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Gulfport Area Relocation Information

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Some would say that living in the Gulfport-South Pasadena is living in the best of all possible worlds. The two cities are small, friendly, have accessible, hometown government and neither is a “tourist trap.” Gulfport, with its historic, waterfront village is said by many to be a throwback to the atmosphere of “Old Florida.” South Pasadena, on the other hand, is made up of a few, small single family neighborhoods, lots of mid and high rise condos, (some gated, some not), a regional hospital, many medical specialists and excellent shopping.

Gulfport has just over 12,000 residents with 6,246 households. According to 2009 estimates, the median household income is $40,932 with a per capita median income of about $35,482. Again, 2009 data indicates that the median house or condo value is $165,781. The mean sales price for houses and condos in 2009 was $328,931. These figures might be somewhat misleading due to the existence of Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, (PYCC), a gated community of about 700 homes with an income level considerably above regional and national averages. For example, several single-family homes are available in the $70,000 to $100,000 range with homes in Pasadena Yacht and Country Club having asking prices of from $1.5 million to $4.9 million.

In South Pasadena there are about 5500 residents with about xxxx households. 2009 estimates indicate that the average household income is $35,482 with a per capita median income of about $28,956. The median house or condo value is estimated to be $200,318.
The mean sales price for houses and condos in 2009 was about $231,012. These averages are more representative in South Pasadena than in Gulfport since there is a greater homogeneity of housing values in South Pasadena.

An unincorporated area of primarily single family homes lies between Gulfport and South Pasadena. Property type and values are similar to houses in South Pasadena, if not slightly higher in price.

South Pasadena can fairly be characterized as a retirement community containing all the necessary amenities to serve a retirement area. The average age of residents according to the 2000 federal census confirms this opinion at 70.6 years. It has become the local shopping area and medical services resource for a majority of Gulfport’s residents.

Gulfport’s average age is estimated by the census takers at 47.3 years which indicates a combination of retirees and younger inhabitants. The city’s recent renaissance was fueled by an influx of area artists to the historic waterfront area with the result that the population is a much more diverse combination of free spirits, retirees and working families. It has been favorably labeled by many as “Mayberry RFD.”

If location is primary in valuing real estate, both Gulfport and South Pasadena can be considered prime properties. Only a few minutes separate South Pasadena from some of Florida’s best beaches. Gulfport Boulevard, a main thoroughfare shared by both communities serves as a direct link to I-275, less than 3 miles to the East. Downtown St. Petersburg is only 2.5 miles East of Gulfport’s eastern border. Most Gulfport residents can get to The Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field in under 10 minutes and downtown in under 15. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, (PSTA), provides regular daily bus service to downtown St. Petersburg.

Tampa International Airport is about 30 minutes away via I-275 making the two city’s readily accessible to most of the world.

Area Government

GENERAL

Gulfport and South Pasadena are cities within Pinellas County.

Gulfport has a City Council-City Manager form of government where a five member City Council is responsible for policy and approval of the budget and a City Manager is responsible for all administrative matters.

So. Pasadena has a five member City Commission, (terms council and commission are interchangeable).

Pinellas County government plays a major role in the lives of its residents.

While Gulfport is a full service city, So. Pasadena relies on contracted services from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Dept.

An unincorporated area of over 500 homes lies between Gulfport and So. Pasadena where the county provides most services.

Schools are provided by Pinellas County and are run by a county wide, elected school board.

Area real estate taxes are a combination of city and county levies along with several other, smaller taxing authorities.

The county is the largest taxing entity.

While there are several indirect state taxes, there is no state income tax in Florida.

The primary revenue source for the state is a broad, 6% sales tax. Pinellas County residents have voted to impose an additional 1%, county sales tax that is to be used for capital projects.

Government Contacts

GULFPORT CITY HALL

2401 53rd Street South
Gulfport, Florida 33707
727-893-1000 Main
727-893-1005 Main Fax

SOUTH PASADENA CITY HALL

7047 Sunset Drive South
South Pasadena, Florida 33707
727-347-4171 Main
727-345-0518 Main Fax

GULFPORT ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor: Sam Henderson 727-893-1012
Councilmember/Ward 1: Dan Liedtke 727-893-1012
Councilmember/Ward 2: Christine Brown 727-893-1012
Councilmember/Ward 3: Jennifer Salmon 727-893-1012
Councilmember/Ward 4: Michael Fridovich 727-893-1012

SOUTH PASADENA ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor: Dan Calabria 727-347-4171
Vice Mayor: Bruce Howry 727-347-4171
Commissioner: Max Elson 727-347-4171
Commissioner: Gail Neidinger 727-347-4171
Commissioner: Arthur Penny 727-347-4171

GULFPORT CHARTER EMPLOYEES, (Responsible to City Council)

City Clerk: Lesley DeMuth 727-893-1012
City Attorney: Andrew Salzman 727-893-1012

GULFPORT ADMINISTRATION

City Manager: James O’Reilly 727-893-1010
Harbormaster: Dennis Frain 727-893-1071
Director of Administrative Services: Teresa Gould 727-893-1014
Director of Community Development: Fred Metcalf 727-893-1095
Director of Public Works: Don Sopak 727-893-1090
Fire Chief: Jim Marenkovic 727-893-1062
Police Chief: Robert Vincent 727-893-1039
Parks and Rec. Superintendent: Bob Williams 727-893-1066
Senior Center Supervisor: Gail Biron 727-893-2237
Library Supervisor: David Mather 727-893-1075

SOUTH PASADENA ADMINISTRATION

Mayor: Larry Crowley 727-347-4171
City Attorney: Linda M. Hallas 727-347-4171

PINELLAS COUNTY COMMISSION

District 1 At Large Member: Janet C. Long 727-464-3377
District 2 At Large Member: Norm Roche 727-464-3377
District 3 At Large Member: Charlie Justice 727-464-3377
District 4. Susan Latvala, 727-464-3377
District 5. Karen Williams Steele 727-464-3377
District 6: John Morroni, Chairperson 727-464-3377
District 7: Kenneth T. Welch, Vice Chairperson
(Gulfport & So. Pasadena are in Dist. 7) 727-344-3377