Hidden Gem Homes and Condos in Tampa Bay

Hidden Gem Homes, Neighborhoods and Condosin Pinellas County

Feather Sounds is a Amazing!

If you’re looking for Shore Acres homes for sale, you will found a wealth of information here both about current homes on the market as well as what you can expect living in this wonderful Saint Petersburg neighborhood.

If you’re curious about what schools are available nearby, where the closest parks and boating options are, and where the world’s first Jai Alai court is located, read on!

Location

Shore Acres is located northeast of downtown St Petersburg, which you can drive to in about 10 minutes by either taking 40th / 38th Avenue out to 4th Street or by taking the more scenic route via Overlook Dr through Snell Isle and past the Vinoy Golf Club.

Other common commutes are:

  • Shore Acres to downtown Saint Petersburg (10 Minutes) 
  • Shore Acres to Carillon (18 Minutes) 
  • Shore Acres to Tyrone Square (22 Minutes)
  • Shore Acres to Clearwater
  • Shore Acres to gulf beaches (30 Minutes) 
  • Shore Acres to downtown Tampa (30 Minutes)
  • Shore Acres to Macdill Air Force Base (25 Minutes)

Feather Sound Statistics

Home prices in Shore Acres have appreciated rapidly the last few years, even when compared to the overall average in Tampa Bay.  This is primarily due to proximity to both Shore Acres Elementary and downtown Saint Petersburg, as well as the quiet and suburban feel of the neighborhood.

Keep in mind that these numbers are a combination of both waterfront as well as non-waterfront properties.

Median Home Price in Shore Acres currently (October 2020) sits at $406,000.  This is a 6.7% increase in the last 12 months!

87% of homes in Shore Acres are owned, while only 13% are rentals.  The income per capita in Shore Acres is $51,869 and the median household income is $109,825.

If you would like additional details and statistics about Shore Acres, please download the neighborhood report provided by RPR below.

Download Feather Sound Neighborhood Report

This market report contains housing stats, charts, population, and household data.  

Download Feather Sound Neighborhood Report

Neighborhood Makeup

Shore Acres is almost entirely a residential neighborhood.

There are a couple of schools, exactly one convenience store, a neighborhood community center, and two churches, and the rest is residential homes.

There are a few condo and townhome communities within Shore Acres, but primarily it is single family homes.  Of those single family homes, the major difference is if they are waterfront or not.

Most Non-waterfront homes are typically from the 1950s to 1970s construction.  Most homes are of block construction and have had updated roofs upgraded to recent hurricane standards.

Waterfront homes vary between older 1950s – 1970s homes to larger newer construction builds typically of either stilt construction of built on fill to greatly reduce flood risk.

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Flood Risk

I currently live in Shore Acres!  So this is first-hand information from a resident and real estate professional.

The one thing most people know about Shore Acres is that it is one of the lowest areas in the Tampa Bay region.

And it’s true!  There are no denying facts.

But I want to explain what that actually means in practice, when storms come through, and what impacts it will have on you, your family, and your finances.

First, the tradeoff to living close to the water, especially in Pinellas County, is that there will be some degree of flood risk.  True, there are parts that are high enough to be included in most flood maps, but by and large, if you want to be near the water or actual waterfront, you will have to evaluate and plan for your flood risk.

If you are concerned with flood risk, you can mitigate it by purchasing either a stilt home or a home built on a sizeable amount of fill.  This additional elevation will raise the living area of the home above the 100-year flood plain, resulting in drastically reduced flood insurance and some additional peace of mind for you.

While relatively rare, street flooding in Shore Acres is something residents make plans for and manage.

The question I inevitably get is… “how bad is it, really?”

The truth is that there are going to be times when you will likely not be able to drive out of Shore Acres, as the roads sometimes fill with water.  A normal thunderstorm is not enough to do it usually.  It needs to be a combination of sustained and heavy rains, tides, storm drain conditions, and usually low-pressure storms resulting in higher overall sea level.

Some years there are no serious events.  Other years there are two or three times when water in the streets would be deep enough you shouldn’t drive a car through it.  When a serious hurricane comes through, the water can rise to put homes at risk and indeed to flood homes.

But remember, flood risk is based on the specific risk to the property.  My home is 4.4 feet above sea level.  In the time I’ve lived there, I’ve never had an issue.  My neighbors across the street though, at about 3.2 feet above sea level, have had water inside their home and garage.  There are other sections of Shore Acres that will be higher than this, and of course, if it’s a stilt or a “home on a mound” then your risk is greatly reduced.

So when judging a potential home in Shore Acres, it is critical to obtain an Elevation Certificate and partner with someone who has direct local knowledge of the area.

History

Shore acres started life as a marshy scrub of pine and palmettos.  1925 is when initial subdividing and platting happened, but it didn’t really kick into high gear until the 1950s.  The first large-scale development was centered around Butterfly Lake which is just northeast of the community center before moving on to Venetian Isles and Ponderosa Shores.

Quirky Local Knowledge

Untouchable Home

The house at 2000 Shore Acres Blvd NE was rumored to have been owned by Al Capone​

Schools

There is only one school in Shore Acres proper, but a few schools within a short drive.

Lutheran Church of the Cross (LCC) Day School is located in the center of the island and is a part of the church that bears the same name located across the street.  It is a private religious school and covered grades K-8.

Other nearby private schools are Canterbury School of Florida, which has campuses on both Snell Isle and the Mainland, and Shorecrest Preparatory School.  Both cover PK – 12 with many local residents as students.

Public schools for Shore Acres are:

Shore Acres Elementary, located about 1.3 miles from Shore Acres.

Meadowlawn Middle School, located 4.0 miles from Shore Acres, and 

Northeast High School, located 4.7 miles from Shore Acres.

For additional information on school grades, please review the Florida Department of Education’s excellent school accountability and grade page.

Things To Do Nearby

Shops

There is not much shopping to be done on Shore Acres, as it is primarily a residential neighborhood.  

However, there is a convenience store on Chancellor St NE called the Islander Market.  They have a good selection of “the essentials” (wine, beer, bread, candy, potato chips) and they also feature some pretty good sandwiches and lunch type meals.

It’s a great spot to stop in on the way to the park, boat, or a round of golf for some quick snacks.

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Many people wonder where to start when it comes to buying a home.  The simple answer is to contact me and I will be happy to go over the home buying process with you and walk you thorough the first steps.

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Parks and Recreation

The main attraction is the Shore Acres Community Center.  Or at least, it was, until they knocked it down to build a new one.

The new community center, slated to be completed in the summer of 2021, will feature a pool, kids playground, indoor meeting spaces, an indoor basketball court, and tons of space for activities.  This is a great spot for after school programs!  In addition, the city also offers adults classes in things such as karate, yoga, dog training, and other programs to help improve your life!

In addition to the community center, there is a small waterfront park called Shore Acres Mini Park.  This par, located near the corner of Chancellor and Bayou Grande Blvd, features a large grass field, waterfront access perfect for a kayaking or standup paddleboard drop-in, fishing, a library “take a book” cabinet, and a playground recently constructed in 2019.  

This mini-park is perfect for a picnic or a place to take the kids to let them run off some steam.

If more serious competition is what you’re after, then you’ll want to head over to Denver Park.  Denver Park features 4 lighted tennis courts, a softball field, lighted basketball courts, volleyball courts, a very large open field, and of course a playground for the kids.  

Denver Park also features a shelter perfect for a family gathering, birthday party, or just a place to congregate after a couple of games of hoop.

Puryear Park, also located nearby, is a huge complex where many sports leagues take place both for kids as well as for adults.  There are also plenty of lighted football and soccer fields,  tennis courts, racquetball courts, and the country’s first public Jai Alai court  (fronton) which opened in 2008.

Boating

Boating is a very popular past time in Saint Petersburg, and Shore Acres is a prime area for recreational boating as well as more “serious” pursuits such as fishing for redfish and mangrove snapper.

If you are looking for dockage and do not have a home on the water, you can join the St Pete Yacht Club and take advantage of the private marina on Snell Isle.  This marina has boat slips, lifts, and supplies such as bait, ice, etc.  Unfortunately, it is not open to the public.  You do have to be a member of the Yacht Club.

There are a few boat ramps conveniently locate close to Shore Acres.  The closest boat ramp is located just east of Shore Acres on the mainland at Crisp Park.  A second boat ramp can be found just off 1st Street at Coffee Pot Park.  Both parks do require you to go under short bridges, so be sure to check your nautical charts for clearance information.

Golf

Mangrove Bay Golf Course is a superb municipal course.

If you are a golfer, then you are in luck!  There are 2 courses located within 2 miles of Shore Acres.  That means you can have a cart at your house, take it to the course, play 18 holes, and then drive back!

Mangrove Bay has been owned and operated by the City of Saint Petersburg since 1976.  It is constructed adjacent to mangroves and bayou and serves as an important part of both the economy and ecology of the area.  The golf course is heavily integrated into Saint Petersburg water reclamation efforts, including having a 2 million gallon reclaimed water irrigation pond.

This course sees a lot of use, with over 75,000 rounds a year!  So tee times are a must.  The track itself is quite a bit of fun, and features blind approaches, creeks crossing the fairways, and other such dilemmas for golfers to choose.

In addition, there is also a 9 hole par 3 course on the property called Cypress Links.  This par 3 course is just the thing if you only have an hour or two to play and want to get some iron work in.  But don’t think it’s easy!  There are some very challenging holes to be found here!

You will also find a very nice practice facility, with a driving range, two putting greens, and a short game practice area at Mangrove Bay.  It’s amazing these facilities are so close to Shore Acres!

In addition, there is also Vinoy Golf Club located on Snell Isle, which is a Private Club.  To be able to enjoy this course, you will either need to book a room at the Vinoy Hotel or join the club as a private member.

Ciccio's Cali

California style tacos, wraps and rice bowls

Red Mesa

Mexican and Cuban cuisine

Casita Taqueria

About the best tacos around

St Pete Bagel Company

Amazing bagels, bread and donuts

Fresh Kitchen

Healthy bowls, noodles, chicken and steak

Cafe Mozart

The most amazing bakery in the area.  The building is unassuming and the quality is superb!

Not Sure If Feather Sound Is The Best Fit?

I have lived, worked,  and sold in most neighborhoods in the entire Tampa Bay region.  My primary purposewhen working with buyers is to help you identify the neighborhoods that will best achieve your home goals.  There's plenty to choose from!

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Nearby Neighborhoods

Venetian Isles is a luxury community adjacent to Shore Acres and features primarily waterfront luxury homes with canal access to Tampa Bay. 

Snell Isle is a premier luxury neighborhood in St Petersburg, and is located on the island between downtown St Petersburg and Shore Acres.  

Tanglewood is a small primarily waterfront community tucked into a quiet corner just north of 62nd Ave.  If you are looking for a quiet place to keep a boat, this is it!

Placido Bayou is a rare gated community located between 45th and 54th Ave.  Features a mix of both single family homes as well as townhomes.  A hidden corner of St Peterburg not many know about!

North East Park is located on the mainland surrounding 40th Ave and the approach to Shore Acres.  Features many recently renovated 2 and 3 bedroom homes, and has quickly become one of the hottest neighborhoods in St Petersburg.

ROSER PARK Rare hillside living in St Pete

Roser Park is a small neighborhood located just south of Downtown St Petersburg.

There are two things to know: 

1) It is one of the few places in the area where you can actually have a home on a hill!

2) It is a very tightly defined area.  It is only from 4th Street to MLK east to west, and only goes as south as 11th Ave S.  You will likely see many homes for sale in the adjacent neighborhood describing themselves as “Roser Park”, but they are not.  Just overeager Realtors writing the description.  And yes, it make s a huge difference.

The neighborhood’s crowning feature is Booker Creek,with homes built up atop a hillside overlooking the creek, the brick street, and a park following the creek along its length.

Unfortunately, homes here for sale are few and far between and also carry a hefty premium for the privilege of living in one of St Petersburg’s most beautiful and eye catching neighborhoods.  

But while only a lucky few can call Roser Park home, we can drive and walk through and enjoy this natural wonder of Pinellas County.

caribay condo Affordable Waterfront and Golf Front Condos

A waterfront lifestyle doesn’t have to set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you don’t have to skimp on space either.

Caribay Condo features 2 or 3 bedroom condos, some units with garages, with either waterfront views of Tampa Bay or overlooking a beautifully maintained golf course.

And to top it off, prices in this community are typically between $120,000 for golf view condos, to $150,000 for the luxury of having Tampa Bay literally steps from your back door.

Driftwood Magical Hidden Corner of St Petersburg

While Roser park is the best known “Hidden Gem” neighborhood in St Petersburg, Driftwood is it’s even smaller, more exclusive and some would argue even cooler sibling just a bit south.

Entering Driftwood feels like a completely different world.  Huge trees blanket the road in shade, with beautiful homes on both the waterside as well as interior lots.  

The road is also a single lane single lane and it winds winds around and between trees literally in the middle of the street.  If you happen to meet another car, or even a pedestrian or bicyclist, someone needs to decide to get off the street.

To give an idea of how crazy it is, there’s not even a google street view of this neighborhood!

Driftwood  sits on the north end of Big Bayou, and the waterfront homes give a commanding view of both the Bayou as well as Tampa Bay.  Many prominent families have called Driftwood home, including the Gandys.

Pink Streets of St Petersburg

Nothing is more surprising than turning off the finely paved black asphalt of Pinellas Point drive onto the literal pink concrete of the Pink Streets in Pinellas Point.

When developed back in the 1920s, pink dye was added to the concrete to bring a splash of color to this area that was quite remote.

The concrete that you see today however is not original.  It was replaced by the city around 1993.

There was some debate between the city and residents about keeping their signature color, but in the end the residents won out.  

And honestly, the city overall is better for it!

Gandy Blvd Condos Magical Hidden Corner of St Petersburg

If you live in the area you’ve likely driven past them countless times.  Heading west across the Gandy Bridge, two condo towers stand proudly.

What many commuters don’t realize though, is the absolutely astounding view these condos have of the bay.

These condominiums look out across a sea of green mangroves, across a massive reach of Tampa Bay, with views of the Howard Franklin bridge and Tampa beyond in the distance.

And even though you are so close to a major highway with the Gandy Bridge with easy access to Tampa, Clearwater, and St Pete, once you enter your home you feel like you’ve step into a different (and very relaxing) world.

Kent Place Hidden Luxury in Clearwater

Waterside South Affordable Waterfront and Bayfront Boating Lifestyle

Pass-A-Grille Small Beach Town Feel with Quaint Downtown

Ready to get started?

If you have questions not answered here, or any concerns about the process of buying or selling your home, feel free to contact me via this contact for or schedule a phone call for a time that works for you.

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