Living on Pinellas County's Barrier Islands
Just west of Tampa in Pinellas County you will find Florida's
West Coast Barrier Islands. These islands have some of the most
electric communities to be found among beach communities
world-wide. They include Clearwater Beach, Island Estates, Sand
Key, Belleair Beach, Belleair Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian
Shores, Redington Shores, North Redington Beach, Madeira Beach,
Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.
These areas are blessed with sandy beaches and natural unspoiled
landscapes with clear, sparkling Gulf waters, a subtropical
climate, and an abundance of glorious Florida sunshine -- 365
days a year!
Pinellas County's barrier islands are accessed via causeways and
bridges and each community has its own unique flavor. Because of
the mix of many different cultures, foods, music, and
entertainment, life on these islands varies from one island to
the next. You can find everything from a relaxed escape from the
usual rat race of everyday life, to the exhilarating
hip-grinding beats of the live music being played at the clubs.
The island of Sand Key is just one of the many different
communities you will find here. Sand Key is mostly a residential
location of townhouses, homes, and luxury high rise
condominiums. This island community does offer shopping and
restaurants as well, housing two major hotels on its north end.
This is a place to slow down and take the time to truly enjoy
the simpler things in life. For the more adventurous, there is
the Sand Key County Park, and nearby Clearwater Sailing center
that provides for various recreational activities.
Clearwater Beach is another of Florida's Barrier Islands.
Clearwater Beach is 4 miles of pristine sandy beach, and
supplies visitors and residents with plenty of water and beach
activities including parasailing, fishing, swimming, jet-skiing
and volleyball to name just a few. Clearwater's infamous "Pier
60" has music, arts and crafts, and a daily celebration of the
spectacular sunsets viewed from the pier. This community is
alive with activity. They have hotels, shopping, and fine
dining. Waterfront homes and condominiums are what residents can
find for quality housing. A trolley is used to transport people
between Clearwater beach and the mainland and also for trips to
nearby Sand Key. You will find plenty of venues providing live
music and you are only a short-trolley trip away from the city
of Clearwater's many music and dance nightclubs.
Madeira Beach is yet another island community just off Florida's
western coast. As a direct-entry point to the Gulf, you will
find daily fishing, and cruising charters. This community has
plenty of waterfront shops and fine dining restaurants.
Residents are found living in various dwellings such as condos,
apartments, and luxurious waterfront single-family homes.
Belleair Shores is a private community island with
million-dollar waterfront homes. Access to this areas beach is
restricted to use by residents only. There are no public access
beaches in Belleair Shores. This is a community for those who
desire to live in an area removed from the common everyday life
found in other communities.
So if you're looking to relocate to the sunny Pinellas West
Coast of Florida, and would like to move away from ordinary
living, consider contacting a Tampa Bay area real estate agent
to discuss the different island communities. Your real estate
agent can arrange for you to tour the different Barrier Islands
that populate Pinellas County Florida's West Coast, so that you
can discover the community that offers the lifestyle and housing
options that are right for you. Your real estate representative
can assist you in finding the financing to buy your new property
as well. These friendly, knowledgeable real estate agents are
also a good resource for all of the information that you will
need in order to make your transition to becoming a Florida
resident a smooth as possible.