March 10, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you’re looking for a scenic place to live, the sunny beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida, might be calling your name. Along with all the hallmarks of a metropolitan area—like arts, culture, and a burgeoning food scene—this town offers something most don’t: waterfront living.
However, like any city, St. Petersburg isn’t perfect, and concerns about safety and crime rates may arise when contemplating a move. The city’s crime rate is higher than the national average. But there are plenty of spots in this sun-drenched locale that anyone would be lucky to call home.
Snell Island
Snell Island isn’t your typical town. It’s a series of islands connected by a system of bridges. It embodies the idea of island living, and residents can confirm that it is as idyllic as it sounds.
In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the safest neighborhoods in St. Petersburg. The area has a high median income and a close-knit community, which often correlates with lower crime rates. It’s also worth noting that the broader northeast St. Petersburg area, of which Snell Island is part, generally has lower crime rates than the city as a whole.
Old Southeast
With brick-lined streets, historic homes, and plenty of greenery, Old Southeast exudes an old-school charm that’s increasingly difficult to find.
Among the many benefits of living in a town where everyone knows each other, it is also recognized as one of St. Petersburg’s safest boroughs, partly due to its highly active neighborhood associations and strong police presence.
The proximity to downtown St. Petersburg does mean residents should still be careful, but Old Southeast itself has much lower crime rates than the city proper. Like Snell Island, it is also part of the safer northeast St. Petersburg area.
Shore Acres
Another highlight of northeast St. Petersburg, Shore Acres is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and waterfront access. While generally considered safe, there have been some fluctuations in crime rates, so it’s good to make sure the part of town you settle down in is on the lower end.
In general, the community’s tight-knit atmosphere—coupled with its location being farther from the city center—helps keep crime rates low, but it’s always good to be vigilant, especially if you live close to major thoroughfares.
Venetian Isles
Another series of interconnected islands, Venetian Isles offers a tranquil and secluded living experience, perfect for someone who wants to get away from it all. Its seclusion and affluent demographic also translate to a very low crime rate. Limited access to the islands—as well as the presence of security systems in many homes—serves as a very effective deterrent.
Coquina Key
Waterfront living isn’t just for those who can pay extra for it. If you’re looking for an affordable place on the waterfront, look no further than Coquina Key. This island community offers a mix of single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments, and as it’s undergoing major revitalization, new businesses and amenities are cropping up all the time.
However, this area has historically had higher crime rates than the other places on this list. If you’re planning to move here, it’s worth looking at recent local crime stats before making a decision.
Finding a Safe Home for You and Your Family
Crime rates and other statistics certainly help, but even a neighborhood that checks all your boxes on paper might not be perfect in reality. While all of these neighborhoods are worthy contenders for where to live in St. Petersburg, accidents, including car crashes, can happen anywhere.
Keeping your family safe is about more than just choosing the right neighborhood. It’s also about practicing personal safety measures, like keeping doors and windows locked, being aware of your surroundings, and knowing what resources are out there in case you do run into an emergency.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced Personal Injury lawyers at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Florida, including Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, and Port St. Lucie.
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Vero Beach
2651 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 758-5735
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – St. Petersburg
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 404-3858
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Port St. Lucie
10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
(772) 617-8814
