Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Greetings all! Was wondering if anyone could tell me benefits and drawbacks regarding moving to FL. My husband and I are considering a move to southwest, FL. St. Petersburg caught our eye. Any info. on this place or any other great cities to consider would be great. We are looking for a place we can actually take walks with our daughter and dog and not risk life and limb. Any places have a lot of vegan options? All input would be appreciated!!

I lived in Tampa for two years. St. Petersburg is the place to be if you're moving to Tampa Bay. Much more artsy fartsy and interesting, but overall, Florida's pretty much just a giant dumpster for people.

I live in St Pete ( and I've been to TN on more than a few occasions, madame...)

In most parts of St Petersburg, crime is relatively low. There are bike trails everywhere. There is also the Pinellas Trail. St. Pete is a mid-sized city (about 250,000 people). It's been recognized as a great city for the arts. Personally, I wouldn't really consider living anywhere else in FL. Kelly lives in the Panhandle, by the way.

The biggest reason people move here is for: the weather, the beaches, or family. Wages are lower here than in the Midwest or New England but the cost of living seems to be about the same. Because tourism is our biggest industry, our economy will recover a little bit behind the rest of the US. We need them to get spendy and go on vacation. It's hot for about 8-9 months of the year. Hot meaning that you will run your AC. If you don't have a working AC in your car, you will need to get one. I would visit in late August or early September and see if you can take the heat.

Remember that in Tampa Bay, you are hours from the state line so driving anywhere outside of FL is a trek. It will take me 11 hours to get to Asheville this summer.

There is a thread about Tampa Bay that lists the vegan food joints. There are places in the general area to get: vegan pizza, Indian food, Ethiopian, raw, and so forth. There is a Trader Joe's in Bradenton (about an hour south of St Pete) and a Whole Foods in Tampa. But there are at least 2 good local health food stores in St Pete and more than a few Asian markets. I've recently discovered a vegetarian Asian place that's not that expensive. It's in Pinellas Park, just outside St Pete. Orlando is about 1.5 hours away and they have some great vegan options.

It's very different living here versus other places. You are in the subtropics and things like gardening require an entirely different approach. Strawberry season, for example, is Jan to Feb.

Also, how do you feel about hurricanes? Realistically, you are not going to leave the state if a storm is coming.

I'm in northwest Florida- beaches are gorgeous but that's really the only awesome thing about this area. Do not recommend!

There is such good good raw food in St. Pete! I only go there when one of my relatives is dying or has died, but despite that I always get excited about raw food.

So, Louzilla can tell me when she visits but not you? Harumph!

I have at least one more old relative there, so I could be back! Actually I might try and visit her while she is still healthy and then it might be less awkward to meet with internet friends. The raw food is REALLY GOOD, guys, and my mom was in this weird grieving mode where she just wanted me feed me vegan food constantly. The food they serve at the hospice I spent most of my time at last time I was there, not so much.

There's a place on St Pete Beach I like. They are not as woo-filled preachy as some raw joints. But we need to go to Taco Bus.

I forgot to tell you that the city of St Pete now gives benefits to same sex partners of it's employees which I think is pretty nifty.

I am afraid that I must also tell you that Tampa/St. Pete has over the past 2 years had a a horrible problem with people walking or biking and being hit by cars. If you live near the Pinellas Trail, which is more on the Gulf side than on the Bay side, you are probably safe, or near a park; but anywere else, you may be taking your life into your hands. I feel like I hear about a hit and run at least once a week, sometimes.

Walkwise Tampabay is a program started by the University of South Florida to educate bikers, pedestrians, and drivers on pedestrian safety. FL leads the US in pedestrian and cyclist deaths (both bicycle and motorcycle deaths).

Part of the problem is that there are parts of the county which are still very car-centric. St Pete does include funds for bike paths in their road budget. If you want to walk, you need to live in an area with sidewalks. Last year in Largo, FL there were five pedestrians killed in seven months. All of them crossed busy roads mid-block instead of going to a crosswalk. There have been efforts by local law enforcement to ticket people for jaywalking and drivers for failure to yield.

Florida's big growth occurred after WWII which contributed to the car-centric vibe to the place. But it's changing, slowly.

I often say that I love St. Pete, but hate Florida. The endless heat gets old fast and I miss autumn. I don't mind the tropical storms so much since it is a nice change in weather occasionally. I also live in a part of St. Pete that does not flood, Shore acres and other neighborhoods close to the bay are notorious for flooding. I feel like St. Pete has a bit of everything for everyone and I love that our downtown are is always eventful. Biking is generally hazardous and I don't personally reccomend it, but a few people at my office bike to work and scooters are pretty popular here too.

I have lived in St. Pete for over 10 years. If you love the heat this is the place to be. There is no spring or fall just endless summer with a small winter mixed in. Although it doesn't get too cold compared to living up North, it does feel cold to us Floridians.

The whole Tampa Bay area has some decent vegan food. Meze 119 and Vida de Cafe in St. Pete and Trang Viet in Tampa to name a few of my favorites. Plus you can find vegan options in most ethnic restaurants. I am not sure where you are moving from, but we can't compare to Portland, Austin, and NYC.

The Pinellas Trail is a great place to walk. Also there are many parks in St. Pete. Crescent Lake is one of my favorites.

Now that I have kids, I am thinking about moving to city that has more vegan options. I want them to be able to eat at vegan pizza joints and vegan ice cream parlors (once in awhile as a treat). I also want them to experience the change of seasons and snow I remember as a child. But this is my opinion.

If you move to St. Pete you might be interested in the vegan food swap I started. It is called St. Pete Vegan Food Swap. We gather every three months to swap. Every swap has a different theme.

Let us know what you decide to do. We could get together for a playdate.

I lived in St Augustine and went to school in Gainesville. They both have some pretty good vegan options, but St Aug is way too touristy.
Gainesville is a pretty nice town for Florida, although you are an hour or two from the beach. But there's a vegan ice cream shop, cupcake shop, and vegan pizza at Leo's and Satchel's! And Gville is pretty bike friendly. I miss it and its flat roads!