Living a Boating Lifestyle in Gulfport, Florida

Gulfport is a small town of about 12,000 that also happens to be a great town for boaters. It is located on a peninsula on Tampa Bay, just southwest of St. Petersburg. There is a very large marina where you can keep or launch your boat - and there are additional moorings in calm water in the harbor.  From charming little Gulfport (home of the Gulfport Casino Ballroom) you can easily cruise Tampa Bay, the nearby barrier islands like Treasure Island, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

Where to Retire in Gulfport and Home Prices

There are some cute little neighborhoods down by the water, plus condominiums and a few developments more toward Pasadena. Zillow reports the median home value here to be $402,121 in early 2023.

What Is Special about Gulfport

It's a very low key town with quite a bit of laid back, slightly down-at-the-heels charm.  The Casino is one of the best places in the country for dancing - many of its events are immediately sold out.  Its proximity to St. Petersburg and being an inexpensive community on the water are big pluses.  "Art Walk" is held a few nights every month which attracts locals and tourists. Street performers, artists and craftspeople create a relaxed cultured atmosphere near the beach.

What Is Not Special about Gulfport

Here is what a friend of ours, a frequent visitor to Gulfport, said about it: "I wouldn't retire there if it was last place on earth. The ocean and scenery is spectacular but if you are looking for stimulation you bad better be able to generate it yourself."  But we have other friends who winter there and love its quiet charm and easy access to bustling St. Petersburg. Editor's comment: So to each his or her own, come down and check it out.

Climate and Physical Environment

Gulfport is a small community on a large peninsula on Tampa Bay with St. Petersburg. This is about the furthest point north on Florida's west coast where the average January temperature is above 60 (the average Jan low is 54 and the high is 69).

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

There are some interesting, if funky, restaurants along Beach Boulevard.  The Casino is the big local cultural attraction, while nearby St. Pete offers a full panoply of cultural options. There is an active library and large and busy senior center in Gulfport. The Catherine A. Hickman Theatre provides live theatre for residents and tourists alike. Gulfport holds many festivals throughout the year.

Crime

Crime is about 15% higher in Gulfport than the national average.

Medical Facilities

Many hospitals are in this area, especially in St. Petersburg but also in Pasadena.

Transportation

Several interstates run through the area. Amtrak is nearby, as are the very large airports in Clearwater/St. Petersburg and Tampa. Much of Gulfport is lowkey enough for walking and biking.

Valuable Links

City of Gulfport

Gulfport Casino Ballroom

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