The target of a years-long redevelopment project, Lealman is a part commercial, part residential area of Pinellas County that sprawls across the land between Pinellas Park and the northern parts of St. Petersburg. Even though the area is distinct from another similarly named region of St. Petersburg that sits just a few miles west of it, "We locals just call it Lealman," says Realtor and manager of Benoot Realty Matthieu Benoot. Although the area is still in the early stages of planning and implementing improvements to its housing, parks, infrastructure and commercial activity, Lealman is already showing signs of a transition. Newer breweries and chain restaurants, plus park improvements, have already begun to evolve the culture and verve of this mostly working-class community.
Lurie Park pond is a favorite spot for local anglers in Lealman.
Lealman Neighborhood Park offers playgrounds, fitness zones and courts.
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A variety of styles, prices and conditions
As the area continues to transition, housing options and prices have widened. A few new builds have entered the market, often sporting a modern Mediterranean-style. These sell for between $700,000 and $800,000, forming the high end of an otherwise lower buy-in market. While some new traditional townhomes priced between $300,000 and $475,000 were built around the early 2000s, most homes in Lealman were built between 1950 and 1980. These include ranchers, bungalows, and metal roofed Cracker cottages selling for a wide range of prices depending on their condition. Many of the older homes need repairs, and these tend to sell for between $70,000 and $250,000. Meanwhile, move-in ready homes from the 20th century start at $250,000 and max out around $625,000. Lealman is also home to several manufactured and condominium communities for retirement-age buyers. The manufactured options tend to cost between $12,000 and $90,000 while condo units are priced between $75,000 and $150,000.
Townhome communities in Lealman include early 2000s new traditional builds.
Ranch-style homes built midcentury are common across Lealman.
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Connections to downtown St. Petersburg
34th Street (also U.S. Highway 19) serves as the main commercial artery for Lealman. But because of its concentration of businesses and intersections with CSX railroad tracks, traffic can move slowly. Interstate 275 also abuts most of East Lealman, offering a faster connection to downtown. Those who do not own a car typically rely on the many bus routes that pass through East Lealman for connections across the city.
Dim sum, Latin markets and longstanding bars
Many of the newer restaurants, including breweries and national chains, stand in stark contrast to older Asian and Latin establishments that still serve the community. Longstanding businesses can be found all throughout the community, including Bar Mastiff, a popular local watering hole that has been open for more than 50 years even after changing names a few times. The densest concentration of locally owned businesses can be found around the intersection of 62nd Avenue and 34th Street. Locals head to this centrally located commercial area to procure specialty pantry items from international markets like United Oriental Food or Abuela Meat Market. On weekends, getting a table for dim sum at Ha Long Bay can be competitive, but several other options are close by, including Vietnamese sandwiches from Thuy Cafe. For full pantry restocks, Benoot says residents "are ten minutes from groceries," in Pinellas Park, or a Save A Lot on 62nd Avenue.
Ha Long Bay serves dim sum and Vietnamese fare near 62nd Avenue.
Bar Mastiff has been a local watering hole in Lealman for over 50 years.
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New sports complex coming to Youth Park
Park improvements are included in the community redevelopment plan for Lealman. This includes a $23.5 million youth sports complex that will take over what is today the site of Youth Park by the summer of 2025. Previously, the area's young athletes flocked there for a whole host of team sports, including rec leagues for soccer, baseball and roller hockey. Other parks hope to receive upgrades in the next 5 to 10 years as well, such as connections with the 48-mile-long Pinellas Trail. Although parks are spread out between developed areas, Lealman does contain some places for outdoor experiences. Raymond H. Neri Community Park is where locals like to go for brief woodland walks around the bird sanctuary's central lake. For longer walks, Sawgrass Lake Park's 400 acres of preserved marshland are spanned by trails and boardwalks well-suited for photogenic escapes into nature.
Town Apartments North in Lealman offers shuffleboard for residents.
Lealman trails provide space for biking and dog walking year-round.
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Lao food festivals and live music at breweries
Community connections run deep in Lealman and take many forms. Some are culturally based, such as the various organizations for ethnic groups that organize weekend food festivals in Lealman, like the Lao Art and Cultural Foundation. Other connections are made through recreational activities, such as adult pick-up soccer games at BT Sports Academy. Local businesses also help bring people together over leisurely activities, such as trivia nights and live music at Pee-Pa's Garage Craft Brewery. But the true heart of the community is the Lealman Exchange Community Center, which always has events going on, including drop-in pickleball games and Friday Family Nights.
St. Pete Bike Fest brings live rock music to the Lealman area.
Sawgrass Lake Park includes picnic areas for family gatherings.
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Florida's oldest IB program at St. Petersburg High
Students in Lealman typically begin school at one of five elementary schools in their area. Most begin at Lealman Elementary, rated C-plus by Niche. For grades 6-8, students are split between Meadowlawn Middle School and Tyrone Middle School, which both earn C-plus Niche scores. Once they reach high school, students are split between three schools, including Northeast High and Dixie Hollins High, which both have B-plus Niche scores. Some students are zoned for St. Petersburg High School, an A-rated institution that is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers Florida's oldest International Baccalaureate program.
St. Petersburg High offers Florida's oldest IB program near Lealman.
Hollins High School serves students in Kenneth City and nearby St. Petersburg.
Meadowlawn Middle School serves grades 6-8 for Lealman students.
Tyrone Middle School offers programs tailored to individual learning needs.
Lealman Avenue Elementary serves PK through fifth grade in St. Petersburg.
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Things to consider
Lealman's CAP Index score is one point above the national average due to marginally higher rates of violent and non-violent crime.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Leila Sally
Video By
TJ Wengert
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an experienced agent in this area.
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