What is the best city in Florida near the St. Pete area?

I'm wanting to move to the St. Pete area of Florida, but don't know what city to move to exactly. I absolutely love laid back beachy scenes. I just want friendly neighbors, good neighborhood, and a place that I can call home and relax. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great. I like cities that aren't too small, but aren't too big! Thanks!

Public Comments

1. I'd suggest Clearwater. I've never lived there, but have been there on vacation many times. It's a nice, clean place and the people who live there enjoy it. They are close to many attractions and to the beach. Tampa International Airport isn't far away either. I also know some people who live in Sun City, which is near Tampa. You can check out that area, too.
2. My brother lives in Jacks beach in Jacksonville they have the big city near by and the beach town atmosphere I love to visit there
3. You know that is a difficult question to answer. What you stated you were looking for is in just about everywhere in the St. Pete area. I retired from the USAF 34 years ago, and I drove down prior to retirement to look around the St Pete Area. To be truthful I didn't know I went into another city from the city I just left unless I happen to see entering Kenneth City, or Pinellas Park. They all seem to run together. I rented for a year and when My wife and family were sure we wanted to stay we started looking around. But we knew the area much better and had an idea where we wanted to live. We said St Pete. So we started looking for a house, found what we wanted and the size for the family and guess what we weren't in St Pete after all we were in Pinellas Park. Well let me tell you there are nice areas in Pinellas Park and there are not so nice.. But we found from experience that Pinellas Park is centrally located in the Pinellas County Area. We were only a stone throw from the Bridges that take you to Tampa and very few miles from the Gulf Of Mexico, and on the other side of Tampa Bay. Beaches are as close or as far as you want to be away or near to. Shopping, plenty of Major Stores, and Restaurants Galore, all over the area. 15 Miles either way and I'll bet you there are 200 or more dinning areas available. All kinds of food, Indian(India) Chinese, Korean, Italian, New England style fish and clams, Seafood on the wharfs of John's Pass, French, German, Greek and you name it and it is in the Pinellas County Area. The smallest cities in the county are, Kenneth City, Largo, Seminole, St Pete Beach, Indian Rocks, Tarpon Springs and Gulfport.. The larger cities are Clearwater, and St Pete everything runs together, as I said earlier you really don't know you left one city to another unless you are on a Major highway. US 19, 275, or US 75. When you get here you will see what I am talking about. "Welcome to Florida" the sunshine state.