St. Petersburg, Florida

Faith

Has anybody been there? Myself and my friends have suddenly been offered free accommodation in Indian Shores for the summer, and the place is tiny. The nearest bigish city is St. Petersburg, and I'm wondering if it's any good. Is there a lot of shops, restaurants, bars there? Is there a lot of students there? Would it be popular in summer? How's the public transport?

Cheers for any info!

Absolut

I was there a few years ago, on a family holiday. It's a nice place, with plenty of hotels, but maybe not the best place to go for a J1 (I'm assuming that's what you're talking about?). Great weather and beaches. Also, there's pretty much zero public transport in Florida, so a car is definetly needed.

PCros

Yeah the west coast of Florida isnt the best but you cant argue with free accomodation! You should drive up to Tampa and hang out there for a few nights.

Honestly if your looking for a party atmosphere in the summer the best place is Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and the more exspensive Miami. All on the east coast. It would be a 3-4 hour drive down of which some of the drive is through the everglades!

Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale really gets going on the weekends.

Was over there in December and the nightlife was class.

Crumbs

Indian Shores has a gorgeous beach but it's a very quiet area. St Petes has some bars and restaurants but you might be better to check out Clearwater, which is a similar distance to the north. It'll be a more popular area and a bit more livelier.

There is a bus service that runs along the west coast but having a car would be a recommended option.

daveg

I've been to St Pete's beach twice whilst staying in Orlando. Really nice beach area. Make sure, if you go, you eat in the Bahama Breeze just outside Tampa. Also St Petes would be near to Busche Gardens. Amazing theme park. One of the best in the States.

Naked Lepper

i stayed in indian shores before

stayed in the beach cottages condos (beside sand dollar)

its nicely in between st petes and clearwater beach

theres a town nearby called largo too which doesnt have much but you could find yourself going there for cheap food in local diners etc

nice and close to tampa bay too for flights

the gulf is nice to swim in but can have strong currents at times to be careful, alot of the beaches dont have life guards either

loved it though and will go back someday!

where bouts are yous stayin? id say head up to clearwater moreso than st petes, more goin on up there it would seem!

Faith

Absolut wrote:

I was there a few years ago, on a family holiday. It's a nice place, with plenty of hotels, but maybe not the best place to go for a J1 (I'm assuming that's what you're talking about?).

Indeed, it's a J1. We intended on going to California (and I still want to go there), but as PCros said, you can't argue with free accommodation!

All in all, you're all pretty much confirming what I thought - it's nice, but quiet. None of us are 21+, so the chances of being able to rent a car are slim to none. Suppose I'll discuss it some more with my travelling buddies, maybe show them this thread!

Stephen

You could buy a banger over there?

Faith

Yeah, I was thinking that, but I'm afraid insurance would be crazy expensive!

Neamhshuntasach

i would pay the extra to go to san francisco or san diego. st. pete's isn't that great. i lived there for 2 years. california is by far 10 times better. i shared a house with 7 people in san diego for 3 months and it cost me $800. house had a pool and all. miami is the only place i'd spend a summer at in florida.

Lex_Diamonds

Yeah, jesus, go to California. FL is a ****ehole compared to Cali.

Faith

I tried my hardest to make my travelling companions seen sense and forget about Florida, but to no avail. They had their minds made up, swayed by the offer of free accommodation. Eventually, I had to give in or go to CA by myself.

At least we're only going to Florida for two months, then travelling in California for the last one.

PCros

Lex_Diamonds wrote:

Yeah, jesus, go to California. FL is a ****ehole compared to Cali.

You obviously didnt stay in any of the cities. Florida is a great state. Cali is full of no brainers!

Naked Lepper

that part of florida youre going to is beautiful
id give my right arm to go back
i will one day

dont know how you could be dissapointed with it at all!

i used to live in NJ and NYC and trust me, florida is a much nicer place... even if it is a little quieter than alot of cali, youll get a summer in one of the nicest parts of the world.. no more complainin!