The Tampa Bay area–specifically St. Petersburg–receives prominent online mention in Money magazine’s ranking of the “Best (College Town) Places to Retire.” St. Pete comes in 7th out of 25–behind Durham, N.C., Hanover, N.H., Lexington, Ky., Bellingham, Wash., Prescott, Ariz. and Boise, Id. No other Florida city was included.
The October issue notes that 36 per cent of St. Pete’s population of 245,000 is over 50; the median home price is $150,000; and Eckerd College, which features the Academy of Senior Professionals and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, is a great place to take classes. Ironically that information was accompanied by a large color photo of USF St. Petersburg.
“Visit St. Pete,” assures Money, “and you’ll quickly realize that retirement in Florida isn’t just about sunny beaches, luxury shopping, fine dining and signature golf courses.” It then cites the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Mahaffey Theater and the Sunscreen Film Festival.