Is perception reality? Depends on who you ask. St. Petersburg, Florida, is an old community (as far as the US goes, and the south) with homes a century old, as well as new ones going up every day (generally on lots where the older house has been demolished or, in some cases, moved. We're a peninsula, so couldn't grow out in every direction. We have so many wonderful neighborhoods and many of them are only a few square blocks. Realtors are really helpful to buyers here, because buyers would miss so many wonderful niche neighborhoods.  

Buyers from other areas are generally open to seeing all the neighborhoods that have homes meeting their criteria, but locals often have misperceptions - "I wouldn't want to go on THAT side of town."  "I wouldn't go beyond SuchandSuch Street."   Why not?  When were you last there?  Or have you EVER been there? 

This new home that I recently sold is in a virtually undiscovered neighborhood, where many renovations have been going on over the past few years, and several new homes have been and continue to be built. In flat St. Petersburg, this neighborhood, Roser Park, is on a bluff, and looking up, it reminds you of San Francisco. Next weekend the Roser Park Art Show will be held on the winding brick street that follows Roser Park creek.  There is a great neighborhood association and it's only a five minute drive to the center of downtown. You can walk to the waterfront, you can walk to the hospital complexes of Bayfront Medical Center and All Children's Hospital. You can walk to the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg and to the marine sciences hub.  

I compare this to the perception the population had before Columbus - they didn't think there was anything on the other side of the world.  Open your eyes, spread your wings. Talk to the neighbors, walk around the area. Ask questions. There are lots of wonderful places to live in St. Pete. 

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent serving St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.