Moving to St. Petersburg, FL: Newcomer's Guide

Thinking about moving to St. Pete? Here's what new residents actually need to know: city utilities, flood risk by neighborhood, getting around, schools and where to live, from Realtor Kimberley Jade of The Jade Group.

Set up your St. Pete utilities

• Water, sewer, reclaimed water, trash and recycling are run by the City of St. Petersburg. Set up a new utilities account with the city before move-in. Trash and bi-weekly recycling are billed on your monthly water statement.
• Electric is Duke Energy in St. Petersburg. Natural gas, where available, is TECO Peoples Gas.
• Composting: the city offers a free Residential Composting Program if you want to compost at home.

Know your flood risk before you buy

• Use the city's "Prepare, St. Pete" map. Enter any address to see its flood zone, floodplain and evacuation details.
• Waterfront and low-lying neighborhoods such as Shore Acres, Snell Isle and parts of Northeast St. Pete saw storm-surge flooding in 2024. Ask for the elevation certificate, past flood claims and any FEMA elevation work.
• Get flood, wind and homeowners insurance quotes during your inspection period, not after closing. A new NFIP flood policy usually has a 30-day waiting period.
• See our Hurricane Prep Checklist before June 1 each year.

Neighborhoods at a glance

Getting around

• SunRunner rapid bus connects downtown St. Pete with St. Pete Beach.
• To Tampa: I-275 over the Howard Frankland Bridge or the Gandy Bridge. Rush-hour drives can be long, so test your commute before you buy.
• Airports: Tampa International (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) are both within easy reach.

Paperwork for new Pinellas residents

• Get your Florida driver's license within 30 days and Florida car insurance within 10 days. The Pinellas County Tax Collector handles licenses, titles and registration.
• File for homestead exemption by March 1 with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser, which has a South County office in St. Petersburg.
• Register to vote with the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.
• For the full Florida checklist, see Moving to Tampa Bay: Newcomer's Checklist.

Schools

• St. Petersburg is served by Pinellas County Schools, which offers neighborhood schools plus magnet, fundamental and career academy programs.
• Choice programs have their own application window, so check dates early if you're moving with kids.

Life in St. Pete

• The St. Pete Pier, the Dalí Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and Sunken Gardens.
• The Saturday Morning Market downtown, a busy local restaurant and brewery scene, and miles of waterfront parks.
• Gulf beaches about 20 minutes away.

St. Petersburg FAQ

Who provides water and trash service in St. Petersburg?

The City of St. Petersburg provides water, sewer, reclaimed water, trash and recycling. Trash and recycling are billed on your monthly water statement.

How do I check if a St. Pete home is in a flood zone?

Use the city's "Prepare, St. Pete" map to see the flood zone, floodplain and evacuation details for any address, and ask for the home's elevation certificate.

What's the median home price in St. Petersburg?

About $425,000 as of September 2026, according to Redfin. Prices vary a lot by neighborhood, from downtown condos to waterfront estates. See our St. Petersburg Real Estate Guide for more.

Information from the City of St. Petersburg, FLHSMV, the Pinellas County Property Appraiser and Redfin as of October 2026. Always confirm details with the agency before you file.