What is the least popular beach to live by?

Are you searching for Clearwater apartments near the water? Surrounded in a profusion of award-worthy beaches, crystal clear waters, and soft white sand, Clearwater, Florida provides a near perfect environment for coastal living.

Pinellas County, just west of Tampa, sits on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, allowing each county in the Tampa area to enjoy a taste of the oceanic culture. Although there are many beaches surrounding each district within the bay, Clearwater beach remains to be the city's domineering hot spot come summer time.

In order to distinguish which beaches are least populated, it may be helpful to start by eliminating the more popular beach spots near Clearwater apartments.  Most obvious are the tourist spots near pier 60. Many properties in this area are predominantly rented out to vacationers each season. These buildings do tend to be pricier and on the older side. However, most units are updated and modernized inside. Parking can be chaotic and a huge deterrence for those looking to live in the area. Although this does happen to be the most crowded beach in the area, it definitely has its perks. This area is filled with waterside entertainment. Giant inflatable pool slides fill the beaches, cabana areas, water sport rentals, public bathrooms, restaurants and bars all align the coast.  Come spring-time, this place is more than packed.

On the other side of Pier 60 is Sand Key beach. This spot is much more catered to locals and very laid back. Although it is just a ten minute drive from the Pier, it seems much more remote. The entertainment, however, lacks in SandKey and the housing is even more expensive. Living in the area will give you easy access to Pier 60 and its nightlife, but again, you will have to bear the tourist traveling in and out of the town.

If you want to travel a little further from the city, Ft. Desoto is a very obsolete beach-park. Camping is offered overnight and you get a fine mix between a beach and lake. There are picnic areas around but it is much less of a coastal beach area than Pier 60. You can bet on this park region being populated mostly by locals. Clearwater apartments near the beach are more affordable and come in a variety of housing. Some of the communities are brand new while others are older and more minimal. Homes here are near St. Pete College, USF and Stetson University College of Law.  If you are a boater, this beach also has free boat ramps into the Gulf. Although this park is a near thirty minutes from the pier, you can easily take your boat to favorite island retreats such as Anclote and Egmont Key. These keys are some tailgating favorites and near anchor friendly beach bars such as the Sloppy Pelican.

On the other end of the spectrum is Ben T Davis beach, which, really is not much of a beach at all and more of a coastal drop off. This is one of the first beaches you will hit when driving from Tampa to Clearwater. Ben T Davis doesn't offer much of laying out type of atmosphere, but it does offer water sports and beach bars.

There are plenty of Clearwater apartments near beaches. While living near Ben T Davis beach may be the most affordable, Ft Desoto and the Pier do offer plenty of benefits to beach living. 

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentTampaBay.com or any of our advertising partners.