Is St. Pete or Tampa a better city to live in?
If you're deciding between an apartment in St. Pete and Tampa, you've got your work cut out for you. It all depends on your individual lifestyle. Both fare cities have their pros and cons. Here on Rent Tampa Bay we can help you weigh out your options. Let's talk about arts, eats, and nightlife in both respective cities.
St. Pete always had the lead in the art department, but recently made a mad dash to the finish line with the additions of the Chihuly Collection and new Salvador Dalí Museum. The staples in their art community include the Museum of Fine Arts and Morean Arts Center. These creative powerhouses made St. Pete's a force to be recon with. While Tampa has the Tampa Museum of Art, it doesn't quite hold a candle to the art scene in St. Pete.
Downtown Tampa has been jealous of St. Pete's downtown for years. Its parks, museums, shops and restaurants are buzzing morning, noon and night. Tampa's downtown is really only populated from 9-5 Monday through Friday and special events. St. Pete's relaxed, artsy vibe appeals to locals and tourists alike.
If you're a history enthusiast then you might find Tampa's rich history enticing, especially in Ybor City. Founded by cigarmaker Vicente Martinez Ybor, the area became home to thousands of immigrants from Spain, Cuba and Italy and, at one point, rolled out millions of cigars every year. If you walk down the streets of Ybor, you can peer through the windows and watch people rolling cigars. The smell is lovely and fragrant and will infiltrate your nostrils. Tours of the city are given daily, which gives every resident a chance to be a pseudo expert!
If you are a night owl then you'll want to factor the nightlife into your apartment hunting equation. The party crowd has preferred Tampa largely because the bars stayed open until 3 a.m., an hour later than clubs in St. Pete. The large concentration of bars on South Howard Avenue and Ybor City guarantee a high-energy good time most days of the week, but it is safe to say that St. Pete bars have a more interesting atmosphere and motif. In regards to nightlife, it depends on if you are attracted to the large crowds or interesting scenery.
Deciding between an apartment in St. Pete and Tampa is a tough choice. Whichever city you decide to call home, on Rent Tampa Bay can help you find your perfect apartment in your respective city. Our site's easy to use search tools populate apartments for you based on your preferences and criteria for neighborhoods, amenities, and so much more.