tied to Scientology. There are vacant lots and storefronts that have been bought by Scientologists and sit untouched, the purposes of said purchases not yet known. Clearwater is home to the Scientology headquarters of Florida, Flag, drawing several visitors who are making pilgrimages for their religion. There are hotels and private restaurants that host said visitors. Scientology defectors have reported that there are plans to make Clearwater the first Scientology city in the world. The church’s presence in Downtown is something to keep in mind when considering a move to the community.