Your EZ Search Moving Guide to Clearwater, FL

Known for its pristine beaches and sunny climate, Clearwater is more than just a spring break destination—it’s an oceanfront city full of opportunities for those seeking a new place to call home. Think about what it is you want in a place to live. Family-friendly? Check. A walkable downtown? Check. Access to the waterfront? Check! Near a thriving city? Double check!

Living in Clearwater definitely has its perks, whether you’re a young professional, family, or retiree. This guide will provide some needed information to make an informed decision about moving to Clearwater. We share what you should know about the cost of living, explore the local real estate market, healthcare facilities, job market, and more.

Where is Clearwater, FL?

Clearwater is a city in Pinellas County on Florida’s western coast. The borders stretch from the Gulf of Mexico to Tampa Bay, placing residents about 27 miles from downtown Tampa and 23 miles from St. Petersburg. 

Clearwater includes a 3-mile barrier island with tranquil beaches featuring powdery white sand and brilliant blue waters — perfect for a relaxing day by the sea. But it also covers a highly developed inland urban landscape with grid-like streets and affordable homes. And it’s also bayfront, with a canal network and waterfront parks.

What makes Clearwater, FL, unique?

Suppose you’re looking for an affordable place to live in Florida without sacrificing the latest amenities like craft breweries, indoor parks, and a clever arts scene. In that case, Clearwater may be just the right home for you.

It’s favored by college kids because it’s the most accessible beach for universities in Tampa and Pinellas County. And for the out-of-towners, the hotels and short-term rentals tend to be more affordable than the colorful high rises of Miami and Daytona.

Because of all the visitors that have driven to Clearwater for its beach for decades, the city’s tourism industry has a deep roster of things to do surrounding the waterfront. We’re talking pirate boats, parasailing, jet boats, dolphin adventures, and kayaking. The commercial strips include beachwear shops, bars, and fast-casual seafood restaurants. Pier 60 is an iconic destination for those social media-perfect sunset photos.

But Clearwater isn’t all beach. Move away from the barrier inland to inland Clearwater, and you have a packed collection of family-friendly neighborhoods and affordable active adult living communities. Residents have a full array of local and national name brands for dining, shopping, and entertainment housed in shopping centers and malls. Kids play soccer and baseball at local parks and run off their energy at the local playgrounds. It’s suburban but not necessarily master-planned. 

Clearwater cost of living

Florida’s oceanfront isn’t exactly worth pennies, and on top of that, Clearwater is part of an extensive metro area. But there’s good news here. Clearwater’s overall cost of living is on par with the national average and slightly better than what you’d find statewide.

What are you looking at? Sperling’s Best Places Index scored it 99.1. While groceries, healthcare, and utilities ran above average, housing and transportation were below average. And since those are big expenditures in most budgets, that’s promising news for you.

Of course, how much you’ll actually spend will vary based on your particular lifestyle. And if you’re looking for a waterfront home, your housing costs will likely be higher. 

Clearwater’s real estate Market

When contemplating a move to Clearwater, one of the key considerations is where you’ll live and what’s available at your price point. Since Clearwater spans from Gulf to Bay, its diverse real estate market caters to different needs and budgets. 

To give you a sense of where real estate stands, Clearwater’s market had 1,327 listings in July 2023. The median price of $400,000 was actually the same year-over-year. Housing prices ranged from $15,000 to $40 million.

Single-family homes are the most common types in Clearwater, are their style ranges from quaint bungalows to spacious waterfront properties. You’ll find sections of small homes built at 1,000-1,300 sq ft to cater to northerners vacationing here in the 1950s-1960s to opulent Mediterranean-styled estates at 5,000 sq ft and more. There are even well-kept mobile home parks for low-cost living.

Condominiums and townhomes offer a middle ground. They are an attractive alternative for those preferring a lower-maintenance lifestyle. You’ll find developments with stunning Gulf, bay, or Clearwater golf course views. In July 2023, 715 listings were condo or townhome properties, and the prices ranged from $78,500 to $6.875 million.

Popular Neighborhoods 

Most residences are within easy reach of amenities such as shopping centers, parks, and the beach. But each community layers on its own perks. Some popular places to look are:

Clearwater Beach is a world-famous and oft top-ranked beach in the nation for its shimmering white sands and sunsets. You’ll share island living with resorts and tourists.

Sand Key is a quieter barrier island just south of busy Clearwater Beach. Access it from a bridge over Clearwater Pass.

Island Estates is an island-based neighborhood in Clearwater Harbor close to the beach’s top attractions like the Aquarium and its restaurants.

Del Oro Groves is an affluent neighborhood with stunning Tampa Bay views and easy access to performing arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Northwood Estates has a family-friendly reputation because it’s zoned for Clearwater’s top public schools. The more modest homes are close to your essential shops.

This is a small sampling of what the city has for places to live. Learn even more about Clearwater’s top neighborhoods in our guide.

Clearwater education

The Pinellas County School District oversees education in Clearwater, known for its good schools. Several neighborhoods are highly sought after because they are zoned for top-rated schools like Countryside High School and Plato Academy charter school.

Clearwater also has highly regarded private schools, like the Berkeley Preparatory School, the no. 6 private school in Florida on Niche.com.

As far as higher education, Clearwater has a branch of the University of South Florida and St. Petersburg College, both of which run programs awarding associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. St. Petersburg College is quite large for a former two-year college, with over 29,000 students and 18 courses of study primarily in associate’s degrees.

The city has four additional colleges within an hour’s drive, including the USF main campus in Tampa and the private Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

Health care in Clearwater 

Morton Plant Hospital, one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals® according to IBM Watson Health™, serves Clearwater residents. It is one of the largest hospitals in Pinellas County and the only one to offer open-heart surgery. It also has a Level II trauma center, a stroke center, a heart center, and even an orthopedic trauma specialist. 

Morton Plant is part of the BayCare Health System network, which includes 15 hospitals throughout Tampa Bay, including Mease Countryside in northern Clearwater. You’ll also find over 80 urgent care centers in Clearwater and its surrounding cities. Locals have an abundance of medical specialists and health care centers covering all your health care needs. 

Clearwater job market

Clearwater’s job market is often lumped into the Tampa-St. Pete metroplex. The good news is this part of Florida has a growing economy. The metro’s unemployment rate was under 2.7% for the six months from December 2022 to May 2023!

Pinellas County has the state’s third-largest manufacturing base and six main industry clusters: financial services, health care, technology, aerospace and aviation, and hospitality. Employment options vary widely, from Raymond James Financial to Raytheon Technologies to Publix.

Clearwater, in particular, has a strong hospitality industry, but you’ll also find robust employment opportunities in health care, financial services, and retail. 

Clearwater Bucket List

You’re not going to be unpacking forever. Once you’re settled in, you’ll want to get out and explore your new hometown. 

From its beaches to its museums, Clearwater has plenty of activities and attractions to keep you busy. 

Here are a few of the top must-dos in Clearwater:

• Clearwater Beach. You can’t move here without taking a day to soak in the sunshine and people-watching at Clearwater Beach. Catch a breathtaking sunset from Pier 60 Park overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This marine science center is dedicated to animals like dolphins, sea turtles, otters, and sharks. It was the home of the dolphin Winter, featured in the movie “Winter’s Tale.” A visit can easily be wrapped into your day at the beach.
• Sand Key Park. Pack a picnic and spend the day on one of Florida’s best beaches fishing. It’s less crowded than Clearwater Beach and perfect for leisurely walking on the white sand.
• Ruth Eckerd Hall is the destination for off-Broadway touring shows, concerts, and more.
• The Florida Botanical Gardens. The gardens in Largo offer a serene oasis with lush tropical plants and winding trails. 
• Countryside Mall is unique in Florida as it has an ice-skating rink. Yes, you can go ice skating in Florida! And, of course, the massive retail complex also has name-brand fashion, chain restaurants, and more entertainment.

Getting around Clearwater

So here is a big downside to Clearwater living: it’s a major commuter city. With thousands coming and going from the beach and crossing the bridges into the City of Tampa, it doesn’t take much for roads to back up for miles. 

The problem is that Courtney Campbell Causeway (highway 60) links the city east-west from the beach to Tampa. That makes it a main artery for vehicle travel. Meanwhile, US 19 is the main north-south route. Clearwater doesn’t have an interstate to encourage fast travel.

Public transportation comprises the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which runs buses, trolleys, and a ferry from Clearwater to St Petersburg. And, of course, you can always take an Uber, Lyft, or cab.

Lastly, you can always take the scenic route and explore Clearwater from the water on a charter boat! 

Setting up your home

The City of Clearwater is in charge of supplying water and gas to residents. Homeowners must contact the city to activate either service. 

As for your electricity, your home will either be serviced by Duke Energy or TECO (Tampa Electric Company) based on your zip code. 

Bottom line on moving to Clearwater

Clearwater’s advantage is the convenience of city living with ample waterfront options and a lower cost of living. Residents can choose to be anywhere from the bustling beach to the quiet bay nights to set up their perfect lifestyle. This slice of Florida paradise has something for everyone. Learn more about living in Clearwater from a local real estate agent.