Are you thinking about moving to Palm Harbor, Florida? Wondering what there is to do and enjoy in this area of the Sunshine State? There are many reasons why people love living in Palm Harbor. From the fantastic recreational activities to sights and attractions, you’ll find something for everyone in and around Palm Harbor.
Palm Harbor, a Tampa-area suburb with a small population, is ranked as one of the best places to live in Florida. Most people who find themselves living in Palm Harbor, FL own their homes, and visitors get a feel of a suburban environment. This suburban-type community allows families to feel safe when opting to live in this area of Florida. With friendly neighbors and a low-key residential-style neighborhood, you’ll have a great sense of community.
Palm Harbor has something for everyone. It is a beautiful location for people looking to retire, couples looking to start a family, or couples looking for a safe place to live with their children.
“Palm Harbor is a dwelling place for sunset lovers of the beach, parks, springs, resorts and the occasional game of golf!” according to Christine Goulbourne from the Sensory Friends blog.
This list of reasons to love living in Palm Harbor, FL, gives you a sense of some of the fabulous reasons many people have opted to move to Palm Harbor.
Reasons to Love Living in Palm Harbor
If you’re thinking about living in Palm Harbor, FL and want to know the reasons to love living here, then you must read this list.
1. Quick Access to City Life
Living in Palm Harbor, FL provides you with a relaxing, comfortable small-town community atmosphere that’s just moments away from the city life in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
2. Below Average Unemployment
If you’re still working hard for your money while living in Palm Harbor and not looking for a retirement city, then you’ll love that the unemployment rate in this area ranks below average. With many jobs available, your less likely to have to stretch your savings account and might even be able to find a job before relocating.
3. Top Ranked Schools
If you’re relocating with kids, it’s good to know that Palm Harbor has a friendly community, parks, and other recreational activities for your kids to enjoy. But, most importantly, Palm Harbor, Florida, has excellent school systems and ranks as a top place to live with kids. Palm Harbor could take a line from Garrison Keeler’s Lake Wobegon series signature closing of episodes “… and all the children are above average.” The schools in Palm Harbor tend to rank above average in the state.
4. Constraints in Place
Don’t worry about this popular Florida town becoming overcrowded! Even if the secret gets out, they have strict constraints in place to keep the suburban atmosphere and comfortable residential living as it is. No reason to break a good thing!
5. Parks/ Outdoor Life
With a plethora of state parks and other outdoor gems, there is no reason not to get off the couch and out of the house!
- Honeymoon Island State Park With more than four miles of beach to explore and a three-mile trail through one of the last virgin slash pine forests, this park is a favorite among visitors and residents seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in nearby Tampa.
- Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail One of Florida’s most popular and unique urban pathways, this trail stretches from St. Petersburg through Tarpon Springs and beyond; and offers a great way for residents to exercise via running and biking.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park Accessible by only boat or ferry service, this park offers four islands located three miles off the coast of nearby Tarpon Springs.
- John Chesnut Senior Park This park offers approximately 255 acres of land built in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Lake Tarpon The “Jewel of Pinellas County” offers thousands of residents the opportunity to participate in water sports, fishing and other recreational activities via its 2,500-acre lake.
- Brooker Creek With 8,700 acres, it’s the largest natural area in Pinellas County, offering residents the chance to explore its forested wetlands and pine Flatwoods along the boardwalk and trails than run through it.
- Dunedin Causeway This 2.5-mile route, with water on both sides, leads to the entrance of Honeymoon Island State Park. With free parking available, it’s a great place to go running, biking, fishing, and even sunbathing.
- Wall Springs Park A 107-acre park known for its historic spring once used as a turn of the century spa and bathing area.
- Upper Tampa Bay Park Founded in 1982 to offer protected nature study and passive recreation, this 596-acre park protects the valuable coastal habitat and ecological communities.
- Three Rooker Island This small island is only accessible by boat and requires docking further in the water as low-tide exposes nearly 30 yards of the beach. Visitors enjoy camping and connecting with nature while there.
- Pop Stansell Park This park has several picnic shelters, as we as a full covered bandshell, and an active playground.
- Curlew Creek Park Near the Dunedin Causeway, this park features a picnic area, shelter, benches, and a fenced basketball hoop area.
- Lake Chautauqua Park A small park with a dock on the lake, picnic areas, as well as walking and equestrian trails.
- Lake Tarpon Canal This canal protects the ecology of Lake Tarpon, while also preventing saltwater from entering it during high tides. The structure was completed in 1971.
- Caladesi Island State Park Another state park only accessible by boat. It’s one of the few untouched areas in the Gulf Coast. Its beaches are pristine, making a good candidate for a beach walk. You can also kayak through its mangroves.
- Saint Joseph Sound This body of water stretches between the north edge of Tarpon Springs and Clearwater Harbor. You can find crystal blue waters and fun for the whole family and some of its white, sandy beaches.
- Crystal Beach Pier This fairly quiet pier offers a great place to go fishing and relax.
Other area parks include A.L. Anderson Park, Anclote River Park, Anclote Gulf Park, Honeymoon Island Beach, Sheffield Park, Dunedin/ Honeymoon Island, Safety Harbor Pier, Three Rooker Bar, and Alligator Lake.
Recreation
Are you looking to get out and enjoy some recreational events? These locations in Palm Harbor, FL, will provide you with hours of fun. From the Copperhead Course to the Anclote Key Lighthouse, you can see there’s a variety of recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy while living in Palm Harbor, FL.
- Copperhead Course In the mood for golf? This 7,340-yard course hosts the PGA Tour’s annual Valspar Championship, so you know it’s good.
- Suncoast Primate Sanctuary Foundation Inc. Home to over 70 animals, including Chimpanzees, Orangutans and more, this nonprofit sanctuary run mostly by volunteers and funded through an admission fee, provides a safe home for surrendered animals that cannot be returned to the wild.
- HorsePower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary This nonprofit sanctuary provides a farm and petting zoo for people who would benefit from animal interaction. They also offer a Critter Camp, horseback riding, as well as parties & services.
- Oldsmar Sports Complex In addition to multi-purpose fields and a baseball complex, this complex also offers one of only a few BMX facilities in the world.
- Palm Harbor Museum A museum that is located inside a centennially aged building (Hartley House) that formerly served as a citrus ladder factory. It highlights local, state, and national history with its exhibits.
- Anclote Key Lighthouse Here you have a chance to visit a lighthouse that was built in 1887. It was discontinued in 1984, after being automated for 32 years. After falling into disrepair, a group of volunteers stepped up to work on restoring it.
- Tarpon Springs WaterSports Love to get on the water? You can rent a wave runner, a kayak, or even a paddleboard here so you can experience water in a variety of ways.
- Ozona Village Hall If you are into history, you can visit this venue that serves as a place for neighborhood gatherings. It’s been around since about 1900, but much of it has been restored.
Living in Palm Harbor slows life down so you can actually smell the roses. You’ll be able to relax during around your home but drive a short distance to experience the attractions in the city of Tampa, Florida too! If you’re looking for a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of city living, consider moving to Palm Harbor. CubeSmart in Palm Harbor can help you while you transition living arrangements!
